The construction of the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s ushered in a new era of American dependence on cars. Government data shows that over 90% of the 136.2 million Americans who commuted to work in 2022 did so either by driving, or riding in, a personal vehicle. However, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, automobiles have become increasingly unaffordable for the typical American.
The average transaction price for a new vehicle in the U.S. topped $40,000 for the first time in late 2020, and has continued to rise in the years since. As of September 2023, the latest month of available data from automotive research company Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new vehicle stood at $47,899.
With car prices at near-record highs, Americans are holding on to their vehicles longer than ever before. After climbing for six consecutive years, the average age of passenger cars and light trucks on American roads is 12.5 years, up from less than 10 in 2003, according to a study from S&P Global Mobility.
But for new car shoppers who want to avoid setting foot in a dealership showroom again for as long as possible, some makes and models are far better long-term investments than others.
Using data from iSeeCars, a used car search engine, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 20 longest lasting vehicles on the road. Vehicles in the iSeeCars study that were discontinued before the 2023 model year and will not be reintroduced in the near future were excluded from our analysis.
Each of the vehicles on this list are estimated to have a 20% chance or greater of lasting for at least 250,000 miles. Based on the average distance Americans drive annually, this comes out to a minimum of about 17 and a half years
This list is dominated by pickup trucks and SUVs, vehicle segments that have grown in popularity in recent years, partially for their reputations for reliability. Still, two vehicles on this list are mid-size cars, and one is a minivan.
While the vehicles on this list will likely outlast most others on the road, many are far more expensive than average. According to automotive news outlet Car and Driver, base sticker prices for 12 of the 20 models on this list exceed $40,000. Many of these vehicles, particularly the pickup trucks and larger SUVs, are also expensive to drive, with estimated annual fuel costs topping $3,000, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. Notably, fuel cost estimates were unavailable for the largest pickup trucks on this list, as heavy-duty trucks are exempt from government testing and labeling. (Here is a look at the 15 most fuel efficient new trucks.)
While expensive, many of these vehicles also retain much of their value. According to KBB, most new vehicles depreciate by 20% in the first year of ownership alone. However, based on research by iSeeCars, there are a few models on this list that will likely depreciate by less than 25% in the first five years of ownership.
20. Toyota Camry
Source: tomeng / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 20.4% (1.7 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size car
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $27,515
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $1,050-$2,150
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -40.7%
19. GMC Yukon XL
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 21.3% (1.8 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Large SUV
- Approx. base MSRP, 2023 model year: $59,295
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2023 model year: $2,100-$3,400
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -46.9%
18. Subaru Outback
Source: Zhe Ji / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 22.3% (1.9 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Crossover SUV
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $30,190
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $1,950-$2,350
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -39.5%
17. Toyota Sienna
Source: dogayusufdokdok / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 23.3% (2.0 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Minivan
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $38,580
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $1,500-$1,550
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -42.3%
16. Ram 3500
Source: Onnes / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 24.3% (2.1 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $48,735
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: N/A
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: N/A
15. Ram 2500
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 26.3% (2.2 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $48,735
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: N/A
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: N/A
14. Honda Accord
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 27.1% (2.3 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size car
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $28,990
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $1,100-$1,700
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -39.0%
13. Honda CR-V
Source: RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 27.5% (2.3 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Crossover SUV
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $30,825
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $1,350-$1,850
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -36.5%
12. Acura MDX
Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 29.2% (2.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Luxury crossover SUV
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $51,045
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $2,950-$3,400
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -53.7%
11. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Source: WendellandCarolyn / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 31.0% (2.6 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Full-size truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $37,445
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $2,550-$4,300
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -31.0%
10. Toyota 4Runner
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 41.0% (3.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size SUV
- Approx. base MSRP, 2023 model year: $41,050
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2023 model year: $2,600-$2,600
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -24.7%
9. Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 41.2% (3.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $46,395
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: N/A
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: N/A
8. GMC Sierra 2500HD
Source: Robert Alexander / Archive Photos via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 41.3% (3.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $47,395
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: N/A
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: N/A
7. Toyota Tacoma
Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 41.7% (3.5 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Mid-size truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2023 model year: $30,095
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2023 model year: $2,100-$2,450
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -13.8%
6. Honda Pilot
Source: chameleonseye / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 42.7% (3.6 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Crossover SUV
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $38,465
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $2,450-$2,700
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -44.4%
5. Ford F-250 Super Duty
Source: gopixa / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 43.6% (3.7 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2023 model year: $45,865
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2023 model year: N/A
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: N/A
4. Toyota Sequoia
Source: dima_sidelnikov / iStock via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 47.1% (4.0 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Large SUV
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $62,725
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $2,450-$2,700
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -39.5%
3. Toyota Tundra
Source: JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 47.9% (4.1 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Full-size truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $41,815
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: $2,450-$2,850
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -19.5%
2. Toyota Land Cruiser
Source: SeventyFour / iStock via Getty Images
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 47.9% (4.1 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Large SUV
- Approx. base MSRP, 2024 model year: $55,000 (est.)
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2024 model year: N/A
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: -34.9%
1. Ford F-350 Super Duty
- Chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles: 49.1% (4.2 times better than avg.)
- Vehicle type: Heavy duty truck
- Approx. base MSRP, 2023 model year: $46,910
- EPA est. annual fuel cost, 2023 model year: N/A
- Est. 5-year value depreciation: N/A
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Start Here
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Orare you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
