Cars Owners Keep the Longest

• Toyota Prius is the vehicle most owners keep for 15+ years, 2.2x more than the average car
• The top 10 longest-kept cars are exclusively Japanese models, led by Toyota
• Longest-kept cars are from Toyota, Honda, and Subaru 

The automotive research firm analyzed over 660,000 cars from the 1981-2005 model years sold in 2020 to determine which cars owners are most likely to keep for at least 15 years. Among the top 10 models, Toyota accounts for seven, while Honda has two and Subaru has one.

“Japanese vehicles, especially Toyota and Honda, are known for their reliability and durability and attract practical consumers who want vehicles that can be kept on the road as long as possible,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “Drivers are more likely to hold onto cars that they know they can rely on and don’t require a great deal of expensive maintenance.”

What Cars Do Owners Keep the Longest?

Earning the top spot is the hybrid Toyota Prius, which is kept for at least 15 years by 2.2 times more owners than the average vehicle. “Prius owners who have kept their vehicles on the road for at least 15 years are early adopters of hybrid vehicle technology, and these eco-minded consumers likely want to keep their vehicles for as long as possible,” said Brauer. “Priuses also attract practical drivers thanks to their fuel economy and their low ownership costs, and prolonged ownership of the vehicle helps drivers maximize their fuel savings.”

Three Toyota SUVs make the list including the second-ranked Highlander midsize SUV, the ninth-ranked 4Runner, and the tenth-ranked Sequoia. “Along with being a reliable vehicle, the Toyota Highlander is among the most spacious three-row crossovers making it a popular choice for a practical family vehicle,” said Brauer. “The midsize 4Runner and the full-size Sequoia are truck-based SUVs that are known for their durability.” 

Also from Toyota are two pickups that make the list: the third-ranked Tacoma and the fifth-ranked Tundra. “Toyota trucks are known for their indestructibility, and their owners likely replace them less often because they continue to function as haulers,” said Brauer.

The last Toyota and the only minivan to make the list is the Toyota Sienna, which ranks fourth.

 “While the accessibility and convenience features of minivans are ideal for families with young children, our data shows that the Sienna is so dependable that its owners choose to hold onto the vehicle even after these features become unnecessary,” said Brauer.

Two Honda SUVs, the sixth-ranked compact CR-V, and the seventh-ranked Pilot also make the list. “The Honda CR-V is among the most spacious vehicles in its class, while the Pilot rivals a minivan in terms of appearance and cargo room,” said Brauer. “These vehicles also have stellar safety and reliability ratings, which make them popular and practical choices for family vehicles.”

The lone Subaru on the list is the eighth-ranked Forester compact SUV. “The Forester is a reliable vehicle known for its safety and affordability,” said Brauer. “The vehicle offers standard all-wheel drive and impressive fuel economy, which furthers its appeal to practical consumers.”

SUVs Owners Keep the Longest

An additional Toyota SUV makes the list in the seventh position, the compact Toyota RAV4. “The Toyota RAV4 compact SUV provides the perfect balance of reliability and affordability while providing class-leading cargo and seating space,” said Brauer.

Ranked eighth is the Acura MDX. “The Acura MDX shares a platform with the Honda Pilot, which suggests that both are well-made vehicles that are dependable,” said Brauer. “The MDX is also one of the more affordable options in the luxury midsize SUV class, so it attracts practical buyers who want to get the most out of their luxury vehicle purchase.”

Standing out as the only Korean vehicle on the list is the ninth-ranked compact Hyundai Tucson. “The Hyundai Tucson receives high-reliability ratings and is among the lowest-priced vehicles in its segment,” said Brauer. “It’s also backed by Hyundai’s 10-year powertrain warranty, which is double what most automakers offer, making it a good choice for practical consumers who want a long-lasting and reliable vehicle.”

Ranked tenth is the Subaru Outback. “Though it is technically a wagon, the Subaru Outback competes with vehicles in the compact SUV class because of its cargo space and utility,” said Brauer. “Subaru attracts practical owners who are passionate about their vehicles, so it is no surprise that their owners keep them on the road for so long.”

Trucks People Keep the Longest 

Two General Motors trucks that share the same platform are the remaining two trucks that exceed the segment average: the fourth-ranked GMC Canyon and the fifth-ranked Chevrolet Colorado.”Compact trucks like the GMC Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado are more efficient and less expensive than their full-size counterparts, attracting more practical consumers who will likely keep them for longer,” said Brauer.

Sports Cars People Keep the Longest

Two BMWs make the list including the Z4 and the M5. “Both the BMW Z4 convertible and the M5 performance sedan have consistently earned above-average reliability ratings,” said Ly. “Both vehicles are dream cars for many people, so drivers can become emotionally attached and may want to keep them for as long as possible.”

The classic Chevrolet Corvette ranks fourth. “Known as the consummate American sports car, the Corvette is an aspirational car that is probably not used as a daily driver,” said Brauer. “As such, drivers are likely to hang on to their Corvettes since it doesn’t accrue high mileage. ”

Ranked fifth is the Ford GT supercar. “The Ford GT is a supercar produced in low volume that attracts car collectors,” said Brauer. “The vehicle was out of production from 2007-2016, meaning drivers wouldn't trade it in for a newer model.”

The Audi S4 sports sedan, which is the high-performance variant of the popular Audi A4 sedan, ranks sixth. “The Audi S4 is a sedan, making it more spacious than a typical sports car or coupe, and it also has above-average reliability ratings,” said Brauer. 

Car Brands People Keep the Longest

The top three brands include Toyota, Honda, and Subaru respectively, which are the only brands that had models on the overall list. Rounding out the list is Acura in fourth and Mazda in fifth. 

“Luxury brands are often leased, so it’s notable that Acura is among the brands most often kept by owners for 15 years or more, while its direct competitor Lexus falls below average,” said Brauer. “Acuras typically cost less than other luxury cars, so they attract customers who are willing to pay a premium for their vehicles, but are practical enough to want to keep them on the road for at least 15 years.”

Popular Cars People Keep the Longest

Popular American SUVs aren’t as likely as the average vehicle to surpass the fifteen-year milestone. “While these vehicles are reliable enough to be popular, they don’t measure up to Japanese vehicles in terms of prolonged ownership,” said Brauer.

Longest-Kept Cars in the Largest 50 Cities 

Owners in Cities that Keep their Cars the Longest

“If you’re in the market for a new or used car, you should consider the vehicles on this list,” said Brauer. “Even if you aren’t the type of consumer who plans on owning a car for at least 15 years, purchasing a vehicle that earns high loyalty with its owners is a smart purchase decision.”

Methodology

iSeeCars.com analyzed over 660,000 used cars from model years 1981-2005 sold in 2020. For each model, the percentage of cars sold by the original owner was mathematically modeled (“original-owner” cars were bought as new by the owner). The models were then ranked by the original-owner percentage. Models with low sample size, heavy-duty trucks and work vans, and models which were no longer in production as of the 2020 or 2021 model year were excluded from the analysis.

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