6 Popular SUVs To Stay Away From in Retirement, According to Car Experts

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Retirement should be a time of relaxation, not worrying about unexpected car repairs and reliability issues. A sports utility vehicle (SUV) is a very popular type of car in the U.S., with almost every car manufacturer having several versions with petrol, hybrid and electric options.

In retirement, the last thing you want to worry about is unexpected repairs, reliability issues, oil consumption or even the ease of getting in and out. That’s why we consulted two seasoned car professionals about which SUVs to avoid in retirement:

• Jimi Taylor, mechanic in Rockville, Maryland for 26 years
• Ruth Calkins, general manager and auto expert at FindByPlate

Here’s what they say about which SUVs to avoid in retirement. 

1. Kia SUVs (Especially Used Models)

Taylor is particularly cautious about Kia SUVs for retirees: “Specifically, Kias are not good and are not selling without the warranty. This is because they have too many issues, and you will need to use the warranty.”

The reliability concerns with Kia SUVs make them problematic for retirees who want a dependable car, not a source of stress and extra, unexpected costs. 

Taylor emphasized the importance of warranty coverage, stating, “I would only get a Kia when purchased new and with a warranty. Do not, under any circumstances, purchase a used KIA. It’s not worth the trouble, especially when you’re trying to enjoy your well-earned retirement without car stress!”

For retirees on fixed incomes, the frequency of repairs and maintenance issues can quickly drain retirement funds, making used Kia SUVs, or those without a warranty, a risky investment.

2. Jeep Wrangler

Calkins identified the Jeep Wrangler as something to stay away from for retirees: “I’d say, avoid the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Explorer. With these two popular SUVs, retirees would have to deal with unending reliability challenges.”

The Jeep Wrangler’s reputation for ruggedness comes with a price. The problems include frequent maintenance issues like transmission problems, faulty electronics and oil leaks. These reliability challenges create ongoing frustration and expense for retirees who simply want reliable transportation.

As Calkins noted, “All of these headaches and frustrations are sure to have a negative impact on the retiree’s mobility during their golden years. The truth is, it would really suck to own a car and find yourself having to hitch a ride from time to time because there is one problem or another with the car.”

3. Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer joins the Jeep Wrangler on Calkins’s list of SUVs to avoid. Like the Wrangler, the Explorer suffers from persistent reliability issues that can leave retirees stranded and facing expensive repair bills.

“From maintenance issues like transmission problems, faulty electronics and oil leaks, to frequent repairs, it results in high costs,” Calkins explained. “For retirees who depend on their vehicle for medical appointments, grocery shopping and social activities, the Explorer’s unreliability can significantly impact quality of life.”

The combination of frequent breakdowns and high repair costs makes the Ford Explorer particularly unsuitable for retirees who need a dependable, budget-friendly car.

4. Volkswagen Atlas

Calkins also highlighted that the Volkswagen Atlas is problematic for retirees, though for different reasons than reliability alone. “The major issue with this car for retirees is that it doesn’t exactly fit into the compact-easily-to-handle SUV options that are best suited for retirees,” she explained.

The Atlas presents physical challenges for older drivers. “With the Volkswagen Atlas, one of the constant challenges retirees would be dealing with is maneuvering in tight spaces and parking,” Calkins continued. “All of this generally takes away from the driving experience.”

At the same time, the vehicle’s size creates accessibility issues. “Getting in and out of this car would be physically straining for seniors, especially for older seniors, given its large size,” she noted. These practical concerns make the Atlas unsuitable for retirees who may have mobility limitations or prefer easier-to-handle vehicles.

5. All-Wheel Drive Suburbans

Taylor specifically warned against all-wheel drive (AWD) suburbans, citing multiple problematic factors: “AWD suburbans are overpriced, have oil consumption issues and are difficult and expensive to repair.”

The oil consumption problems alone can create ongoing maintenance headaches and unexpected expenses. Combined with the complexity and cost of repairs, these large SUVs become financial burdens instead of cars that seniors can rely on to get them near or far. 

The overpricing issue means retirees pay premium prices upfront, only to face expensive maintenance and repair costs throughout ownership. This causes a double financial hit that can strain retirement budgets.

6. Small SUVs (General Category)

Perhaps most surprisingly, Taylor advised avoiding most small SUVs entirely, despite their apparent suitability for retirees. His reasoning was stark: “Small SUVs are basically considered a ‘throwaway car’ because things will go wrong so quickly that at some point, it becomes costlier to maintain and repair the car, so you just have to just get rid of it.”

This “throwaway car” designation means that while small SUVs might seem budget-friendly initially, they often require frequent repairs that quickly exceed what the car is actually worth.

For retirees who want a car they can rely on in the long term, this creates a frustrating cycle of constant maintenance expenses followed by the need to purchase another vehicle.

What Experts Recommend Instead

It’s not all bad news for those who still want an SUV. The upside is that there are SUVs worth buying in retirement. 

Both experts consistently recommend Toyota and Honda SUVs for retirees. “Toyota and Honda have low costs of maintenance,” Taylor explained. “[They’re] more expensive to buy, but cost less in the end, will last the longest and be the cheapest to maintain.”

Calkins emphasized the broader financial impact: “Retirement comes with a lot of baggage, especially in the form of unexpected expenses, so the truth is that one of the things to be extra careful to avoid in your retirement is owning a car that pokes more holes into your retirement funds/income.”

The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 stand out as the experts’ top recommendations, offering the reliability and manageable maintenance costs that retirees need for worry-free transportation during their golden years.

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