There’s a really good chance that people you know who drive old cars have Japanese models. And they’re probably Toyotas. The 15 preferred cars that original owners keep for 15 years or more are solely Japanese models and mostly Toyotas, according to a new study by iSeeCars.com.
The list includes 10 Toyotas, three Hondas, one Subaru and one Acura. “Japanese vehicles are known for their quality and reliability, which is reaffirmed by the results of this list,” said iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly.
The list is dominated by SUVs. The Toyota Highlander midsize SUV is number one with 18.5 per cent of original owners keeping the vehicle for 15 years or more. This is two and half times more than average for all vehicles.
“Vehicles that are kept for so many years show that they can stand the test of time and likely don’t have to frequently undergo expensive repairs,” said Ly. “Those looking for a reliable and enduring car have a variety of options across all vehicle types.”
Other Toyota SUVs on the list include the Sequoia, RAV4, and 4Runner, which all have above-average reliability ratings, making them more appealing to consumers.
The sole hybrid on the list is the Toyota Prius.
“Because of the added upfront cost of hybrid vehicles, owners have the incentive to keep their cars for longer to accrue fuel savings to offset the initial expense,” Ly explained. “The oldest hybrid vehicle to remain in continuous production, the Prius’ appearance on the list helps dispel concerns about battery durability and shows that Toyota’s quality and reliability standards extend beyond its conventional fuel vehicles.”
The list also features the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey minivans, which are reliable and practical for families with young children. The Honda Pilot and CR-V SUVs made the list due to their high reliability and safety ratings.
The Acura MDX, the sole luxury vehicle on the list, shares a platform with the Pilot, suggesting “both are well-made vehicles that are depended on by their owners,” Ly said.
Pickup truck owners also hold on to the Toyota Tundra and Toyota Tacoma, the former of which has regularly been designated the most dependable large pickup. The Tacoma, meanwhile, is one of the best-selling midsize pickups.
The Toyota Camry and Toyota Avalon are also featured on the list and have “excellent reliability ratings.” Even though many auto manufacturers are dropping sedans from their lineups due to a drop in popularity, Toyota sedans are made so well that drivers don’t want to get rid of them.
The Forester is the only Subaru on the list with high marks in safety, affordability, and excellent fuel economy.
Notably absent from the list are popular American SUVs.
“Although they have shown improvement in recent years, American cars are still plagued by the perception that they aren’t as reliable as their foreign counterparts,” said Ly. “While these vehicles show that they are reliable enough to be popular, they don’t measure up to Japanese vehicles in terms of prolonged ownership.”
Check out the top 15:
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Sienna
- Honda Pilot
- Toyota Tundra
- Toyota Sequoia
- Toyota Tacoma
- Honda Odyssey
- Honda CR-V
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4
- Toyota Camry
- Acura MDX
- Toyota 4Runner
- Toyota Avalon
