The modern car market is filled with vehicles designed for efficiency, comfort, and technology, but very few are built with true longevity in mind. Many cars today are destined to live short lives, traded in after a few years and scrapped once repair costs outweigh their value. Yet there are models with a proven record of lasting decades, often surpassing hundreds of thousands of miles and in some cases even reaching the million mile club. These cars are engineered with durability first, and they prove themselves year after year in the hands of loyal owners. Here are twelve cars that stand out as the most likely to outlast ordinary vehicles.
Toyota Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser has always been more than just an SUV—it is a global workhorse. Known for its ability to conquer deserts, jungles, and mountain passes, the Land Cruiser is designed to endure extreme punishment while keeping passengers comfortable. In Africa and Australia, it is the default choice for remote expeditions, while in North America it has become a luxury SUV with legendary toughness. Stories of Land Cruisers running past 500,000 miles are common, with some well maintained examples pushing beyond 700,000. The secret lies in Toyota’s conservative engineering, strong drivetrains, and parts availability in nearly every corner of the world.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has been a household name since the late 1970s, and its reputation for reliability is unmatched in the midsize sedan category. Countless families have driven their Accords for decades, often logging 300,000 miles or more with little more than routine maintenance. Honda’s engines and transmissions are engineered to withstand abuse, and their simple, logical designs make them easy to service. In North America, it is not unusual to see Accords from the 1990s still on the road, a testament to how well they are built. While many modern sedans fade into obscurity after ten years, the Accord continues to prove that a sensible car can also be one of the longest lasting.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is the world’s best selling car for a reason. It is not flashy, but it is dependable in a way that few vehicles can match. Taxi drivers across the globe have used Corollas to rack up astronomical mileage, often exceeding half a million miles before retirement. The engines are famously durable, the transmissions are simple, and the cost of ownership is low. A Corolla may never turn heads, but its ability to keep running year after year, often outlasting flashier rivals, makes it one of the ultimate long life cars.
Ford F 150
America’s best selling truck for over four decades has earned its reputation for toughness. The Ford F 150 is designed for work as much as daily driving, and many end up towing, hauling, and living hard lives in tough conditions. Despite that, older F 150s with V8 engines are known to soldier on past 300,000 miles. Some fleets have documented examples going well beyond that, proving their durability under extreme use. With so many still on the road from the 1990s and early 2000s, the F 150 shows why it is not just popular but also one of the longest lasting pickups ever built.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has become synonymous with dependability. Quiet, comfortable, and straightforward, it is the midsize sedan that just works. Owners often keep Camrys for decades, logging 250,000 to 400,000 miles without major issues. Its engines, particularly the four cylinders, are legendary for being almost impossible to kill if properly maintained. Even in harsh North American winters, Camrys from the 1990s and early 2000s are still common sights, proof that Toyota engineered them to outlive most competitors.
Volvo 240
Few cars have earned the reputation for longevity that the Volvo 240 enjoys. Produced from the mid 1970s to the early 1990s, the 240 was built like a tank, with a boxy design that matched its indestructible nature. The engines and drivetrains were simple and durable, and rust protection was better than most of its era. Many 240s are still on the road today, some with over a million miles. Enthusiasts love them not only for their durability but also for the fact that they are easy to repair, keeping them alive long after most other cars of their generation have vanished.
Lexus LS400
When Lexus launched in 1989, the LS400 was its flagship model, and it stunned the world with its quality and engineering. The 4.0 liter V8 was smooth, powerful, and famously reliable, capable of covering half a million miles with regular maintenance. Owners quickly discovered that the LS400 wasn’t just luxurious but nearly unbreakable, and many examples remain in service decades later. It is common to see these cars still running flawlessly at 300,000 miles or more, which is extraordinary for a luxury car. In a segment often plagued by expensive repairs, the LS400 proved that refinement and longevity could go hand in hand.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback has carved a niche as a dependable companion in tough climates. Its all wheel drive system is legendary, and owners in snowy regions swear by its ability to keep going no matter what. With proper maintenance, Outbacks regularly surpass 250,000 miles, and older models with simpler drivetrains sometimes double that figure. They are beloved by outdoor enthusiasts because they combine rugged ability with longevity, making them one of the most dependable wagons ever sold in North America.
Mercedes Benz W123
Built between 1976 and 1985, the Mercedes Benz W123 series has become a symbol of durability. With diesel engines that were under stressed and engineered to last forever, these cars frequently rack up 500,000 miles or more. Some have surpassed a million miles with their original drivetrains still running strong. They were over engineered in a way modern cars are not, designed with longevity as a top priority rather than cost cutting. Today, surviving W123s are beloved by collectors and daily drivers alike, still carrying the aura of indestructibility that Mercedes has never quite recaptured in later decades.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has been a dependable workhorse since its introduction in the early 1970s. Known for its fuel efficiency and simplicity, it has also proven to be incredibly long lasting. Civics regularly surpass 250,000 miles with ease, and well maintained examples can go much further. The engines are tough, the transmissions are reliable, and parts are readily available, making them cheap to keep on the road. In North America, Civics from the 1990s are still common daily drivers, outliving many of their contemporaries by decades.
Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban holds the record as one of the longest running nameplates in automotive history, and its reputation for durability is a big reason why. These massive SUVs, often used by families, fleets, and law enforcement, have shown they can handle enormous mileage. With sturdy body on frame construction and dependable V8 engines, Suburbans regularly last 300,000 miles or more. Some well maintained examples used for government fleets have recorded even higher numbers. Their size and utility ensure they remain useful for decades, giving them an edge in longevity.
Jeep Cherokee XJ
The Jeep Cherokee XJ, produced from 1984 to 2001, is one of the most rugged SUVs ever built. Its 4.0 liter inline six engine is one of the most reliable powerplants in history, often running 300,000 miles without issue. The unibody design, combined with its simple mechanicals, made it both tough and easy to repair. Owners often keep XJs for decades, passing them down through families. Even today, two decades after production ended, Cherokee XJs remain common on North American roads, a clear sign of just how durable they are.
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