Picking the right type of vehicle is a very important choice. This could be especially true for seniors, which may need additional features to help them be comfortable and safe behind the wheel.
For many senior citizens, the best vehicle option would be to get a SUV as they can provide a variety of modern safety and entertainment features that are very beneficial for older drivers. There are six SUVs in particular that have great features and are very popular with senior drivers in 2019.
1. Acura RDX
The Acura RDX is a very popular line of SUVs, which sell very well with senior citizens. Many seniors are attracted to the luxurious style, engine performance, and standard safety features.
The Acura RDX, which starts at just under $40,000, comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that produces about 275 horsepower. Compared to other luxury SUVs, it also gets very good fuel efficiency of around 28 mpg when driving on the highway and 22 mpg in the city.1
The RDX comes standard with a very impressive entertainment system that can be connected to Apple CarPlay and Siri Eyes Free. This gives a senior the ability to quickly and easily access navigation, audio entertainment, and other features while safely keeping their eyes on the road.
One of the main amenities that comes standard with all RDX trim levels is the AcuraWatch, which is a group of features that can help to make the Acura safer and easier for all seniors to drive. This includes providing plenty of warnings, such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and road departure mitigation. All these safety features, especially when coupled with the standard rearview camera, can provide any senior with the additional safety features that they need to feel secure behind the wheel.
2. Subaru Forester
Another SUV that provides many great features for senior citizens is the Subaru Forester. This SUV, which starts at just under $25,000, provides a range of safety and reliability features and upgrades that can make it a great driving option. One of the main advantages of the Subaru Forester is that it has lower door sills and wider openings than most other SUVs. This makes them much easier for a senior citizen to step into. The Forester also comes with a very user-friendly touchscreen, which allows them to access a great entertainment and navigation system.
The Forester has a variety of upgradeable options including the Subaru DriverFocus, which is a driver monitoring system that can notify a senior driver if they are beginning to drive erratically. Seniors can also upgrade to have blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and front collision warning sensors for an additional fee.
The Forester comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that produces about 185 horsepower. While this is a smaller engine option than other SUVs in the class, it does get great fuel efficiency of around 33 mpg when driving on the highway and 26 mpg when driving in the city.2
3. Toyota Highlander
One of the most popular SUVs on the road today, the Toyota Highlander, is also a popular choice with senior citizens. The Highlander starts at around $32,000 and comes standard with many different features that are frequently upgrades for other SUV options. One of the main amenities that comes standard with all Highlander trims is the Entune system. This system comes with a larger eight-inch screen that is easy for any senior to see and control. This includes providing navigation systems that are easy to follow.
The Highlander also comes standard with several safety features. Those that get the Highlander will enjoy the standard front collision warning systems, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alerts. All of these provide additional alerts to a senior that is driving in an unfamiliar location. The Highlander comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that produces about 185 horsepower. However, it can be upgraded to a V6 that produces nearly 300 horsepower. When combined with the four-cylinder engine, the Highlander will get an average fuel efficiency of around 24 mpg.3
4. Honda Pilot
When a senior citizen is looking for a new SUV, another very popular option is the Honda Pilot. There are many built-in reliability and safety features that are ideal for senior drivers. To start, there is a lower door sill and wider opening than other SUVs in the same class, which can make it much easier for a senior to get in and out of. There are also many built-in tech safety features that are ideal for seniors including the standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and even lane-keep assist. These features can be used to help a senior driver receive the emergency warnings that they need.
The Honda Pilot is ideal for any driver that is looking for more engine performance. The Pilot comes standard with a V6 engine that can produce nearly 280 horsepower. It also gets relatively impressive fuel efficiency of around 27 mpg when driving on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.4 The five-inch display is typically more than enough for most seniors, who also will enjoy the voice-activated controls. All these standard features come with the base trim level of the Pilot, which starts at just under $32,000.
5. Land Rover Range Rover
For those that are not as concerned with their budget, the Land Rover Range Rover is a great option. The Range Rover is a large luxury SUV that starts at just over $85,000. This SUV comes with a standard V6 engine that produces more than 340-horsepower. Those that are looking for more performance could upgrade to the V8 engine that can produce as much as 550 horsepower. However, with the higher engine option, the SUV can easily cost more than $110,000. With the base engine option, the Range Rover gets a blended fuel efficiency of around 20 mpg.5
The Range Rover comes standard with some very impressive features that are ideal for senior citizens. This SUV has a 10-inch screen display that is very easy for a senior to see, touch, and control. This will allow them to control the navigation, audio, and entertainment system with ease. The Range Rover also comes with a variety of safety features including brake assist, lane departure and blind spot monitoring, and front collision warning. Plus, the Range Rover has a unique air suspension system that can lower the vehicle to make it easier for someone to climb into and out of, which is ideal for many seniors.
6. Ford Escape
Starting at around $24,000, the Ford Escape is a great option for seniors that are on a budget. The Escape has a standard four-cylinder engine that produces 168-horsepower and gets a great blended fuel efficiency of around 25 mpg. Those that are looking for more power can upgrade to a strong engine that produces nearly 250 horsepower.6
One of the best-selling points of the Escape are the safety features that come standard. The Escape will provide a user with a variety of standard features including automatic wipers, blind spot monitoring, and forward crash warnings, which can make it safer for a senior to drive. The Escape also has an easy to control touchscreen display that will allow you to control the audio, navigation, and entertainment system.
