10 Best SUVs for Seniors in Australia 2025

Whether you’re looking to bask in a luxurious interior layout, upgrade on the practicality side of things so you can squeeze camping gear in the back or you’re looking to tow a boat or caravan, there’s no shortage of options.

If you’re after a broader spread of vehicles, including sedans, wagons, hatchbacks and utes that are perfect for seniors and retirees looking to enjoy their time off the books to the maximum, we’ve covered it in a previous article.

Join us as we take a look at ten of the best SUVs for seniors that offer a premium touch, an adventurous spirit for off-road adventures or a powerful engine that makes for a perfect towing vehicle.

Ford Everest

The Ford Everest range is amongst the best options for seniors here in Australia, with its tough towing power and off-road antics bolstered by a rock-solid ride quality that makes it a great long-distance tourer.

With Ford’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel under the bonnet, the Everest has tonnes of power for towing and clever off-road driving modes that give it confidence when pushed.

Better yet, the Everest is incredibly well-mannered on a daily drive while a lengthy safety equipment list and hefty technology suite make it a great large SUV package for seniors.

• Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel

• Transmission: Ten-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 8.5L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Seats: 5 & 7 

• Boot Space: 259 - 898 - 1,800L

• ANCAP Rating: Five-star (tested 2022)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Isuzu MU-X

If you’re a senior looking for a great-value off-roader with healthy towing power to match, the Isuzu MU-X is a must-have on any shortlist.

With its skeleton taken from the D-MAX ute, the Isuzu MU-X isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty or lug a caravan around Australia thanks to a torquey 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

Inside, the MU-X’s cabin provides tonnes of storage options for long road trips, while Isuzu’s generous approach to features and a six-year warranty make it a great option fo adventurous Australian seniors.

• Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Transmission: Six-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 8.3L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Seats: 7

• Boot Space: 311 - 1,119 - 2,138L

• ANCAP Rating: Five-star (tested 2022)

• Warranty: Six-year/150,000-kilometre

Land Rover Defender 110

The Land Rover Defender is an automotive legend, with its latest iteration offering a far more premium cabin filled with technology and a super refined ride that makes it a great long-distance road-tripper.

Buyers have the option of the short-wheelbase 90, a more practical 110 variant and the seven-seat 130 body shapes, as well as a choice of five petrol engines and two hearty turbo-diesel units, even a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid engine.

• Engine: 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-diesel

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 7.9L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Seats: 5 - 7 

• Boot Space: 972 - 1,789  

• ANCAP Rating: Five-star (tested 2020)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Toyota LandCruiser 300

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 is a no-brainer for any Aussie seniors looking for the confidence to tackle the great outdoors in a large, practical, tough-as-bricks and powerful 4x4 wagon.

Toyota’s flagship LandCruiser laughs in the face of an off-road trail and packs a monstrous 700Nm of torque when it’s time to hook up the trailer and hit the road, making for one of the best options for adventure-ready seniors.

• Engine: 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel 

• Transmission: Ten-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 8.9L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Seats: 5 & 7 

• Boot Space: 1,153 - 2,502L

• ANCAP Rating: Five-star (tested 2022)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre (up to seven years for drivetrain)

Nissan Patrol

The almighty Y62 Nissan Patrol is yet another great option for seniors, offering virtually endless towing power in a super capable package that chews up highway and rough road kilometres alike.

The Patrol’s cabin is massive which means there’s no shortage of storage options while a recent technology upgrade with a new 10.1-inch infotainment display and active safety gear makes it the most well-credentialled Patrol we’ve seen to date.

There’s also a hardcore off-road version known as the Patrol Warrior that picks up a lengthy amount of hardware tweaks from Premcar that result in one of the toughest go-anywhere packages on the market.

• Engine: 5.6-litre V8 petrol

• Transmission: Seven-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 14.4L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Seats: 5 & 8 

• Boot Space: 467 - 1,413L

• ANCAP Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Lexus LX

If you’re after a more luxurious package than the Toyota 300 Series, the Lexus LX aims to take things to another level.

With a shared platform and off-road hardware, the Lexus LX looks sharp and comes overflowing with tech and premium touches inside the spacious cabin that culminates in a lavish, super spacious 4x4 package that can go virtually anywhere with confidence.

• Engine: 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 diesel & 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol

• Transmission: Ten-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 8.9 - 12.1L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Seats: 5 & 7 

• Boot Space: 1,153 - 2,502L

• ANCAP Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen’s largest SUV in the lineup is a great option for seniors, offering a powerful engine lineup, smooth on-road manners and a lovely, spacious interior.

VW offers the Touareg with a trio of turbo-diesel engines that are strong when tasked with towing a boat or camping trailer, with the added bonus of a performance-focussed plug-in hybrid Touareg R at the top of the lineup that retains an impressive 3,500kg worth of braked towing power.

• Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel, 3.0-litre V6 petrol + electric motor PHEV

• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 3.3 - 7.4L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 810 - 1,800L

• ANCAP Rating: Expired five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Skoda Kodiaq

If you’re after an SUV that picks up a handful of luxurious touches but doesn’t sting your back pocket as much as the established Europeans, the Skoda Kodiaq is a great option for seniors.

With a large footprint, the Kodiaq’s cabin offers acres of interior space while its smooth drivetrain and eager handling make it a great option for town and country driving alike.

While it’s not an off-road hero or a towing powerhouse, the Kodiaq can still lug around two tonnes worth of a boat or trailer at the rear while making for a super refined daily driver, while Skoda remains one of the only European manufacturers to offer a seven-year warranty.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol

• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch

• Fuel Economy: 7.5 - 8.2L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,000kg

• Seats: 7 

• Boot Space: 340 - 910L

• ANCAP Rating: Expired

• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre

BMW X5

The BMW X5 is an almighty SUV package that provides a sleek interior, silky-smooth on-road dynamics and tonnes of technology that make it one of the most well-rounded SUVs for seniors on the market.

BMW’s latest X5 range features a turbo-diesel option at the base of the lineup, flanked by a 3.0-litre inline-six petrol, a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid for the xDrive50e and a fire-breathing 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powering the flagship X5 M60i, offering an X5 for almost every senior’s needs for both practicality and outright power.

• Engine: Four available (turbo-diesel, turbo-petrol, plug-in hybrid and V8)

• Transmission: Eight-speed

• Fuel Economy: 7.8 - 11.9L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,700kg

• Seats: 5 

• Boot Space: 650 - 1,870L

• ANCAP Rating: Expired five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Our list wraps up with Germany’s heavy-hitting Mercedes-Benz GLE, yet another package that can be had with a sensible, fuel-efficient turbo-diesel that provides healthy towing power, as well as a ludicrous twin-turbocharged V8 at the top of the range.

Whichever engine you opt for, the Mercedes-Benz GLE does not disappoint when it comes to driving comfort or the lavish interior that looks and feels undeniably premium while being bolstered by some of the leading infotainment tech in the game.

Buyers also have the option of a more traditional SUV body shape and a sleek, coupe-inspired version with a more aggressive sloped rear end that makes it look more sporty and aggressive.

• Engine: Five available

• Transmission: nine-speed automatic 

• Fuel Economy: 6.6 - 12.6L/100km

• Braked Towing Capacity: 2,700kg

• Seats: 5

• Boot Space: 630 - 2,055L

• ANCAP Rating: Five-star (tested 2019)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

FAQ: What are the Best Hybrid Cars for Seniors?

With fuel costs rising, there’s no doubt retirees are looking for their most fuel-efficient options.

Luckily, there’s a growing number of hybrid and plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) options that are great companions for recently retired Aussies looking for a quiet and refined cruiser that can help keep fuel bills slim.

Some of the best hybrid options for retirees include cars like the:

• Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

• BMW 330e PHEV

• Lexus LS500h

• Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

• Kia Sorento PHEV

• Toyota Camry Hybrid

• Mazda CX-90 Recharge PHEV

• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

• Toyota Kluger Hybrid

FAQ: What Type of Car Should Retirees Buy with the Best Safety?

For buyers looking to spend $30,000 or less, we’d recommend you look at manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia, Nissan and Toyota, companies that are known to create safe cars packed with technology at an affordable price.

For those looking to spend $60,000 or less, stepping up to brands like Lexus, Volvo, BMW, Genesis and Mercedes-Benz is always a worthwhile investment when it comes to safety equipment as they’re often the pioneers of safety tech.

FAQ: What is the Best Loan for a Retiree?

If you’re looking to step into the car of your dreams for retirement, reach out to our team of car-buying specialists here at OnlineAuto who can help take the hassle out of the process and help secure the best finance for your purchase.