Which are the longest-lasting cars?
With today’s inflated car prices and a limited number of affordable options, Americans are more likely to hold on to their vehicles longer and even drive them into the ground if necessary.
For those looking to buy a new car and interested in reading some reviews, this article will help. If you’re wondering which cars are worth your hard-earned money and if longevity and dependability are high priorities, it’s a good idea to see which vehicle owners are least likely to part with—in other words, which are the longest-lasting cars.
In analyzing over 660,000 used vehicles from model years 1981-2005 sold in 2020, a recent study has rounded up the cars with the greatest potential lifespan. Check this out!
1. 2020 Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra is a reliable car that’s a lot of fun to drive and delivers excellent fuel economy. It offers dual-zone automatic climate control, an array of engines, an impressive safety score (9.2/10), and a wide range of technologies.
These include smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a choice of a 7-inch or an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charger, an eight-speaker Infinity premium sound system, and navigation.
Since the early 2000s, reliability has been a key focus of Hyundai, and this can be seen in the dependability of its vehicles. As one of the longest-lasting cars, the Elantra is at the forefront of consumers’ minds when it comes to excellent build quality.
Moreover, the chances of this car needing considerable repairs in its first decade of service are low, at just 17.73%.
2. 2017 Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner is a powerful, user-friendly midsize SUV that’s ideal for weekend adventures. It combines an extensive lineup of standard features with great off-road capabilities and a generous cargo capacity to ensure it’s capable of accommodating all your stuff as well.
The engine on all trims is a 4.0L V6, making a remarkable 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a standard 5-speed automatic. The Limited and SR5 can get either 4-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive (full-time on the Limited, part-time on the SR5).
As one of the longest-lasting cars on the market, the 2017 Toyota 4Runner comes with safety features like an anti-skid system, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes with brake assists, traction control, stability control, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags, front knee airbags, and full-length roll-sensing side curtain airbags.
3. 2015 Toyota Prius
While the Toyota Prius has had its ups and downs, the reliable hybrid is on an upswing. As one of the longest-lasting cars, it generally gets more coverage for its efficiency than its reliability, but it’s also an excellent vehicle to have if you’re looking for trouble-free motoring.
Safety buffs will love the fact that these models come with a wide range of driver assistance systems such as rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane-trace assist, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward automatic emergency braking, as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection.
When it comes to dependability and quality, few hybrids are as reliable as the Toyota Prius. The average annual maintenance cost is $421.
4. 2015 Lexus CT 200h
The Lexus CT 200h is a great hybrid hatchback that gets excellent fuel economy, offers practicality, and handles well. It’s also one of the longest-lasting cars that will prove its reliability by keeping you on the road for many miles.
This vehicle is powered by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine teamed with two electric motors to produce a combined 134 horsepower. According to experts, the Lexus CT 200h is one of the most reliable cars you can purchase, as highlighted by its impressive J.D. Power reliability score.
It also has uncompromising build quality, a high-quality appearance, and proven Prius powertrains that fulfill the expectations of those seeking dependable motoring.
Read on to discover other longest-lasting cars!
5. 2021 BMW 4 Series
Regardless of where you stand when it comes to the styling of the 2021 BMW 4 Series, you can’t deny the fact that it’s a brilliant vehicle. As one of the longest-lasting cars on the market, it’s engineered excellently and offers both modern technology and a dynamic drive to complement its superb reliability.
Claiming an 86 out of 100 score for outright and an 87 out of 100 for reliability in a recent study, the 4 Series boasts some spectacular numbers. Beneath the controversial exterior lies a well-engineered machine that’s built to make this one of the longest-lasting cars on the market—no wonder it’s selling like hotcakes.
6. 2012 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is quite possibly the highest-quality and most well-rounded family sedan in its price range, or even outside the range. It also has a reputation for incredible reliability and comes with a powerful base engine and a comfortable and upscale-looking interior.
Honda has a reputation for making some of the longest-lasting cars, and the Accord is one of them. Moreover, its life expectancy is over 20 years, so it’s only fair to include it in this list. In fact, it’s also one of the most reliable Hondas to buy used.
If the vehicle receives proper maintenance, it can outlive even a daily driver. By the way, if you’re looking for a car cover, here’s an affordable option from Amazon.
7. 2015 Lexus RX350
The RX350 is impressive with its elegant interior and dashing exterior, which fascinates the market. The 2013 model got a refresh with styling changes, including the brand’s signature spindle-shaped front grille.
The V6 engine ensures performance, while the interior provides ultimate comfort. According to experts and some reviews, and given the affordable pricing at present, it’s arguably the better option than even the 2022 Lexus RX350.
The brand has raised the bar by building the longest-lasting cars that perfectly combine luxury with durability, and the RX350 is one of its best offerings yet, with the midsize SUV capable of lasing more than 300,000 miles.
8. 2014 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is one of the longest-lasting cars out there, having been on the market for over four decades. Over the years, it won over consumers with its reasonably powerful engines, roomy interior, comfortable ride, and, more recently, straightforward infotainment system.
For instance, the 2014 model is very efficient, with its entry-level four-cylinder engine delivering 34 MPG on the highway and 25 MPG in the city. The hybrid is even more efficient, providing up to 38 MPG on the highway and 42 MPG in the city.
Toyota has the Camry, and Honda has the Accord. The Camry and Accord compete fiercely over which car is the most reliable. The Camry is ideal for people aiming for a budget sedan with all the comfort and tech, and it offers the durability and reliability of Toyota. As one of the longest-lasting cars, the Toyota Camry can stay on the tarmac for more than 300,000 miles. And with extra care, the vehicle can comfortably drive forever.
9. 2019 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling and longest-lasting cars of all time. The 2019 model is an excellent driver, it’s durable, and its repair and maintenance costs are minimal ($362 per year on average).
While it’s not the most beautiful vehicle on the road, the Toyota Corolla can travel for many, many years without giving up. Also, for people looking to buy a car that will go past 300,000 miles and keep going, this one is arguably the best option to go with. And with responsible driving and proper maintenance, the Corolla can stay on the road for decades.
If you liked our article on the longest-lasting cars, you may also want to read The Best and Worst Times of the Year to Purchase a New Car.
