The 10 Best Cars for Drivers Over 70 (According to Safety 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.

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 — the IIHS's top rating.

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MSRP: $24,250

The Civic earned very strong scores in the side crash test, earning the coveted "Good" rating from the IIHS — 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

MSRP: $26,690

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.

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.

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 new 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.

According to the IIHA, safety becomes the number one priority as an older driver, because adults 70 and older have higher fatal crash rates per mile traveled than most other age groups. 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.