Affordable Small Cars for SeniorsAffordable Small Cars for Seniors As the U.S. population ages, automakers are designing vehicles with accessibility, safety, and comfort in mind for older drivers. Here are nine affordable small cars that are suitable for seniors who are downsizing in retirement: 1. Honda Accord: – Reliable and spacious – Excellent visibility and fuel economy – Simple and easy-to-use interior 2. Toyota Civic: – Roomy and surprisingly affordable – Top Safety Pick from the IIHS – Comfortable and well-equipped 3. Subaru Forester: – Standard all-wheel drive for enhanced traction – Comfortable and rugged – Adaptive headlights and cruise control for added safety 4. Hyundai Ioniq 6: – All-electric for convenience and cost savings – Standard features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane keep assist 5. Honda HR-V: – Crossover with an impressive engine – Standard features include high beam assist, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen 6. Hyundai Tucson: – Well-equipped and affordable – Comfortable and stylish – Excellent fuel economy 7. Kia Soul: – Stylish and practical – Easy entry and exit for seniors – Spacious interior and ample cargo space 8. Genesis G70: – Sporty and luxurious – Standard driver assistance features – Comfortable cabin space 9. Nissan Rogue: – Natural seat height for easy entry – Wide-opening doors and narrow sills – Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking and lane departure alert
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According to the U.S. Census, about one in six people in the United States was 65 or older in 2020, and between 2010 and 2020, this age group grew by 38.6%. The number of Americans aged 65 and older is estimated to reach 82 million in 2025, about 23% of the country’s population, according to the Population Reference Bureau.
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As the U.S. population continues to rapidly age, automakers are designing vehicles that address accessibility, safety and comfort concerns, and helping those who need assistance stay on the road longer. For many living on fixed incomes, there are plenty that are affordable, too.
Aids such as push-button start and remote controls, heated seats and steering wheels, and large digital displays have been attractive to older drivers for decades. Still, today’s models have many standard high-tech features that can help drivers with declining skills, such as advanced navigation systems, self-parking functions, automatic braking and a multitude of sensors, cameras and audible warnings.
Many cars are suitable for all types of drivers, but some are better suited for seniors. Many older drivers grew up driving larger vehicles, but the days of preferring a Cadillac DTS or Crown Victoria are long gone. Here are nine affordable small cars for seniors who are downsizing in retirement, starting with two reliable models that are popular with every age group.
1. Honda Accord
A reliable, spacious, attractive and practical choice for seniors. With driver assistance technologies through the Honda Sensing suite and excellent visibility and fuel economy, the Accord has a back-to-basics interior with a simple center console and large, no-nonsense buttons and dials. The learning curve is virtually nil, which is exactly what we’d like to see in a car for mass appeal,” said Edmunds.
2. Toyota Civic
Pickups and full-size SUVs are the most popular vehicles in America, but that doesn’t mean Americans have given up on sedans. The surprisingly roomy midsize Camry still sells well, is an IIHS Top Safety Pick and has long been considered one of the best value cars for its combination of budget-friendly pricing, comfort and driver-assist technologies like an eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar support and the Safety Sense 2.5+ system.
3. Subaru Forester
Most Subarus have standard all-wheel drive for sticky roads, with a base price under $30,000 and a highway fuel economy of nearly 30 mpg. The Subaru Forester has been a popular choice among retirees for years. Comfortable and somewhat rugged, the Forester has features that will please older drivers, such as adaptive headlights and cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitoring.
4. Hyundai Ioniq 6
As U.S. News & World Report notes, electric vehicles (EVs) are a more convenient and cheaper mode of transportation than internal combustion engine models because drivers can avoid the pump by charging their cars at home. The Ioniq 6 is slightly cheaper than the Ioniq 5, making it a great option for seniors. Additionally, it comes with standard features such as blind spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, pedestrian and cyclist detection, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist.
5. Honda HR-V
Technically considered a small station wagon, the HR-V is actually a modern crossover with an impressive four-cylinder engine producing 158 hp. For seniors, the base LX model has standard features such as high beam assist, auto on-off LED headlights, LED taillights, automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a 7-inch touchscreen. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) recommends upgrading to the EX-L trim for advanced assistance, alerts and controls.
6. Hyundai Tucson
This year’s Tucson is part of the fourth generation introduced for 2022, and it still delivers plenty of bang for your buck, being comfortable, affordable, and safe. Let’s just say it’s a touch stylish, bordering on luxurious inside. The Tucson isn’t built for performance or speed freaks, but Edmunds says it’s among the best in its class for comfort.
7. Kia Soul
KBB recommends the Telluride for seniors for its space and features, but with three rows and a price tag closer to $40,000, you might be better off looking at a Soul. Available in five trim levels, the subcompact/hatchback is a stylish and practical option for the budget-conscious. The Soul benefits those with mobility issues, with easy entry and exit, a large daylight opening and a spacious interior.
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8. Genesis G70
Being retired doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have a sporty, luxurious ride anymore, but you will pay a little more. Cabin space is comparable to its rivals (BMW 3 Series, Acura TLX). It has a smaller trunk and will feel more cramped than the others listed here. What it lacks in space is made up for by standard driver assistance features, including automatic high beams, automatic front emergency braking, side cross-traffic alert, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control,” according to MotorTrend.
9.Nissan Rogue
With seats that are at a natural height for most adults, wide-opening doors and narrow sills, seniors can easily get in and out of the Rogue. In its latest road test, Consumer Reports called the compact SUV a “compelling small SUV” and praised its agility, quietness and comfort design. For the safety-conscious, the Rogue comes equipped with several driver assistance and crash protection features, such as automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection) and forward collision, lane departure, blind spot and rear cross traffic alerts.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 9 Affordable Small Cars for Seniors Who Want to Live Smaller in Retirement
