5 Top-Selling Cars That Are Perfect For A Retiree

Vehicles like the 2026 Genesis GV70, the 2026 Subaru Outback, the 2026 Toyota RAV4, the 2025 Kia Sportage, and the 2025 Honda Civic are not just popular; they're also some of the best cars for retirees. These vehicles challenge the assumption that aging is always a reason to sell a vehicle in retirement while also offering the best bang for the buck. Per a January 2026 study by Kelley Blue Book, Americans spent an average of $50,326 on new vehicles in December 2025. With the U.S. Census Bureau 2025 Current Population Survey estimating the median income for a retiree 65 years and older in 2024 at $56,680, cost should be a major deciding factor.

All of these vehicles are among the top sellers in their respective categories as of 2025, and all of them address age-related factors such as lower vision and slower reaction times as part of their safety features. Comfort is another primary concern for people as they age, so adjustable, temperature-controlled seating with close proximity to driver's controls — like blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking with collision and driver warnings — are also a plus for retirees. Ergonomically speaking, even the build of the vehicle can have positive health benefits, with wide doors and other accessibility features making it physically less demanding on joints.      

Per Kelley Blue Book, 238,661 Honda Civics were sold in 2025, with the publication listing the 2025 Civic the "Compact Car Best Buy of 2025." This top-selling vehicle also checks most of the boxes for a retirement-age driver, with the first benefit being pricing. The standard LX model is priced at $25,400 — that's $24,926 less than the average spent on new vehicles in 2025. The Civic also wins on efficiency, with a combined fuel economy of between 31 and 34 mpg. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average car offers around 24.4 mpg, so the Honda Civic will earn you 6 to 10 extra mpg. Purchasing a more fuel-efficient vehicle is one of several ways to save you money on gas. 

Where your comfort is concerned, features like temperature-controlled seating make for a more enjoyable ride in any weather condition. Meanwhile, forward collision and lane departure warnings, along with high beams that turn on automatically are part of the Honda Sensing suite of features. Furthermore, thanks to Google app features built into the vehicle, voice-controlled functions mean you'll never need to take your attention off the road to turn up the heat.   

When you consider how much the average American retiree spends on living essentials, the price point of a best-selling vehicle like the 2025 Kia Sportage lowers the financial pressure. That partly explains why, according to Kelley Blue Book,182,823 of these were sold in 2025. With an average dealer price of $28,785, a Sportage costs $21,541 less than the 2025 new vehicle average. With a fuel efficiency delivering 25 to 28 mpg, which is 7 to 10 mpg above the 17.8 mpg average for this vehicle type, filling up costs less, too. That's money in the bank for a retiree.

While it's a compact SUV, this model's cabin and storage areas are spacious thanks to the vehicle's midsized frame. If you're tall, a higher ceiling makes for better visibility and more comfort. Kia Sportage comes with security features like side- and front-deployed airbags, impact-sensing auto door unlock, four-wheel anti-lock brake system, collision avoidance sensors, and lane assist software for changing, keeping, or departing lanes.   

Per Kelley Blue Book, the 2026 Toyota RAV4 the third-best selling vehicle in 2025, with 479,288 units sold in the United States. Overall, SUVs are some of the worst vehicles for retirees due to their high pricing; but in comparison, the RAV4 a bargain. This top seller has a wide price range that starts at $33,350 for the LE model, while the preferred SE model clocks in at $36,150. Both models cost significantly less than what you'd pay for a new car on average. 

Car and Driver points out that the combined gas mileage for the RAV4 is 44 mpg — 26.2 mpg higher than the 17.8 mpg you'd get on average with this vehicle category. To put that into perspective, with the average gas price hovering around $2.90 per gallon as of February 2026 (per AAA), that extra 26.2 mpg would represent a savings of $76 in gas. Meanwhile, hill-hold control, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and dual-stage airbags are just some of the features that make the RAV4 worth your retirement money.  

If you stay active and venture outdoors often in retirement, the 2026 Subaru Outback is a great option to consider given its symmetrical all-wheel drive and elevated ground clearance. It starts at $36,445 for the premium model, and what makes it premium are features like blind spot cameras, keyless access, and an upgraded, centrally located infotainment and camera viewing systems. Although it costs more than earlier models, compared to the $50,326 spent on average on vehicles in 2025, the 2026 Outback still offers excellent value; it's not surprising that 157,716 units were sold in 2025. 

The 2026 Subaru Outback has a ceiling that's 2 inches higher than in previous models, and it offers a quieter ride courtesy of soundproofing materials. Your rear visibility is also better, thanks to wider back windows and a blind spot monitoring system that includes higher-resolution images. 

This is a great all-weather vehicle, and its EyeSight Driver Assist Technology moderates lane changes and keeps track of traffic. Two standard cameras cover your backend, while the option for a third camera would help amplify your awareness of pedestrians and cyclists. Another benefit is mileage, with a driver getting up to 31 mpg on the highway. 

The 2026 Genesis GV70 won't make anyone's most-affordable list, but for an upper-class retiree, this luxury SUV is worth spending the $50,500 to $70,600 it typically costs. A comparable vehicle like the Porsche Macan gives you a sense of luxury, but the Genesis GV70 avoids the sort of issues that make the Macan one of the quickest cars to be resold. It's also rising in sales. According to Elektrek, Genesis outpaced the Nissan's Infiniti with over 82,000 units sold in 2025 and is quickly catching to the sales volume of Lincoln vehicles. 

This model's 2.5-to-3.5-liter turbocharged engine produces between 300 and 375 horsepower. A new 27-inch screen doubles as your digital gauge hub and touchscreen pad, while Wi-Fi can be hotspotted from the vehicle. An upgrade to the 3.5T Sport model gets you a leather interior, temperature-controlled steering wheel, and a Bang & Olufsen stereo system.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2026 Genesis GV70 a five-star rating for overall safety based on front and side collision protection and rollover resistance. Head restraints, airbags that protect both your upper and lower body, as well as your sides, are bolstered by a driver monitoring system. As per the U.S. Department of Energy, you get between 21 to 23 mpg versus the average 17.8 mpg for this vehicle type, so your wallet gets a slight break at the pump.