Whether it is unfair to associate some cars with retirees exclusively is up for debate. However, there are some cars that are just made for retirees. Car enthusiasts in particular refer to these cars as ‘old man cars’, but we’re not here to judge.
You can be a car enthusiast even at an older age, but of course your car choices change as you age physically. A 70-year-old would look odd seated in a McLaren 720S.
Big American sedans are commonly associated with retirees, such as these classic cars: the Cadillac Eldorado, Buick LaSabre and Lincoln Continental. These cars have sofa-like comfort but boat-like handling characteristics. They’re huge and impossible to parallel park,so they generally attract a lot of raised eyebrows in the public.
In this article, we’ll be looked beyond these living-rooms-on-wheels and considering some more sensible choices. Not all retirees are wealthy, so we’ll be keeping the price of these cars in check as well.
1. Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a far cry from the ‘old-man-Buicks’ of the 70s and 80s. It’s an SUV, so it’s quite a trendy vehicle but with a lot of practical value as well. SUVs are a good option for older people since they provide a good view of the surroundings thanks to their high driving position.
Some noteworthy features that will help retirees are a backup camera, power windows and keyless entry. An well-specced Encore can be had for under $30,000, so it’s good value as well.
2. Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a car that’s well-suited to the needs of most retirees. It’s sort of a buy and forget vehicle, with long service intervals. It’s quite reliable since there’s no overly-technical features present on the car.
It’s a medium-sized sedan that should provide plenty of room for any retiree. The interior is simple with big buttons and seats with lumbar support. And this is a car that will return great gas mileage, especially considering how retirees like to keep the revs low. The Sonata starts at $25,000.
3. Subaru Outback
Subaru is a brand name that never pops when you talk about retirees. They’re mostly known for top-class rally vehicles and their Impreza STI road racers. The Subaru Outback on the other hand, is the company’s attempt at making something sensible.
Subarus are known for being highly reliable, which is great for retirees. Plus, the Outback uses a very capable traction management system that keeps the car under control even in wet and slippery conditions.
Starting at $25,000, the Outback is also surprisingly good value. No, it’s not a luxury vehicle but it’s very well made and will serve a retiree for a very long time.
4. Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey is the classic family MPV, which is why it’s a great choice for retirees with a lot of grandchildren. It can seat up to eight people, while still providing excellent luggage space in the back.
It’s commonly known as the mom-mobile, but works just as well as a grandmom/dad-mobile. Some people even claim that the Odyssey handles better than a mini-van should, but that’s not really the point of this car. The base model Honda Odyssey starts at $30,000.
5. Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is for the adventure-loving retiree, as it’s a very capable SUV. In addition to that, it’s easy to climb in and out of, thanks to easy access to the front seat.
The 2019 features the lane departure warning safety feature, so it can alert you if you’re veering off. Nissan claims 29mpg for the Rogue, which is quite impressive given its size. You have to drive carefully to achieve that, but seniors are hardly putting the pedal to the metal.
6. Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 isn’t just a car for retirees, it’s a car for nearly everyone on the planet. It’s an SUV but it’s compact. Being a Toyota, it requires less maintenance and is built to a very high quality standard.
The 2019 model comes with safety features such as front-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Being an SUV, it’s also quite capable in colder climates.
7. Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is a favorite amongst car enthusiasts because of its performance-based roots and stealthy appearance. Coincidentally, it’s also received the highest possible safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its excellent safety features.
It features steering-responsive headlights that turn according to the direction of the steering wheel. It’s equipped with Subaru’s legendary four-wheel-drive system so it has a lot of grip even in slippery wet conditions.
The 2019 model comes with Subaru’s new EyeSight system, which optimizes cruise control and warns you if you veer off your lane.
8. Kia Soul
The Kia Soul doesn’t look a car for retirees at all, literally. It’s meant for a much more youthful audience, but we digress. Thanks to its boxy shape and big windows, it has excellent visibility all around.
And with that boxy shape, it’s also got generous interior space. It’s easy to climb in and out of and not at all intimidating to drive. A surprising but reasonable choice for a retiree.
9. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester was awarded the Best Senior-Friendly Car for its excellent leg room, generous cargo space and ample room for passengers. The base model is very well equipped and comes with a host of drive-assist features.
For retirees living in a cold and slippery climate, the four-wheel-drive system helps to keep the car glued to the road. Glued might be going too far, but it does have great road grip.
10. 2016 Ford Taurus
This is one of the few cars on our list that’s already known for being something of an old man’s car. But that’s not a bad thing if you are a retiree. Being an American sedan, it has generous interior space and a comfortable ride.
Unfortunately, Ford has decided to discontinue the Taurus to focus more on building trucks. Still, there are plenty of Tauruses to be found on the used market in excellent condition.
Conclusion
Being a retiree naturally means that you have to choose an appropriate car. If you’ve got a lot of money in the bank then by all means, treat yourself to a Porsche 911. But for the majority, a sensible yet exciting car such as the Subaru Forester will do just fine.