Senior citizens have different vehicular needs than younger drivers. For many senior citizens, maneuvering into a vehicle becomes challenging. Some seniors have conditions that make it difficult to sit for long periods of time. This is especially common with vehicles lower to the ground, where it is difficult for seniors to slowly squat into the seat. As a result, SUVs are some of the best vehicles for seniors. SUVs have other advantages for seniors besides being easy to enter. Because the vehicles are higher off the ground, it is easier for senior drivers to maintain visibility on the road.
SUVs also have better traction and control than other vehicles, which is especially helpful for seniors who live somewhere with difficult weather. SUVs have a great deal of interior space as well, which is good for seniors who need to carry medical equipment or other items. While there are many excellent SUVs to choose from, the following ten are recommended with senior drivers in mind.
2020 SUBARU FORESTER
The Forester SUV is one of Subaru’s oldest line of SUVs, with each new model improving on the previous one. The newest model of the Forester focuses on advanced tech features, with the most notable being access to a 360-degree camera. This introduces other safety features, including lane keep assistance and top of the line blind spot monitoring. The controls are also easy to use, making it easy for most seniors to learn. Wide windshields provide better visibility for senior drivers, and the Forester features chair-like seats, which are easy for seniors to spend long periods of time in.
2020 ACURA RDX
While it is one of the pricier options currently available, the RDX has many ideal features for senior drivers. One of the top features is the Acura Watch suite, which contains a number of useful safety tools. Some of the prime components included in the suite include a rearview camera, automatic brake assistance, pedestrian detection and blind spot monitoring. It also includes an option to automatically lock the doors once the driver exits, which is a helpful option for forgetful seniors.
The interior of the RDX is also a strong selling point for seniors. The seats are wide and comfortable, providing plenty of legroom for senior drivers. The wide doors also make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle.
2020 KIA SOUL
The Kia Soul is a subcompact SUV, but it still has plenty of space for drivers. The front doors are especially wide, and the vehicle boasts higher than average seating, both of which are ideal for senior drivers. The Kia Soul also has large windows, providing superior visibility for the elderly. The Soul comes standard with a smaller touch screen, but seniors can request a larger, 10.2-inch version. In addition to the usual safety features, it also comes with driver drowsiness monitoring, which is helpful for seniors with certain medical conditions. Despite being one of the newest cars on the market, it is also one of the most affordable.
2020 HYUNDAI KONA
The Kona is another subcompact SUV with an excellent design for senior drivers. It provides extra cargo space compared to the Kia Soul. What makes it such a good vehicle for seniors is the easy to use infotainment system. The menu uses a basic control scheme, which is perfect for seniors who are not used to using an infotainment system. The Kona comes with several safety features, but the most relevant to seniors are forward collision warning and a driver attention monitor. The Kona has excellent handling and also has an all-wheel drive option, which is helpful for seniors who live somewhere with harsher weather conditions.
2019 HONDA CR-V
The CR-V is often overlooked as a senior vehicle, but it has many perks for elderly drivers. In addition to comfortable seats and a spacious interior, it has some of the best cargo capacity for senior citizens. The cargo area was designed with low lift over height, which makes it easy to load bulkier medical equipment, such as a scooter or walker. Additional options include a power or hands-free liftgate, offering even more assistance to elderly drivers. The CR-V comes standard with useful safety features, including adaptive cruise control and road departure mitigation.
2020 NISSAN ROGUE
The Nissan Rogue is a good choice for senior drivers because of how much customization it provides. The base model only has a few features, but seniors can add extra features, including rear cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking and collision warning. Nissan also has a ProPilot Assist driving program, which helps drivers maintain a consistent speed and also provides assistance with steering and braking.