Yahoo Finance 9 Affordable Small Cars for Seniors Looking to Downsize in Retirement
According to the U.S. Census, about one in six people in the United States were aged 65 and older in 2020 and between 2010 and 2020, this age group grew 38.6%. It is estimated that by 2025, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will be 82 million, roughly 23% of the country’s population, per Population Reference Bureau.
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With the population of the U.S. continuing to age rapidly, automakers are designing cars to fit their accessibility, safety and comfort concerns and help those who need assisted driving features on the road longer. For many living on a fixed income, there are plenty that are affordable too.
Aids like remote and pushbutton starters, heated seats and steering wheels and large-type digital displays have been attractive to older drivers for decades. Still, today’s models have many standard high-tech features that can help motorists with declining abilities, such as advanced navigation systems, self-parking features, auto-braking and a multitude of sensors, cameras, and audible warnings.
Many cars cater to every type of driver, but some are better suited to the senior set. Many older drivers grew up handling larger vehicles, but gone are the days when their preferred ride was a Cadillac DTS or Crown Victoria. Here are nine affordable small cars for seniors looking to downsize in retirement, starting with two reliable models popular with every age group.
1. Honda Accord
2024 Base MSRP: $27,895
A reliable, roomy, attractive and practical choice for seniors. With driver-assistance technologies via its Honda Sensing suite and great visibility and fuel economy, the Accord has a “a back-to-basics interior with a simple center stack and big, no-nonsense buttons and knobs. The learning curve is almost nonexistent, which is exactly what we like to see in a car for mass appeal,” says Edmunds.
2. Toyota Civic
2024 Base MSRP: $26,420
Pickups and large 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 price, comfort and driver-assistance technologies like an 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support and the Safety Sense 2.5+ system.
3. Subaru Forester
2024 Base MSRP: $26,895
Most Subarus have a standard all-wheel drive for sticky roads, with a base price below $30,000 and highway fuel economy close to 30 mpg. The Subaru Forester has been a popular pick among retirees for years. Comfortable and slightly rugged, the Forester has features that will please older drivers, like adaptive headlights and cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and driver-attention monitoring.
4. Hyundai Ioniq 6
2024 Base MSRP: $37,500
As U.S. News & World Report notes, electric vehicles (EVs) are a more convenient and cheaper mode of transportation than internal combustion models, as drivers can avoid the pumps by charging their cars at home. The Ioniq 6 is slightly cheaper than the Ioniq 5, which makes it a great option for seniors. Plus, it comes with standard features like 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
2024 Base MSRP: $24,600
Technically considered a small station wagon, the HR-V is really a modern crossover with an impressive 158-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine. For seniors, the base LX model has standard features like high-beam assist, auto on-off LED headlights, LED taillights, automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and a 7-inch touchscreen. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) recommends upgrading to the EX-L trim for advanced assists, warnings and controls.
6. Hyundai Tucson
2024 Base MSRP: $27,500
This year’s Tucson is part of the fourth generation introduced for 2022 and still gives a lot of bang for your buck and is comfortable, affordable and safe. Dare we say, it’s also even a little stylish, bordering on luxury on the inside. The Tucson wasn’t made for performance or speed freaks, but it’s among the best in its class regarding comfort, per Edmunds.
7. Kia Soul
2024 Base MSRP: $20,190
KBB recommends the Telluride for seniors for its space and features, but with three rows and a price tag closer to $40,000, you’d be better off looking at a Soul. Available in five trim levels, the subcompact/hatchback is a stylish and practical option for the cost-cognizant. The Soul benefits those with mobility issues. It’s easy to get in and out of, has a large daylight opening and a roomy interior.
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8. Genesis G70
2024 Base MSRP: $41,500
Being retired doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have a sporty, luxury ride, but you’ll pay a little more. Cabin space is similar to that of 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 its It makes up for this by providing standard driver assist features, including “automatic high-beams, front automatic emergency braking, side cross-traffic alert, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control,” per MotorTrend.
9. Nissan Rogue
2024 Base MSRP: $28,850
Thanks to seats that are at a natural height for most adults, doors that open wide and narrow doorsills, it’s easy for seniors to get in and out of the Rogue. During its latest road test, Consumer Reports called the compact SUV a “compelling small SUV,” and praised its agility, noiselessness and comfort design. For the safety-conscious, the Rogue is 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 warnings.
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