How to Choose the Best SUV for Seniors
SUVs are popular vehicles for many drivers, but they can be especially appealing to seniors who value comfort, safety, and versatility.
However, not all SUVs are created equal, and some may suit the needs and preferences of older drivers better than others.
This article will compare some of the best SUVs for seniors in 2023 based on factors such as ease of access, visibility, reliability, fuel economy, cargo space, safety features, and driver assistance technologies.
We will also provide tips on shopping for the best SUV for seniors that meets specific requirements and budgets.
Table of Contents
What Makes the Best SUV for Seniors?
Before we dive into the details of each SUV model, let’s first discuss what makes an SUV suitable for seniors.
Here are some of the key features and characteristics that you should look for when choosing an SUV as an older driver:
Front-seat access:
You want an SUV with low door sills, wide openings, and a reasonable step-in height that does not require you to duck or climb too much to get in and out of the driver’s seat.
You also want power-adjustable seats that can be customized to your comfort and posture and a tilt-telescopic steering wheel that can be adjusted to your reach.
Visibility:
You want an SUV with large windows, thin pillars, and a high seating position that lets you see well out of the vehicle’s front, sides, and back.
You also want good headlights that illuminate the road ahead clearly at night and daytime running lights that make you more visible to other drivers.
Controls:
You want an SUV with easy-to-read gauges and intuitive controls for changing the radio, shifting gears, and adjusting the heating and cooling.
You also wish for a user-friendly and responsive infotainment system with large icons and buttons that are easy to see and touch.
Reliability:
You want a reliable and comfortable SUV with a good reputation for being sturdy and durable, with low maintenance costs and few repairs.
You also want a warranty that covers you for a long time or a high mileage, as well as roadside assistance that can help you in an emergency.
Fuel economy:
You want an SUV with good gas mileage or a hybrid or electric option that can save you money on fuel costs.
You also wish to have a large capacity or long-range fuel tank that can reduce the need for frequent refueling stops.
Cargo space:
You want an SUV with a spacious interior and a large trunk or hatchback to accommodate your luggage, groceries, or mobility aids.
You also want folding or sliding rear seats that can expand the cargo space or provide more legroom for passengers.
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Features to Look for in an SUV for Seniors
Choosing an SUV for seniors is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Different seniors may have different needs and preferences when it comes to their cars.
Some may prioritize safety and reliability over performance and style. Others may value comfort and convenience over space and versatility. And some may want a balance of all these factors.
That’s why it’s essential to consider the features that matter most to you when shopping for an SUV for seniors. Many features can make an SUV more suitable and enjoyable for seniors.
Here are some of the most important ones to look for:
Safety features:
Safety is paramount for any driver, especially for seniors facing more challenges and risks on the road.
That’s why you should look for an SUV with advanced safety features to help prevent or mitigate accidents and injuries.
Some of the safety systems to look for are:
Automatic emergency braking:
Forward crash avoidance can detect an imminent collision and apply the brakes automatically to avoid or reduce the impact.
Forward collision alert:
This feature can alert you if you are approaching a vehicle or an object too fast and warn you to brake or steer away.
Blind spot monitoring:
This feature can detect vehicles or objects in your blind spots and alert you with a visual or audible signal.
Lane-keeping assistance:
This feature can help you stay in your lane by gently steering you back if you drift out of it unintentionally.
Rear cross-traffic alerts:
This feature can warn you of approaching vehicles or objects when backing out of a parking spot or a driveway.
Driver assistance features:
Driving can be stressful and tiring for seniors with reduced vision, hearing, or reaction time. That’s why you should look for an SUV with driver assistance features that make driving easier and more fun.
Some of the driver assistance features to look for are:
Adaptive cruise control:
This feature can maintain a set speed and distance from the vehicle before you and adjust it automatically according to the traffic flow.
Rear park assist:
This feature can help you park your SUV by providing a rearview camera and sensors showing you how much space is behind you and alerting you of any obstacles.
Traffic sign recognition:
This feature can recognize and display traffic signs such as speed limits, stop signs, and yield signs on your dashboard or windshield.
Steering assist:
This feature can help you steer your SUV by providing gentle nudges or corrections when needed.
Comfort features:
Comfort is essential for seniors with chronic pain, stiffness, or mobility issues.
That’s why you should look for an SUV with comfort features that make driving and riding more enjoyable and relaxing.
Some of the comfort features to look for are:
Heated Seats and Heated steering wheel:
These features can warm your front seats in cold weather and provide soothing heat for your back. The heated steering wheel will keep your hands warm.
Power adjustable seats:
These features let you adjust your seats electronically to find the best position and support for your body.
Spacious interior and cabin space:
These features can provide enough room for you and your passengers to stretch out and move around comfortably.
Smooth ride:
This feature can provide a smooth and quiet ride by absorbing bumps and noises from the road.
Related Article: Quietest SUV: The Ultimate Guide for a Peaceful Ride
Convenience features:
Convenience is essential for seniors with busy lifestyles or multiple responsibilities.
That’s why you should look for an SUV with convenient features that make driving more practical and enjoyable. Some of the convenience features to look for are:
Infotainment system:
This feature can provide entertainment and information through a touchscreen or voice control. You can easily access navigation, music, phone calls, messages, apps, and more.
LED exterior lights its another important safety features for most seniors.
Remote engine start is also a very useful option for seniors.
These are some features to look for in an SUV for seniors. Of course, you may have other important features, such as performance, style, reliability, or price.
The best way to determine which features suit you best is to research and test-drive different models.
The following section will show you some of the best SUVs for seniors based on their features, performance, reliability, and customer reviews. Stay tuned!
Best SUVs for Seniors in 2023
Now that we have established what makes an SUV suitable for seniors, let’s look at some of the best SUVs for seniors in 2023.
We have selected ten models from different categories and price ranges that excel in one or more of the features mentioned earlier.
We have also included the pros and cons of each model to help you compare them better.
Comparison of 5 best SUVs for seniors
| SUV | Safety | MPG | Cargo | Comfort | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 25/28 (H) | 36.4 – 72.1 | 🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️ | 🛠️🛠️🛠️ |
| Toyota Highlander | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 22/29 (G), 36/35 (H) | 16.0 – 84.3 | 🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️ | 🛠️🛠️🛠️🛠️ |
| Subaru Forester | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 26/33 (G) | 31.1 – 76.1 | 🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️ | 🛠️🛠️🛠️🛠️ |
| Honda CR-V | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 28/34 (G), 40/35 (H) | 39.2 – 75.8 | 🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️ | 🛠️🛠️🛠️🛠️ |
| Lexus RX Hybrid | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 31/28 (H) | 16.0 – 32.6 | 🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️🛋️ | 🛠️🛠️🛠️ |
Legend:
* Safety: based on NHTSA rating (5 stars is the best)
* MPG: city/highway miles per gallon (G for gas, H for hybrid)
* Cargo: cargo space in cubic feet
* Comfort: based on seat comfort and adjustability (5 sofas is the best)
* Reliability: based on Consumer Reports rating (4 wrenches is the best)
Here are some of the best SUVs for seniors:
Hyundai Santa Fe:
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV that can meet the needs and preferences of senior drivers.
It offers a spacious and comfortable interior, a smooth and reliable ride, a long warranty that covers ten years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain, and a long list of standard features
Some of the specs that make the Hyundai Santa Fe appealing to most seniors are:
- A high seating position that provides good visibility and easy access
- A digital cluster that displays clear and valuable information
- A standard front-wheel drive or an available HTRAC all-wheel-drive system that enhances traction and stability
- A fuel economy of 25/28 mpg city/highway for the base engine or 22/28 mpg city/highway for the turbocharged engine
The Hyundai Santa Fe also has many safety and assistance features to help seniors drive more confidently and easily.
Some of these safety features are:
- Forward collision warning, emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, and more.
- Steering assist that helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane
- Traffic sign recognition that alerts the driver of speed limits and other road signs
- Pedestrian detection that warns the driver of potential collisions with people or animals
- The Santa Fe has a reasonable starting price of $28,750 and is available in different trim levels and powertrain options.
- It also has an extended warranty that covers 10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain.
Toyota Highlander:
The Toyota Highlander is another midsize SUV that can suit the needs and preferences of senior drivers.
It offers a roomy and comfortable interior, a smooth and reliable ride, and a standard ToyotaCare plan that covers 2 years or 25,000 miles of no-cost maintenance.
Some of the specs that make the Toyota Highlander appealing to seniors are:
- A high seating position that provides good visibility and easy access
- A digital cluster that displays clear and useful information
- A standard front-wheel drive or an available Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system that enhances traction and stability
- A fuel economy of 25/28 mpg city/highway for the base engine or 36/35 mpg city/highway for the hybrid engine
The Highlander also has a long list of safety and driver assistance features to help seniors drive more confidently and easily.
Some of these features are:
- Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, park assist, and more
- Lane departure warning that helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane
- Traffic sign recognition that alerts the driver of speed limits and other road signs
- Pedestrian detection that warns the driver of potential collisions with people or animals
The Toyota Highlander has a reasonable starting price of $35,600 and is available in different trim levels and powertrain options.
It also has a standard ToyotaCare plan that covers 2 years or 25,000 miles of no-cost maintenance.
The Toyota Highlander is a good option for seniors who want a spacious, comfortable, safe SUV with good fuel economy and reliability.
Subaru Forester:
The Subaru Forester is a compact SUV that can also meet the needs and preferences of senior drivers.
It offers a spacious, comfortable interior, a smooth and reliable ride, and a standard Subaru Added Security plan that covers 3 years or 36,000 miles of no-cost maintenance.
Some of the specs that make the Forester appealing to seniors are:
- A high seating position that provides good visibility and easy access
- A digital cluster that displays clear and useful information
- A standard all-wheel-drive system with X-MODE that enhances traction and stability
- A fuel economy of 26/33 mpg city/highway for the base engine or 25/34 mpg city/highway for the turbocharged engine
The Subaru Forester also has a long list of safety and assistance features to help seniors drive more confidently and easily.
Some of these features are:
- Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and rear assist while parking.
- Lane departure warning that helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane
- Traffic sign recognition that alerts the driver of speed limits and other road signs
- Detection that warns the driver of potential collisions with people or animals
The Subaru Forester has a reasonable starting price of $25,895 and is available in different trim levels and powertrain options.
It also has a standard Subaru Added Security plan that covers 3 years or 36,000 miles of no-cost maintenance.
The Subaru Forester is a good option for seniors who want a spacious, comfortable, and safe SUV with standard all-wheel drive and reliability.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV that can also meet the needs and preferences of senior drivers.
It offers a spacious interior, a smooth, reliable, and comfortable ride throughout, and a standard Honda Care plan covering 3 years or 36,000 miles of no-cost maintenance.
Some of the specs that make the CR-V appealing to seniors are:
- A high seating position that provides good visibility and easy access
- A digital cluster that displays clear and useful information
- A standard front-wheel drive or an available Real Time all-wheel drive system with Intelligent Control System™ that enhances traction and stability
- A fuel economy of 28/34 mpg city/highway for the base engine or 40/35 mpg city/highway for the hybrid engine
The CR-V also has a long list of safety and assistance features to help seniors drive more confidently and easily.
Some of these features are:
- Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, and more.
- Steering assist that helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane
- Traffic sign recognition that alerts the driver of speed limits and other road signs
- Detection that warns the driver of potential collisions with people or animals
The Honda CR-V has a reasonable starting price of $28,410 and is available in different trim levels and powertrain options.
It also has a standard Honda Care plan that covers 3 years or 36,000 miles of no-cost maintenance.
The Honda CR-V is a good option for seniors who want a spacious, comfortable, safe SUV with good fuel economy and reliability.
Lexus RX Hybrid:
The Lexus RX Hybrid is a luxury midsize SUV that can also meet the needs and preferences of senior drivers.
It offers a refined and comfortable interior, a smooth and quiet ride, and a standard Lexus Enform plan that covers 3 years or unlimited miles of no-cost maintenance.
Also, as with every Lexus, a long list of standard features, like a heated steering wheel, for example
Some of the specs that make the RX Hybrid appealing to seniors are:
- A high seating position that provides good visibility and easy access
- A digital cluster that displays clear and useful information
- A standard all-wheel-drive system with Active Torque Control that enhances traction and stability
- A fuel economy of 31/28 mpg city/highway for the base engine or 30/28 mpg city/highway for the F Sport Performance engine
The RX Hybrid also has many safety and assistance features to help seniors drive more confidently and easily.
Some of these features are:
- Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
- Steering assist that helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane
- Traffic sign recognition that alerts the driver of speed limits and other road signs
- Pedestrian detection that warns the driver of potential collisions with people or animals
The Lexus RX Hybrid is a good option for seniors who want a refined, comfortable, safe SUV with good fuel economy and reliability.
The RX Hybrid has a reasonable starting price of $50,150 and is available in different trim levels and powertrain options. It also has a standard Lexus Enform plan that covers 3 years or unlimited miles of no-cost maintenance.
Are SUVs safe for seniors?
SUVs are generally safe for seniors, as they have an elevated driving position that gives better visibility and a sense of security.
They also have advanced safety features that can help prevent or mitigate accidents and injuries.
You should also look for safety features that suit your needs and preferences, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, etc.
Are SUVs easy to drive for seniors?
SUVs are generally easy to drive for seniors, as they have smooth rides and assistance features that make driving easier and more fun.
You should also look for assistance features that suit your needs and preferences, such as adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, traffic sign recognition, steering assist, etc.
Are SUVs comfortable for seniors?
SUVs are generally comfortable for seniors, as they have spacious interiors and cabin space to accommodate passengers and cargo.
They also have comfort features that make driving and riding more enjoyable and relaxing. However, not all SUVs are equally comfortable.
You should always test-drive any SUV you are interested in before buying it.
You should also look for comfort features that suit your needs and preferences, such as heated seats and steering wheel, power-adjustable seats, smooth ride, etc.
Are SUVs convenient for seniors?
SUVs are generally convenient for seniors, as they have large trunk or cargo space to fit groceries, luggage, equipment, and more.
They also have convenient features that can make driving more practical and enjoyable.
You should also look for convenience features that suit your needs and preferences, such as an infotainment system, all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, fuel economy, etc.
How do I choose the best SUV for me as a senior?
Selecting the ideal senior-friendly SUV involves considering your needs, preferences, budget, lifestyle, and driving habits.
Key factors include:
Size: Opt for an SUV with manageable dimensions for easy maneuvering and parking.
Performance: Prioritize reliable performance and a robust engine for a trouble-free driving experience.
Reliability: Choose a sturdy, durable SUV with a good reputation to minimize repair costs and maintain value.
Customer Reviews: Consult expert and user reviews to gauge real-world performance and weigh pros and cons.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about SUVs for seniors. This article explained what an SUV is and why it is popular among seniors.
We also reviewed some features to look for in an SUV for seniors, such as safety, driver assistance, comfort, and convenience features.
We also showed you some of the best SUVs for seniors in 2021 based on their characteristics, performance, reliability, and customer reviews.
As you can see, SUVs have a lot to offer for seniors who want a safe, comfortable, spacious, and versatile car. However, not all SUVs are created equal.
Different types and models of SUVs vary in size, performance, reliability, and customer reviews. How do you choose the best one for you?
That’s where you come in. Choosing an SUV for seniors depends on your individual needs and preferences. You should always research and test-drive different models before buying any car.
You should also consider your budget, lifestyle, and driving habits when choosing an SUV for seniors.
This article helped narrow your choices and gave tips on choosing the best SUV for seniors.
For seniors who prioritize a serene driving experience, our guide to the quietest midsize SUVs offers detailed insights into the top options available
If you have any feedback or questions, please share them in the comments section below or contact us for more information. We would love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading, and happy driving!
