These Are The Cars That People Hold Onto The Longest
If you've bought one of the cars or trucks on this list, then chances are that you probably still have it. Cars are an expensive purchase so getting one that will stand the test of time and last you for years only makes sense. All cars are not created equal and as with anything, the way you take care of and drive your vehicle also plays a huge factor in how many miles you will get out of it. If you're in the market for a new or used car, then you might want to consider one of the vehicles on this list to get the most for your money.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is the epitome of a reliable car, with fuel mileage in the mid-30s, little to no major repairs over its lifespan, and a long history of happy customers to back it up.
Many owners have had their Civics for more than 10 years and 300,000 miles. Reliability, on top of being affordable, makes the Honda Civic an ideal choice for someone in the market for a car they can count on.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
A top seller year in and year out, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is not only popular, but it is also an incredibly long-lasting truck. Chevrolet builds the Silverado to endure and prides itself on having a century of truck engineering with seven million miles of testing to its name.
Marketed as both a family and work truck, the Silverado is made to last you whether you are towing a trailer or taking your kids on a road trip.
Honda Accord
Honda's reputation for making long-lasting cars extends to all of its models, including the Accord. When the Accord was first introduced to the market in 1976, it quickly became one of the best selling cars in the U.S. because of its simple design and fuel efficiency. It's held that title for over 40 years.
The Honda Accord wins Best Car and Value awards year after year and doesn’t show signs of slowing any time soon.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
As the Mazda Miata approaches its 30th anniversary, the small two-door coupe has proven that it's a roadster that can last a lifetime. With its position at the top of the list for the best-selling roadster of all time, it's no surprise that people love these cars and continue to buy them because of their staying power and beautiful design.
Mazda created the Miata with the Japanese phrase "Jinba Ittai" in mind, which means a perfect relationship between a horse and its rider. They have surely accomplished that.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius has long been the ideal car for people interested in something that is practical, low on cost, and will last a long time. The latest models get over 50 mpg and are ranked high for owner satisfaction and reliability.
Although the Prius looks small on the outside, on the inside, it's spacious and roomy enough to hold up to five adults. Buyers also have the choice of buying the Prius as a hybrid if they want to ditch gas.
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 was the first crossover compact SUV. It was introduced in 1996 and has been ranked among some of the best SUVs ever to hit the road since then.
Some of the earlier models lacked electronic stability control but later RAV4 models didn’t experience those same problems and handled better overall for the driver. The latest RAV4s get 27 mpg with regular models and 37 mpg with their hybrid models.
Honda Pilot
Targeted primarily to the North American market, the Honda Pilot holds the title for being the largest SUV model to come from Honda. Like Honda's other models, the Pilot is designed to last.
The Pilot scores very high on safety ratings as well and the latest model got a large technology upgrade so it is outfitted with some of the most desireable technology features such as Apple Car Play. It even has a 4G LTE Hotspot.
Saab 900
This is a mid-sized car manufactured from Saab Automobile from 1978-1998 and if you bought one in 1998, there is a good chance that you are still driving it today.
Outside of some unique design features and a body style resembling a baby carriage, the Saab 900 was just the right blend of efficient engineering and quality products. It received the 2nd Most Popular Car award and Family Car of the Year in 1993 and 1994.
Buick LeSabre
The Buick LeSabre was a full-size car manufactured by General Motors form 1959-2005. LeSabre, derived from the French term 'the sword," has a body style referencing aircraft design and is streamlined for a more fuel-efficient and better-handling car.
It was one of Buick's best-selling full-sized models to date and some of the first models are preserved and shown in classic car shows today across the world.
Buick Encore
Another entry on Buick's lineup is the Encore. A compact SUV, the Encore is designed to provide luxury and class but is also backed by a reliable brand name with a history of long-lasting cars.
If you are looking for a car with tons of features and that will last you over 100,000 miles, then the Buick Encore should top your list of choices. The newest Encore has 138 horsepower, can seat up to five, and gets 25-29 mpg.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy tops rankings for owner satisfaction, dependability, and fuel economy. Overall, Subaru was ranked highly among some of the best auto brands. Its launch back in 1989 was Subaru's response to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
Legacy owners state that the car can last over 200,000 miles and many have even lasted beyond that. Buyers interested in the Legacy can also choose from a variety of colors and customizations to personalize their experience with this reliable car.
Honda Odyssey
Considered one of the most popular family minivans in the U.S., the Honda Odyssey is heading into its fifth generation of production and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Through the years, the Odyssey has won numerous awards including Car and Driver's "Best Truck" award and the “Top Pick Minivan” award several times over its production run. In the past decade, Honda has made more of an effort to expand the Odyssey’s reach by marketing it in other countries.
Toyota Highlander
One of the first car-based mid-size crossovers, the Toyota Highlander is a larger family-friendly SUV that also happens to be incredibly reliable. Unlike its competitors, the Highlander was built for comfort and has a unibody construction.
When it comes to safety, this Toyota meets the same high standards that it has held for the Highlander since 2000 when it was introduced, making it one of the safest SUVs available. The Toyota Highlander is currently in its third generation production cycle.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is the smaller compact car sold and manufactured by Toyota. Toyota came up with the idea for the Camry in response to the oil crises of the 1970s and the subsequent rise in demand for smaller cars.
While there currently isn't an oil crisis, Toyota still models its current Camrys after the first models. The Camry is currently in its eighth generation of production which debuted at the North American International Auto Show.
Chevrolet Suburban
Claiming the title of the longest continuous automobile nameplate in production, the Chevrolet Suburban has always been one of General Motors' best-selling vehicles and its full size and reliability keep customers coming back to buy more.
The first Suburban was made in 1934 when it went under the name "Carryall-Suburban" before the word “Carryall” was dropped and it just became the Suburban. In addition to general public use, the Suburban is also used by police officers, secret service agents, and members of the FBI.
Mercedes Benz E-Class
With over 13 million units sold since 1953, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the manufacturer's best-selling model to date. An executive-class car, the E-Class was made for not only the everyday driver, but it has also been used by politicians and celebrities as well as a common taxi cab vehicle in some parts of the world.
Its medium to large sedan body size and durability makes it easily marketable to many different audiences.
Buick Roadmaster Estate
Sharing the body style and wheelbase with Cadillac and Oldsmobile, the Roadmaster was one of the best-selling models for Buick as well as a flagship car for over a decade.
Its first models were considered luxury cars at the time and they were made with precision and attention to detail, a practice that didn't go away as time went on and newer models were produced. Buick discontinued the Roadmaster in 1996, due to a decline in luxury sedan popularity and the rise of full-size SUVs.
Ford Escort
The Escort was released in an effort to clean up rumors surrounding the quality of Ford's work after a public debacle with the Ford Pinto, which had widespread safety and quality issues.
Luckily for Ford, the Escort went on to become one of its best selling models, which helped turn around the company's image and reputation. Ford discontinued the Escort in 2003 and replaced the vehicle with the even smaller and more compact Ford Focus.
Jeep Cherokee
The most successful and best-selling Jeep model to date, the Jeep Cherokee is a full-sized SUV modeled after the Wagoneer and has been produced under different manufacturers since 1974.
Named after the North American Indian tribe, the Cherokee was initially a new step in a different direction for Jeep as they were trying to make a more civilian-friendly vehicle than their original military lineup offered. Its most recent generation, the fifth, was such a good seller for Jeep, that its parent company discontinued making the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 in order to make production room to build more units.
Chevrolet Tahoe
Originally called the Chevrolet Blazer or Jimmy, the Chevrolet Tahoe was named after the scenic Lake Tahoe located on the west coast of the United States.
This vehicle has regularly been listed as the best selling full-size SUV in the United States, with its biggest competition being the Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia, and Nissan Armada. The most recent generation of Tahoes have been spiking in sales and growing in popularity.
Toyota Tacoma
Though the pickup truck has gone through its share of ups and downs, the Tacoma shone in the 2000s and the newest models rank higher in safety than they ever did before.
The year 2002 was one of the best production years for the Tacoma since its launch and Toyota continues to take design cues from that era and embeds some of the very same features into its newest lineup.
Toyota Corolla
One of the best selling vehicles in the world, the Toyota Corolla is a popular subcompact car manufactured and marketed by Toyota since 1966. Older generations of the Corolla were heavily modeled and styled after the Japanese models which were smaller and fuel-efficient.
Over the years, Toyota would introduce larger models and even a hatchback in order to give drivers more options. In its twelfth generation, the Toyota Corolla can now be purchased as a full-size sedan. The company projects that it will sell over 500,000 units this year.
GMC Yukon
A full-size luxury SUV derived from the GMC Jimmy and Blazer, the GMC Yukon is on the bulkier end of the larger reliable vehicles. Originally debuted in 1991, the Yukon was based on the body chassis of the Chevrolet Silverado but was shorter in length.
The SUV came with a 5.7-liter engine but was also available as a 6.5 supercharged liter as well for those drivers desiring extra speed. Going into its next model generation, the latest Yukons come with more technological features and are designed to give the driver a more comfortable ride.
Honda CR-V
With over 300,000 sales every year in the US alone, the Honda CR-V's popularity has only grown every year since it was first introduced to the market in 1997.
With a recent facelift for the newest model, the CR-V remains a mid-size SUV right under the larger Honda Pilot. Buyers interested in the Honda CR-V now have the option of buying it as a hybrid instead of more traditional models.
Toyota Sequoia
One of the first vehicles manufactured in Japan to become mainstream in the U.S., the Sequoia is a full-size SUV that was derived from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck.
Currently the largest SUV produced by Toyota, it has been hailed as one of the top cars to last the driver over 200,000 miles. In 2010, the Sequoia hit a bump in the road with a major recall that required the reprogramming of the Vehicle Stability Control system.
Lexus CT 200H
The second best selling Lexus model, the CT 200H is a hybrid electric luxury executive car. Based on the Toyota Prius Hybrid, the CT 200H's body style is a five-door hatchback and along with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, was ranked a top luxury vehicle.
In addition to that award, the Lexus CT 200H also won Best Small Car, Highest Safety Award, and the Asian Auto Fuel Efficiency. Though the model was discontinued in 2018, over 200,000 models were sold globally over its seven-year span.
Geo Prizm
The Geo Prizm was a small compact car that was manufactured from 1989 to 2002 and although it was developed by both Toyota and General Motors, it was built and marketed by NUMMI. The Geo Prizm was largely compared to the Toyota Corolla, which it almost identically resembled.
Although the Prizm was very popular, General Motors made the design to change the name from the Geo Prizm to the Chevrolet Prizm and due to its poor reception from the public, sales for the Prizm substantially dropped and it was eventually discontinued.
Chevrolet Camaro
With over five million sold since its debut in 1966, the Chevrolet Camaro is not only incredibly popular, but it is also an all-around reliable muscle car for those looking to drive in style. Since the 1960s, the Chevrolet Camaro has been building a reputation for being a reliable car that delivers both speed and style.
The Camaro saw its biggest sales boost in the last few years due to it being featured in the Transformers movie franchise as one of the main characters, BumbleBee.
Jaguar XJ6
A high profile full-size luxury car, the Jaguar XJ has been a part of Jaguar's flagship models since the 1970s. At the time of its debut, the XJ was the only mass-produced 12-cylinder 4-door car and was considered one of the fastest four-seaters available.
Over 100,000 XJs have been sold since it made its first debut and in 2020, Jaguar plans on releasing an all-electric model as a more eco-friendly alternative.
Toyota Sienna
A Toyota minivan named after an Italian city, the Sienna is a popular choice among van enthusiasts. Available since 1997, the Sienna was launched in North America as the successor of the Toyota Previa and came with 194 horsepower with buyers having the option of choosing between three different trim levels.
In 2019, the Toyota Sienna won the award for the Longest-Kept Minivan, outlasting the Honda Odyssey which has been a top competitor for the past few decades.
Ford Escape Hybrid
During the initial height of the hybrid electric vehicle sales, Ford designed the Escape Hybrid and it was a huge success.
Not only was it well-received by the public and sold well, but it also garnered the interest and money of cab companies as well as hybrid taxis. It started to appear in large and populated cities due to its great gas mileage. Buyers have claimed that this electric SUV has lasted them hundreds of thousands of miles.
Ford F-150
Easily one of the most popular trucks in the U.S., the Ford F-150 is the poster boy for American pickup trucks with roots going all the way back to the 1940s.
Over the years, Ford has made changes to improve the quality of its products and to increase its speed and reliability. In the U.S. alone, over 900,000 Ford F-150 units were sold and an additional 145,000 were sold in Canada in 2018.
Subaru Forester
A compact crossover manufactured since 1997, the Subaru Forester is an award-winning SUV made by Subaru. Listed as Best Car to Buy and SUV of the Year, this Subaru has proof that it is a quality car.
One of the first SUVs made available to the public, the Forester used that new body style to boost its popularity and gain followers of the Subaru brand. Over the years, sales for the Forester have only increased, with over 170,000 sold in 2018 in the U.S. alone.
Lexus GX
Part of the luxury division of Toyota, the Lexus GX, which stands for Grand Crossover, is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured from 2002. It is still in its second generation.
Since 2002, sales for the GX have risen steadily but only modestly with a little over 27,000 units sold in 2017. Some of the features of the new GX include increased safety features like whiplash-reduction and also an off-road package for drivers who want more of an adventure.
Ford Expedition
The successor of the Ford Bronco, the Ford Expedition is another popular full-size SUV manufactured and marketed by Ford. Seating up to nine passengers, the Ford Expedition came with a standard V8 engine until 2015 when it was equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 that was more eco-friendly.
In 2016, the SUV was listed as one of the top ten longest-lasting vehicles on the market after studies confirmed that it could last over 200,000 miles.
Toyota Avalon
The current flagship vehicle for Toyota, the Avalon is a full-size four-door sedan that's been around since 1994. The Toyota Avalon has been named as a top safety pick and was rated as superior when it comes to front crash prevention.
Toyota introduced the Avalon Hybrid as part of its fifth and most recent generation, with EPA rating its 5.3-liter engine at 43 mpg. Sales for the Avalon have fluctuated over the years but increased in 2018.
VW Bus
One of the strangest vehicles on this list, the Volkswagen Bus is a light commercial vehicle that was popularized during the counterculture movements of the 1960s.
The Volkswagen Bus was not only sold and marketed for the everyday driver, Volkswagen also made efforts to sell the Bus to other markets and it was commonly seen being used as an ambulance and a police vehicle. Though the vehicle is still marketed today, the Bus has lost popularity among drivers and sales have slowed.
Ford Crown Victoria
The Ford Crown Victoria, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 1993-2012, was a long rectangular four-door full-size sedan that was one of the only non-luxury cars that buyers could get with a standard V8 engine.
Ford would go on to make over 1.5 million of the Crown Victoria and in the height of its popularity would sell over 110,000 units a year. Outside of public use, the Ford Crown Victoria was also used primarily as a police vehicle due to its speed and room for passengers.
Dodge Ram
Claiming Motor Trend's title for best Truck of the Year over five times is no easy feat when you are being compared with competition like Ford F-150s and Toyota Tundras, but the Dodge Ram came out in front thanks to an impressive reputation of providing drivers with class, power, and style year after year.
With annual sales over 500,000 in the U.S. alone, the truck’s popularity has only increased since it was first launched in 1981 under the Chrysler Corporation.
Hyundai Accent
Named one of the most dependable sub-compact cars by J.D. Power and Associates, the Hyundai Accent was originally intended as a replacement car for the Hyundai Excel in the early 1990s.
Its launch in 1994 was incredibly successful and it sold tens of thousands of models in its first year. At its peak, over 200,000 units were sold in Australia alone, crowning the Accent one of the most successfully imported vehicles sold there.
