Here Are 5 Vehiclews that Seniors Will Love for Their Price and Amenities

Sometimes you have to wonder why seniors and recreational vehicles are mentioned in the same breath? Is it because seniors are the only people buying them or is it because seniors are the only ones who can use them?

Let's get down to cases, though, are seniors the only ones who are buying recreational vehicles? The answer, from what we have seen, is likely yes. It seems that most of the buyers we've seen looking at recreational vehicles are younger seniors, folks who are or who have just reached retirement. They are looking for the right vehicle and here are five that we think they should take a close look at:

1.Honda Pilot - Although the Pilot is a more traditional recreational vehicle in that it does not offer extended seating (a third row), it is still probably one of the most reliable recreational vehicles on the market. The powerplant is a proven Honda 3.5-liter VTEC that is mated to a five speed automatic. Like all vehicles in this class, you can purchase it in anything from a base to a an all-leather model with Navigation, rear entertainment system, heated seats and climate control. With special incentive p lans now in place, you can obtain a Pilot EX-L (top of the line with leather) and NAV and DVD for about $369 per month on a 39-month lease. The Pilot is virtually indestructible and is offered in an all-wheel-drive configuration, although two-wheel-drive vehicles are also available.

2.Chevrolet Suburban - Based on the proven 1500 truck frame from Chevrolet, the Suburban, available in base, LS, LT, LTX and with seating for up to eight, is hard to beat as our second recommendation. Although the sticker price might have your jaw dropping, if you were to believe everything in the car business is immutable, this is something not to worry about because there is about $7,000 in factory incentive money available for any model and there might be more, depending on the program you use. The Suburban, which has been around in various incarnations for about 15 years or more, has been subtly updated for 2010 so that the front end has a robust design that surrounds the traditional Chevy oval and bowtie. Interestingly, there is a hybrid version available and all of the V-8 editions of the Suburban shutdown four of their cylinders when cruising at the limit. This raises the mileage to the mid to upper-20s, something of a feat in an eight passenger, four-by-four. Aside from its smart look, though, the Suburban is worth a good close look, especially when you equip it with a good set of running boards so that getting into and out of the cabin is easy. The Suburban features a wide variety options so that you can equip it with a tough, velour seating material or with leather, heated front seats for both driver and passenger. The Navigation system has been improved and the Suburban is also available with OnStar. The list of available options is about as long as you'll find anywhere and we would recommend some specific items including the transmission intercooler, towing and road package, skidplate and beefed up alternator and charging system. You'll be able to find a top-of-the-line Suburban in roughly the $34,000 range without a trade and you may save more with factory incentives.

3.Ford Expedition RSC (Eddie Bauer) - Let's face it sports fans, this is not a new vehicle. It has been around for at least a dozen years but it has had some significant improvements, especially in the areas of vehicle safety. For example, the Expedition sports one of the most effective airbag, head protection curtain systems on the market. It also boasts a freshened front end and rear end treatment so tha it now features the three-bar corporate grille that made its debut on the Fusion four years ago. The Expedition RSC features such items as backup warning alarm, rear camera display and, if you come up to a tough parallel parking space, it will actually do the parallel parking for you. The Expedition, which you can find in base, SE, SEL, LTD and Eddit Bauer Editions, is available to you for the high-20s to the mid-30s, depending on options chosen. It is a classic full-sized recreational vehicle that will easily seat eight in comfort on breathable cloth upholstery and it sports such items as a larger screen rear entertrainment center, heated seats and more.

4.Mazda CX-9 - This may seem like an unusual vehicle to put into a recreational vehicle list but here's something you probably didn't know, the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKT and, to some extent, even the top-of-the-line passenger sedan MKS owe their existence to the CX-9. Ford chose the base chassis to use as the mule around which the other vehicles were built. The CX-9, which will only seat five, is a crossover. It features a 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic that combine on the highway to give you mileage that will easily top 30 in some cases. The ride is quiet and controlled and, above all, comfortable. The surprising thing about the CX-9 - and its stablemates - is just how nicely it handles. Through turns and corners, the normally front-drive CX-9 will hold any line you choose. The seats are both comfortable and supportive as we found out one day about over two years ago when we drove one for quite a fair distance. The CX-9 is has many features standard including power doors, locks, windows, brakes and mirrors. There is also a wide variety of tire/wheel options available that will help give this vehicle its own distinctive look. You'll find the CX-9 starts in the mid-20s and with incentives should still be under $30,000 when all is said and done.

5.Although this may seem like a Ford ad, it really isn't because we'd have to recommend the Flex as the fifth recreational vehicle for this list. It will truly seat seven to eight in comfort (2-3-2/3) and its size is deceiving. It is a long vehicle that is low and seems very narrrow, yet when you get inside you find that there's more space than you every bargained for. The powerplant is the corporate 3.5-liter V-6 and the trnamsission is a six-speed automatic. There's a host of options available including new Navigation system, rear entertainment system, multi-adjustable power leather front seats for the driver and passenger and, in one configuration, you can have it equipped with a refrigerator. You'll probably pay anywhere between $28,000 and $38,000 for this vehicle as there are many factory incentives available and it will tow light packages such as boats. It is available as standard front-drive and all-wheel-drive.

We're sure that if you were to ask six autowriters for a list of five recreational vehicles for seniors, you'd probably end up with eight lists. This is our attempt and we think it's pretty good.