Buying a new car is an expensive proposition. Between finance charges, depreciation, and maintenance costs, cars keep you poor if you let them.
If you’re in the market for a new car, buying and holding a reliable vehicle can cost you much less over time than buying or leasing a new vehicle every couple of years. Seeking longevity over style won’t make your neighbors jealous, but it is sensible if you can keep ownership costs down.
So which vehicles last the longest? A recent study from iSeeCars looked at over 2 million cars sold for at least 10 of the last 20 model years to find out. The study examined over two million cars produced and sold for at least 10 of the past 20 model years, ranking each model by its highest mileage-achieving cars.
The Longest-Lasting Cars on the Road Today
So which cars last the longest? Here is the list of cars with the longest lifespan ranked by mileage:
- Toyota Sequoia: 296,509
- Toyota Land Cruiser: 280,236
- 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 Highlander Hybrid: 244,994
- Toyota Avalon: 245,710
- Ford Expedition: 244,682
- Toyota 4Runner: 244,665
- Toyota Sienna: 239,607
- GMC Yukon: 238,956
- Honda Pilot: 236,807
- Honda Odyssey: 235,852
- Toyota Tacoma: 235,070
- Nissan Titan: 233,295
- Ford F-150: 232,650
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: 230,547
Takeaways
You might be surprised to learn that SUVs and trucks are the most common longest lasting vehicles. You’re probably less surprised to see Toyota dominating the list of cars that last the longest.
“What we see is a list of highly-durable vehicles, capable of more than a quarter-million miles of use if properly maintained,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “And to be clear, this study isn’t reporting the maximum lifespan of these vehicles. This is simply a measure of current odometer readings. Most of these cars are still in use and going strong.”
SUVs with a third row occupy half the list, while minivans also earned two spots. Consumers are looking for versatile, family-friendly vehicles with longevity, and the automotive industry is meeting that demand.
It’s interesting to note the Prius, Highlander, and Camry hybrids on the list. Sales of hybrid electric cars are booming, and the study indicates that their reliability is also on the rise.
A car’s lifespan depends largely on how it’s driven and maintained. If you’re willing to keep up with the recommended maintenance schedule, any of these vehicles could last for several years.
If you’re thinking of buying one of these models used with a lot of miles on it, there’s some risk involved. Before you buy a high-mileage vehicle, get it inspected before you sign.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash
Jerry is a personal finance enthusiast, side hustler, and freelance web developer who began his career in financial services. He co-founded KindaFrugal.com, a personal finance and frugal living blog. His insights have appeared on MSN, Newsweek.com, HerCampus.com, Mashed.com, and many others.