Toyota, Mazda Left Behind! The Most Reliable Used Car Brand Is This One: 'Durable, Retains Value, High Maintenance Rate' — Still Running Strong After 400,000 km

For consumers with limited car budgets, used vehicles have become a popular first choice. According to 2025 U.S. transaction data, the average price of a new car is about double that of a used car, prompting more people to turn to the used car market. However, experts warn that buying a used car shouldn't be based solely on price—factors like maintenance rate, durability, and long-term repair costs significantly impact the ownership experience.

Combining research from Consumer Reports and iSeeCars, foreign media have compiled a list of six highly reliable car models that, with proper maintenance, can last over 15 years or accumulate more than 400,000 km in mileage. Japanese brands once again emerge as the biggest winners.

Honda Ridgeline Takes the Crown—One in Four Owners Exceeds 400,000 km

In the durability rankings, the Honda Ridgeline stands out the most. Statistics show that approximately 5.5% of owners have used their vehicles for over 15 years, and a remarkable 25.8% of Ridgelines have surpassed 400,000 km in total mileage, demonstrating exceptional durability.

Another Honda SUV, the Pilot, also ranks highly, with about 5% of owners holding onto their vehicles for over 15 years and 17.5% of units exceeding 400,000 km in mileage. It is widely recognized as one of the most reliable SUVs on the market.

Actual owner feedback includes: "Congrats on getting a great American car—only concern is the towing capacity is limited to 5,000 lbs"; "It's a bit of a shame this car is in Texas. If it were in the Northeast, I'd definitely be driving it up the mountains for skiing every winter—it's perfect for that"; "Because the Ridgeline has a unibody chassis, it drives like a large SUV—comfortable interior and spacious"; "I really like this V6 engine—the acceleration sound is great, and paired with the 9-speed transmission, it's very smooth"; "I bought this car because it's unique and fun"; "Not bad—Ridgeline is a great car for men"; "A symbol of American toughness, which is why Americans love driving these pickup trucks, especially in Texas, where you see tons of them on the road"; "Ridgeline is one of my dreams too—awesome."

Toyota Claims Three Spots—Prius, Highlander, and Avalon All Make the List

Toyota secured three entries on the list: the Avalon, Highlander, and Prius.

The study indicates that all three models have over 6% of vehicles used for more than 15 years, and about 12% can exceed 400,000 km in mileage—far above the average for typical vehicles. Toyota has consistently ranked at the top in multiple vehicle reliability surveys in recent years, making it a top choice for used car buyers.

Mazda CX-9 Makes the Cut—Durability Rivals Popular Brands

Besides Honda and Toyota, the Mazda CX-9 is the only Mazda model to make the list.

Data shows that about 4.3% of owners have held their vehicles for over 15 years, and approximately 12.4% of units have exceeded 400,000 km in mileage. In the mid-to-large SUV segment, it enjoys a solid reputation for durability.

Veteran Mechanic Recommends 8 More 'Workhorse' Cars—Asian Brands Dominate with 7 Entries

In addition to the above list, veteran auto mechanic Chris Pyle has recommended eight 'affordable, durable workhorse' models, suggesting that with proper care, their lifespan could even surpass some luxury brands.

The selected models include the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius, Toyota Avalon, Subaru Legacy, Hyundai Sonata, and the Chrysler 300—the only North American brand on the list. Seven of the eight are from Asian manufacturers, reaffirming the durability advantage of Japanese and Korean brands.

Want to Save on Maintenance? 5 Low-Cost Repair Models Are Also Worth Considering

Besides durability, long-term repair costs are another key factor in used car purchases. The U.S. insurance quote platform Insurance Panda compiled a list of five models with relatively low repair costs: the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V, Kia Soul, and Volkswagen Jetta. These models are considered more suitable for budget-conscious or first-time used car buyers due to their readily available parts and affordable repair expenses.

Full discussion: Mobile01, PTT, Mobile01

Editor: Lin Li