Audio By Carbonatix
Car buying can be overwhelming, so here’s a hack. Buying a car and then keeping it for over 15 years is a fantastic formula for saving $100,000 or more. But which cars might actually last that long? Luckily for us, analysts at iSeeCars pored over registration data to find the vehicles most likely to be kept over 15 years by their original buyers. The result is a great list of reliable vehicles prized for either their space, capability, or fuel efficiency.
This compact four-door hybrid has a 13.7% chance of still being with its owner after 15 years. That makes the Toyota Prius 2.2 times more likely than the average vehicle to earn this distinction.
iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer has a theory as to why it made the number one spot. “Prius owners who have kept their vehicles on the road for at least 15 years are early adopters of hybrid vehicle technology, and these eco-minded consumers likely want to keep their vehicles for as long as possible.” But that’s not all: “Priuses also attract practical drivers thanks to their fuel economy and their low ownership costs, and prolonged ownership of the vehicle helps drivers maximize their fuel savings.”
Next, see the Toyota Prius hybrids available near you.
The Toyota Highlander is a large crossover that has offered a third-row configuration for years. It has a 12.4% chance of staying with its original owner for 15 years or more, twice that of the average vehicle.
“Along with being a reliable vehicle, the Toyota Highlander is among the most spacious three-row crossovers, making it a popular choice for a practical family vehicle,” said Brauer. You’re less likely to sell your car if your family won’t ever outgrow it.
Curious about this long-lived crossover? See Toyota Highlander listings near you.
Next up is the Tacoma. Chances are 11.6% that a Tacoma’s first buyer will still be driving the same truck 15 years later, 1.9 times that of the average vehicle.
A Toyota Tacoma is actually the vehicle finance expert Jeremy Morris bought with the intention of keeping it as long as possible. Twenty-four years and 300,000 miles later, he expects his transportation experiment has saved him $100,000.
Check out Toyota Tacoma truck listings near you.
The Sienna is Toyota’s minivan, another choice that even a growing family may be able to keep a long time. The Sienna has an 11.5% chance of being kept by its original owner for 15 years or more—1.9 times that of the average vehicle.
Brauer thinks one of the Sienna’s secrets is that families keep it even after the kids are grown. “While the accessibility and convenience features of minivans are ideal for families with young children, our data shows that the Sienna is so dependable that its owners choose to hold onto the vehicle even after these features become unnecessary.”
Shopping minivans? Here are Toyota Siennas for sale near you.
Toyota’s other truck is its “full-frame half-ton” Tundra (in the same class as the Silverado 1500 or Ford F-150). The Tundra has an 11.3% chance of sticking around with its first owner, 1.8 times as likely as the average vehicle.
“Toyota trucks are known for their indestructibility, and their owners likely replace them less often because they continue to function as haulers,” said Brauer.
Dreaming of a full-size truck? See Toyota Tundras for sale near you.
The CR-V is Honda’s answer to the RAV4, but the average CR-V driver is keeping their crossover longer than the USA’s favorite Toyota. In total, 10.7% of CR-V SUVs are still with their first driver 15 years down the road, which is 1.8 times as likely as the average.
Brauer argues that while Toyota maintains a stellar reliability reputation, the Hondas deserve as much kudos. “These vehicles also have stellar safety and reliability ratings, which make them popular and practical choices for family vehicles.”
Check out the Honda owners keep the longest and browse Honda CR-V listings nearby.
The Pilot is Honda’s next-larger SUV. How big? “The Honda CR-V is among the most spacious vehicles in its class, while the Pilot rivals a minivan in terms of appearance and cargo room.” So if your family needs a true third row, the Pilot might be the Honda for you.
Many families agree. All told, 10.4% of Honda Pilot SUVs spend their first 15 years—or longer—with their first family. That’s 1.7 times as many as the average vehicle.
Looking for a reliable, larger SUV? See Honda Pilot listings near you.
While the Outback has historically been more wagon-sized, Subaru’s Forester breaks into the crossover class. This extra room is a dealbreaker for many families, and as a result, 9.8% of Subaru Foresters are kept by their first buyers for 15 years or more.
Subaru is finally getting the reliability props it deserves. This automaker just ousted Toyota as the brand with the highest predicted reliability in Consumer Reports’ latest rankings. This prize considers all Subarus built in the past 20 years.
Curious about the vehicle Subaru buyers keep the longest? See Subaru Forester listings near you.
The 4Runner has an excellent reputation for reliability. Brauer says, “The midsize 4Runner and the full-size Sequoia are truck-based SUVs that are known for their durability.” And iSeeCars found the 4Runner had a better chance of reaching 250,000 miles (26.8%) than most vehicles on this list.
That said, just 9.4% of 4Runner buyers drive their SUVs for 15 years or more. Perhaps these numbers fall below the Sienna and Highlander because the 4Runner suffers from worse MPG. Or perhaps the thrifty drivers getting 250,000 miles out of a 4Runner are buying theirs on the used market.
Ready to learn more? Here are the Toyota 4Runner SUV listings near you.
While the 4Runner is based on the Tacoma, the larger Sequoia is a full-frame SUV based on the Tundra’s chassis. This heavy-duty SUV has a 9.1% chance of staying with its original owner for 15 years or more. That probably makes sense: a family that needs three rows of full-size seating doesn’t have many options more reliable than a Sequoia.
Need a third-row SUV? See the new Toyota Sequioa SUV listings.
Toyota RAV4 crossovers made for the North American market hail from Kentucky or Ontario. It is far and away the USA’s favorite vehicle, with Toyota selling 475,000 in 2024. Why? “The Toyota RAV4 compact SUV provides the perfect balance of reliability and affordability while providing class-leading cargo and seating space,” said Brauer.
But not as many of those buyers will keep it for 15 years as the first 10 vehicles on this list. Just 8.7% of RAV4 buyers will still have their crossovers after 15 years. Yet, those crossovers would be a great candidate to keep longer. In total, 9.6% of RAV4s are still on the road at 250,000 miles.
Curious about this reliable crossover? Check out Toyota RAV4 SUVs for sale near you.
The next truck on our list is also sold by a Japanese brand (but assembled in Mississippi). The mid-size Nissan Frontier has an 8.5% chance of its first buyer keeping it for 15 years. It’s also statistically a very long-lived truck, with 14.8% of Nissan Frontiers still going strong at 250,000 miles.
Why? Brauer theorizes, “Japanese trucks lag behind their American competitors for towing capacity, so they aren’t subjected to as much wear and tear from heavy hauling.”
Learn more about the other midsize Japanese truck and see Nissan Frontier listings near you.
Acura is Honda’s luxury brand. The MDX shares many components with another large crossover on this list: the Honda Pilot.
Despite its luxury trimmings, the MDX has strong bones and an 11.9% chance of hitting 250,000 miles. With plenty of room for cargo and passengers, it’s not shocking that 7.9% of MDX buyers are still driving their crossover 15 years later.
See the long-lasting luxury crossover in Acura MDX listings in your area.
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover, similar in size to the CR-V and RAV4. Therefore, it isn’t surprising to see it on our list. But with the recent improvements in reliability for Kia/Hyundai/Genesis vehicles, it’s surprising it’s the only South-Korean-engineered vehicle on our list.
The Tucson has a 7.6% chance of its first buyer keeping it for 15 years or longer. “The Hyundai Tucson receives high-reliability ratings and is among the lowest-priced vehicles in its segment,” said Brauer. “It’s also backed by Hyundai’s 10-year powertrain warranty, which is double what most automakers offer, making it a good choice for practical consumers who want a long-lasting and reliable vehicle.”
Curious about this reliable Korean crossover? See Hyundai Tucson listings nearby.
Tying the Tucson is the MX-5 Miata roadster. This sports car is renowned for bringing Japanese reliability to a classic convertible formula. Along with being fun to drive, the Mazda Miata is one of the least expensive cars in the sports car segment and has low ownership costs,” said Brauer.
Many Miatas aren’t daily drivers, but are instead fun weekend vehicles. Coupled with their impressive reliability, it’s no surprise that 7.6% of Miata owners still have their Mazda 15 years later.
Learn more about this beloved sportscar by browsing Mazda Miata listings near you.
Land Rover SUVs Are More Rugged Than They Appear
Henry Cesari is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer who brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Henry covers Ford models daily, including the F-150. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. He’s an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts. Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont.
