Factors such as durability and reliability matter to buyers looking for years of value from their vehicle. While rolling up 250,000 miles is a tremendous feat, the fact is most vehicles don’t go that far. The iSeeCars Longest Lasting Cars Study, which looked at more than 395 million cars, trucks and SUVs, found that the probability of any vehicle making it to 250,000 miles is only 5.4 percent. Yet some models have much higher chances of hitting that extraordinary mark.
Japanese brands tend to be the kings of this study’s longevity list, and especially automotive royalty Toyota and Lexus. When combined with Honda and Acura, 25 of the top 27 cars from the total list were from those four automakers. Their cars exemplify how well-designed platforms, conscientious engineering, and even better longevity can get 10 to 20 years of ownership. Read on to see the 10 models in the study below ranked in order of their chance of hitting 250,000 miles or more.
1. Toyota Sequoia
The full-size Toyota Sequoia ranks in the number-one spot overall on the iSeeCars longest-lasting vehicle rankings. This vehicle has a 42.3 percent probability of hitting 250,000 miles or more, which is 7.9 times higher than the 5.4 percent probability that any vehicle in the study will reach that milestone. The Sequoia also outperforms the average probability for its own category of SUV’s, which is 4.8 percent, by 8.9 times. The category also encompasses the larger, full-size SUV market, which includes its own impressive numbers.
Toyota Sequoia Longevity Highlights:
- 42.3% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Highest overall longevity ranking
- 7.9 times the industry average
- 8.9 times the SUV average
- Full-size SUV durability advantage
That substantial lifespan is indicative of a philosophy of long-term durability. “Getting 250,000 miles on the odometer is still quite a feat-only 5.4 percent of vehicles make it that far,” said Brauer. “The Sequoia proves that even a large, family-oriented SUV can finish at the top of long-term durability rankings. It’s particularly impressive in this regard because it far exceeds the overall average and the average for its specific vehicle class of SUVs. If you want to select the SUV with the best statistical odds of making it to 250,000 miles, look no further than the Sequoia.”
2. Lexus LS
The Lexus LS is No. 2 overall for longevity, and proves that a luxury sedan can go the distance. The study assigns this flagship the 38.8 percent chance of making it to 250k+ miles, or 7.2 times higher than average. It ranks particularly well in the luxury large car category, 11.2 times higher than the passenger car segment’s 3.4 percent average. The LS’s ranking proves that one need not necessarily go with a truck or utility vehicle to find a car that will last a long time.
Lexus LS Longevity Highlights:
- 38.8% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Second place overall
- 7.2 times the vehicle average
- 11.2 times the passenger car average
- Luxury sedan with high-mileage potential
The Lexus LS stands out as passenger cars tend to have a lower average mile lifespan than utility vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. No matter that it is a luxury sedan, this indicates it’s possible for top-tier comfort to travel hand-in-hand with longevity. The study’s findings underline the significance of meticulous craftsmanship and maintenance to ensure lengthy vehicle life. Those in the market for a premium flagship need not step into the truck-based platform to shoot for a long-term ownership vehicle the LS is a solid example of a passenger car that ranks high among the 250,000-mile longevity benchmarks.
3. Toyota 4Runner
Overall rankings The 4Runner is the greatest contender in the segment of midsize SUVs. ISee Cars’ study on lifespan for the Toyota 4Runner shows a 33.1 percent chance that the car will make it past the 250K miles mark, which is 6.2 times greater than the average among all cars and 6.9 times higher for SUVs. When it comes to this specific segment of midsize SUVs, it’s the best of all. This data reflects the 4Runner’s excellent durability and his ability to stay on the road for very long times.
Toyota 4Runner Longevity Highlights:
- 33.1% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Third place overall
- 6.2 times the industry average
- 6.9 times the SUV average
- Top-ranked midsize SUV
The 4Runner has proven itself reliable across decades of usage in diverse settings. Its durable, truck-like body has what it takes to handle rigorous driving conditions, while the drivetrain durability has the endurance to match the truck-style body, as expected of a vehicle expected to last for 250,000 miles. Being selected for inclusion in this study makes it an even more alluring choice, as few vehicles can give assurance of hitting such high mileage. Just the chance of reaching 250,000 miles at 33.1% makes the 4Runner one of the more promising options on this list for midsize SUVs.
4. Lexus RX Hybrid
The Lexus RX Hybrid is the top non-premium vehicle and the highest-rated hybrid in the overall iSeeCars longevity study. The RX Hybrid ranks fourth overall with a 28.9% likelihood of surpassing 250,000 miles, making it one of the best long-term durability vehicles in the overall sample for new vehicles. The LX Hybrid’s long-term outlook is 5.4 times greater than the overall vehicle average and 3.5 times higher than the average of the hybrid and EV segment. This result dispels doubts that sophisticated electrified powertrains can’t be long-lasting vehicles.
Lexus RX Hybrid Longevity Highlights:
- 28.9% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Fourth place overall
- Highest-ranked hybrid model
- 5.4 times the vehicle average
- 3.5 times the hybrid average
Fuel economy is another reason to buy the RX Hybrid if you’re thinking long-term. The hybrid’s superior efficiency is an advantage on a long-term basis, and this added perk of a lower cost to operate may even persuade drivers to put a greater number of miles on the car. “The relatively lower costs of hybrid operation are a good way to convince owners to keep driving their cars,” said iSeeCars.com Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. The RX Hybrid offers the Lexus level of comfort, greater fuel economy, and a high probability of the vehicle reaching a very impressive number of miles.
5. Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra rounds out the top five overall vehicles in the iSeeCars longevity rankings. This full-size pickup boasts a 28.2 percent likelihood of making it to 250,000 miles or more 5.3 times higher than the overall vehicle average. The Tundra is also extremely reliable within its truck segment, which has an 11.1 percent likelihood to live to 250,000 miles or more 2.5 times higher than segment average, a testament to how strongly this model outpaces most vehicles in the long-haul testing.
Toyota Tundra Longevity Highlights:
- 28.2% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Fifth place overall
- 5.3 times the industry average
- 2.5 times the truck average
- Full-size pickup durability
Pickup trucks are often put to the test, and longevity can be especially important to owners. For many customers, trucks are tools that will be pushed hard for many years. As iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer put it “Truck owners tend to expect their trucks to be put to work and still perform. The Tundra continues to rank high in the rankings because it has the ability to withstand the demands of heavy use over time, with a 28.2 percent chance of making it to a quarter of a million miles.”
6. Toyota Tacoma
Fourth on our list of the longest-lasting vehicles is the Toyota Tacoma. The probability of the vehicle going for more than 250,000 miles is 25.0%, according to iSeeCars, which is 4.6 times the industry average of 5.4%. On top of that, the ranking also puts the truck on top of all the trucks on the list and in the midsize pickup segment, showing that you can still have a long-lasting midsize pickup without a full-sized truck platform.
Toyota Tacoma Longevity Highlights:
- 25.0% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Sixth place overall
- 4.6 times the industry average
- Fourth among trucks
- 2.2 times the truck average
Comparing truck-specific rankings, the Tacoma ranks 4th overall in the truck category. It beats the 11.1 percent average probability for the truck category by 2.2 times. This shows that the vehicle with the best odds of longevity and durability is not necessarily the big, heavy-duty or full-size pickup a vehicle like the 2.2 times more likely to last in this comparison but a mid-sized truck platform in the Tacoma. Customers looking for a mid-size pickup and who need a high statistical possibility of a truck to last for many years should pay particular attention to the Tacoma.
7. Lexus GX
7 Lexus GX Lexus is another brand whose model appears on this list, another indication of a reputation for a strong lifespan. The GX, a luxury midsize SUV, has a 23.3 percent chance of hitting 250,000 miles or more. That’s 4.3 times the chance than average and 4.9 times the average for the entire SUV segment, which sits at just 4.8 percent. The performance is even better when compared to other luxury midsize SUVs, giving the model a great chance for a high mile lifespan.
Lexus GX Longevity Highlights:
- 23.3% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Seventh place overall
- 4.3 times the vehicle average
- 4.9 times the SUV average
- Fourth among all SUVs
Why if you want a luxury utility vehicle capable of reaching the 250k mark? The GX is a well-rounded SUV that proves you don’t have to downgrade hard off-road able bodywork in order to enjoy a luxurious cabin. The model is ranked the 4th highest among all of the SUVs in this longevity ranking and reflects the vehicle’s ability to be driven into the ground, even if it has to be traversing heavily challenging driving environments. For those who want a luxury SUV with a higher degree of chances of hitting 250,000 miles, the Lexus deserves serious consideration.
8. Toyota Avalon
But the Avalon, with its overall ranking of eighth, shows that not all big passenger cars have inferior long-haul durability when compared with SUVs and pickup trucks. The study assigns the Avalon a long-haul probability of 23.2 percent, or 4.3 times the average for all cars. Among large passenger cars, the Avalon’s probability is first, ahead of other sedans, minivans and wagons categories that tend to have the worst long-haul success rates of any segment.
Toyota Avalon Longevity Highlights:
- 23.2% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Eighth place overall
- 4.3 times the industry average
- Top-ranked large passenger car
- 6.7 times the passenger car average
The chance of a passenger car even making it to 250,000 miles averages just 3.4 percent. The Avalon blows that number out of the water by a factor of 6.7. And it’s not just a fluke of the sample that it performs so well it’s the demonstration of how this model far outperforms the casual passenger car that typically makes it into the study. And while you might not be looking for a sedan instead of a full-sized truck or SUV, the Avalon has a comfortable ride out on the highway, and plenty of interior space to enjoy, meaning excellent durability is not just found on the utility SUV/truck platforms.
9. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Overall, it’s the second-best-ranked hybrid vehicle in this study, with a 20.7 percent probability of reaching 250,000 miles. That is 3.8 times higher than the average across all vehicles, and 2.5 times higher than the average across the hybrid and electric vehicle segment of 8.2 percent. The Highlander Hybrid’s deep savings extend to the SUV segment, further proving that you can use a family vehicle to get impressive longevity out of a hybrid.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Longevity Highlights:
- 20.7% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Ninth place overall
- Second-highest-ranked hybrid model
- 3.8 times the vehicle average
- 2.5 times the hybrid average
The Highlander Hybrid encapsulates the practical side of family vehicle transportation with the proven fuel economy benefits of its hybrid drivetrain. Its likelihood of making it to 250,000 miles is also 4.3 times higher than the 4.8 percent average for the SUV segment. A high level of fuel economy can help reduce operating costs, motivating owners to keep their Highlander Hybrid on the road for many years. Its combination of practicality, economy, and robust mechanical reliability make the Highlander Hybrid a notable entry in the ranking, especially for families that need their vehicles to do double duty in daily life and throughout the years.
10. Honda Accord Hybrid
The Honda Accord Hybrid is also one of the ten overall longest-lasting models, with an 18.5 percent of achieving 250,000 miles or more. This is 3.4 times higher than the overall average probability of just 5.4 percent. It is a very notable inclusion as the Accord Hybrid is the first vehicle outside Toyota and Lexus to feature in the overall top (dependent on Honda). The result shows that Honda can make a long-lasting vehicle while there is now room in the list for Japanese competitors to challenge the dominant giant.
Honda Accord Hybrid Longevity Highlights:
- 18.5% chance of reaching 250,000 miles
- Tenth place overall
- First non-Toyota or Lexus model
- Third among passenger cars
- Third among hybrid models
Lastly, the Accord Hybrid takes third in the passenger car and hybrid categories. Its fuel-efficient powertrain makes it a more affordable operating experience that adds to some potential hesitations prospective high-mileage hybrid owners may have with other models. The Honda balances a midsize sedan’s expansive and utilitarian form with very strong fuel-efficiency scores and the potential for impressive road-life. This strong performance in the study further solidifies Honda’s reputation for exceptional engineering on long-distance offerings, and for any buyers willing to consider a passenger car for their high-mileage needs, it makes a compelling statistical argument alongside the Toyota and Lexus.
