10 Safest Cars for Drivers Over 70, According to Crash-Test Data

As we get older, the risk of being seriously injured in a car accident increases. That means not only do we want a vehicle that's comfortable, but we also want one with high safety ratings. This makes it a smart money move for car owners to purchase a vehicle built to withstand the rigors of the road and could also help you save money on car insurance. 

Here are the 10 best cars for drivers over 70. Our picks are based on safety data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and are all Top Safety Pick+ winners, which is the IIHS' top rating.

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings.

Compare car insurance rates in Ohio

See if lower rates are available

Currently Insured?

Yes

No

Multiple Cars?

Yes

No

Homeowner

Yes

No

Age

30-39

• 18-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70-79
• 80+

Compare Quotes

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Smart Drivers, Smarter Savings.

Great News! We’ve located some excellent quote options just for you.

Where can we send you info and recommendations?

Enter Email

Bundle Home & Auto to Save More?

Yes

No

Active Military?

No

Yes

Compare Quotes

By clicking the button above, I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

MSRP: $25,400

The Civic earned very strong scores in the side crash test, earning the coveted "Good" rating from the IIHS, which is the best one there is. Coupled with bright headlights and slim roof pillars, you have all the makings of a solid and safe car for its size.

There are also a host of high-tech safety tools, such as blind-spot monitoring. For a small sedan, it's hard to do better than the Civic.

Every Civic comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which bundles adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation braking. Fuel economy is another selling point, with the standard model returning around 33 mpg overall and the newly available Civic Hybrid reaching into the mid-40s, according to Consumer Reports testing.

MSRP: $25,385

This car received "good" marks from the IIHS, including for the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, and it's easy to see why. With a sleek, sturdy body and rigorous safety testing, the Mazda 3 is built to withstand accidents of all kinds.

Another excellent safety feature is the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). The AFS allows the headlights to swivel up to 15 degrees in the direction of the turn, which makes nighttime driving much safer.

Fuel economy runs about 27 mpg in the city and up to 37 on the highway with the base engine, and Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 3 above average for reliability, with a well-finished, upscale-feeling cabin that many owners praise.

MSRP: $36,390

This mid-sized SUV has perfect scores across all of the IIHS's safety evaluations, which is no surprise given Kia's commitment to sturdy construction and resiliency.

One of the most important design choices from a safety perspective is that Kia kept physical buttons for functions like temperature, fan speed, and audio volume, rather than relying on touchscreens. Having a tactile button to manipulate makes for a safer driving experience for seniors.

Kia backs the Telluride with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year, 60,000-mile basic warranty, giving owners added peace of mind over the long haul. The SUV also offers up to 87 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear rows folded, making it easy to haul groceries, luggage, or medical equipment.

MSRP: $28,700

The newest Camry scored very well in the IIHS crash tests, earning all "Good" ratings, and it offers additional technology via Toyota Safety Sense to assist drivers and keep them safe.

The Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) technology installed in the Camry provides gentle braking and steering support to help maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Few mid-sized sedans offer this kind of technology, and it will go a long way toward putting your mind at ease while in high-traffic areas.

The Camry now comes exclusively as a hybrid, with EPA ratings as high as 51 mpg combined on the LE trim, and Consumer Reports rates it above average for reliability.

MSRP: $28,705

The Tucson scores well on front side crash tests, with high ratings for driver injury prevention and safety.

Additionally, Hyundai has rolled out a new feature: a blind-spot view monitor that lets you toggle a live video feed of your blind spot while driving. This is a big game-changer in safety for an SUV, and it ensures that you'll have a much higher chance of avoiding any crashes coming from your blind spot.

Hyundai backs the Tucson with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, among the best in the industry, and the cabin offers more than 41 inches of rear legroom, among the roomiest in its class. J.D. Power scores the Tucson 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability.

MSRP: $28,295

The Accord remains the gold standard for safe, reliable, and economical sedans and for good reason. The latest edition of the Accord received the highest possible ratings for driver-side safety and driver injury protection measures.

Another feature that seniors will love is the newly redesigned body-stabilizing seats. These are ergonomically designed to support proper posture and take stress off the lumbar spine, which can be a big deal on longer drives.

The Accord's trunk holds up to 16.7 cubic feet, more than several rivals, and rear-seat legroom of 40.8 inches makes it comfortable for passengers on longer trips. Fuel economy runs about 32 mpg combined on the standard engine, while the hybrid version can reach into the high 40s.

MSRP: $30,100

This small SUV scored "Good" in front- and side-impact crash tests, particularly in keeping driver injuries to a minimum.

The latest CR-V model also comes with safety features that make a real impact. Hill Descent Control is now built into the car, keeping you at a controlled speed when going downhill, so you don't have to ride the brakes.

The CR-V offers a commanding, SUV-high seating position with easy visibility and comfortable front seats, and Hybrid models return good fuel economy while carrying up to 36.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seat. Reviewers regularly cite its smooth ride and low cargo floor as strengths for everyday loading.

MSRP: $25,195

The CX-30 has the highest safety ratings of any small SUV, scoring a clean green for "Good" across all of the IIHS measurements.

The Mazda classic also features rain-sensing windshield wipers, so you can focus on the road rather than fiddling with the controls to turn the wiper blades on.

Visibility and seat comfort earn consistent praise from reviewers, and the CX-30 returns about 29 mpg combined with its standard engine. The cabin is on the snug side for rear passengers, though front-seat comfort and a well-finished interior make it a pleasant daily driver for empty nesters and smaller households.

MSRP: $38,465

The latest edition of the Explorer scored highly across most crash-safety areas, particularly in the structure and safety cage evaluation. This is an essential metric because SUVs are more prone to rollovers, so the safety cage must be well-designed and robust enough to withstand the car flipping over.

Additionally, the Explorer comes with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, which includes cross-traffic alert. This warns you of vehicles approaching from the side when you are backing out of a parking spot.

Cargo space behind the third row measures 16.3 cubic feet, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and the SUV can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

MSRP: $58,695

If you're in the market for a luxury vehicle, this mid-sized luxury SUV scores highly in key safety areas, including front and side crash tests and driver-injury prevention measures. 

Volvo has also introduced Pilot Assist, a feature that keeps the car centered in the lane and maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead of you while driving on the freeway. Plus, having a safe car like this could be a great excuse to start traveling more. 

The XC90's cabin is well insulated for a quiet ride, and heated front seats come standard, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. Cargo space is generous too, reaching up to 85.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drivers aged 70 and older experience a greater rate of fatalities per 1,000 crashes compared to those in the 35 to 54 age group. That makes your choice of a safe vehicle even more critical, as it could literally save your life.

These 10 vehicles give older drivers a potent mix of crash protection, visibility, and advanced safety tech that makes daily driving safer and less stressful. Each model earned high marks from the IIHS, offering peace of mind to people who want a comfortable, dependable car as they age.

They're also vehicles that will help you find a cheaper auto insurance policy than more exotic luxury cars you might be tempted to purchase in retirement.