Before you head out to your local used car dealership, you may want to do some research on vehicle models, so you know you’re getting a good deal. A common question people ask when car shopping is, “which cars last the longest?” When you buy a vehicle, you want to get your money’s worth. After all, cars are generally not so much an investment as they are a tool for modern life. Unlike a house, a car doesn’t usually appreciate with time; it depreciates. Therefore, a long-lasting car is what most buyers want.
Here is a list of ten vehicles that last up to or above 200,000 miles. It’s a smattering of SUVs and a single truck, so if you were hoping for a small car, you won’t find it here. Though the Prius has been known to last up to 300,000 miles or more, the data for 2020 offers up a list of SUVs of varying breeds that really hold out longest. For those concerned with saving on fuel, there is a hybrid option that makes our list.
#10: Honda Ridgeline
This isn’t your typical truck. The Ridgeline has a unibody frame, while most trucks are built body-on-frame. If you need heavy-duty ability from your truck, this is not for you, but it does have a great cargo bed and has a comfortable interior. Considered a midsize truck, it has a lockable in-bed trunk, a durable truck bed, and a crew cab that seats five. It’s available in a variety of trims, either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and has a V6 engine. Even if you question the usefulness of the Ridgeline as a truck, keep in mind that it drives more like a car due to its independent suspension and can tow between 3,500 to 5,000 pounds. For buyers who want some utility in their vehicle, this may be a perfect match.
#9: GMC Yukon
Here is a vehicle type that dominates the list. When you need to make room for nine passengers, the Yukon is a full-size SUV with a body-on-frame construction. Depending on which trim you buy, you could have the front row bench seat, or you may have the bucket seats, which allow for only seven or eight passengers. The Yukon may have either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive paired with a V8 engine, which tows at a maximum of 8,400 pounds. It’s worth noting that the third-row seat may not fold away in older models, and you need to expect to get less than 20 MPG of combined fuel efficiency. Count on the interior being high quality with plenty of comfort and tech features.
#8: Toyota 4Runner
Toyota’s 4Runner is an SUV with a truck-like body-on-frame build like the Yukon but made for more off-road agility on tough terrain. The 4Runner is considered a midsize SUV, and it could have seating for seven with a third-row seat. Under the hood is likely the V6 engine that can tow up to 5,000 pounds, paired with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Due to its size and hungry engine, the 4Runner will only get about 19 MPG combined, but it does have great features for managing different terrains. The 4Runner has great safety ratings typical of most Toyota vehicles, with rollover sensors going back at least a decade, amongst many other safety features.
#7: GMC Yukon XL
If the standard Yukon didn’t have enough space for you, maybe the Yukon XL will satisfy your need for interior space. With most of the same features as the Yukon, the XL adds more cargo space to give you 39.3 cubic feet with all three rows of seats up. The same V8 engine options are available with the XL, though towing capacity goes down to 8,300 pounds. As with the Yukon, you might have seating for seven, eight, or nine, and you will have either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The one big difference between these vehicles is just the size, so buyer beware if you aren’t used to driving a large vehicle. You will find this challenging to park, turn corners, and maneuver in tight spaces, but few other vehicles offer the comfort and style of a Yukon XL for long trips with lots of luggage.
#6: Chevy Tahoe
Yet another full-size SUV lands in the top ten of longest-lasting vehicles with the Chevy Tahoe being the sibling of the Yukon. They both share the same truck body build, and the Tahoe comes with a V8 engine that can tow up to 8,600 pounds. Rear-wheel and four-wheel drive are both options and typically seats eight with the option for the bench seat in front to allow for nine passengers. There is little difference between the Yukon and the Tahoe other than the appearance of the cabin to keep the vehicle on brand. The choice of which you prefer is entirely up to buyer preference.
#5: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Now halfway through the list, we finally arrive at a gas-saving SUV, which still offers the three rows of seats of the previous vehicles listed. Considered a midsize crossover, the Highlander Hybrid will combine a gas-powered V6 with an electric motor to provide a combined fuel economy rating of 29 MPG. All-wheel drive is standard, and the Highlander Hybrid can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Again, expect Toyota’s outstanding safety features in both vehicle design and driver-assisted tech. Seating for seven in the comfortable cabin will also allow for a satisfying amount of space for cargo, including for small items in pockets or shelves.
#4: Chevy Suburban
Once again, the three-row full-sized SUV hits the top ten. Like the Yukon and the Tahoe, the Suburban is a beast of a machine. Powered by a V8 engine, towing capacity is up to 8,300 pounds, and can potentially seat nine with certain trims. The Suburban is a four-wheel drive SUV known for its toughness and ability to go off-road. It’s not necessarily created for off-roading, but it can certainly handle going over terrain that would strand most vehicles. Unfortunately, this is another gas-guzzling behemoth that will get under 20 MPG combined, but it has a comfortable interior with plenty of room to travel or lug gear.
#3: Ford Expedition
Unlike the previously-listed full-sized SUVs, the Ford Expedition has the space for eight. Newer models utilize a turbocharged V6 that can tow up to 9,000 pounds, while older models can be found with V8 engines that tow up to 9,200 pounds. That capacity exceeds all the other vehicles on the list thus far. You could find the Expedition as either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive with great cargo space and a combined fuel economy between 15-20 MPG. Despite the truck body frame, it gets the best ratings for speed and off-road capability of the other full-sized SUVs on this list.
#2: Toyota Sequoia
Much like the other truck body-on-frame SUVs, the Toyota Sequoia utilizes a V8 engine to power the massive vehicle that holds up to eight passengers. Again, you will find the Sequoia with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, and it will offer a decent experience in off-road capability if that’s needed. Plenty of interior cargo space is also a boon in this vehicle, and it will tow up to 7,400 pounds. Gas mileage is a disappointing 14-15 MPG when combined, but you can expect a comfortable driving and riding experience in the plush cabin.
#1: Toyota Land Cruiser
Finally, the top-running vehicle that lasts the longest of any vehicle on the road in 2020, the Toyota Land Cruiser. It comes as one-size-fits-all with only one available trim, so you either like it or lump it. Standard features are the V8 engine with four-wheel drive, and it gets a deplorable 15 MPG combined with a hefty price tag attached. That said, the Land Cruiser is a vehicle made for off-road chugging across any kind of unfriendly terrain and is known worldwide as a dependable vehicle that can withstand almost anything. You will have room for eight in the three rows of seats, plus a bevy of tech and safety features to make the ride very cushy indeed. In case you also want to tow a trailer, it has the capacity for up to 8,500 pounds. If you can afford the Land Cruiser, you probably won’t have to buy another vehicle for a very long time, but the gas tank is very thirsty.
