12 SUVs Perfect for Retirees in 2025: Built for Comfort, Reliability, and Lasting Value

Ready to make your golden years more comfortable and adventure-ready? These 12 SUVs for retirees in 2025 blend reliability, comfort, and long-term value like no other. From smooth rides to easy handling and smart tech, each one is designed to make every journey effortless and enjoyable.

Toyota Highlander

So the Highlander, oh man… this thing is like the golden retriever of SUVs, you know? Super reliable, friendly, just does everything you need it to do without any drama. I mean, Toyota’s reputation speaks for itself, and honestly, when you’re retired, the last thing you want is to be dealing with constant repairs. The seats are really comfortable – like, my aunt has one and she drove from Florida to North Carolina last month and said her back felt fine the whole way. It’s got that smooth ride quality that doesn’t make you feel every single bump on the road, which… let’s be real, when you’re older, that stuff matters more. The safety features are pretty solid too, with all that Toyota Safety Sense stuff. Price-wise, you’re looking at around $37,000 to start, which isn’t cheap but… I mean, it’s gonna last you forever. Literally forever. My neighbor still drives a 2010 Highlander and it runs like new.

Honda CR-V

Okay, so the CR-V… honestly, this might be the most practical choice on this whole list. Like, it’s not flashy or anything, but man, it just works. And Honda reliability? Come on, that’s like a guarantee at this point. The thing I love about the CR-V is how easy it is to get in and out of – the seat height is perfect, not too high like those massive trucks, not too low like a sedan. My mom test drove one last year and she was like “this feels right,” you know? The cargo space is decent for groceries and… I don’t know, whatever retired people haul around. Garden supplies maybe? It starts around $28,000, which is pretty reasonable, and the fuel economy is excellent. Like, really excellent. Perfect for those road trips to visit the grandkids.

Subaru Outback

The Outback is… well, it’s technically a wagon but it sits up high enough that I’m counting it as an SUV. Sue me. But seriously, this thing is perfect if you’re the outdoorsy type of retiree. Standard all-wheel drive, which is amazing for those who live where it actually snows – unlike here in Southern California where we panic if it drizzles. The ground clearance is pretty good, the interior is spacious, and honestly? It’s just got this wholesome, reliable vibe that screams “I’ve got my life together.” The EyeSight safety system is really intuitive too, not like some of these cars where you need a computer science degree to figure out the settings. Around $28,500 to start, and… yeah, it’s gonna run for like 200,000 miles easy. Subaru owners are weird like that – they never get rid of their cars.

Lexus RX

Now we’re talking luxury… the RX is like, if you want to treat yourself in retirement, this is it. I mean, you worked hard all those years, right? Might as well drive something nice. The interior is just gorgeous – real leather, wood trim, everything feels premium. And the ride? Buttery smooth. Like floating on a cloud smooth. It’s probably the quietest cabin on this list, which is great for those long drives or when your spouse is napping in the passenger seat. The reliability is excellent too because, well, it’s basically a fancy Toyota underneath. Starts around $50,000 though, so… yeah, it’s definitely an investment. But honestly, if you can swing it, the comfort level is just incredible. Plus, Lexus dealers treat you like royalty.

Mazda CX-5

The CX-5 is interesting because it’s like… it still feels sporty but in a mature way? Does that make sense? Like, it’s not trying to be a race car, but it’s got some personality. The handling is really nice, better than most SUVs in this class, and the interior design is surprisingly upscale. Mazda’s really stepped up their game. The seats are comfortable, the controls are intuitive – none of that touchscreen nonsense for everything. You still get actual knobs and buttons, which… thank god, honestly. Around $27,000 to start, so it’s pretty affordable, and the fuel economy is solid. I drove one a few months ago and was like, “huh, this is actually fun.” Not something you say about most SUVs.

Acura RDX

So the RDX… it’s like the CR-V’s successful older brother who went to business school, you know? Same Honda reliability underneath, but with more luxury features and a nicer interior. The seats are really supportive, great for people with back issues, and the ride quality is excellent. The tech is pretty good too – not overwhelming, but modern enough that you feel like you’re in 2025 and not 2015. It starts around $43,000, which is more than the Honda obviously, but you’re getting that premium feel without going full Lexus prices. The turbocharged engine is smooth and has plenty of power for highway merging, which… let’s be honest, can be terrifying in some smaller cars these days.

Volvo XC60

Volvo and safety go together like… I don’t know, peanut butter and jelly? The XC60 is probably the safest thing on four wheels, which is huge when you’re thinking about retirement vehicles. All those safety features are standard, not optional extras, and they actually work really well. The seats are incredibly comfortable too – Volvo really knows how to do seats. Swedish engineering, I guess? The interior is minimalist but not in a cheap way, more like… sophisticated minimalist. Starts around $45,000, and while Volvo maintenance can be a bit pricey, the reliability has gotten way better over the years. Plus, there’s something reassuring about driving something this safe.

Buick Enclave

Okay, hear me out on this one… I know Buick has this old-person reputation, but honestly? That’s not necessarily a bad thing when we’re talking about retirement cars. The Enclave is huge, comfortable, and quiet. Like, really quiet. Perfect for those long road trips to see family. Three rows of seating too, so when the grandkids visit, everyone fits. The ride is super smooth, almost like a luxury sedan but higher up. Around $45,000 to start, and while it’s not the most exciting thing to drive, it’s reliable and comfortable, which is really what matters at this stage of life. Plus, Buick dealers are usually pretty good about service.

Ford Edge

The Edge is… well, it’s being discontinued after 2024, so you’d be getting one of the last ones, which is kind of sad actually. But it’s a solid choice – good size, comfortable, decent features. Ford’s reliability has improved a lot over the years, though it’s still not quite Toyota or Honda level. The ride is smooth, the interior is spacious, and it’s got that American SUV feel to it. Pricing varies since it’s being phased out, but you might find some good deals. Just… maybe have a good warranty, you know? Ford can be a bit hit or miss sometimes.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee is like… it’s trying to be everything to everyone, and somehow it kind of works? It’s got that rugged Jeep image, but it’s refined enough for daily driving. The interior is nice, especially in the higher trims, and it’s capable if you ever want to go off-road – though let’s be real, most retirees aren’t rock crawling. The V6 engine is smooth and has good power, and the ride quality is pretty comfortable. Starts around $37,000, but Jeep reliability can be… inconsistent. Some people swear by them, others have horror stories. It’s kind of a gamble, honestly.

Genesis GV70

Now this is luxury done right… Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury brand, and the GV70 is just stunning. Like, the interior rivals anything from BMW or Mercedes, but at a lower price point. Starts around $42,000, which is honestly a steal for this level of luxury. The ride is smooth, the features are excellent, and the warranty is incredible – 10 years, 100,000 miles. The only downside is that Genesis is still building their dealer network, so service might be a bit more challenging depending on where you live. But man, if you want to feel fancy without paying German luxury prices, this is it.

Cadillac XT5

The XT5 is Cadillac’s attempt at a modern luxury SUV, and… it’s pretty good actually. The interior is nice, the ride is comfortable, and it’s got that American luxury feel that some people really prefer over the European stuff. The CUE infotainment system used to be terrible, but they’ve fixed most of those issues in recent years. Around $44,000 to start, and while Cadillac reliability isn’t legendary like Toyota, it’s improved significantly. Plus, there’s something to be said for buying American, especially if you’re patriotic about that stuff.