10 Safest Cars for Drivers Over 60, According to Crash-Test Data

As you age, your choice in cars changes. Instead of choosing flashy features and fast acceleration, older Americans are more interested in safety features. Higher seats, bigger windows, real buttons instead of buried menus, and standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring all matter more as flexibility and night vision shift in importance.

Moreover, Americans in their 60s want to choose automobiles that have been rigorously crash-tested and have high safety ratings. So, it's a smart move for seniors to consider trading in that older car for one with a bunch of new safety features.

Here are 10 of the safest cars for drivers over 60, according to crash-test data and the IIHS 2026 Top Safety Pick list.

Editor's note: Awards come from the IIHS 2026 Top Safety Pick list and crash test data.

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MSRP: $34,995

The Outback comes with standard EyeSight automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning. Since it's a wagon, it sits higher than a sedan, so getting in is less of a drop. Big windows help at four-way stops, and climate controls still sit on physical buttons instead of a touchscreen.

MSRP: $29,995

A lower step-in than many midsize SUVs, and one of the airiest cabins in the class, this compact SUV from Subaru is a big winner when it comes to safety and comfort. You look out over the hood rather than through it. The Forester also has an innovative EyeSight camera system that provides a 180-degree view of your surroundings.

MSRP: $29,600

The latest edition of the Camry comes with Toyota Safety Sense standard, including automatic emergency braking. A sedan is easier to garage than a three-row SUV, and its seating position is more upright than that of older Camrys. Toyota is known for rugged construction and high safety marks, and the new Camry lives up to the legacy of its predecessors.

MSRP: $44,950

Honda's solid midsize SUV comes equipped with Honda Sensing, an advanced suite of safety features that is especially helpful for older drivers. You sit up high, which helps with left turns and highway merges. The cargo floor is usefully flat. The Passport also comes with AWD and a rugged suspension, so you can take it off-roading easily while maintaining your safety.

MSRP: $39,435

The Palisade is a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ for vehicles built after November 2025, so check the build date. The three-row SUV has a high, chair-like seat and wide-opening doors. Hyundai SmartSense includes automatic emergency braking. If you want a roomy SUV with plenty of extra features for a reasonable price, the Palisade is a great choice.

MSRP: $26,500

The HR-V is another great small SUV with Honda Sensing standard, including automatic emergency braking. It is the most compact SUV on this list, which makes parking lots and tight garages less of an issue. The step-in is modest. Visibility is better than in a coupe, though the rear pillars still need a shoulder check or a blind-spot monitor.

MSRP: $29,990

The redesigned 2026 CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+, and for a good reason. Mazda kept a more driver-focused cabin, with a volume knob you could find without looking. 

Crash-avoidance tech is part of the package, as is the i-Activsense suite of safety features. The seats are a bit sportier than something like a Forester, so try getting in and out a few times in the lot after your test drive. If you're looking for a smaller and sportier SUV that's still safe, the CX-5 is a great option.

MSRP: $29,700

The Tucson is a great small SUV with standard forward automatic braking. It sits in the sweet spot: higher than a sedan, smaller than a Palisade. That helps if shoulder range of motion is an issue. A strong crash rating may also help when you shop for auto insurance. Throw in the affordable price point, and this is a superb retirement car for you and your family.

MSRP: $41,670

The Murano features a higher seating position than the old model, which improves visibility of the roadway. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 bundles automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning, making for an overall safe ride. The wide doors facilitate smooth entry, while dedicated buttons control the climate. Keep in mind that much of the infotainment system exists on the big center touchscreen, which might be harder for older drivers to use.

MSRP: $40,795

Subaru's three-row SUV is a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, earning good ratings in the small-overlap, moderate-overlap, and side tests. Blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, and automatic emergency steering are standard on all five trims.

Volume and climate controls stay on knobs and buttons rather than screen menus. Wide rear doors help, though 8.7 inches of ground clearance makes entry a climb rather than a slide-in.

Crash tests aren't run by driver age, so a Top Safety Pick+ badge tells you how a vehicle protects a dummy, not how it fits your hips, your neck, or your night vision. Pair the rating with a real test drive on the lot. Get in and out four or five times, find the climate controls without looking, and back into a parking space before you even think about talking price with the dealer.

One thing to watch for as you shop: IIHS researchers found that intersection-assistance features hold the most promise for older drivers. They found that intersection incidents accounted for 32% of crash involvements and 31% of fatalities among drivers aged 70 and up. 

So, investing in a car with new features that alert and protect you at intersections could be a big win. Having a safer vehicle will also save you money on car insurance in the long run.