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Best New SUV Guide For Seniors, Subaru Ascent And Forester All The Features You Want

What are the best SUVs for seniors? Kelley Blue ranks all new models and says the 2024 Subaru Ascent is among the best new models, and the Subaru Forester is the best used SUV. Find out all the models here.
2024 Subaru Ascent, Subaru Forester

Kelley Blue Book has ranked your top picks for senior shoppers looking for the best value new and used SUVs. Here are their recommendations. Keep reading to see why the 2024 Subaru Ascent is my top choice for new models and the 2019-2023 Subaru Forester is the best choice for a used SUV. 

KBB's 9 Best New SUVs for Seniors

  1. Honda CR-V
  2. KiaTelluride
  3. Subaru Ascent
  4. Honda HR-V
  5. Hyundai Ioniq 5
  6. Acura MDX
  7. Genesis GV80
  8. Ford Explorer
  9. Jeep Grand Cherokee

What does KBB say about the 2024 Subaru Ascent? 

  • Best Value for Seniors: $39,800 (Premium w/Convenience Package)
  • Base Price: $35,740 | Expert Rating: 4.2
  • IIHS Rating: TSP+
  • Combined Fuel Economy: 22 mpg

"One of the things we really like about the Subaru Ascent is that despite providing all-wheel drive as standard, its fuel economy is average within a segment mostly populated with front-wheel-drive models. Moreover, the Ascent base model includes many of our recommended senior features. Among them are adaptive cruise control, a large 11.6-inch touchscreen, tri-zone automatic climate control, high-beam assist, and even steering-responsive headlights that turn in the same direction as the front wheels."

Related Content For Seniors: The Best New Cars For Seniors - There’s 3 Subaru Models You Want, One You Don’t

"Among the Ascent's standard advanced safety tech are automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-centering, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Stepping up a grade to Premium adds $2,600 to the bottom line but adds a lot of value. The gained senior features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals. Furthermore, we'd add the Premium's Convenience Package ($1,460) with proximity keyless entry with push-button start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, reverse automatic braking, and a power rear liftgate."

KBB's 5 Best Used SUVs for Seniors

  1. 2019-2023 Subaru Forester 
  2. 2016-2018 Toyota RAV4
  3. 2019-2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
  4. 2018-2020 Nissan Rogue
  5. 2020-2021 Hyundai Kona Electric

What does KBB say about the 2019-2023 Subaru Forester?

  • Price Range: $17,000-$32,000 | Expert Rating: 4.3
  • IIHS Rating: TSP+
  • Combined Fuel Economy: 29 mpg

"Subaru completely redesigned the Forester for 2019. As with nearly every Subaru, all-wheel drive is standard. The Forester is larger on the inside than you might expect. We like its space, unflappable ride, standard AWD, and relatively excellent mileage."

"We'd look for the Limited trim level. It comes with steering-responsive (adaptive) auto on-off LED headlights, an 8-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity key, power rear liftgate, heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, and LED fog lights. Among the standard driver aids are forward collision warning with auto emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruised control, and high-beam assist."

Related Story: 6 Reasons Why AAA Says The New Subaru Forester Is Best For Older Drivers

"If you want to dig back further, check out the 2018 Forester ($16,000-$22,000). You'll need to shop the top-of-the-line Touring trim to get a fair share of our recommended standard features. The EyeSight System of driver aids was standard on the Touring grade. It included all of the driver-aid features named above. The Limited also included a 10-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustments, dual-zone automatic climate control, LED auto on/off headlights, tilt-telescopic steering wheel, heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, front wiper de-icer, and more."

What sets the Ascent and Forester apart from the other SUVs on the list?

In my twenty years of covering Subaru, these things are essential for seniors to know.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent and 2019-2023 Subaru Forester should be on your list because, in addition to being top choices by KBB, the SUVs come with: 

  • Subaru's excellent Symmetrical all-wheel-drive for all-weather capability 
  • 8.7 inches of ground clearance for easy in and out access
  • X-Mode for severe weather performance 
  • Dual-function X-Mode on some trims for all-terrain capability
  • The Ascent and Forester have excellent visibility from the driver's seat
  • The two SUVs are highly stable because they have a lower center of gravity than the other models

The Subaru Ascent and Forester are ideal models for seniors who lead more active lifestyles. The two models must be on your shopping list if you like hiking, mountain biking, or skiing. 

I am Denis Flierl, the top Subaru reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand, and I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Subaru

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