Commentary: Aging Gracefully Behind The Wheel
Older adults will find a vehicle that not only fits their lifestyle, but that can accommodate an easier entry and exit into one.
When you are getting older, you find yourself changing in various ways.
Physically? Yes. Mentally? One would hope not, but some have point to the potential of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Spiritually? I won’t touch that one.
Regarding the first one, there have been some observations about why the SUV has gained traction as the top selling vehicle type in the world. As older adults still have consumer power in the automotive market, they will find a vehicle that not only fits their lifestyle, but that can accommodate an easier entry and exit into one.
The SUV resolved a lot of things for older adults. Headroom is no longer a problem. Ease of entry and exit was coupled with larger door openings. You can also add the extra space for cargo, that can fit most mobility devices. The rear seat passenger space alone makes even smaller SUVs worth looking at for older adults.
How do we know? It’s scientific proof, but one of us at V&R is a convert to SUVs.
I will admit that after years of feigning the fact that SUVs are indeed the market right now, this would become one of the reasons for the body style’s success. It took a change in the way they have been engineered towards being “softroaders” instead of utility/activity vehicles made for trails and farms.
Is this the absolute truth? You just have to look around at the research and through observation. Most of our fellow automotive media outlets point to several vehicles that fits senior drivers. They list vehicles, such as the Honda HR-V and CR-V, Subaru Forester, Outback and Ascent, Kia Telluride, Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX, Acura MDX, Genesis GV70 and GV80, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Buick Encore GX, and our Mazda CX-5.
These lists also include some key sedans for those who don’t mind a lower ride height. The usual suspects that appear on those lists are the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. They also add the Toyota Sienna as a minivan worth checking out.
Don’t get us wrong. We love a good hatchback, sedan, or sports coupe. There used to be a time when a car was as easier to get in and out of as today’s SUVs. Of course, we’re talking up into the 1950s.
Yet, we are faced with several challenges in the automotive market. Not just the usual suspects – the increasing price of vehicles, tariffs, trade conflicts, longer loan terms, and so forth. The older adult population continues to support the industry with steady sales that reflects their needs in terms being able to drive today’s SUV while navigating the technology features and engagement with newfangled controls.
However, older adults are savvy when it comes to overcoming the challenges of new vehicles. They are also savvy consumers, as they are also looking at certified pre-owned and used vehicles. Not just for saving a buck or thousands, but for the benefits provided by the manufacturer and/or the dealership. For example, extended warranties.
There is a lot more to unpack for this subject. As for someone who is aging and finding the benefits of an SUV to manage one’s own lifestyle and mobility, these are lessons and observations that I continue to take personally.
In the meantime, let us go back to aging gracefully.
All photos by Randy Stern