Forget the RAV4 & CR-V — 5 SUVs Nobody Wants But Seniors Should Buy

Overview

The video recommends five less-popular small SUVs as alternatives to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V for drivers over 60. It argues that the best choice depends less on popularity and more on ease of entry, simple controls, running costs, and how much space the buyer actually needs.

The RAV4 serves as a price benchmark: a 2026 RAV4 LE Hybrid with all-wheel drive costs $34,750, including destination. The host says the RAV4 and CR-V are good cars, but their popularity can make buyers pay more, and their size may be unnecessary for some retirees. Consumer Reports’ preferred SUV for older drivers is the Subaru Forester, but the host leaves it off the list because it is already popular.

The Five SUVs

1. Buick Encore GX

• Price: About $28,000–$33,000 with destination, roughly $6,000–$7,000 below the RAV4 benchmark.
• Strengths: Compact at just over 14 feet long. Kelley Blue Book describes its cabin as among the quietest and most comfortable in its class. Buick ranked as the most dependable mainstream brand in J.D. Power’s 2026 study for the second year running, and the Encore GX ranked third among small SUVs.
• Drawbacks: The base 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo is only adequate; the host recommends the 1.3-liter instead. Edmunds criticized the front seats, so buyers should try them for an extended period. The back seat is small.
• Best for: One or two people who mostly drive around town and value a quiet, easy-to-park vehicle.
• Comparison: The RAV4 outsold it roughly eight or nine to one. The host suggests Buick’s less-fashionable image may help keep its price down.

2. Kia Niro Hybrid

• Price and economy: Starts below $30,000 with destination. Lower trims are EPA-rated at 53 mpg combined, the best fuel economy among the five.
• Warranty: Engine, transmission, and hybrid battery coverage is 10 years/100,000 miles for the original owner only—an important caveat for used-car shoppers.
• Drawbacks: Front-wheel drive only and relatively slow. Its six-speed dual-clutch transmission may feel hesitant at low speeds, so the host recommends testing it in a parking lot.
• Best for: Drivers on a fixed income who cover many local miles and prioritize fuel costs.

3. Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

• Price: Approximately $31,200 before tax and fees, based on the higher of conflicting price interpretations. That is about $3,500 less than the RAV4 benchmark, with all-wheel drive included.
• Power and economy: A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors produce 196 hp. All hybrid versions have standard AWD, with an electric motor driving the rear wheels. The EPA rating is 42 mpg combined; Edmunds did better on its test route.
• Reliability rationale: Toyota’s power-split hybrid system has no conventional gearbox, clutch packs, torque converter, or steel belt. Regenerative braking also reduces brake-pad use. The host notes Toyota has used this hybrid design for over 25 years, but still recommends confirming the battery warranty in writing.
• Drawbacks: Less rear-seat and cargo space than a RAV4. The engine can rev loudly under hard acceleration, and the smaller vehicle transmits more road feel.
• Best for: Buyers who want Toyota hybrid technology and AWD but do not need the RAV4’s extra space.
• Sales context: Toyota sold about 29,400 Corolla Cross Hybrids in 2025, around 16% fewer than the year before. The host’s explanation—possible hybrid-parts shortages—is explicitly speculation. Sales were reportedly already ahead of the prior year’s record at the time of the video.

4. Previous-Generation Mazda CX-5 (2025 and Earlier)

• Main appeal: Physical controls—a separate climate panel, buttons, and a real volume knob—are easier to operate by touch without looking at a screen.
• Why choose the older model: The redesigned 2026 CX-5 moves most functions to a touchscreen and removes the rotary controller, climate panel, and volume knob. A Consumer Reports tester criticized the imbalance between screens and buttons. The older rotary screen controller could itself be fiddly, especially with a phone plugged in, but common climate and audio controls remain physical.
• Mechanical and reliability notes: The 2025 model has a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and conventional six-speed automatic. AWD has been standard since 2022. Consumer Reports rated the 2025 model well above average for reliability; there is not yet owner data to judge the new generation.
• Comparison: The CX-50 has a lower roof, which may require more ducking. The host considers the CX-5 easier to get into.
• Buying caveat: The older CX-5 is mostly found used or coming off leases. The host gives no used-price estimate because prices vary by mileage and region.

5. Used 2023 Buick Envision

• Dependability evidence: In J.D. Power’s 2026 study of more than 33,000 original owners of 2023 vehicles, the Envision ranked second among compact SUVs, behind the Chevrolet Equinox and ahead of the Subaru Forester. Buick ranked second overall behind Lexus and was the top mainstream brand.
• Price and depreciation: A 2023 Preferred started at about $31,700 plus destination and had lost roughly one-third of its value in three years. Dealers were asking around $21,000 for a Preferred and up to about $28,000 for the top Avenir. A new 2026 Envision starts at $42,995 including destination; the host says tariffs contributed to a roughly $5,000 price increase in less than a year.
• Comfort and equipment: A 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder makes 228 hp, paired with a conventional nine-speed automatic. It rides softly and quietly, and its rear seat is roomier than the Encore GX.
• Drawbacks: It is the thirstiest vehicle on the list, returning roughly low-20s mpg in town and about 30 mpg on the highway in front-wheel-drive form. The host estimates that at 10,000 miles per year, the fuel-cost difference versus the Niro is significant.
• Suggested version: For buyers in areas with little snow, the front-wheel-drive Preferred is the cheapest, least elaborate version and is rated 23 mpg city/31 highway.
• Important qualification: The J.D. Power survey reflects reported problems in year three, may include issues such as phone connectivity, and does not establish long-term reliability or the condition of any particular used car. The host says service records matter more than the survey. Check the remaining powertrain warranty by VIN; the basic warranty may already have expired.

Shared Advice and Buying Considerations

• Test seat height: Stand with your back to the seat. The cushion’s front edge should meet around the crease of the hip or slightly below. Sit upright and swing both legs in together; get out by placing both feet on the ground first. If you drop into the seat, have to hop up, or need the door frame to stand, try another vehicle.
• The host found conflicting recommended seat-height measurements, so advises using this physical test instead of relying on a single measurement.
• Test controls by touch: Without looking at the screen, raise the temperature by two degrees and lower the radio volume. Consider whether the controls will be easy to use at night, in bad weather, or with gloves.
• For used cars, ask the seller not to start the engine before arrival. Check that the hood is cold, listen to the first seconds of a cold start, scan for diagnostic codes, and review service records.
• Confirm who a warranty covers; some long warranties apply only to the original owner.
• Get an itemized, written out-the-door price before discussing monthly payments. Question every charge beyond the vehicle, taxes, and government fees. The video warns that extending a loan can conceal add-ons and extra interest; it also notes that allegations against specific dealers are allegations, not proven findings.
• Before shopping, write down typical passengers, parking constraints, and annual mileage, then use those needs to choose vehicle size and powertrain.

Verdict

The video’s overall recommendation is to buy for the buyer’s current needs—not sales popularity:

• Choose the Encore GX for quiet, compact town driving.
• Choose the Niro for the lowest fuel costs.
• Choose the Corolla Cross Hybrid for Toyota hybrid efficiency and standard AWD.
• Choose the older CX-5 for physical controls.
• Choose the used 2023 Envision for a quieter, roomier ride at a substantial depreciation discount.

No numerical overall scores are given.

Speaker perspective: The video presents one narrator’s assessments and recommendations. Some conclusions are qualified as estimates or speculation—especially Corolla Cross sales explanations and used-car pricing—and the narrator distinguishes survey rankings from guarantees about an individual vehicle.