If you’ve been car shopping lately, you likely saw the sad state of vehicle pricing and availability in today’s market. New vehicle shortages have led to price increases across the board, making it hard to find the model you want at a reasonable price. Because of that, it might be a good idea to keep your current car in service for as long as possible, but which cars are inherently more long-lived than others? iSeeCars recently released a study on the longest-lasting vehicles on the road today, some of which may surprise you.
No secrets here: Toyota and Lexus make reliable vehicles. Six of the ten longest-lasting models are Toyotas, and their potential mileage lifespan is impressive.
Top ten longest-lasting vehicles
- Toyota Sequoia: 296,509 miles
- Toyota Land Cruiser: 280,236 miles
- Chevrolet Suburban: 265,732
- Toyota Tundra: 256,022
- GMC Yukon XL: 252,360
- Toyota Prius: 250,601
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 250,338
- Honda Ridgeline: 248,669
- Toyota Avalon: 245,710
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 244,944
Toyota’s dominance with longest-lasting cars is noteworthy, but a bigger story here is the longevity of hybrid vehicles. Not so long ago, people were shouting about battery replacements and saying that there was no way a hybrid car could last as long as a gas-powered model. This list clearly shows that hybrid tech, at least for Toyota, is just as robust as gas tech. It also bodes well for EVs, which use much larger versions of the same batteries found in hybrids.
SUVs are the most common vehicles on the list, which isn’t all that surprising when you look at the numbers of utility vehicles sold each year versus sedans and minivans. Beyond the models listed above, the Ford Expedition, Toyota 4Runner, GMC Yukon, and Honda Pilot round out the top ten longest-lasting SUVs.
Pickup trucks come in with considerably lower mileages, likely because they are used in taxing work situations and do towing/hauling duties more frequently. Harder living tends to shorten lifespans. The longest-lasting trucks include:
- Toyota Tundra: 256,022 miles
- Honda Ridgeline: 248,669 miles
- Toyota Tacoma: 235,070 miles
- Nissan Titan: 233,295 miles
- Ford F-150: 220,980 miles
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 230,515 miles
- GMC Sierra 1500: 222,691 miles
- Ford Ranger: 220,980 miles
- Nissan Frontier: 215,775 miles
- Ram 1500: 215,521 miles
Longest-lasting sedans and hatchbacks:
- Toyota Avalon: 245,710 miles
- Chevrolet Impala: 230,343 miles
- Honda Accord: 226,168 miles
- Toyota Camry: 223,249 miles
- Lexus GS 350: 204,642 miles
- Honda Fit: 207,231 miles
- Honda Civic: 205,335 miles
- Lexus ES 350: 204,642 miles
- Toyota Corolla: 204,266 miles
- Mazda Mazda6: 203,154 miles
Longest-lasting hybrids:
- Toyota Prius: 250,601 miles
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 244,994 miles
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: 230,547 miles
- Lexus RX 450h: 196,826 miles
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 184,887 miles
- Kia Optima Hybrid: 183,632 miles
- Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: 177,678 miles
- Ford Fusion Hybrid: 175,670 miles
- Porsche Cayenne: 152,563 miles
- BMW 7-Series: 133,545 miles
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I extend the life of my car?
A: One of the best things you can do to make your car last longer is to perform regular maintenance. Keep up with oil changes and make sure to get regular tune-ups to keep the vehicle running properly. Beyond keeping the check engine light away, regular maintenance helps extend the life of your car by preventing unnecessary wear and tear. You’ll also have a better shot at identifying potential future issues with regular maintenance.
Q: Why do Toyotas last so long?
A: Toyota places a heavy emphasis on build quality and design. The automaker’s factories focus on identifying and fixing issues, and the employees are empowered to push for improvements when needed. As a result, Toyota’s vehicles are generally reliable and long-lasting.
Q: Can a car last for 500,000 miles?
A: Yes, but many require heavy maintenance to make it that far. The Facebook Group Mileage Impossible showcases cars with unbelievably high mileage, and many have replacement engines, transmissions, and more.
Q: Is it cheaper to keep a car instead of buying a new one?
A: In many cases, the answer is yes, but every situation is different. It’s usually a good idea to try keeping your current car on the road as long as possible, but you’ll eventually reach a point where it’s more expensive to maintain an older car than buying a new one.
