The best SUV for seniors in 2027 is the Honda HR-V: the 2026-27 HR-V is an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, NHTSA gave the 2025 HR-V 5 stars overall, and the 2027 HR-V starts at $26,600 before a $1,550 destination charge. Seven picks hold a TOP SAFETY PICK+. Step-in and seat heights are not published by makers or IIHS, so we did not use them.
$31,900 base MSRP for the 2026 RAV4 LE on Toyota's page, which does not say whether destination is included, so that could not be confirmed
Toyota loyalists who want a familiar nameplate
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Honda HR-V
Best award winner after the HR-V
Kia Sportage
Most cargo room
2026 Subaru Forester
Best luxury
2026 Lexus NX
Five NHTSA stars without an IIHS award
2026 Buick Envision
The ranking
1
Honda HR-V
Answrs VerdictTop award, lowest price.
Starting MSRP: $26,600 for the 2027 Honda HR-V; Honda says MSRP excludes a $1,550 destination chargeIIHS award: 2026-27 Honda HR-V is a TOP SAFETY PICK+, the highest IIHS awardNHTSA rating: 5 stars overall for the 2025 HR-V FWD (front 5, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard on the 2025 HR-VCargo: Honda lists 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats up
The 2027 HR-V starts at $26,600 before a $1,550 destination charge. It holds a 2026-27 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, and NHTSA gave the 2025 HR-V FWD 5 stars overall. Honda lists 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row up.
Go ifSeniors who want a top IIHS award and the lowest sticker price on this list
Skip ifYou need a lot of cargo room or a big cabin; this is the smallest pick
Why #1 over #2: It pairs a TOP SAFETY PICK+ with the lowest price here, below the Sportage at $28,990.
2
Kia Sportage
Answrs VerdictAward winner under $30K.
Starting MSRP: $28,990 for the 2027 Kia Sportage; Kia says MSRP excludes destination and handling chargesIIHS award: 2026 Kia Sportage is a TOP SAFETY PICK+; IIHS says it applies only to vehicles built after May 2025NHTSA rating: 5 stars overall for the 2025 Sportage AWD (front 5, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control and lane departure warning as standard and forward collision warning as standard and optional on the 2025 SportageGround clearance: Kia lists available 8.3 inches of ground clearance
The 2027 Sportage starts at $28,990, excluding destination and handling. The 2026 Sportage is a TOP SAFETY PICK+ for vehicles built after May 2025, and NHTSA gave the 2025 Sportage AWD 5 stars overall.
Go ifBuyers who want a top IIHS award and a full five-star NHTSA score under $30,000
Skip ifYour car was built before May 2025; the IIHS award does not cover it
Why #2 over #3: It costs $28,990, below the Tucson at $29,700, with the same award and five stars.
3
2026 Hyundai Tucson
Answrs VerdictAward winner, hybrid option.
Starting MSRP: $29,700 for the 2026 Hyundai Tucson; Hyundai says MSRP excludes freight chargesIIHS award: 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a TOP SAFETY PICK+NHTSA rating: 5 stars overall for the 2025 Tucson AWD (front 5, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard on the 2025 TucsonHybrid price: Hyundai lists the 2026 Tucson Hybrid from $31,300
The 2026 Tucson starts at $29,700, excluding freight, and Hyundai lists the Hybrid from $31,300. It is an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, and NHTSA gave the 2025 Tucson AWD 5 stars overall.
Go ifSeniors who want a top IIHS award, five NHTSA stars and a hybrid option
Skip ifYou want the lowest price; the HR-V starts at $26,600
Why #3 over #4: It costs $29,700, below the CX-50 at $29,900, with the same award and five stars.
4
2026 Mazda CX-50
Answrs VerdictAward winner, sportier.
Starting MSRP: $29,900 for the 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select; Mazda says MSRP excludes a $1,595 destination chargeIIHS award: 2026 Mazda CX-50 is a TOP SAFETY PICK+NHTSA rating: 5 stars overall for the 2025 CX-50 AWD (front 5, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard on the 2025 CX-50Ground clearance: Mazda says the CX-50 offers between 8.3 and 8.6 inches of ground clearance depending on model and wheel size
The 2026 CX-50 starts at $29,900, excluding a $1,595 destination charge. It is a TOP SAFETY PICK+, and NHTSA gave the 2025 CX-50 AWD 5 stars overall. Mazda cites 8.3 to 8.6 inches of ground clearance.
Go ifBuyers who want a top IIHS award in an SUV with a sportier feel
Skip ifYou want a hybrid; Mazda lists a CX-50 Hybrid from $34,750
Why #4 over #5: It costs $29,900, below the Forester at $29,995, with the same award and five stars.
5
2026 Subaru Forester
Answrs VerdictAward winner, roomy.
Starting MSRP: $29,995 for the 2026 Subaru Forester; Subaru says MSRP does not include destination and delivery chargesIIHS award: 2026 Subaru Forester is a TOP SAFETY PICK+NHTSA rating: 5 stars overall for the 2025 Forester AWD (front 5, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard on the 2025 ForesterCargo: Subaru lists up to 74.4 cubic feet of total cargo space
The 2026 Forester starts at $29,995, excluding destination and delivery. It is a TOP SAFETY PICK+, NHTSA gave the 2025 Forester AWD 5 stars overall, and Subaru lists up to 74.4 cubic feet of total cargo space.
Go ifSeniors who want a top IIHS award, five NHTSA stars and lots of cargo room
Skip ifYou want the lowest price; the HR-V starts at $26,600
Why #5 over #6: It has the same award and five stars as the CX-50 and the most listed cargo room, but costs $29,995.
6
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe
Answrs VerdictRoomier, four stars.
Starting MSRP: $35,300 for the 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe; Hyundai says MSRP excludes freight chargesIIHS award: 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is a TOP SAFETY PICK+NHTSA rating: 4 stars overall for the 2025 Santa Fe AWD (front 4, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control and lane departure warning as standard and forward collision warning as standard and optional on the 2025 Santa FeHybrid price: Hyundai lists the 2027 Santa Fe Hybrid from $36,650
The 2027 Santa Fe starts at $35,300, excluding freight, with the Hybrid from $36,650. The 2026 Santa Fe is a TOP SAFETY PICK+, but NHTSA gave the 2025 Santa Fe AWD 4 stars overall.
Go ifSeniors who want a roomier Hyundai with a top IIHS award
Skip ifYou want five NHTSA stars; the 2025 Santa Fe got four overall
Why #6 over #7: It holds a TOP SAFETY PICK+, while the Envision at $41,300 has no IIHS award.
7
2026 Lexus NX
Answrs VerdictLuxury, award winner.
Starting MSRP: From $47,420 for the 2026 Lexus NX on Lexus's page; the page does not say whether destination is included, so that could not be confirmedIIHS award: 2026 Lexus NX is a TOP SAFETY PICK+NHTSA rating: No overall rating for the 2025 NX 350 AWD; NHTSA lists front 4 and side 5, and no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard on the 2025 NX 350
The 2026 NX starts from $47,420 on Lexus's page. It is a TOP SAFETY PICK+, and NHTSA lists front 4 and side 5 for the 2025 NX 350 with no overall rating.
Go ifSeniors who want a luxury SUV with a top IIHS award
Skip ifYou want the best value; this starts at $47,420
Why #7 over #8: It holds a TOP SAFETY PICK+, while the Envision has no IIHS award.
8
2026 Buick Envision
Answrs VerdictFive stars, no IIHS award.
Starting MSRP: $41,300 for the 2026 Buick Envision; Buick's page does not say whether destination is included, so that could not be confirmedNHTSA rating: 5 stars overall for the 2025 Envision AWD (front 5, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard on the 2025 EnvisionIIHS award: Not listed among the 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK winners on IIHS's page
The 2026 Envision starts at $41,300. NHTSA gave the 2025 Envision AWD 5 stars overall (front 5, side 5), but the Envision is not on IIHS's 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK list.
Go ifBuyers who want five NHTSA stars from a comfort-focused brand
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award; the Envision is not listed for 2026
Why #8 over #9: It has five stars with front 5, while the CR-V got front 4.
9
2027 Honda CR-V
Answrs VerdictRoomy, no IIHS award.
Starting MSRP: $31,520 for the 2027 Honda CR-V; Honda says MSRP excludes a $1,550 destination chargeNHTSA rating: 5 stars overall for the 2025 CR-V FWD (front 4, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard on the 2025 CR-VHybrid price: Honda lists the 2027 CR-V Hybrid from $36,030IIHS award: Not listed among the 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK winners on IIHS's page
The 2027 CR-V starts at $31,520, excluding a $1,550 destination charge, with the Hybrid from $36,030. NHTSA gave the 2025 CR-V FWD 5 stars overall, but front 4, and IIHS does not list it for 2026.
Go ifHonda loyalists who want a larger cabin than the HR-V
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award; the CR-V is not listed for 2026
Why #9 over #10: It costs $31,520, below the RAV4 at $31,900, with the same stars.
10
2026 Toyota RAV4
Answrs VerdictFamiliar, no IIHS award.
Starting MSRP: $31,900 base MSRP for the 2026 RAV4 LE on Toyota's page, which does not say whether destination is included, so that could not be confirmedNHTSA rating: 5 stars overall for the 2025 RAV4 AWD (front 4, side 5, rollover 4); NHTSA lists no 2026 ratingNHTSA driver aids: NHTSA lists electronic stability control, forward collision warning and lane departure warning as standard on the 2025 RAV4Cargo: Toyota lists up to 37.8 cubic feet of cargo spaceIIHS award: Not listed among the 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK winners on IIHS's page
The 2026 RAV4 LE has a base MSRP of $31,900 on Toyota's page, which lists up to 37.8 cubic feet of cargo space. NHTSA gave the 2025 RAV4 AWD 5 stars overall, but front 4, and IIHS does not list it for 2026.
Go ifToyota loyalists who want a familiar nameplate
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award; the RAV4 is not listed for 2026
How we ranked these
We ranked each SUV first by IIHS 2026 award, then by NHTSA overall stars for the 2025 model, then by the maker's starting MSRP. Makers and IIHS do not publish step-in height or seat height for these SUVs, so we did not use them. Check the seat height against your own hip before you buy. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best SUV for seniors in 2027?
The Honda HR-V. The 2026-27 HR-V is an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, NHTSA gave the 2025 HR-V 5 stars overall, and the 2027 HR-V starts at $26,600 before a $1,550 destination charge.
Which SUVs are easiest to get in and out of?
We could not rank this. Neither the makers nor IIHS publish a step-in height or seat height for these SUVs, so we did not invent numbers. Sit in each one at a dealer and check the seat against your hip height.
Which of these SUVs has an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+?
On IIHS's 2026 list: the Honda HR-V, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-50, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe and Lexus NX. The Sportage award applies only to vehicles built after May 2025. The Buick Envision, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are not listed, which is not the same as a poor rating.
Which SUV is the cheapest?
The 2027 Honda HR-V at $26,600, then the 2027 Kia Sportage at $28,990 and the 2026 Hyundai Tucson at $29,700. Most makers' prices exclude destination or freight.
Starting MSRP on the maker's page (USD) at a glance
Honda HR-V26,600 USD
Kia Sportage28,990 USD
2026 Hyundai Tucson29,700 USD
2026 Mazda CX-5029,900 USD
2026 Subaru Forester29,995 USD
2027 Honda CR-V31,520 USD
2026 Toyota RAV431,900 USD
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe35,300 USD
2026 Buick Envision41,300 USD
2026 Lexus NX47,420 USD
Starting MSRP on the maker's page (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
