7 Safest Cars for Drivers Over 80, According to Crash-Test Data

Older drivers are at greater risk of traffic accidents, so it's important to choose a car with high safety ratings. Additional safety features such as blind-side assistance, backup cameras, and cross-traffic alerts make a huge difference in keeping drivers over the age of 80 safe while on the roads. And if a new car payment is squeezing a fixed income, look for other ways to free up your retirement budget.

Here are seven of the safest cars for older drivers, according to crash-test data.

Editor's note: All safety rating info is from the IIHS.

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IIHS safety rating: 2026 Top Safety Pick+

Visibility is one of the Forester's biggest strengths. Consumer Reports named it its 2026 Top Pick among compact SUVs, highlighting its easy access and outward visibility.

Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance system is standard across the lineup. Blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on every Forester Hybrid and gas models starting with the Sport.

The base Forester starts at $29,995 with standard all-wheel drive, but the Sport, the first gas trim with blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert, starts at $36,105, according to Subaru.

IIHS safety rating: 2026 Top Safety Pick+, also a 2025 Top Safety Pick+

Toyota made blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Alert standard when the current Camry arrived for the 2025 model year.

Consumer Reports also praised the Camry's physical switches and knobs. One drawback is its low seating position, which CR says makes getting in and out harder for some people. Sit in one before deciding.

Every 2026 Camry is a hybrid, and Kelley Blue Book reports the most efficient versions return up to 51 mpg combined, which helps keep fuel costs predictable for drivers living on a fixed income.

IIHS safety rating: 2026 Top Safety Pick+, also a 2025 Top Safety Pick+

The HR-V keeps many everyday controls simple. Consumer Reports found them easy to operate, including physical buttons and climate knobs.

Every HR-V includes Honda Sensing, but blind-spot information and a cross-traffic monitor are standard only on the Sport and EX-L. Skip the base LX if you want those alerts.

The Sport starts at $28,300, compared with $26,500 for the LX, according to Cars.com, so the step up that adds blind-spot information and the cross-traffic monitor costs $1,800.

IIHS safety rating: 2026 Top Safety Pick+

The Sonata comes with a strong suite of standard driver aids. Consumer Reports lists automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning and reverse automatic emergency braking. Couple that with the high safety ratings, and this is a winning vehicle.

CR's testers also liked the physical climate and audio controls, including standard volume and tuning knobs rather than touch-sensitive panels. Hyundai also covers the original owner with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle warranty, which helps limit surprise repair bills for older drivers who plan to keep their car for a decade.

IIHS safety rating: 2026 Top Safety Pick+, also a 2025 Top Safety Pick+

Mazda says the CX-50 comes with Smart Brake Support with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which is great news for older drivers looking for a safe compact SUV.

The controls are more of a mixed bag. CR finds Mazda's knob-based infotainment system frustrating, while Autoweb described the climate controls as simple to use. Every CX-50 comes with all-wheel drive, and Mazda says the hybrid version earns an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined with a total driving range of 551 miles, so you'll make fewer stops at the pump.

IIHS safety rating: 2026 Top Safety Pick+

The Sportage offers useful driver aids, but trim level matters. Blind-spot collision warning and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist come standard starting with the EX.

That rear cross-traffic system goes beyond a warning. Kia says it can apply the brakes if it detects an approaching vehicle while you're backing up.

On the gas-powered LX, an $800 package adds those features along with Safe Exit Warning and a 10-way power driver's seat. If fuel costs are a concern, the front-wheel-drive Sportage Hybrid LX earns an EPA-estimated 42 mpg combined, the best rating of any Sportage Hybrid trim, according to SlashGear's first drive of the 2026 model.

IIHS safety rating: 2026 Top Safety Pick+, up from Top Safety Pick in 2025

Lexus's Safe Exit Assist is designed to detect approaching vehicles and cyclists and help prevent a door from being opened into their path.

U.S. News lists blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and reverse automatic emergency braking as standard on the NX 350. Consumer Reports also named the NX its 2026 Top Pick for luxury compact SUVs, praising its supportive front seats. Lexus dropped the entry-level NX 250 for 2026, making the hybrid NX 350h the least expensive version. Cars.com reports it returns 40 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, versus 24 mpg for the gas NX 350.

Every car on this list earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, so the real differences come down to trim level and fit. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts are standard on the Camry, Sonata, CX-50, and NX 350, but on the Forester, HR-V, and Sportage you'll need to pick the right trim to get them. Check the window sticker for those features, and sit in the car to test the seat height and controls before you buy.

The car is only part of the cost of staying safe on the road. Some states require insurers to reward older drivers who take a refresher course. In Pennsylvania, for example, drivers 55 and older are entitled to at least a 5% insurance discount after completing a PennDOT-approved mature driver course, and a refresher course every three years keeps the discount active. Ask your insurer which courses it accepts, then compare quotes to save money on car insurance.

Does IIHS rate cars specifically for drivers over 80?

No. IIHS safety ratings evaluate crash protection and crash-avoidance performance, rather than suitability for a particular age group. Older drivers should use those ratings as a starting point, then consider visibility, comfort, and how easily they can operate the controls.

What safety features should older drivers look for?

Look for automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts, along with clear visibility and easily adjustable seats and mirrors. Have the dealer demonstrate the features during a test drive so you understand the alerts and how each system works.

How can drivers over 80 tell whether a car fits their needs?

Practice getting in and out, buckling the seat belt, reaching the pedals, and adjusting the seat and mirrors. During a test drive, check whether you can see clearly in every direction and comfortably use the climate, audio, and safety controls. A strong safety rating is most useful when the vehicle also fits its driver.