Some Cars Just Have an Older Fan Base
Sure, cars are cars, and some people just have different tastes. Yet, plenty of new drivers (who love trendy designs) would probably balk if you told them to drive an older Volkswagen around. Obviously, no car comes with an age requirement, but certain vehicles have still developed a knack for attracting older buyers. From large American sedans to Japanese crossovers, here are 20 cars only the grandpas seem to lug around.
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1. Buick LeSabre
For decades, the Buick LeSabre was known best for its comfort, space, and an easy handling experience—and, of course, nowadays it's for its old-timey feel. In any case, it's certainly appealing to buyers who aren't that interested in sporty or flashy technology, which means you're more likely to see your old neighbor driving it than a teenage newbie.
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2. Toyota Avalon
If the Camry wasn't roomy enough, the Toyota Avalon was the next best thing. Its spacious cabin, smooth ride, and reputation for reliability also made it particularly attractive to people who were planning to keep their vehicle for a good few decades, and well. That's exactly what happened.
3. Buick Lucerne
When the Lucerne came in, it was introduced as a comfortable full-size sedan, and longtime Buick owners quickly took interest. From its large buttons to its relatively traditional styling, the Lucerne is also especially approachable for drivers who don't want their dashboard to look too complex. Wonder what that audience might be...
4. Lincoln Town Car
Few vehicles fit the classic older-driver stereotype as much as the Lincoln Town Car. Think: enormous seats, a huge trunk, rear-wheel drive—it's practically a magnet for older drivers! After all, the seniors sure do love having lots of space.
5. Cadillac DeVille
Spacious seating, plenty of equipment, a comfortable ride... You see the pattern here? The Cadillac DeVille certainly represented traditional American luxury for generations of buyers, and the Americans of those bygone days definitely knew the phrase, "Go big or go home." After all, driving a large Cadillac around was one of the biggest signs that you'd made it.
6. Mercury Grand Marquis
Production might have ended years ago, but the Mercury Grand Marquis isn't going to go down without a fight. Coupled with its large dimensions, it also boasted simple controls and super plush seats. Want to see one in the wild? Just head to a retirement community.
7. Buick Park Avenue
One of Buick's largest and most luxurious sedans, only older drivers would know that the Park Avenue had a leg up on European luxury cars of that same era. Plus, the bench-style seating on some versions and minimalistic styling only strengthened its mature reputation.
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8. Lexus ES
Comfort and reliability were two of the primary strengths of the Lexus ES, so of course it appealed to drivers who wanted a premium car without any complicated ownership experience. In fact, so appreciated was this model that many of those early investors still drive it today.
9. Buick LaCrosse
Another Buick makes the list, and this time, it's the LaCrosse. With a spacious interior and a ride designed around everyday comfort, it's really no surprise that the Buick badge has continued to carry strong associations with older motorists, even if modern designs have certainly looked more contemporary.
10. Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 might look imposing, but its roomy cabin and easy handling have attracted plenty of mature drivers over the years. The version you'll see the most among the older generation? The ones with restrained wheels and chrome trim.
11. Toyota Camry
We had the Avalon, so of course the Camry makes the list, too. And while this car certainly appeals to every age group, it also has everything many older drivers prioritize. For one, it's highly dependable, but it's also easy to operate and maintain. Who wouldn't get a Camry?
12. Honda Accord
Like the Camry, the Honda Accord has built its reputation around dependable transportation. Longtime owners frequently replace their aging Accord with—surprise, surprise—another Accord, simply because it's just good. Its broad appeal means it's plenty popular with other age groups, but older loyalists still take up a huge chunk of the customer base.
13. Subaru Forester
Being bigger than your average low sedan, the Forester also has a couple more tricks up its sleeve for winning the older crowd over: its tall windows, its comfortable seats, its roomy cargo area. What more could you want? Add available all-wheel drive, and it makes a lot of sense for retirees to stick with it.
14. Honda CR-V
Compact crossovers have replaced traditional sedans for many older buyers, and the Honda CR-V is one of the clearest examples of that. Like the Forester, it's got plenty of space inside, and its upright seating position makes getting in and out way easier than with many low-slung cars. You can probably see why the grandpas of the road love it.
15. Toyota RAV4
You don't have to look far to find a RAV4 in almost any parking lot, and plenty of them belong to older motorists. Of course, being so popular, you'd find many young owners, too, but the RAV4's manageable dimensions mean it has a higher seating position and all-around good visibility—two things that are perfect for seniors.
16. Chevrolet Impala
Sure, later models of the Impala look more modern, but they still emphasize the features that senior drivers love: lots of passenger space and straightforward everyday usability. And because the nameplate has existed for so long, it also carries a kind of familiarity that newer models just can't replicate.
17. Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is probably one of America's most recognizable family sedans, which means many people who bought them decades ago simply just haven't had the heart to replace them. Later versions grew noticeably larger, and though they weren't especially trendy, practicality was usually the main selling point.
18. Cadillac DTS
If longtime DeVille customers were ever going to switch, it would be to the DTS. Never mind that it was large and comfortable (two great pluses), but the traditional styling of the DTS also made it perfect for buyers who weren't interested in the brand's sportier direction.
19. Buick Encore
Buick might have built a reputation for making bigger sedans, but the Encore helped prove that older customers were starting to lean in the opposite direction. Sometimes, the more experience you have on the road, the less space you want to take up! Even seniors now know that bigger isn't always better.
20. Lexus RX
The Lexus RX rounds out the list, and it features many characteristics—spacious, comfortable, easy to drive—that appeal to older buyers without looking too old-timey. For those who want a premium crossover but have little interest in aggressive handling, the RX is the one.
