What Are the Best Cars for Senior Drivers?

September 8th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA

The baby boomers are aging. In fact, your parents or grandparents might be members of this generational cohort. One thing we know is that the aging baby boomers will fight tooth and nail to hold on to their independence and quality of life. This means we can expect more senior drivers on the road and buying new and pre-owned cars.

While this is a good thing, family members of course worry about the safety of their loved ones. They want to know the best cars for older drivers. The good news is that today’s cars are safer and easier to drive than ever before, thanks to innovative technologies that significantly reduce the risk of a collision.

With a dizzying number of cars on the market, doing the research can be time-consuming. If you’re a senior and seeking a new vehicle, or have a friend or family member who is, this post is an excellent place to begin your search.

So, what qualifies as the safest car for seniors? That of course varies based on the unique needs of each driver. But generally speaking, senior drivers want a car that is easy to access (to get into and out of), has a roomy interior, good visibility, the latest safety features, and for a price that won’t break the bank. Safety is top-of-mind but comfort is a close second!

What are the best cars for senior drivers? A good place to start is with the nonprofit Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, which puts out its “Top Safety Picks.” The IIHS does a comprehensive job evaluating car safety that many news organizations base their “Safest Cars Lists” on its data.

What are the best cars for senior drivers?

Here, according to the IIHS, are some of the top performers:

Subaru Forester: With good comfort and visibility and easy to operate controls, the Subaru Forester is one of the safest cars for seniors and most highly rated. It comes equipped with safety controls including lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.

Honda CR-V: The IIHS evaluators were very impressed with the crossover Honda CR-V’s amount of legroom, ease of access, folding rear seats, and the safety features including a rearview camera.

Hyundai Santa Fe: Featuring a roomy front seat that is easy to get into and out of, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a great SUV for older adults to drive. Safety features, all of which come standard, include blind-spot warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Kia Sorento: This midsize crossover SUV is spacious, comfortable to drive, and so safe that it received an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. Given its price tag and safety figures, the Kia Sorento is considered by many to be the best auto for seniors. What’s not to like? In some more affordable makes and models of cars like Kia, the safety features may not come standard, and typically are purchased as a bundled package.

Best Cars for Older Drivers – Sedans

The best cars for older drivers are not all SUVs, although they tend to be easier to get into and out of. Here are a few of the sedans that the IIHS rated highly:

Toyota Camry: In the sedan category, the Toyota Camry stands out. With great visibility and safety features, it boasted a great safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was rated a “Top Safety Pick” – plus by the IIHS. It comes equipped with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision warning.

Audi A4: This comfortable and luxurious sedan has great legroom, offers a smooth and comfortable drive, and has the must-have safety features including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection.

In general, four-door sedans, while easy to navigate, can be difficult to get into and out, especially for older drivers. As a rule, SUVs are easier to access.

Other Considerations

• Power seats, adjustable pedals, and large rear windows help senior drivers see the road better.
• Remember, the safest car for seniors also depends on the part of the country in which they live. Senior drivers living in colder regions need a car that is durable and safe to drive in inclement weather.
• Also, don’t forget about pre-owned vehicles. Just because it is a used car doesn’t mean it’s not safe. In fact, if you do your homework, you can find pre-owned cars that scored very well on safety tests.
• Bigger is better when it comes to safety. Bigger cars and SUVs weigh more and provide a level of protection that smaller cars simply can’t offer.

If you find yourself in a car accident and need reliable collision repair, Fix Auto USA is open for business and ready to serve you.

Be careful out there!

 

This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Valley, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing Palmer, Wasilla, and the surrounding area.