This Top-Selling Midsize SUV Is One Of The Best Cars For A RetireeMoney DigestColin BoydFri, September 11, 2026 at 10:30 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleFg Trade Latin/Getty ImagesAs drivers get older, their vehicle priorities likely shift. For instance, while a car's safety is always integral, it can become more significant during retirement. Many senior drivers look for cars that offer strong visibility, or feature design elements that help keep them focused on the road. Others may prioritize low maintenance costs, or a comfortable driver's seat that they can sit in for long stretches of time. Conveniently, the 2025 Kia Telluride checks all these boxes.With an new starting MSRP of $36,190 before taxes and fees, the 2025 Telluride is a midsize, three-row SUV that comes in 10 different trims suitable for a wide array of budgets. In 2025, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) ranked it the fourth-best car for senior drivers, while Best-Selling Cars reports it was the third-highest-selling Kia model of the year. Throughout 2025, 123,281 reportedly sold — a 6.7% increase from 2024. The 2025 Telluride comes standard with a suite of helpful safety features including adaptive cruise control and an intricate headlight system for maximum visibility. It also earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.As of September 2026, KBB reports that a 2025 base-model LX trim has a fair purchase price of $36,200, suggesting buyers won't necessarily save much on the used market yet. However, the Telluride is among the cars that lose half their value in five years, so this model year may become more financially viable in the near future.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead more: 12 Cars For A Retiree, Ranked Worst To BestThe financial reality of owning a 2025 Kia TellurideJonathan Weiss/ShutterstockWhile the LX trim comes highly recommended on its own, KBB specifically recommends the 2025 Telluride's S trim for senior drivers with a bit more to spend. Its fair purchase price is slightly higher, at $39,500, but it does come with an automated lift gate and the option of all-wheel drive for added stability.If you can get past the upfront costs, Telluride drivers may find themselves largely in the clear financially for at least a few years: On average, CarEdge reports Tellurides rack up a five-year maintenance bill of around $2,796 — over $1,000 less than the average SUV. The 2025 model year is also among the cheapest new cars to insure, which could be particularly appealing to retirees as they enter the age range when insurance premiums tend to go up.Unfortunately, the 2025 Telluride does lag a bit when it comes to fuel economy: When used for combined city and highway driving, Kia projects the 2025 model gets around 22 miles per gallon, the lowest of any of the top 10 cars on KBB's roundup of retirement-friendly vehicles. That figure goes down to 20 miles per gallon for models with all-wheel drive, though there are plenty of other gas-guzzling cars that retirees should avoid that come at an even higher premium.AdvertisementAdvertisementFound this helpful? Subscribe to the Money Digest newsletter and unlock your financial potential. And add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights!Read the original article on Money Digest.
