If You Want a Car That Actually Lasts, Buy One of These Toyotas
In 2025, iSeeCars crunched numbers on 174 million vehicles to find which ones make it past 250,000 miles. The average vehicle has a 4.8% shot at hitting that milestone. The Toyota Sequoia? Try 39.1%—8.1 times better than average. The 4Runner clocks in at 32.9%, and the Highlander Hybrid at 31.0%.
All three are Toyotas. All three are SUVs. All three will outlive your mortgage. So, let's take a look at what to buy if longevity is your thing.
The pattern holds across the entire top 25. Toyota grabbed 10 spots. Honda took five. Lexus and Acura combined for another handful. American and European brands barely show up. The message is clear: Japanese engineering wins the long game.
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Trucks follow the same script. The Toyota Tundra hits 30.0% and ranks second among all pickups. The Tacoma scores 25.3%. Even the Honda Ridgeline—with its unibody construction and in-bed trunk—lands at 14.7%, three times the average.
Hybrids are proving their worth. Five made the top 25 this year, up from three last year and zero in 2023. The Highlander Hybrid leads all hybrids. The Lexus RX Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Prius all beat expectations. Electric motors and regenerative braking don't compromise longevity—they enhance it.
The Sequoia starts around $64,000. That sounds steep until you do the math: 250,000 miles at that price works out to 26 cents per mile. Compare that to a $48,000 vehicle that dies at 150,000 miles—you're paying 32 cents per mile. The Sequoia also tows 9,000 pounds and seats eight. It's a hybrid powertrain on a truck frame, so you get efficiency without sacrificing capability.
The 4Runner appeals to a different buyer. It starts around $41,000, delivers serious off-road chops, and the 2026 redesign keeps the body-on-frame toughness while adding modern tech. If your weekends involve dirt roads and camping gear, this is the one.
The Highlander Hybrid splits the difference. It's refined, efficient, and family-friendly. Three rows, strong fuel economy, and a 31% chance of hitting quarter-million miles. That's a 15-year vehicle if you're putting on 17,000 miles per year.
My Verdict
Buy the Toyota. Not because it's exciting or flashy, but because it works. And it lasts. The data backs it up. If you're spending $40,000 to $70,000 on a vehicle, longevity beats 0-60 times and infotainment screens. The Sequoia, 4Runner, and Highlander Hybrid will run long after the warranty expires, long after you pay off the loan, and long after your kids learn to drive. Pick the one that fits your life, maintain it right, and plan on keeping it for two decades. That's the smart play.