I’m Kayla. I’m the “car person” in my family. I help my folks. I also give rides to neighbors from church. So, I keep a running list of SUVs that are kind on joints, easy to park, simple to use, and safe.
Over the last two years, I drove each SUV below for at least a weekend. Some were rentals. Some were family cars. One, I own. I took them on grocery runs, doctor visits, tight parking lots, and one stormy night on I-70. Here’s what stood out.
What Matters More As We Get Older
- Seat height that doesn’t make you “fall in” or climb up (the easiest SUVs to enter and exit all nail this)
- Big doors and easy grab handles
- Clear view out, plus bright headlights
- Simple knobs and buttons (not a maze of screens)
- Helpful safety tech, but not naggy
- Calm ride, low noise, good gas mileage
- A dealer nearby that treats you well
You know what? A cushy seat beats a fast engine most days.
If you’d like even more age-friendly car advice, I often browse Today’s Seniors Network for their straightforward tips and checklists. They recently published an expanded version of this story—I Tried These SUVs With My Parents. Here’s What Worked Best for Seniors—which includes extra photos and a printable shopping checklist.
Subaru Forester (Dad’s 2021, borrowed for a month)
The Forester is like a friendly porch—no surprise it regularly lands on lists of the best SUVs and cars for seniors. Big windows. Low sills. Easy in, easy out. Dad’s Premium trim had cloth seats and Subaru EyeSight. The front doors open wide, which helps with a cane or bag.
What I loved:
- The view is amazing. No big blind spots.
- Seat height feels “just right.”
- Simple climate knobs. No digging in menus.
- All-wheel drive felt sure on a wet hill near our house.
What bugged me:
- The engine gets loud on long grades. The CVT whines a bit.
- Base screens look dated. The backup camera is fine, not great.
Best for: Seniors who want great visibility and calm manners in bad weather.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (My two-week Arizona rental, 2022)
This one sips gas. I averaged about 40 mpg with the A/C blasting. The seat is a nice height. The shifter is chunky and easy to grab. Toyota’s safety suite kept an easy lane on a long drive after sunset.
What I loved:
- Great mileage. Fewer gas stops, less stress.
- Straightforward controls. Big volume knob.
- Plenty of storage for tote bags and a cooler.
What bugged me:
- A touch firm over sharp bumps.
- Road noise at 70 mph is noticeable on coarse pavement.
Tip: Skip big wheels. The smaller ones ride softer.
Best for: Long errands and folks who want low fuel fuss.
Honda CR-V Hybrid (My car: 2023 EX-L, owned 14 months)
This is my daily driver. I picked it for the smooth ride and big back seat. My mom’s knees like the step-in height. The steering is light, and the brake pedal is calm. It’s not flashy. It’s just easy.
What I loved:
- Seats are supportive. The lumbar adjust helps on longer trips.
- Real knobs for climate and audio.
- Quiet cabin. Less wind noise than the RAV4.
What bugged me:
- The screen can lag when cold.
- Under hard throttle, the engine hums.
Real numbers: I see 37–39 mpg mixed. Oil changes are simple at my local Honda store.
Best for: A comfy, no-drama drive with great space.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (Press loan, 2024 Limited, five days)
This new one looks boxy, and that’s the point. The doors are huge. The rear hatch opening is wide, so loading a walker or folding chair is easy. The seat sits high, like a porch step, not a ladder.
What I loved:
- Giant cargo area with a low load floor.
- Column shifter frees up center storage for bags and snacks.
- Calm ride and very quiet at 55 mph.
What bugged me:
- It feels big in tight city parking.
- New model = we don’t know long-term reliability yet.
Best for: Grandkids, Costco runs, and folks who like a tall, airy cabin.
Lexus RX 350h (Neighbor’s 2023, full day errand run)
We swapped cars for a day. The RX rides like warm sourdough—soft and steady. The hybrid stays smooth in town. Seats have memory, so my neighbor and I switched with one button.
What I loved:
- Very quiet. Door thud is solid.
- Clear, bright screen with large icons.
- Gentle suspension. Speed bumps feel smaller.
What bugged me:
- Pricey. Also, cargo is only mid-size for this class.
- Many settings live in the screen, which can be a lot at first.
Best for: Comfort first, with low stress controls once you set it up.
Buick Envision (Turo weekend, 2023 Essence)
The Envision surprised me. It feels grown-up and calm. The seats are soft, and the cabin is hushed. The shifter uses buttons. It looks odd, but I got used to it by day two.
What I loved:
- QuietTuning works. Easy to chat at highway speed.
- Cushy seats and a smooth, relaxed feel.
- Clear 360 camera on the Avenir I sampled at the dealer.
What bugged me:
- Gas mileage sits in the mid-20s.
- The button shifter can throw a new driver at first.
Best for: A soft ride on a budget, with a classic feel.
Kia Sportage Hybrid (Sister’s 2023 SX-Prestige, one week)
This one is roomier than it looks. The back seat is huge. The hybrid motor is peppy in town and easy on fuel. The cameras are sharp. Blind-view monitors show a live video when you signal. My aunt loved that.
What I loved:
- 40+ mpg on my loop.
- Big, bright 360 camera. Parking feels stress-free.
- Wide rear doors. Easy in and out.
What bugged me:
- The glossy screen shows fingerprints.
- 19-inch wheels ride a bit firm. Smaller wheels help.
Best for: Tech that actually helps, plus great gas savings.
Quick Fit Guide I Use With My Parents
- Do the “20-minute seat test.” If your hips or lower back ache, move on.
- Try the doors with a bag in your hand. Too heavy? That matters.
- Check the view at night. Headlights and backup lights should be bright.
- Bring your daily stuff. Walker, cane, folding cart, cooler—see if it loads easy.
- Ask for smaller wheels and softer tires. Comfort beats sporty looks.
- Turn down extra beeps you don’t want. The dealer can help you set that up.
Little thing, big deal: A power liftgate with a slow, smooth motion is nicer than a fast one that slams.
So, Which One Should You Get?
- Need the best view and snow sense? Subaru Forester.
- Want great mpg and simple controls? Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
- Crave a calm, comfy all-rounder? Honda CR-V Hybrid.
- Need a wide cargo opening and tall seats? Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
- Want a plush, quiet ride with easy service? Lexus RX 350h.
- Prefer soft seats and a quiet cabin on a budget? Buick Envision.
- Love smart cameras and low fuel spend? Kia Sportage Hybrid.
Honestly, they’re all good. Pick the one your body likes.
Final Thoughts From The Passenger Seat
I used to chase fancy features. Now I watch my parents step in and smile. That tells me more. If the seat feels right, the view is clear, and the car is calm, the day feels lighter. That’s the whole point, right?
Comfort on the road often goes hand-in-hand with comfort in our social lives. For empty-nesters and retirees who are rediscovering their independence, an SUV that’s easy to hop in can be the ticket to spontaneous coffee dates, volunteer shifts—or even meeting new friends in your zip code. If that kind of flexible connection appeals to you, Friends With Benefits offers a straightforward, no-strings-attached platform where adults can browse nearby profiles and set up casual meet-ups without the usual dating-site headaches.
If you happen to live near Silicon Valley and prefer a hyper-local bulletin-board vibe, you can scroll real-time personal listings on the Backpage Cupertino board—a quick way to see who’s free for coffee, walks, or low-key evenings without committing to long sign-ups or nationwide searches.