A car for an older person ought to have higher ground clearance so the senior individual can access the car easier. Furthermore, a car for older people should also be easy to drive, easy to see out of, and most importantly safe and reliable.
Depending on the price category, you can either opt for a smaller SUV or you can stretch deep into the mid-size and full-size SUV segment. A minivan or a subcompact SUV are also great choices for older people as they also offer a raised driving position and increased visibility.
If you are not a fan of the SUV platform, some sedans like the VW Passat, Hyundai Sonata, Mercedes Benz E-Class, Audi A6, or the Lexus LS are all fairly popular with the elderly. SUV-wise, the Volvo XC90 is the most popular mid-sized SUV and the Honda CR-V is a popular compact SUV choice.
If you want a full-size SUV, the Kia Telluride seems like the best pick of the bunch when it comes to value, but the overall best full-size luxury SUV for the elderly is undoubtedly the BMW X7.
Best compact/subcompact SUVs for the elderly
The subcompact and compact SUV segments are loaded with lots of great options for any type of buyer and especially the elderly. Some SUVs like the Mercedes GLA/GLC, Kia Soul, Audi Q3/Q5, or the Volvo XC40 are offered with a bunch of senior-friendly features.
If you opt for a Mercedes, you are looking at a technology-packed, safe, and good-looking SUV that is easy to see out of, incredibly easy to drive as it is only offered with an automatic transmission and the engine choices are plentiful.
The Kia Soul might be the best all-around senior SUV option as the affordable price, easy entry and class-leading visibility are important for a good car for the elders. If you prefer Audi’s, you are looking at two smaller SUVs that are incredibly easy to drive and get comfortable in.
But the perfect smaller SUV for senior people is undoubtedly the Volvo XC40 as this SUV offers a relatively good-looking exterior, a well-proportioned, and more importantly easy to use interior and class-leading safety. All of these smaller SUV options are more than enough for 99% of the senior population.
Best mid-size/full-size SUVs for the elderly
If you have lots of grandchildren or you love the feeling of piloting a large SUV, a mid-size or a full-size SUV is the one to get. It’s worth mentioning that a full-size SUV only makes sense if you truly do plan on using all the available space on offer, if not, you should rather opt for a higher trim mid-size SUV.
And the obvious mid-size SUV champ is once again a Volvo, more specifically the Volvo XC90. This SUV offers efficient engines, and an even more spacious inside that is laid out intuitively and thus is easy to use and to understand.
If you do want the biggest SUV out there for all your grandchildren’s transportation requirements, the Kia Telluride is the value choice, the Land Rover Discovery is the popular choice and the BMW X7 is the luxury man’s choice.
All three of these are huge and offer up to 7 seats that can easily accommodate at least 5 adults and 2 children. If you plan on taking your grandchildren off-roading the Discovery is the one to get, if you mostly plan on driving on smooth tarmac, the X7 is the best, most luxurious full-size SUV.
Best sedans for the elderly
Some people just don’t like SUVs, and it’s a not surprise as the SUV craze is mostly associated with the younger generations. Some older people think that a sedan is indeed the best car segment out there, and the reasoning behind such claims is rather obvious.
If you want a more affordable sedan option, go for the Hyundai Sonata or the VW Passat. Both of these offer ample space, are easy to drive and see out of, and are also fairly priced. It’s worth mentioning that the Sonata offers loads of driver’s headroom and legroom as well.
But if you want the best sedan for the elderly, it’s going to be the Mercedes E-Class or the appropriately named Mercedes Elder-Class. The reason why the E-Class is so popular with the senior population is that the E-Class offers a true grown-up driving experience.
All E-Class models except for the AMG variants are comfy, serene, quiet, easy to drive and they look good wherever you park them. It’s more or less the same story with the Audi A6 and the Lexus LS as both of these are the regular E-Class competitors.
FAQ Section
What is the best car for newer drivers?
If you are buying your first car, you should be well aware that your first car should be restrained, cheap to buy and run, and cheap to maintain. And for such purposes, a Ford Fiesta ST, VW Polo, Fiat 500, or the Mini Cooper are the ones to get.
It’s easy to upgrade later and these types of cars will offer you a greater understanding of what it means to own a car. It’s never a good idea to buy an expensive car the moment you acquire your driver’s license. And if you check the insurance premiums, you’ll know why.
Best high-end car for older people?
Let’s imagine you’ve worked hard your entire life and now you are coming to the later periods of your life. You have successfully raised your children, sent them to college, and got them married and now you want to buy yourself a weekend cruiser as a reminder that you are indeed living a better life.
Probably the most famous older-men high-end cars are convertibles and grand tourers. Brands such as Bentley, Aston Martin, Mercedes, and BMW are the ones that come to mind. But if you prefer Italian, this might be a perfect time to consider something like a Ferrari Portofino.
How does old age affect car insurance?
Car insurance rates depend highly on the age of the person insured. In your 20s you are likely to see the highest premiums, after you reach 40s these should be a bit better, and after you reach 50s you are likely to see the best rates you’ll ever get.
After you’ve reached 60, insurance rates will slowly start to increase. When you reach 70, your insurance rates are likely to increase even more steeply as the risk levels of 70+-year-old drivers are much greater.
