As you age, your needs and lifestyle change. What worked at 30 or 40 simply won’t work any longer – and you have to find new alternatives. The vehicle you drive is one of these important changes to consider. Once you reach the golden years and officially become a senior, you need a vehicle that suits your changing needs, your health, and your well-being. And a crossover SUV could be the solution.
With a spacious interior, a higher vantage point, manageable size and long list of beneficial features, the crossover comes pretty close to being a perfect vehicle for any senior. But what makes a crossover any different from other SUVs? And why are crossovers so well-suited for seniors?
Here’s why crossover SUVs are quickly becoming a top choice among older adults looking for increased comfort and safety.
What Are Crossover SUVs?
The first crossover SUVs entered the automobile market pretty recently. Also referred to as compact SUVs, crossovers are like a smaller version of a traditional SUV – but they also share features and driving capabilities with sedans and other passenger cars. Crossovers are like a combination of a sedan and an SUV.
Crossovers represent the perfect class of vehicles that matches the changing lifestyles of seniors who want to slow down a bit. They’re capable, but they aren’t huge or bulky. They’re safe and advanced, but aren’t too high-tech for older drivers.
Why Crossover SUVs are Ideal for Seniors
Seniors have different auto needs than younger adults. And that’s what makes a crossover SUV a great choice for any aging individual. Crossovers combine the best features of both sedans and SUVs into one vehicle, giving you plenty of benefits and excellent qualities.
The following are just a few of the reasons more seniors are choosing crossovers.
Crossovers Are Affordable
Becoming a senior can mean more reliance on fixed sources of income, which means your budget gets trimmed and tightened. Depending on the vehicle, buying a crossover SUV may offer you an affordable way to own a spacious vehicle that delivers incredible performance.
Crossovers Offer Better Gas Mileage
Another expense that takes a chunk out of a fixed income budget is gas. As opposed to trucks and full-size SUVs, crossover SUVs typically deliver much better fuel economy. This is especially important for retired seniors, who sometimes enjoy extended driving vacations of hundreds, if not thousands of miles during one trip.
What crossover SUV works best for you? Here are a few popular models that make great vehicles for seniors of all ages.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
Since its debut in 2001, the Hyundai Santa Fe has represented a wildly popular vehicle choice for consumers across every age demographic. Hyundai has made a few changes to the 2019 version of the crossover SUV, giving the vehicle a new interior and exterior with a sportier look and feel. After a major facelift in 2017 and big changes in 2019, the 2020 Santa Fe is even better than before.
Price
The price for a 2020 Santa Fe starts at $24,900 for the base SE Model.
Performance
If you like a little pep from a car engine, you should love the 185 horsepower delivered by the newest Santa Fe. With an EPA-estimated 22 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway, the 2020 Santa Fe Sport does not compromise fuel economy. By most accounts, the front-wheel drive produces a flawless performance.
Safety Features
The 2020 Santa Fe includes cutting-edge safety features. Senior-friendly alerts like a tire pressure warning takes the guesswork out of deciding when to check tire pressures. Equally valuable, the back-up camera clearly displays any vehicle or pedestrian traffic moving behind you. This feature is ideal for seniors who occasionally may have to back down steep inclines. Stability control keeps the 2020 Santa Fe balanced over undulating terrain, which is a must-have feature for active seniors.
Pros
- Plenty of optional features to enhance comfort
- Above-average length of warranty
- Spacious cargo and rear passenger spaces
- Powerful engine that does not guzzle gas
Cons
- Inferior braking system
- Limited entertainment options
2020 BMW X4
BMW engineers have made a few minor changes to the 2020 version of the crossover SUV, but as they say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The 2020 X4 features a blend of different details that make this crossover stand out, both in the BMW SUV lineup and against its competition in the crossover market.
The X4 offers you two trim options: M40i and xDrive30ii. Both trims come with an automatic transmission that flawlessly slides among eight gears.
Price
The starting MSRP for the base xDrive30i trim starts at $51,100, making the BMW X4 one of the more expensive crossover SUVs on the market.
Performance
With horsepower ranging from 248 for the xDrive30i to an incredible 382 for the M40i, the 2020 BMW X4 packs plenty of punch to satisfy the power needs of most seniors. Torque for the base trim produces above-average thrust and rotation. The X4 receives its power from a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine.
Despite the strong torque and horsepower ratings, the fuel-efficient crossover SUV should appeal to seniors who appreciate bang for their buck. The newest BMW X4 enjoys fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on highways. Ultimately, this sporty crossover SUV should appeal to seniors who want strong acceleration and superb handling without the screeching tires and clouds of smoke.
Safety Features
The 2019 BMW X4 comes equipped with some of the most advanced safety features available in the crossover SUV class. Airbags located in the front and sides of both seat rows cushion the blows caused by medium vehicle impacts.
If you experience a fender bender or worse, use the in-vehicle assistance service to receive prompt BMW assist eCall service. Directionally adaptive headlights shine in the correct direction at all times to help you avoid moving and stationary obstacles at night. The backup camera allows you to see what is behind you, while you keep an eye on the road.
Pros
- Powerful engine delivers above-average fuel economy
- Luxury class interior design
- Smooth, stable handling
Cons
- Cargo and rear seat capacity smaller than other crossover SUVs
- Limited visibility out rear window
2019 Kia Sportage
Previous versions of the Kia Sportage had a hard time keeping up with their crossover SUV counterparts. My, how the times have changed. The 2020 Kia Sportage is more affordable, and includes additional standard performance safety features as well as a longer warranty. After a complete design overhaul in 2017, Kia made improving the standard features for the Sportage a priority. The crossover SUV presents a more refined appearance; it offers a more spacious interior to accommodate seniors who might need plenty of room to drive the grandkids to various events and attractions.
Price
The 2020 Sportage features an MSRP that starts at $23,990 for the base trim.
Performance
At 30 miles per gallon on the highway, the 2020 Kia Sportage delivers the type of fuel economy that appeals to most seniors. The automatic transmission and front-wheel drive help ensure you get the most out of the Sportage. Horsepower ranges between 181 and 240 for the two trims, while torque runs from 175 to 260 pounds-feet. Both trims generate power from a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. The crossover SUV accelerates adequately, although some tests revealed slight drag accelerating up steep entrance ramps to highways and interstates.
Safety Features
The technologically advanced airbag system deploys whenever the sensors detect an imminent vehicle rollover. You enjoy full body airbag protection as part of the standard safety features for the 2019 Kia Sportage. Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) improves the accuracy of steering control to compensate for too much turning of the steering wheel. VSM also helps you regain control after hitting a slick spot on the road. In addition, Kia hopes you will love the preventive safety benefits of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPSM), which constantly monitors the tires to ensure correct inflation.
Pros
- Convenient dashboard layout
- Smooth and stable handling
- Excellent fuel economy
- Advanced entertainment system
Cons
- Limited cargo space
- Inferior acceleration on steep inclines