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It starts out like any other day. A bag is thrown in the passenger seat. The driver slides into the seat and heads downtown to work (or up the canyon to play). But then, the odometer creeps closer to 200,000 and it's clear this is no ordinary day. Get the camera phone ready and post a pic — this six-figure mileage is a milestone worth celebrating!
Vehicles are made to last longer than those a decade or so ago. Statista reports the average age of a light vehicle in the United States was 11.8 years in 2019, compared to 9.8 in 2004. Considering most vehicles are driven an average of 15,000 miles per year, eclipsing the 200,000 milestone means the car is approximately 13 years old. Not all automobiles are built to last this long, however.
Whether you're shopping for a sports car, a sedan, a minivan or something else entirely, the brands that repeatedly top industry lists like J.D. Power and Associates or Consumer Reports most reliable cars are:
- Toyota
- Lexus
- Kia
- Porsche
- Mazda
The exact mileage and longevity of any vehicle varies based on the model, environmental conditions, driving habits and other factors. But with proper care and maintenance, you can expect any of the above brands to last longer than the New England Patriots' playoff streak (which is 11 years for those who are wondering).
Take it to the limit
Japanese manufacturer Toyota — including its luxury brand, Lexus — is renowned for reliability. Most models are capable of running on the original engines for around 300,000 miles. And not just one, but two Toyota Tundras have hit a million miles. Wowza!
Kia is quickly closing the gap on Toyota in terms of reliability. Though earlier models weren't road warriors, vast improvements to newer models allow the budget-friendly rides to easily top 250,000 miles before becoming uneconomical from repairs. Kia's Rio and Sorento are two of the most reliable, affordable cars on the market.
On the opposite end of the price spectrum is Porsche. Known for manufacturing some of the most reliable sports cars, Porsche's lineup also consists of stalwart SUVs and energetic EVs. Keep in mind that though a bodacious little Boxster has the potential to best 200,000 miles, maintenance costs are going to be a bit more than those of a Toyota Camry or even a Mazda Miata.
Intentionally designed to be fun to drive and reliable, Mazda Motor Corporation puts a lot of thought into the engineering of each vehicle. Mazda is often overlooked for other brands, but shouldn't be. Modern Mazdas usually last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles. Some Mazda3 owners have upwards of 350,000 miles on their odometers.
Rituals for more roads traveled
With proper care and maintenance, your vehicle can go for miles and miles and miles — maybe even a million of them. Follow the manufacturer's schedule for preventative maintenance and make repairs immediately. Even a small tear in the weatherstripping can turn into a large problem if left for too long. Park in the shade when possible in the summertime and wash the road salt off your vehicle in the winter.
Conservative driving habits are also important to preserve the life of the tires and everything under the hood. Don't drive like Mario Andretti. Accelerate slowly, observe speed limits and refrain from revving the engine — no matter how much you want to race the souped-up Supra next to you at the stop light.
Patience pays
From variable transmissions to infotainment systems and falcon-wing doors, faulty technology tends to be a big detractor of a vehicle's reliability. It's often a good idea to wait a few years before buying a model that has adopted new technology or been redesigned. This allows the manufacturer to make changes and work out bugs based on customer feedback, which means fewer recalls and repairs for those who wait.
Do your research to determine which models from the most reliable car brands best fit your lifestyle. Then shop KSL Cars to find a vehicle capable of going the distance. Set alerts for vehicle listings that match your search criteria using the KSL Classifieds app to make it even easier to find what you're looking for.
