These Are the 5 Best Cars for Retirees

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I know a few retirees who’ve upgraded their cars recently, replacing older models that no longer suit their needs with something that better matches their new stage of life.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to car shopping in retirement, but shoppers likely have a few overlapping needs. To help narrow down the list, I factored in a few things that most retirees are likely looking for, including:Top Safety Picks according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)Vehicles that are easy to get in and out of based on Consumer Reports’ dataCheaper than the average new car price of about $47,500Here are five vehicles that meet the criteria that could be great for retirees.1. Subaru AscentStarting price: $34,395Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety Pick+There’s a lot to love about Subaru’s Ascent, starting with its ample space for you and up to seven other passengers. This midsize SUV will cart you and the golf clubs, grandkids, or luggage without missing a step.The Ascent’s safety equipment includes driver assist technology and an available distraction mitigation system to help keep you focused on the road ahead while enjoying the SUV’s turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. Standard all-wheel drive ensures you’ll never be caught off guard, no matter the weather.Pro tip: The type of car you own can impact your insurance premiums. Click here to find the best car insurance companies for your specific needs.2. Honda CR-VStarting price: $30,100Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety PickHonda’s CR-V is often near the top of the list for best-selling SUVs, thanks to its abundance of features, safety ratings, and overall value. The latest iteration of the CR-V boasts a standard collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist for optimum peace of mind.The standard 190 horsepower 1.5-liter engine gets an impressive combined (highway and city) 30 MPG, or you can opt for the hybrid version, which boosts your MPGs up to 40. Even with the base LX trim, you’ll get Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and you can upgrade to an AWD version if you need the extra traction for winter weather driving.3. Toyota SiennaStarting price: $39,185Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety PickYes, I’m sneaking a minivan into this mix. My grandparents used to own a minivan to cart themselves and their small dog up and down the East Coast each year, and the extra space made it perfect for a dog bed and extra snacks.Consumer Reports notes that the Sienna is “a snap to gracefully get into or out” of, so there’s no worrying about stepping in and out after long car rides. You’ll get an estimated 36 MPG on the highway, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display and safety features like lane departure warning and assist and pedestrian detection.4. Hyundai Santa FeStarting price: $34,200Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety PickRedesigned for the 2024 model year, the Santa Fe sports a boxy design that looks modern without being too futuristic. The base SE trim packs a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with a modest estimated combined 24 MPG. Upgrade to the hybrid engine, and you’ll get an estimated 36 MPG.If you’re constantly headed out of town with friends and family or just want the occasional space for seven, you’ll love the Santa Fe’s standard third row of seats. A 12.3-inch touchscreen display is standard, as are blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance assist, and lane keep assist safety features.Related: Some safety features can help lower your car insurance premiums. Click here to see how to find the cheapest car insurance.5. Toyota CrownStarting price: $41,400Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety PickWith a ground clearance of 5.8 inches, the Toyota Crown sedan sits slightly higher than most of its peers. Sure, there’s another Toyota on this list, but the Crown deserves a spot because there aren’t many sedans that fit the criteria of being easy to get in and out of and are a top safety pick.If you want to go green without making the jump to an EV, the Crown is your car. All of the sedan’s engine options are hybrids, with the base model getting an estimated 42 MPG on the highway. Traction won’t be a problem either, considering that all Crown trims come with AWD. You’ll also get a suite of safety features, including pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring in the base XLE trim.Whether you’re upgrading or downsizing your vehicle for your retirement years, the vehicles listed above are great options. Just be sure to take a few for a spin before deciding. Thirty seconds behind the wheel of a car can be far better than 30 hours of research when finding the right fit.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Chris Neiger has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

I know a few retirees who’ve upgraded their cars recently, replacing older models that no longer suit their needs with something that better matches their new stage of life.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to car shopping in retirement, but shoppers likely have a few overlapping needs. To help narrow down the list, I factored in a few things that most retirees are likely looking for, including:

Top Safety Picks according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)Vehicles that are easy to get in and out of based on Consumer Reports’ dataCheaper than the average new car price of about $47,500

Here are five vehicles that meet the criteria that could be great for retirees.

1. Subaru Ascent

Starting price: $34,395Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety Pick+

There’s a lot to love about Subaru’s Ascent, starting with its ample space for you and up to seven other passengers. This midsize SUV will cart you and the golf clubs, grandkids, or luggage without missing a step.

The Ascent’s safety equipment includes driver assist technology and an available distraction mitigation system to help keep you focused on the road ahead while enjoying the SUV’s turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. Standard all-wheel drive ensures you’ll never be caught off guard, no matter the weather.

Pro tip: The type of car you own can impact your insurance premiums. Click here to find the best car insurance companies for your specific needs.

2. Honda CR-V

Starting price: $30,100Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety Pick

Honda’s CR-V is often near the top of the list for best-selling SUVs, thanks to its abundance of features, safety ratings, and overall value. The latest iteration of the CR-V boasts a standard collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist for optimum peace of mind.

The standard 190 horsepower 1.5-liter engine gets an impressive combined (highway and city) 30 MPG, or you can opt for the hybrid version, which boosts your MPGs up to 40. Even with the base LX trim, you’ll get Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and you can upgrade to an AWD version if you need the extra traction for winter weather driving.

3. Toyota Sienna

Starting price: $39,185Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety Pick

Yes, I’m sneaking a minivan into this mix. My grandparents used to own a minivan to cart themselves and their small dog up and down the East Coast each year, and the extra space made it perfect for a dog bed and extra snacks.

Consumer Reports notes that the Sienna is “a snap to gracefully get into or out” of, so there’s no worrying about stepping in and out after long car rides. You’ll get an estimated 36 MPG on the highway, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display and safety features like lane departure warning and assist and pedestrian detection.

4. Hyundai Santa Fe

Starting price: $34,200Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety Pick

Redesigned for the 2024 model year, the Santa Fe sports a boxy design that looks modern without being too futuristic. The base SE trim packs a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with a modest estimated combined 24 MPG. Upgrade to the hybrid engine, and you’ll get an estimated 36 MPG.

If you’re constantly headed out of town with friends and family or just want the occasional space for seven, you’ll love the Santa Fe’s standard third row of seats. A 12.3-inch touchscreen display is standard, as are blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance assist, and lane keep assist safety features.

Related: Some safety features can help lower your car insurance premiums. Click here to see how to find the cheapest car insurance.

5. Toyota Crown

Starting price: $41,400Easy entry/exit: YesSafety: IIHS Top Safety Pick

With a ground clearance of 5.8 inches, the Toyota Crown sedan sits slightly higher than most of its peers. Sure, there’s another Toyota on this list, but the Crown deserves a spot because there aren’t many sedans that fit the criteria of being easy to get in and out of and are a top safety pick.

If you want to go green without making the jump to an EV, the Crown is your car. All of the sedan’s engine options are hybrids, with the base model getting an estimated 42 MPG on the highway. Traction won’t be a problem either, considering that all Crown trims come with AWD. You’ll also get a suite of safety features, including pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring in the base XLE trim.

Whether you’re upgrading or downsizing your vehicle for your retirement years, the vehicles listed above are great options. Just be sure to take a few for a spin before deciding. Thirty seconds behind the wheel of a car can be far better than 30 hours of research when finding the right fit.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Chris Neiger has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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