What are the most important factors consumers consider when buying a car? Fuel efficiency and safety topped the list in a 2022 survey conducted by Statista, but what about longevity?
Like moving house, buying a car is an arduous and time-consuming process, so most folks prefer to do it relatively infrequently — and the best way to do that is to choose a vehicle that’s built to last.
How long a car lasts really depends on how much money its owner is willing to put into it, and for most people, there’s a limit. When a vehicle begins to cost more to repair and maintain than it’s worth, owners often choose to junk it and start fresh.
As a car grows older and its odometer passes 150,000 miles or so, problems tend to arise more frequently. Having to take one’s car off the road time and again for maintenance and repairs is not only expensive — it’s also inconvenient and time-consuming, especially for folks who drive daily and use their vehicles to get to work or school.
Related: The least expensive car brands to repair & maintain according to Consumer Reports
So, which cars can consumers count on to get them where they need to go reliably for years on end? Or, put another way, which makes and models tend to last the longest without their problems becoming so frequent and costly that they’re no longer worth holding onto?
How long do cars last on average?
Most sources, including Progressive and Car and Driver, agree that 200,000 miles is the typical lifespan for a decently maintained car. Assuming the average car is driven around 15,000 miles per year, this would mean that a typical vehicle should last around 13–14 years if driven regularly.
For certain auto brands, however, 200,000 miles isn’t necessarily the death sentence many assume it to be. With regular maintenance and no major accidents, certain vehicles are known to cruise right past the 200k mark and live well into their third act.
Screenshot of gminsidenews.com forum post (fair use)
Which car brands are thought to last the longest?
Back in the early aughts, conventional folk wisdom (i.e., the author’s dad) said that cars from Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda tended to be among the most reliable and long-lasting. Fast forward two decades or so, and that opinion remains relatively pervasive among auto enthusiasts.
But is it true?
Well, yes — at least according to research conducted by Consumer Reports. Based on surveys of its members regarding their own vehicles, 11 out of the 12 models that tend to make it past the 200,000-mile mark with the fewest major problems are Toyotas or Hondas.
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What is Consumer Reports & where does its data come from?
Consumer Reports is a non-profit fact-finding firm that tests, reviews, and compares consumer products — specifically vehicles, appliances, electronics, and other relatively expensive gadgets. CR also regularly surveys and interviews its members to get real-world feedback about the quality, durability, and longevity of the cars and other products they own and use regularly.
The rankings below are based on surveys of Consumer Reports members from recent years. The vehicles listed in the report weren’t the only ones members reported lasting longer than 200,000 miles, but they were the ones that lasted longer than 200k and the fewest major problems, even at high mileage.
10 cars most likely to exceed 200k miles with few major problems
1. Toyota Camry
- Type: Midsize sedan
- Estimated mpg (new): 32
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 88
Alexander-93, CC-BY-SA-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
2. Toyota Prius
- Type: Compact hatchback (hybrid)
- Estimated mpg (new): 51
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 80
3. Honda Accord
- Type: Midsize sedan
- Estimated mpg (new): 32
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 78
4. Honda CR-V
- Type: Compact crossover SUV
- Estimated mpg (new): 26
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 85
Alexander Migl, CC-BY-SA-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
5. Toyota Tacoma
- Type: Pickup truck
- Estimated mpg (new): 21
- Overall Consumer Reports score: N/A
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6. Toyota Tundra
- Type: Full-size pickup truck
- Estimated mpg (new): 17
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 54
MercurySable99, CC-BY-SA-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
7. Toyota Corolla
- Type: Compact sedan, hatchback, or wagon
- Estimated mpg (new): 36
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 75
8. Honda Odyssey
- Type: Minivan
- Estimated mpg (new): 22
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 76
9. Ford F-150
- Type: Full-size pickup truck
- Estimated mpg (new): 19
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 63
Jason Lawrence, CC-BY-2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
10. Toyota 4Runner
- Type: Mid-size SUV
- Estimated mpg (new): 17
- Overall Consumer Reports score: 63
Related: The 30 most reliable car brands in 2024, according to Consumer Reports
The takeaway
According to Consumer Reports’ member surveys, many of the longest-lasting cars, trucks, and SUVs are, as the conventional wisdom suggests, Hondas and Toyotas. Other sources maintain their own lists of longest-lasting vehicles, and while the highest-ranking vehicles do vary by sources, at least a few Toyotas and Hondas tend to rank in the top 10.
Here’s Automoblog’s list of the “longest-lasting vehicles on the road today:”
- Toyota Sequoia
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Ford Expedition
- GMC Yukon XL
- Toyota 4Runner
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Honda Ridgeline
- GMC Yukon
- Toyota Tacoma
Longevity is just one factor to consider when purchasing a new or used car, but it’s closely tied to the frequency and cost of routine repairs and maintenance. If you want your next car to go the distance without breaking the bank, considering the vehicles on CR’s list could be a good first step in narrowing down your search.
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