40. Subaru Forester
Reliability has always been one of the main factors when it came to buying a car. Even though the modern consumer mindset dictates changing what you drive every two or three years, there are still a number of people who look at their cars as investments that need to last way more than that. Finding a car that will keep going after it hits the 250,000 miles marker is not too common, but it’s definitely not that hard either.
There are still a number of models across different market categories, that still deliver this kind of longevity to their owners. Here are 30 new and classic cars that will definitely last more than 250,000 miles.
Ever since Subaru came out with the first Forester model, this car became a hit. Not only does it come with a great palette of engines, it also sports what is considered to be the best 4WD system available today.
39. VW Passat
While the turbocharged variants are great, the naturally aspirated engines are known to reach beyond 250,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Europe’s favorite station wagon earned its popularity both through its functionality, and reliability. This applies to most generations of VW Passat, including the latest one.
38. Lexus RX350/450h
Their diesel engines are known to outlast everything else on the car, while the more recent 1.8 Turbo engine has proven to be almost as durable.
RX350/450h is another Lexus that will go the extra mile. Both the gas and hybrid variants of this car have earned a reputation for being reliable.
37. Toyota Camry
As a matter of fact, it is considered to be among the most reliable cars in its class, which definitely expanded its customer base.
Toyota Camry needs no special introduction on this list. For decades it has been considered one of the most reliable cars you can buy, along with several other Toyota models.
36. Toyota Prius
At this point Toyota Camry is probably one of the few go-to cars for those looking for durable and reliable transportation. However, it doesn’t offer much more than that.
While it is definitely the most popular hybrid, Toyota Prius also earns a good mark when it comes to reliability. The hybrid engine has proven its worth numerous times by now, and would make the Prius almost as great as a Camry, but there is just one slight problem. Before the engine starts to fail, you will have to replace the battery pack several times.
35. Audi Allroad
With the costs of battery packs still quite high, it nullifies the reliability of the engine. With that said, Prius is still worth mentioning.
When it comes to Audi Allroad, it’s a similar story to the VW Passat. The crossover variant of the Audi A4 has proven to be quite resilient and capable of reaching great mileage with regular maintenance.
34. Mazda 6
This applies to most engine choices.
Imagine the reliability of a Camry we already mentioned, only in form of a car that will make you grin every time you press the gas pedal. That is a good way to describe the Mazda 6.
33. Toyota Sienna
It’s a luxury sedan that offers formidable performance combined with reliability. That’s something we rarely see these days.
When it comes to mini vans, Toyota’s Sienna is among the most reliable choices on the market. It is very well built, and offers a formidable 4WD system.
32. Toyota Corolla
Since it was made with long distance travel in mind, it was sort of expected for Sienna to be able to reach high mileage marks. You’d think that would be the case with every other mini van on the market, but sadly that’s not the case.
Corollas, especially the old ones circa 1989 and onward, were some of the most resilient cars to come out of Japan. There are numerous instances of these small sedans reaching the 250,000 mile mark with ease.
31. Honda Odyssey
A great selection of well built engines definitely helped. No matter if it’s the JDM, European, or American version of the car, Toyota Corolla was just built to last.
With their flexible 3.5 liter V6 engines, Honda Odyssey minivans are known to easily reach the 200,000 mile mark and keep serving their owners reliably. It wasn’t just the engine that was proven to be wear resistant, the transmission and pretty much every other part of the mechanical system were up there as well.
30. Honda Pilot
Whether or not you like the design of the Odyssey, it’s definitely a great choice if you need a reliable ride for your whole family.
Luxurious SUVs are not always synonymous with reliable vehicles. There are more than enough examples out there to prove this point. With that said, Honda Pilot doesn’t belong to that group.
29. Honda CR-V
There are first generation Pilots out there with some pretty ridiculous mileages. The latest version of this SUV promises to bring the same reliability, although it’s too early to tell at this point.
This compact crossover from Honda was always packed with useful features, and came with reliable engines. One of those that quickly comes to mind is their 2.4 liter four-cylinder found in older models of this car.
28. Toyota Highlander
There is nothing flashy about a Honda CR-V, especially considering the exterior design many find repulsive. However, no one can dispute the fact that these cars simply keep on driving well into six figure on the clock.
During its lifetime, Toyota Highlander saw several design updates which made it larger, offering more space inside the passenger cabin along with several other additions. What didn’t change was it’s reliability.
27. Honda Civic
The 3.5 liter V6 found in earlier models has proven to be a very tough piece of machinery, which could easily outlast many of its competitors if taken care of.
Honda Civic has the reputation similar to that of Toyota Corolla. Civics have always been considered as reliable and fuel efficient compact cars that would get you where you need to go. It used to be, and is still to an extent, a no thrills kind of car.
26. Toyota 4Runner
It grew a large following all over the world, especially in United States thanks to its great engines and customization potential. Whether you’re buying new or used, a Honda Civic will always be a safe option.
Toyota 4Runner is one of those compact SUVs that has a very extensive history of serious off-road use. Because of this it is one of the more favorite choices for all 4×4 enthusiasts around the world.
25. Ford F-150
Aside from its off-road capabilities, the 4Runner also came with a number of engines that could take that kind of abuse on a regular basis, while delivering the necessary torque.
Also known as the workhorse of America, the Ford F-150 was designed with reliability in mind. It’s no wonder you can find these trucks in all kinds of small businesses, and ranches across United States.
24. Ford F-250 Super Duty
For generations it was the default truck you could rely on to get the work done, day after day, year after year. Needless to say, a well maintained F-150 will reach 250,000 miles without an issue.
Similar to the F-150 but larger, the F-250 Super Duty is a towing beast. Every component found on this truck was designed for heavy duty use, from the frame to a lineup of engines that could bear the extra load on a daily basis.
23. Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
From the start, it was more or less a requirement for these trucks to be able to reach high mileage, therefore it’s no wonder you will find some that have way more than 250,000 miles on the clock.
The rivalry between Ford and Chevy transpires the well known performance car segment. Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is one of the many trucks Chevy has produced so far, which are the main competition to Ford’s F-series. These two brands are currently tied for the market share, and have created loyal followings in United States.
22. GMC Sierra 2500HD
Chevy Silverado 2500HD is a durable truck that can take the abuse and keep driving. Much like the F-250 Super Duty, you will find these trucks with six figure mileage on the clock all over.
GMC Sierra 2500HD is another well known choice for anyone who needs a pickup truck capable of both towing and transporting heavier loads. While it may not be as popular as the Chevy or Ford, GMC Sierra trucks always had an established presence in the American market.
21. Mercedes-Benz W123
Definitely a solid vehicle with capable engines, suitable for heavy duty use.
Long before Mercedes-Benz cars became a synonym for expensive maintenance, this German car manufacturer used to build some of the most reliable and mechanically invincible cars you could find. The W123 platform is definitely the most notable in this aspect, especially the diesel models.
20. Mercedes-Benz E Class W124
Mercedes even gave out certificates and badges once you hit certain mileage. The fact that the most prestigious badge you could get was for 1,000,000 miles speaks volumes about these cars.
The Mercedes Benz W124 E Class introduced updated versions of legendary diesel engines found in W123. Needless to say, this Mercedes also lived to become one of their most reliable and durable models to date.
19. Toyota Land Cruiser
With proper maintenance, hitting the 250,000 miles mark was nothing unusual, and these cars were known to go much farther than that.
Outside of United States, Toyota Land Cruiser is regarded as one of the best off-road vehicles one can buy. They are built like tanks, have outstanding AWD systems, and come with engines that are nearly immortal.
18. Nissan Patrol
This is especially true for their 4.2 liter diesel units that are the choice of many Australians who love to go deep into the bush, and various UN missions around the world
If Toyota Land Cruiser is the Yin, Nissan Patrol is the Yang. These two vehicles, although different, feature similar engines that seem to be indestructible, impressive off-road capabilities, and overall great build quality.
17. Ford Crown Victoria
Nissan Patrol is not your everyday SUV. This vehicle was not designed for soccer moms to pick up kids after school, it was designed to traverse most hostile terrains you can find.
What is probably the most recognizable police cruiser in the world is also one of the most reliable cars on the market. Ford Crown Vics are slowly being phased out with mileage in high six figures, however once their service in law enforcement is over, they are usually re purposed as taxis.
16. Lincoln Town Car
Seeing 500,000 miles on the clock of Crown Vic is a regular occurrence, let alone 250,000.
Lincoln Town Car is one the three models that share the same platform, which also includes the Ford Crown Victoria. As you can expect, the Town Car features similar specs as the Crown Vic, only in a more luxurious package.
15. Scion xB
Its 4.6 liter V8 engine definitely deserves some praise, especially since it hasn’t changed much during its 13 years long career.
There are those who like Scions, and those who hate them. You will rarely find a person who is not opinionated when it comes to these cars.
14. VW Gold 4 TDI
Whatever your opinion about this brand may be, Scion xB has proven to be a reliable car. It just keeps going, and according to the customer feedback, these things will easily reach 250,000 miles.
Some will argue that 1.9 liter TDI engines that came with Volkswagen Golf 4 were some of the best engines VW has made, and they wouldn’t be wrong. These turbocharged diesel units were pretty flexible, but also robust.
13. Saab 9000
You will find numerous Golfs with a lot of miles on the clock, which still run perfectly fine, and will probably keep doing so in foreseeable future.
Although it’s no longer in production, Saab 9000 was one of the best examples of just how good Swedish automotive industry was at one point. It was built on Fiat’s Tipo Quattro platform, which was shared with three more Fiat models, and it featured a more than decent lineup of engines.
12. Dodge Ram Cummins
It wasn’t an overly pretty car, but it was loyal to its owners.
When Dodge and Cummins figured out that working together could benefit both parties, they’ve created a truck that quickly became a top seller. Cummins engines found in recent models of Dodge Ram come in two flavors. The 5.9 liter turbocharged inline 6, and its 6.7 liter newer version.
11. Lexus ES 350/450
Both of these engines deliver some serious performance, with excessive amounts of torque and very decent peak horsepower. Aside from their raw power, these engines are also incredibly reliable.
While you may consider this Lexus to be boring with its average design and rather mild performance, ES 350/450 compensates with its longevity.
10. Acura RDX
These cars are simply well built, and a great testament to that fact is the large number of happy owners whose cars are still serving them well after 200,000 miles on the clock.
Acura’s crossover SUV is one of the most reliable cars in its class, proven by numerous happy customers around the world. As it is powered by a 3.5L V6 with 279 horsepower, the Acura RDX has a decent powerplant that doesn’t endure much stress, and if the car is maintained regularly, it can easily pass the 250,000-mile mark.
9. BMW 5 Series E39
The RDX comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard, which also helps the maximum mileage.
Produced from 1995 to 2004, E39 generation of the BMW 5 Series sedan has not aged incredibly well, but was one of the prime examples of German engineering too. On the second hand market, it’s not strange to see an E39 with more than 250,000 miles on the clock, and a well-kept example can cover even more.
8. Nissan Titan XD
BMW’s inline six engines have always been known for decent performance and reliability, and the E39 5 Series is no exception.
Cummins diesel engines are synonymous with ruggedness, reliability and durability, and Nissan Titan XD offers exactly that under the hood.
7. Toyota Sequoia
5.6L V8 petrol engine comes as standard, and it’s also an engine that will run for hundreds of thousands of miles, but if you really don’t want any worries, you should choose the Cummins 5.0L turbo diesel V8.
As many other Toyotas on the list, the Sequoia is also a rugged, extremely reliable SUV, albeit in a full-size package. Its 5.7L V8 with 6-speed automatic transmission is the engine that can survive even the most extreme driving conditions or neglect, so a well-kept Toyota Sequoia will have no worries reaching and passing 250,000 miles.
6. Mazda MX-5
The fuel consumption might not be great, but hey, it’s still a full-size SUV.
Even though the Miata is a sports car, you’ll have no worries about maximum mileage of your car, as long as you take good care of it.
5. Toyota RAV-4
That’s because it’s extremely simple mechanics are crowned with a 2.0L Skyactiv inline-four engine, which means that as a MX-5 owner, you’ll just have to maintain it regularly, which are relatively cheap expenses compared to other sports cars on the market.
Toyota’s bestseller crossover is now in its fourth generation, and as all previous generations, the last one has also proven itself when it comes to reliability. Basically, that means that the XA40 RAV4 can also cover more than 250,000 miles, especially if you follow regular maintenance schedule and if you don’t put it through much hassle.
4. Subaru Legacy
A selection of petrol and diesel engines is available, and if you want durability, you should choose the RAV4 with automatic transmission.
Toyota’s bestseller crossover is now in its fourth generation, and as all previous generations, the last one has also proven itself when it comes to reliability. Basically, that means that the XA40 RAV4 can also cover more than 250,000 miles, especially if you follow regular maintenance schedule and if you don’t put it through much hassle.
3. Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
A selection of petrol and diesel engines is available, and if you want durability, you should choose the RAV4 with automatic transmission.
The Silverado 3500HD is one of the most popular and trusted heavy duty trucks on the market, and when equipped with Duramax® 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8, it can really endure all sorts of abuse and still get to the 250,000-mile mark with ease.
2. Chevrolet Impala
In standard trim, the Silverado 3500HD comes with Vortec® 6.0L petrol V8, which is also a powerplant that can cover hundreds of thousands of miles like it’s nothing.
As one of the most reliable cars on the North American market, Chevrolet Impala is a car ready to suit all your needs, even if that means covering a quarter of a million miles in its lifespan.
The standard engine choice is the ECOTEC 2.5L DOHC 4-cylinder, but if you want to be sure that you’ll squeeze the most out of this sedan, you should go for a 305-horsepower 3.6L DOHC V6 with 6-speed automatic as standard.