Frugal folks and others know that buying a car and driving it until the wheels fall off is a great way to save cash year after year. Some drivers even push their vehicles to 200,000 miles and beyond.
The average car has just a 4.8% chance of making it to 250,000 miles, according to automotive website iSeeCars’ latest annual analysis of long-lived cars.
Yet, some vehicle types have much better odds of remaining on the road for a quarter-million miles. In its analysis, iSeeCars looked at data from more than 174 million vehicles and found that the following models are the most likely to last 250,000 miles.
1. Toyota Sequoia
Classification of this vehicle model: SUV
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 39.1%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 8.1 times greater
The Toyota Sequoia rolled into dealerships in late 2000. It quickly became a hit due to its power and reliability. Today it remains Toyota’s largest SUV.
2. Toyota 4Runner
Classification of this vehicle model: SUV
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 32.9%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 6.8 times greater
The Toyota 4Runner dates back to the 1984 model year. Although those first-generation 4Runners were a lot less flashy than current models, the model quickly gained a reputation for its ability to handle tough terrain.
3. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Classification of this vehicle model: SUV
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 31%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 6.5 times greater
In 2004, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid was unveiled as the first seven-seat hybrid vehicle, though it’s built on the Toyota Camry platform. It showed the world that hybrid cars don’t have to be small.
4. Toyota Tundra
Classification of this vehicle model: Pickup truck
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 30%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 6.3 times greater
The first Toyota Tundra was built in the city of Princeton, Indiana — and unveiled at the 1998 Indiana State Fair. In 2008, production of this pickup truck moved to Texas.
5. Lexus IS
Classification of this vehicle model: Passenger car
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 27.5%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 5.7 times greater
The Lexus IS made its debut in the U.S. around 25 years ago. Each generation of the popular car has gotten a facelift to keep it looking current.
6. Toyota Tacoma
Classification of this vehicle model: Pickup truck
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 25.3%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 5.3 times greater
In the mid-1990s, the Toyota Tacoma was known as a compact pickup. But after a series of refinements, it found its way into the midsize category.
7. Toyota Avalon
Classification of this vehicle model: Passenger car
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 18.9%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 3.9 times greater
The Toyota Avalon made its debut in 1995, and the large sedan started racking up awards shortly thereafter. It was the first Toyota vehicle built exclusively in the United States.
8. Lexus GX
Classification of this vehicle model: SUV
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 18.3%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 3.8 times greater
The Lexus GX is based on the international Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. It offers a blend of comfort with great off-roading ability.
9. Lexus RX (hybrid)
Classification of this vehicle model: SUV
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 17%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 3.5 times greater
The Lexus RX was the first luxury hybrid SUV and is now 20 years old. It was popular from the start, selling around 42,000 vehicles in its first year on the market.
10. Honda Ridgeline
Classification of this vehicle model: Pickup truck
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles or more: 14.7%
Chance of this model lasting 250,000 miles, as compared with the average car: 3.1 times greater
The Honda Ridgeline — the first non-Toyota model on this list — was built using the same platform as the Honda Pilot. This meant that it drives more like a car, which appeals to many drivers.
Other models most likely to reach 250,000 miles
Here is the rest of the list, with the model followed by its odds of lasting 250,000 miles and how that compares with the average car:
- Honda Pilot: 13.1%, 2.7 times greater
- Honda Odyssey: 13%, 2.7 times greater
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 12.9%, 2.7 times greater
- Toyota Highlander: 12.7%, 2.6 times greater
- Toyota Prius: 12.2%, 2.5 times greater
- Chevrolet Suburban: 11.8%, 2.5 times greater
- Honda Civic: 10.9%, 2.3 times greater
- GMC Sierra 1500: 10.8%, 2.3 times greater
- Lexus RX: 10.7%, 2.2 times greater
- Honda CR-V: 10.6%, 2.2 times greater
- Acura ILX: 10.6%, 2.2 times greater
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: 10.2%, 2.1 times greater
- Nissan Titan: 9.9%, 2.1 times greater
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid: 9.7%, 2.0 times greater
- Acura MDX: 9.1%, 1.9 times greater
Add a Comment