10 Reliable Vehicles Owners Keep For 15 Years Or More

Vehicles are famously depreciating assets, meaning they lose value gradually over time. This stands in stark contrast to homes, which tend to appreciate in the long run. However, that doesn't mean that all vehicles safeguard your investment in the same way. While some vehicles can lose a jaw-dropping amount of value after driving off the new-car lot, others can maintain over half their original sales price after a decade of consistent use. Unless you're buying a super rare vehicle, you will inevitably lose money when buying a car. The trick is finding a reliable vehicle that can hold onto its worth over prolonged periods.

According to a survey by The Zebra, the average American holds onto a vehicle for 12.6 years. Notably, this represents a 50% increase in long-term ownership compared to 2022, indicating a growing trend of keeping cars for over a decade. However, iSeeCars indicates that only 6.1% of the average car model is kept by its original owners for 15 years or more. So, the public has shown a clear preference for specific models. Unsurprisingly, there's a strong overlap between these favorite cars among long-term owners and vehicles with a prolonged lifespan, as measured by the odometer.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration indicates that the average person drives 13,476 miles per year. Over the span of 15 years, that means the typical American racks up over 200,000 miles. In a study focusing on the chances vehicles have of reaching a quarter-million miles, iSeeCars discovered that the average nameplate only has a 4.8% chance of reaching this milestone. To find the most reliable vehicles that owners keep for 15 years or more, Money Digest looked at both long-term ownership preferences and lifespan potential. These 10 cars tend to be driven for over a decade and a half by their original owners while boasting a solid chance of reaching 250,000 miles.

The Toyota Highlander kicks off the list of the most dependable vehicles with a long lifespan, with 12.4% of all 15-year-old models still owned by their original buyers. That's more than twice the industry average. At the same time, this SUV has a 12.7% chance of reaching 250,000 miles, which is 2.6 times the norm. Consumer Reports has even identified the Highlander as a best-selling SUV, which is also very reliable. Despite this superior performance, the Highlander has dropped from a sales figure of 264,128 in 2021 to 56,208 in 2025, according to GoodCarBadCar. U.S. News places the entry-level model at $45,570, which is 7.52% lower than the average new car price of $49,275, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Loyal Highland owners benefit from lower-than-average maintenance costs. CarEdge puts the 10-year upkeep expenses of this SUV at $6,225, about $1,941 below those of comparable SUVs. The Highlander also enjoys a 7.98% lower chance of needing a serious fix in the same time frame, with odds at 16.61%. The Highlander also fights back against depreciation better than the typical vehicle. CarEdge indicates that these models only lose 60.51% of their original sales value after 10 years. For reference, Experian reports that the average car loses 55% of its worth in just five years. Assuming a new sales price of $48,702, the Highlander would still leave owners with $19,232 of value after a decade of routine use.

The Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size pickup, featuring a powerful engine, various trim types, and robust fuel economy, especially as a truck. Of the Toyota Tacomas that last to the 15-year mark, 11.6% are still with their original owners, which is 1.9 times higher than the typical vehicle. Additionally, this popular truck comes with a 25.3% likelihood of stretching to the 250,000-mile mark. Those odds are 200% higher than the run-of-the-mill nameplate. GoodCarBadCar reports that a whopping 274,638 Tacomas were purchased in 2025, one of the highest sales figures on record for this truck. U.S. News suggests that the baseline 2026 Tacoma trim ranges between $32,245 and $37,105, which means new buyers can save up to 34.6% compared to the average model.

CarEdge reports that the Tacoma costs long-time owners only around $6,931 in general maintenance across 10 years. This is a remarkable $2,694 under the average for trucks, a class known for its elevated upkeep expenses. Tacoma owners also experience a 10.51% lower risk of having to cover a major fix over a decade, with the likelihood placed at 19.12%. Better yet, the Tacoma is among the Toyota vehicles with the best resale value. You can drive a Tacoma for a decade straight, and this pickup will retain a class-leading 65.48% of its original value. You'd be able to sell it for about $29,070 after 10 years, if you bought it for around $44,395, according to CarEdge depreciation data.

The Honda CR-V is a no-nonsense compact SUV delivering strong fuel economy, a comfortable interior, and sufficient space for small families, although it's not winning any awards for engine power. The Honda CR-V routinely tops the rankings of the best vehicles for retirees, due to its reliability, manageable maintenance costs, and relatively modest price tag. With 10.7% of 15-year-old CR-Vs still driven by their original buyers, this SUV's real-life performance backs up its reputation. This long-term ownership figure stands 1.8 times higher than the market standard. Also, the Honda CR-V enjoys a 10.6% probability of driving to 250,000 miles, standing 2.5 times above the nationwide average. In 2025, consumers bought 403,768 Honda CR-Vs, as reported by GoodCarBadCar, suggesting that the nameplate's track record is recognized among the broader population. U.S. News places the most affordable trim at $30,920 to $32,420, representing a savings of up to 37.3% when measured against the average.

Honda CR-V owners usually spend $7,636 to keep their vehicle up and running smoothly across an entire decade. This is $530 lower than the maintenance costs of similar SUVs, extending this model's long-term savings. Drivers also face a 2.85% reduced risk of needing to cover a serious repair in this time frame. The CR-V's total odds are 21.74%, according to CarEdge. Additionally, the CR-V only loses 53.75% of its original cost across a decade, maintaining your investment far better than the average. Let's say you bought a new CR-V for $38,131. After 10 years of routine driving, you would still have a vehicle worth $17,636, per CarEdge depreciation data.

Consumer Reports indicates that Toyota lost its top spot for reliability among car brands, ceding ground to Subaru's loyal fanbase. However, as you can see, Toyota dominates this list of dependable vehicles that owners keep for 15 years or more. Even larger vehicles, such as the 4Runner, which tend to have more challenging maintenance and hampered longevity, surpass the norm with ease. Around 9.4% of the 15-year-old 4Runner models are driven by their initial owners. Plus, this SUV has a stellar 32.9% chance of reaching 250,000 miles, 6.8 times better than the average. According to GoodCarBadCar, the 4Runner sold 98,804 units in 2025. A brand new 4Runner clocks in at $41,570, according to U.S. News, which is higher than other models on this list yet still saves you 15.64% compared to the new-vehicle average 

CarEdge suggests that the typical 4Runner requires $6,322 to maintain over a decade. This sits below the average upkeep costs of the normal SUV by $1,844. Owners see a 16.61% likelihood of needing to cover a serious repair during this period, but those odds are 7.98% better than those of comparable models. CarEdge depreciation data puts the 4Runner's 10-year residual value at 54.36%, meaning that owners only lost 45.64% of their initial investment across this time frame. For context, buying a new 4Runner for $53,617 would leave you with $29,146 of value. 

The Toyota Corolla is another extremely dependable sedan that has demonstrated consistent long-term performance. Prolonged owners appreciate this model's budget-conscious fuel economy, wide range of built-in safety features, and comfortable driving experience. Of models that have been on the road for 15 years or more, 8.9% remain with their original drivers, underscoring this vehicle's reliability. This is about 1.5 times the norm. Furthermore, owners looking for a return on their expense can appreciate this model's 3.2% chance of hitting at least 250,000 on the odometer, 1.2 times the average. Kelley Blue Book positions this sedan as the 11th best-selling vehicle of 2025, reporting 248,088 units sold. All of these features are available for as little as $22,725, according to U.S. News. This listing price is remarkably 53.88% lower than the new-vehicle norm.

Maintenance costs are one of the common monthly expenses you're forgetting to put in your budget, but the Corolla is extremely forgiving of this oversight. In 10 years of ownership, you only need to budget about $4,434 for general upkeep, which falls $1,312 under the average for comparable sedans. The Corolla also sees a 12.28% risk of experiencing a considerable issue within a decade, 4.41% lower than the average, according to CarEdge. The Corolla also protects your investment in the long run, with a 10-year residual value of 51.35%, leaving a depreciation rate of just 48.65%. For reference, the Corolla could still be worth about $14,170 after a decade of routine use if it was bought for about $27,595, as reported by CarEdge.

The Toyota RAV4 represents a middle ground between a standard sedan and a full-size SUV, offering competitive fuel economy, decent space, and undeniable reliability. For models that stick around for 15 years, 8.7% are still driven by their original buyers, standing 1.4 times above the industry standard. The RAV4 also comes with a 7.3% probability of reaching a quarter-million miles, a strong 1.7 times higher than the norm. These appealing characteristics have paid off, positioning the RAV4 as the third top-selling vehicle of 2025, per Kelley Blue Book, moving an eye-watering 479,288 units. Some critics argue that the RAV4 isn't the smart buy it used to be, due to inflated price tags. However, the 2026 RAV4's baseline trim goes for about $31,900, according to U.S. News. That still beats the market average for new cars by 35.26%.

These savings extend far beyond the initial purchase, too. CarEdge indicates that the 10-year upkeep expenses of the RAV4 beat out the norm for comparable SUVs by $2,161. Overall, owners usually spend $6,005 on maintenance over a decade. The RAV4 also enjoys a 7.98% lower risk of demanding a considerable repair, with the odds at 16.61%. Furthermore, the RAV4 maintains nearly half of its original value after a decade of ownership, featuring a 10-year residual value of 48.99%, per CarEdge's depreciation calculations. This leaves owners with $18,465 of their initial investment, assuming a purchase price of $37,692.

With excellent fuel efficiency, solid handling, and a comfortable ride, the Toyota Camry is the epitome of a reliable sedan. When you look at the Camry's longevity stats, it's no wonder this sedan has been positioned as a leading choice for retirees looking to spend less. Of the Camrys that remain on the road after 15 years, 8.5% are still driven by their original owners. Long-term drivers of this popular sedan also benefit from a 9% chance of reaching 250,000 miles, which is 3.5 times better than the competition. According to Kelley Blue Book, the Camry sold 316,185 units in 2025, making it the 9th highest-selling vehicle of the year. U.S. News suggests the lowest-cost trim is about $29,000 to $30,525, extending a savings of up to 41.2% compared to the average new model.

The Camry's 10-year maintenance costs reach a modest $4,581, according to CarEdge. These reasonable upkeep costs are still solidly below those associated with comparable sedans by $1,165. The Camry also outperforms the typical sedan when it comes to avoiding a serious issue within the same time frame. This Toyota nameplate's risk of needing a major fix is 12.28%, which is 4.41% lower than the class norm. Long-time owners also see less of their initial investment fall away over a decade. CarEdge indicates that the Camry's 10-year residual value is 43.59%, meaning this sedan only depreciates by 56.41% over a decade of routine use. If you bought it new for $34,869, your Camry would still be worth about $15,199.

Although the Accord is one of the vehicles that are more reliable than the CR-V, at least in some categories, it doesn't beat its larger cousin in terms of long-term ownership. About 7.2% of the Accords that have been on the road for at least 15 years are maintained by their original buyers, about 1.2 times the rate of the average vehicle. The Accord also comes with an impressive 8.8% likelihood of making it past the 250,000-mile threshold. GoodCarBadCar puts this sedan's 2025 sales figures at 150,196. U.S. News suggests that a new Honda Accord can be picked up for $30,695, which is 37.71% under the average cost for a new car.

This relatively modest upfront cost comes with affordable long-term maintenance costs as well. CarEdge indicates that owners usually spend $5,807 on general upkeep and repairs across a decade. This is only $61 above the average for similar sedans, but far under the market norm for all vehicle types. In addition, drivers of the Accord enjoy a 16.08% likelihood of having to pay for a considerable issue in the same time period. This is better than the risk of comparable models. The Honda Accord is a standout model for depreciation resistance, too. This sedan often maintains nearly half of its value after a decade, sporting a 10-year residual value of 45%. Putting this in real-world terms, purchasing a brand-new Accord for $36,241 would leave you with $16,308 value after 10 years of regular use.

The Honda Civic is one of the best cars for retirees under $25,000, with a starting price of $24,595 for its base-level trim, according to U.S. News. Beyond affordability, this in-demand sedan delivers on longevity. A solid 6.7% of the Honda Civics that are at least 15 years old are still driven by their original owners. This is hovering closer to the average, but still exceeds the industry standard. These fuel-efficient vehicles also see a 10.9% chance of lasting at least 250,000 miles, a staggering 2.3 times higher than the norm. The Honda Civic is the 12th best-selling model of 2025, with a respectable 238,661 units sold, according to Kelley Blue Book.

The Honda Civic is another standout vehicle in terms of maintenance expenses. It may only undercut the typical sedan's 10-year upkeep costs by $112, but this sedan is much cheaper in this department than the average vehicle, only costing about $5,634 over the course of a decade. CarEdge also suggests this sedan comes with a 16.08% risk of requiring a serious fix during the same period. This is about 0.61% lower than comparable models, but much lower than the market standard. The Honda Civic also excels at long-term residual value. In 10 years of routine use, this sedan holds onto a stunning 53.3% of its value. To put this into perspective, owners still retain about $14,658 of their original investment after a decade, assuming the vehicle was bought new for $27,500, according to CarEdge data.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is full of surprises. It's the sole Chevrolet model and one of only two trucks on this list of the most reliable vehicles owners keep for 15 years. Of the models that have been driven for a decade and a half, 6% remain in the hands of original buyers. Furthermore, the flagship Chevy pickup has a 12.9% chance of lasting to a minimum of 250,000 miles. That may fall in line with the industry average, but it's far above the norm for trucks. On top of that, the Chevrolet Silverado is one of the few trucks more reliable than the Ford F-150, which is the top-selling vehicle of 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book. For its part, Chevy moved a stunning 587,527 Silverado units in 2025, as reported by GoodCarBadCar. The Silverado 1500 production year last reviewed by U.S. News has a baseline trim price between $37,000 and $46,300. This is among the most expensive on this list of long-term reliable vehicles, yet still below the new-car average by up to 24.9%.

This lofty price tag is mirrored by higher-than-average maintenance costs, both for this grouping and the class standard. CarEdge puts the 10-year upkeep expenses for the Silverado 1500 at $10,950, which is $1,325 above those of similar trucks. Owners face a 30.98% likelihood of needing to cover a serious fix across a decade, 1.35% higher than the odds of similar models. Following a decade of regular use, the Silverado 1500 maintains roughly 38.15% of its initial sales price. This leaves owners with $22,100 of their upfront investment, assuming the truck was sold for $57,929, per CarEdge depreciation stats.