Indestructible : Top List of Longest Lasting Sedans, SUVs and Pickups with Over 200,000 Miles
iSeeCars analyzed over 14.9 million vehicles sold in 2021 to determine the most reliable models with 200,000 miles*. “With new and used car prices at all-time high, our research could help make a decision for those who want to keep their car for a few more years or want to buy a car with more miles on it as it is relatively inexpensive,” noted the American vehicle search engine.
Each of the identified top 15 models is presented in the tables compiled by iSeeCars experts.
The longest lasting sedans, SUVs and minivans
Two full-size Toyota SUVs are at the top of the list - Toyota Land Cruiser (1st place) and Toyota Sequoia (2nd place).
These frame SUVs lead by a large margin - the Sequoia is twice as likely to get 200,000 miles as the next car on the list.
“The iconic and indestructible Toyota Land Cruiser is engineered to last at least 25 years even in the harshest of environments; it is relied upon by many developing countries where off-road driving is the norm,” says iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer.
He notes that “like the Land Cruiser, the Toyota Sequoia has an ultra-durable chassis and three full rows of seats for up to eight passengers. This makes it a family car that can withstand the harshest conditions while also being able to tow a heavy load.”
The list includes five American full-size SUVs including Chevrolet Suburban (3rd place), GMC Yukon XL (4th place), Ford Expedition (6th place), Chevrolet Tahoe (7th place), and GMC Yukon (12th place).
“All vehicles made by General Motors - Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL and Chevrolet Tahoe - share a common platform and time-tested components, so it is no wonder they can last so long,” says Karl Brauer.
Toyota is also presented by two mid-size off roaders on the longest lasting vehicles list - the Toyota 4Runner (5th spot) and Toyota Highlander Hybrid (No 11).
“The Toyota 4Runner with its truck frame is capable at off-roading and provides plenty of cargo space and an optional third row of seats. It may sound strange but this is a true family truck,” says the iSeeCars expert.
“The Toyota Highlander Hybrid crossover also offers three rows of seats and is an alternative to traditional gasoline-powered family cars,” notes Karl Brauer. “Owners of this car have an added incentive to drive further and longer to take full advantage of the benefits of the hybrid.”
The other hybrid, the Toyota Prius (No 10), appeals to practical buyers who want to have their car running for as long as possible and benefit from the low maintenance costs and high fuel efficiency.
Toyota Avalon (9th place) is the only sedan on the list.
“Avalon has consistently been at the top of its class in terms of quality and reliability and that explains why people are so reluctant to part with them,” Brauer says. "The Avalon is a reliable vehicle for those who don't need the extended cargo space of a large SUV or minivan."
Two pickups made it to the iSeeCars list - the Toyota Tundra (8th) and the Honda Ridgeline (13th).
“Known for its ruggedness, the Toyota Tundra offers signature quality and reliability. The unibody of the Honda Ridgeline combines the pros of a pickup truck with the comfort of a sedan and the fuel efficiency of a crossover SUV, making it one of the most versatile vehicles you can buy,” says Karl Brauer.
The iSeeCars list of 15 longest lasting vehicles also includes two minivans - Honda Odyssey (14th place) and Toyota Sienna (15th).
“Minivans tend to have a lot of cargo space, they are efficient, and offer additional features compared to family SUVs. Most of them lack in all-weather performance, with the exception of the Toyota Sienna that is available with all-wheel drive, but as we know, nothing is perfect in the world,” says Brauer.
According to him, “the Honda Odyssey consistently leads the class with good handling and safety features. And this car is ultimately reliable ensuring significant lifespan in terms of mileage.”
Longest lasting pick ups
Analyzing which light-duty pickup trucks are most likely to cover 200,000 miles, iSeeCars identified six vehicles that outperformed the average for this vehicle class by 2.2%.
Four reliable cars joined the Toyota Tundra, which took first place, and the Honda Ridgeline in the 2nd.
“Pickups are almost twice as likely to run 200,000 miles than other cars,” says Karl Brouwer. “And this is not surprising since pickup trucks are workhorses, which means they are better looked after. They are more likely to undergo preventive maintenance and repair than conventional cars. And this is a reason for their long life, among other things.
The midsize Toyota Tacoma is ranked third on iSeeCars' durability chart - the second Toyota pickup to make the list.
“The Tacoma is the best-selling midsize pickup truck in the US due to its reliability, versatility and high resale value,” says Brauer. “Like the Tundra, it is known for its durability and indestructibility”.
The full-size Nissan Titan is in 4th place.
“In recent years, Nissan has done a lot to attract pickup buyers, and its efforts have paid off. Naturally, a lot of it is due to the increased reliability of the Titan,” the expert of the American search engine believes.
Ford F-150 truck is fifth.
The Ford F-150 has been the most popular car in America for over 40 years, and that is the best testament to its reliability.
Sixth place goes to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 full-size pickup; its mechanical twin, the GMC Sierra 1500 is 7th, slightly below the segment average.
“The Chevy Silverado is more than a workhorse, while the GMC Sierra is positioned as a premium car,” Brauer says. “As a result, the Silverado travels more miles as a touring or work vehicle. However, the Sierra lasts well above the average for its class.”
Longest lasting car brands
iSeeCars further analyzed the data and identified the car brands most likely to pass the 200,000 miles mark.
TABLE: Longest Lasting Car Makes to reach 200K miles- iSeeCars1 Study
Classification Model % of cars to reach 200K miles
Average for all brands
In first place is Toyota, with 2.3% of its vehicles surpassing 200,000 miles, nearly double the average. Second position is held by Honda - 1.9% of the brand’s cars have passed the 200,000 mile mark.
“In addition to setting the standard for reliability and durability, Toyota and Honda also have lower cost of ownership than the competition,” says Karl Brauer.
“Toyota and Honda owners are more likely to keep their cars in operation if they don’t require costly repairs,” the iSeeCars expert notes.
The rest of the above-average automakers are American: GMC is in third place, Chevrolet is fourth, and Ford is fifth.
“Most of the long-life SUVs and pickups are American cars. At least that's the case in the US,” Brauer notes.
Longest lasting cars by US city
After analyzing car sales statistics, iSeeCars identified the cars with the longest service life in 50 major US cities.
TABLE: Longest lasting cars by city
City Vehicle % of cars to reach 200K miles
According to data published by the American vehicle search engine, Toyota Sequoia and Chevrolet Suburban occupy a leading position in 16 US cities.
But that doesn't mean consumers should ignore other brands.
“While full-size SUVs and pickups will likely get to 200,000 miles without major issues, there are other options for buyers looking for a reliable vehicle, including sedans and hybrids. Remember that regardless of the make and model of the car, the best way to prolong its life is proper maintenance and careful operation,” sums up Karl Brauer.
General conclusions based on the iSeeCars study
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Frame SUVs make up most of the longest lasting list
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Toyota makes 6 of the Top 10 most reliable vehicles, with the Land Cruiser and Sequoia dominating the competition.
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Avalon and Prius are the only “passenger cars” on the list.
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Nine SUVs made the Top 15 list, which also includes 3 pickup trucks, 2 minivans, one sedan and one hybrid hatchback.
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*A mile is approximately 1.6 kilometers.
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