4 Used Cars That Would Make Great Gifts for Retirees

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When someone retires, it’s customary for loved ones to shower them with gifts — things like golf clubs, coffee mugs, fishing rods or whatever suits their style. 

But if someone wants to go big and buy their favorite retiree a used car, what are the best models?

To find out, GOBankingRates consulted Kelley Blue Book’s list of the best cars for seniors this year to gauge what models might make the best gifts for retirees. Then, GOBankingRates cross-referenced those with CoPilot for Car Shopping data to identify the best and most reliable model years.

Here are the top four used cars that would make great gifts for retirees.

What Makes a Great Car for Retirees?

According to Kelley Blue Book, buyers should focus on the following features when considering any vehicle for a senior.

• Accessibility: The car has to be easy to get into and out of.
• Visibility: It recommends the highest available perch and as much surrounding glass as possible.
• Comfort: Easily adjustable seats and precision climate control are paramount.
• Convenience features: Stick with automatic transmissions, large touchscreens and controls that are close at hand.
• Safety features: Every new car now has antilock brakes, rearview cameras, traction control and stability control — but that wasn’t always the case. Pick a used model that was ahead of its time.

Finally, there is, of course, the issue of the buyer’s budget. Unless money is no object, cost is a top consideration. With that in mind, these are some of the best used cars to gift to retirees.

Toyota Camry

The Camry is America’s bestselling car for reasons that make it the perfect vehicle for seniors. Kelley Blue Book touts its stellar reputation for being safe, reliable and good on gas. It’s roomy enough to be comfortable and practical, even for road trips, but small enough to navigate narrow city roads and park in tight spots.

However, not all Camrys are created equal.

According to CoPilot, Toyota has produced eight generations over the past 40 years, and the best by far is the seventh generation, which includes models from 2012 to 2017. CoPilot explained that the first year — 2012 — has the most consumer complaints of that generation, so buyers would be wise to skip straight to 2013.

According to Kelley Blue Book, a 2015 Camry — roughly in the middle of generation seven — should run in the mid-$11,000s, with little variation across all trims.

Honda Accord

Kelley Blue Book ranks the Accord — another perennial contender for best midsize sedan — nearly evenly with the Camry as one of the best cars for seniors for all the same reasons. Accords are known as safe, reliable, roomy, comfortable cars that can go well beyond 200,000 miles with basic maintenance.

According to CoPilot, the best Accords are the 2006 and 2007 models from the seventh generation and the 2011 and 2012 models from the eighth generation.

Kelley Blue Book reports that a base-model 2006 Accord should cost about $4,700. The national average for a 2011 model is $7,271.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV that Kelley Blue Book recommends to seniors for its solid fuel economy, excellent safety features, roomy interior and ample cargo space.

CoPilot recommends the 2020 CR-V as the standout model year dating back to 2000. The publication expects the typical CR-V to run well beyond 300,000 miles and lauds its performance and versatility, stating that it performs as well as larger SUVs despite its smaller, more manageable stature.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average 2020 CR-V costs $20,532 on the used market, nearly $10,000 less than the starting MSRP of a new model.

Kia Telluride

For buyers looking to go bigger and a bit more expensive, Kelley Blue Book recommends the largest vehicle in the Kia lineup, the Telluride, as one of the best choices for retirees.

A standout in the three-row midsize segment, the Telluride checks most of the boxes that Kelley Blue Book advises seniors to look for in any vehicle. It boasts a healthy suite of safety features, user-friendly tech, and — for retirees who plan to travel with friends, grandkids or anyone else — more than enough room for passengers and cargo.

Unlike the others on this list, the Telluride does not have decades of history — Kia debuted the popular SUV in 2019.

According to CoPilot, the best years for the Telluride are the 2021 and 2022 models. Kelley Blue Book estimates buyers will pay around $25,000 and $28,000, respectively.

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