When you buy a car, you want it to last as long as possible. But unfortunately, even the newest cars can lose significant value immediately after purchase. In addition, daily wear and tear on cars can result in costly repairs and parts replacements to keep them up and running. Owning a car can be an expensive investment, but choosing a reliable car can ensure it continues running for many years to come. (These are the best and worst car brands.)
Sometimes opting for an older vehicle can be to your advantage, depending on the make and model. The ubiquity of older vehicles is due to a number of factors, including a recent surge in new car prices. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new-vehicle transaction price was $47,401 in January, more than 80% of the median annual income among full-time, salaried workers in the United States. (These are America’s cheapest cars.)
With new vehicle prices at near all-time highs, many Americans are turning to the used market. But for prospective buyers who want to keep their next vehicle — new or used — for as long as possible, some models are far more likely to outlast others. (These are the best-selling cars of all time.)
Using data from iSeeCars, a used car search engine, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 23 longest-lasting vehicles on the road. According to the iSeeCars study, the average vehicle in the United States has only an 11.8% chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles. Each model on this list, meanwhile, has at least a 20% chance of lasting over a quarter of a million miles, and some have a more than 40% chance.
The models on this list are manufactured under eight brand names, all either American or Japanese. Toyota tops the list with eight different models. Including subsidiary brands, Detroit’s General Motors has five models on this list, as does Tokyo-based automaker, Honda.
It is important to note that several vehicles on this list have been discontinued and are only available on the used market. These include the Chevy Avalanche, Honda Element, and Toyota Avalon. Others, like the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Land Cruiser, have been recently redesigned, and whether the new iterations prove to be as reliable as previous generations remains to be seen.
Why We’re Covering This
Owning a car can be costly, but choosing a more reliable make and model can help save you a lot of money in the long run. In addition, having a dependable car can give you some much-needed peace of mind, as you won’t need to worry as much about unexpected expenses or breakdowns.
These reliable cars can be driven forever:
23. Toyota Camry
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 20.4% (1.7 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size car
- Approx. base MSRP: $27,415
22. GMC Yukon XL
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 21.3% (1.8 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Full-size SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: $59,295
21. Subaru Outback
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 22.3% (1.9 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: $30,240
20. Toyota Sienna
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 23.3% (2.0 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Minivan
- Approx. base MSRP: $39,080
19. Ram 3500
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 24.3% (2.1 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy-duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $49,735 (incl. all HD models)
18. Ram 2500
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 26.3% (2.2 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy-duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $49,735 (incl. all HD models)
17. Chevrolet Avalanche
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 26.7% (2.3 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Full-size truck
- Approx. base MSRP: N/A
16. Honda Accord
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 27.1% (2.3 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size car
- Approx. base MSRP: $28,990
15. Honda CR-V
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 27.5% (2.3 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Small SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: $30,850
14. Honda Element
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 27.8% (2.4 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Compact SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: N/A
13. Acura MDX
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 29.2% (2.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: $51,500
12. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 31.0% (2.6 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Full-size truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $37,445
11. Toyota Avalon
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 33.1% (2.8 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Full-size sedan
- Approx. base MSRP: N/A
10. Toyota 4Runner
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 41.0% (3.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: $41,050
9. Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 41.2% (3.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy-duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $47,000
8. GMC Sierra 2500HD
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 41.3% (3.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy-duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $47,395 (incl. all HD models)
7. Toyota Tacoma
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 41.7% (3.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $32,995
6. Honda Pilot
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 42.7% (3.6 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: $38,485
5. Ford F-250 Super Duty
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 43.6% (3.7 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy-duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $46,965 (incl. all Super Duty models)
4. Toyota Sequoia
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 47.1% (4.0 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Full-size SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: $63,125
3. Toyota Tundra
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 47.9% (4.1 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Full-size truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $41,815
2. Toyota Land Cruiser
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 47.9% (4.1 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size SUV
- Approx. base MSRP: $57,345
1. Ford F-350 Super Duty
- Chance of lasting 250,000+ miles: 49.1% (4.2 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy-duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP: $46,965 (incl. all Super Duty models)
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