Getting in and out of a vehicle gets harder with age, and visibility, door width and seat height start to matter more than horsepower. Reviewers at Capital One, Autofinder and SlashGear have named models that make daily driving easier on older drivers. Here are twelve cars and SUVs, including a Honda Odyssey that earned the best front access in the Consumer Reports tests cited.
Save more, waste less: The Cool Down’s newsletter sends smart, simple changes that help you and the planet in your everyday life.
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
1. Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid: Easy In, Easy Out
A Capital One senior pick lists the hybrid at an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined, with easy entry and exit, good visibility and standard all-wheel drive.
Those traits suit drivers who want a raised, small crossover without a bulky footprint. Buyers should still sit in one first, since seat height and door angles feel different from person to person. A test drive that includes parking-lot maneuvers and a few entries and exits gives a more honest picture than any list.
2. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: Wide Doors, Wide Views
Supportive seats, wide door openings and physical buttons earn the hybrid a place on the same Capital One list. Large rear pillars limit visibility, which the review offsets with blind-spot warning and a rearview camera mirror.
Physical controls matter to owners who dislike touchscreen menus. The pillar-related blind spots are worth checking on a test drive, with the camera mirror as the main workaround. Anyone with a stiff back or limited shoulder movement may also want to check how far the rear pillars intrude on a shoulder check.
3. Lexus NX 350h: Brake Hold Helps
Capital One notes that the hybrid has wide-opening doors, strong outward visibility and a brake-hold feature.
Brake hold keeps the vehicle stationary at lights without a foot pressed on the pedal, which can reduce fatigue in stop-and-go traffic. Wide doors also leave room for stiff knees and hips when getting out. Drivers choosing among trims should confirm that the feature is included on the exact version they plan to buy before signing.
4. Subaru Forester Hybrid: Low Floor, Clear Sightlines
Excellent outward visibility, wide door openings, easy entry and a low cargo floor are the traits singled out by Capital One for this hybrid.
The low cargo floor means less lifting for groceries, walkers or luggage. Together with the visibility, it makes the model a practical choice for owners who prize ease over sportiness. Buyers comparing it with the other crossovers here may find the cargo height the deciding factor for frequent loading.
5. Honda CR-V: Higher Than a Sedan
Autofinder lists this crossover for seating that sits higher than a sedan, reasonable parking dimensions and a choice of gas or hybrid power.
A raised seat shortens the drop into and out of the cabin. Moderate size also keeps tight garages and crowded lots manageable, while the powertrain choice lets buyers weigh fuel costs against price. A walk around the vehicle at a dealer, opening each door fully, quickly shows whether the openings suit a particular body.
6. Toyota RAV4: SUV Seating, Hybrid Thrift
Autofinder cites SUV-style seating and a standard hybrid LE rated at an estimated 47 mpg city and 40 mpg highway in its senior driver roundup.
Hybrid efficiency lowers running costs for people on fixed incomes. The raised cabin eases entry, though the source offers fewer details on visibility than some other entries do. Shoppers can compare trim levels and powertrains to see which combination balances comfort, price and fuel savings best.
7. Hyundai Tucson: Room to Spare
This compact SUV is called roomy in the Autofinder rundown, with up to 28 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive gasoline versions and up to 38 mpg combined for the hybrid.
The gap between 28 and 38 mpg is large enough to matter over years of ownership. Buyers who drive modest mileage may find the gasoline version adequate, while commuters gain more from the hybrid. Checking real-world mileage with the dealer and reading current reviews helps confirm which version actually fits a budget.
8. Honda Accord: Comfort in a Sedan
For those who prefer a car to an SUV, Autofinder describes the Accord as comfortable and roomy, and rates the EX-L Hybrid at 51 mpg city, 44 highway and 48 combined.
A sedan sits lower than the crossovers on this list, so entry takes more bending. The trade-off is a smooth ride and strong fuel economy, which suits drivers who park in standard garages. Rear passengers are also well served, which helps when grandchildren or friends ride along on longer trips.
9. Honda Odyssey: The Front-Access Champion
SlashGear, summarizing Consumer Reports, credits the minivan with the best front access in the tests cited, which ran through March 2025. The reasons given are a low doorsill, accessible seats and a high roof.
A high roof means no ducking, and a low sill shortens the step up. For households that need space for passengers or mobility equipment, the van offers an unusually gentle way into the driver’s seat. Owners should still confirm how the driver’s seat adjusts, since a good fit for the pedals and wheel matters as much as entry height.
10. Toyota Sienna: Low Sills, Big Openings
Low door sills and large door openings make entry easy in this minivan, according to the SlashGear article, which also lists 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive.
Minivans suit buyers who carry grandchildren or gear and still want an easy step in. The fuel economy figure is high for a vehicle this size, though it applies to the front-drive configuration only. Sliding doors are a further advantage in tight parking spaces, since they avoid swinging into the neighboring car.
11. Subaru Legacy: A Sedan Worth Remembering
SlashGear reports that Consumer Reports rated this model among the easiest traditional sedans to enter and exit. The car was discontinued in 2025.
Shoppers can still find the final model years used. With no new version coming, anyone interested should weigh long-term parts and service support alongside the easy entry. A thorough inspection and a review of service records are sensible steps for anyone considering a used example. Condition varies widely between owners.
12. Kia Soul: Boxy and Easy to Board
Easy entry and exit and good visibility put this small hatchback on the SlashGear list. Production ended after 2025, so the market is used only.
The upright shape tends to suit people who dislike sliding down into a seat. Used buyers should check condition and history carefully, as no new examples remain at dealers. Insurance and repair costs for older used cars can differ, so a quote before purchase avoids surprises.
Save more, waste less: Subscribe to The Cool Down →
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
More from Morning Overview
- Regulators cleared the first U.S. small modular reactor, 4 months early
- Lake Powell sank to a record 3,517 feet, nearing the level that stops Glen Canyon Dam’s turbines
- Seven of Earth’s nine planetary boundaries are breached, and all seven are worsening
- The NSA says three phone features should be off whenever you aren’t using them
