If you’re a senior shopping for a new vehicle for yourself or you’re looking for a new car for your senior loved one, it’s important to find one that meets senior needs. But what kinds of characteristics should you be looking for while you’re on the hunt? We’re Making it Simple™ at Toyota of Orlando. Check out our guide on how to shop for the best cars for seniors and explore our inventory to see which Toyota meets your needs.

What Should You Look for in the Best Cars for Seniors?
Many seniors have particular needs that they have to accommodate in a new car. They may be experiencing a lack of flexibility, a bit less mobility, or a harder time seeing and hearing. That’s why it’s critical to find a car that accommodates those needs and makes it that much easier for seniors to hit the road. So what characteristics should you look for in the best cars for seniors?
The Right Body Style and Size
It can be tricky climbing in and out of certain body styles and sizes, which is why we recommend a compact SUV when it comes to the best cars for seniors.
- Compact SUVs have a higher roofline, which can make it easier to get in and out (especially when compared to a low sedan or a high truck).
- They also usually have elevated seating so drivers can better see the road, and the cargo area is higher so it’s easier to reach things in it.
Visibility
Seniors who are shopping for a new car should keep visibility in mind.
- Take a test drive and look for blind spots in front of you, around you, and behind you.
- It might also be helpful to look for a car that has tools designed to accommodate better visibility. These include backup cameras, 360-degree cameras, and LED headlights (which are brighter) for driving at night.
Interior Ergonomics
The best cars for seniors make it easy for them to hit the road and stay in control of their drive time. Seniors who are shopping for a new car should look for certain features on their test drive like:
- Easy-to-use buttons, knobs, and dials. When taking a test drive, make sure that there’s easy functionality for things like the audio system, climate control, blinkers, wipers, and headlights. Buttons should be easy to find and operate.
- Driving ergonomics. When you sit in the driver’s seat, is it easy to adjust your seat, your mirrors, and your position to ensure the best visibility and control?
- The interior space. Do you plan to regularly carry passengers? Make sure the backseat is big enough to accommodate that. The same goes for cargo – and it’s also wise to check that you’re able to lift things into the cargo area.

Safety Ratings and Features
The best cars for seniors should also include top safety ratings and features designed to ensure a more secure drive time.
- Check safety ratings through the NHTSA or IIHS – just look for the model you’re interested in and see how it ranks.
- Look for safety features designed to add an extra level of peace of mind to driving, like:
- Automatic emergency braking, which applies your car’s brakes to help avoid or minimize accidents
- Blind-spot monitor, which gives added visibility in hard-to-see spots
- Lane keep assist, which lets you know if you’re drifting out of your lane
- Rear cross-traffic alert, which lets you know if pedestrians or cars are crossing behind your vehicle when you’re in reverse
Convenience Features
It might be helpful to look for certain convenience features that can help senior drivers, too. Our Orlando Toyota sales specialists recommend features like:
- Power rear liftgate
- Keyless entry
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Qi wireless charging
Reliability
Having a reliable vehicle is a must-have for seniors – if the risk of roadside emergencies and breakdowns can be reduced, it’s to everyone’s benefit. Look for cars that have high reliability ratings from JD Powers and Consumer Reports to find the best fit.

Which Toyotas Are the Best Cars for Seniors?
Given all of the characteristics that our Orlando Toyota team recommended above, which new Toyotas are the best cars for seniors? Here are our top pics.
- Toyota Crown
- Toyota RAV4
- Toyota Corolla Cross
- Toyota Crown Signia
All of these Orlando Toyotas are compact SUVs or crossovers, offering spacious cabins and cargo areas that are easy to access. They further have features like remote keyless entry, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more. And best of all, Toyotas are renowned industry-wide for their reliability.
Shop Senior-Friendly New Cars at Toyota of Orlando
Ready to shop the best cars for seniors? Explore our lineup at Toyota of Orlando! We’re open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Mall at Millenia. Stop by for a test drive today!

