Crossover SUVs have become extremely popular in recent years, especially among senior citizens. They are extremely easy to drive, relatively compact, and get excellent gas mileage.

Manufacturers have responded to the demand for crossover SUVs by expanding their offerings in this segment. There are so many crossover SUVs on the market today that it can be difficult to choose the right one. Don’t worry, we have compiled a list of the best crossover SUVs for seniors.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

Trims

  • SE: $25,750 (Front-wheel-drive) / $27,450 (All-wheel-drive)
  • SEL: $27,600 (FWD) / $29,300 (AWD)
  • SEL Plus: $29,800 (FWD) / $31,500 (AWD)
  • Limited: $32,600 (FWD) / $34,300 (AWD)
  • Limited 2.0T: $34,200 (FWD) / $35,900 (AWD)
  • Ultimate: $35,450 (FWD) / $37,150 (AWD)
  • Ultimate 2.0T: 37,100 (FWD) / $38,800 (AWD)

Performance & Safety

A quick look at the specifications of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe reveals a maximum EPA-estimated mpg rating of 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The standard 2.4L four-cylinder engine makes 185 horsepower, while the optional 2.0L turbo engine gets a sporty 235 horsepower.

The safety specifications are impressive, too. The available features include a rearview camera — which can make parking and backing up much easier for seniors — rear occupant alert, and parking distance warning.

2019 Mazda CX-3

Trims

  • Sport: $20,390
  • Touring: $22,475
  • Grand Touring: $25,745

All trims are available in both FWD and AWD versions.

Performance & Safety

Mazda is known for making practical vehicles that have an emphasis on performance and this is exactly where the CX-3 shines. The 2019 CX-3 has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. All trims of the new Mazda CX-3 utilize a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower.

As one of the most popular vehicles in the segment, the 2019 CX-3 offers several notable safety features that’ll help make the road a safer place for senior drivers. These include smart brake support with collision warning, radar cruise control, and lane departure warning.

2019 Kia Sportage

Trims

  • LX: $23,750
  • EX: $26,600
  • SX Turbo: $33,100

All three models have standard FWD and optional AWD.

Performance & Safety

The standard engine in the 2019 Kia Sportage is a 2.4L four-cylinder unit that produces 181 horsepower. The LX with the 2.4L engine gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The EX with the 2.4L engine has fuel economy ratings of 22/29.

Seniors that still love the thrill of speed may want to try out the SX Turbo trim level, which features a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 237 horsepower with AWD and 240 horsepower with FWD. The FWD SX Turbo gets 21/26 mpg ratings, while the AWD version gets 20/23 mpg.

The 2019 Kia Sportage is also well-equipped with numerous available safety features, including a rearview camera, hill start assist control, and downhill brake control.

2019 Chevrolet Equinox

Trims

  • L: $23,800
  • LS: $25,900
  • LT: $27,200
  • Premier: $31,100

All these trims are available in both FWD and AWD.

Performance & Safety

The standard engine in the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox is a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder unit that kicks out 170 horsepower. An optional 1.6L turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine makes 137 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. The top-level engine in the new Equinox is a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates a muscular 252 horsepower. with a maximum EPA-estimated rating of 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, the 2019 Equinox has excellent fuel economy.

Senior citizens looking to buy a car will be happy to hear that the new Chevrolet Equinox backs up its performance and fuel economy with several advanced safety features. These features include a rearview camera, electronic stability control, and traction control.

2019 Subaru Forester

Trims

  • Base: $24,295
  • Premium: $26,695
  • Sport: $28,795
  • Limited: $30,795
  • Touring: $34,295

The Forester is the only vehicle on this list that features standard AWD.

Performance & Safety

The 2019 Subaru Forester is a good choice for seniors who like outdoor activities, such as camping or fishing.

The 2019 Forester has a standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine across all its trim levels. This engine produces 182 horsepower. The 2019 Forester additionally has an impressive EPA-estimated fuel efficiency rating of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

Subaru has long been known for being one of the leaders in automotive safety — and the 2019 Forester’s long list of safety features shows why. The main safety features of the Forester are found in the EyeSight Driver Assist system. This system is comprised of lane departure alerts, sway warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision braking.

2019 Nissan Rogue

Trims

  • S: $25,020
  • SV: $26,440
  • SV Hybrid: $27,700
  • SL: $31,490
  • SL Hybrid: $31,640

As is common in this segment, all these models come with a standard FWD system and offer an optional AWD system. The AWD system offered utilizes Nissan’s proprietary “Intelligent” AWD technology, which the manufacturer claims results in increased traction as compared to other crossover SUVs with AWD. This makes the Nissan Rogue a good choice for active seniors.

Performance & Safety

The 2019 Nissan Rogue comes with a standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower, which falls a little short of some of its competitors. This engine gets an EPA-estimated mpg rating of 26/33 with FWD and 25/32 with AWD.

The hybrid engine is comprised of a 2.0L four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor. It produces a total of 176 horsepower at an impressive EPA-estimated fuel efficiency rating of 33/35 with FWD and 31/34 with AWD.

Nissan equips all vehicles in its current lineup with a cutting-edge suite of safety features. These include a rearview camera, blind spot warning, intelligent lane intervention, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Choosing the Right Crossover

With all the quality vehicles in the crossover SUV segment, it can be quite difficult to choose the right one for your situation.

So, keep your own personal preferences and needs in mind when choosing a crossover. For instance, if retirement has given you the chance to have an “outdoorsy” lifestyle, the Subaru Forester might just be the right choice. On the other hand, if safety is the top priority for you, both the Forester and the Nissan Rogue look to be good choices due to the multiple advanced safety features they have. If you’re looking to save on gas and be environmentally conscious, the hybrid versions of Chevrolet Equinox and the Nissan Rogue may be the best choice for you.

While you can certainly do a great deal of effective research online, there’s no substitute for firsthand experience. Even if a certain crossover looks good on paper, you may not like it quite as much when you go out for a test drive. Many prospective car buyers like to come up with two or three finalist vehicles and then pick the one they like the most after a test drive. Financially astute buyers will also hunt for the best offers and specials, which may differ from dealer to dealer.