While it's important for people to look good in their rides, it's just as important (and practical) to have one that's going to run a long time. A recent study conducted by iSeeCars details the top cars owners hang on to the most. To no one's surprise, Japanese automakers like Toyota and Honda dominate the list. Those manufacturers have earned a reputation over the years for making cars that can handle wear and tear. Americans won't hesitate to literally drive their cars into the ground over time. These cars, as a result, are a great fit for American car owners who don't care about looking flashy on the road and just want a dependable car they can rely on for 10 or more years.
Updated May 2022: If you want to purchase a car and you're wondering which ones are worth your hard-earned money, it may be a good idea to see which cars owners are least likely to part with.
Although people are missing out on upgrading to the latest and greatest, they opt for a more rational approach by saving money. It's worth highlighting these vehicles that owners hang on to the most for those who think practically. The further down the list goes, the longer owners hang on to these vehicles.
25 Ford Explorer SUV
There's a reason Ford's Explorer continues to be a go-to for American car owners over the years. Why buy a vehicle that'll start showing problems in 4-5 years when you could buy an SUV that's tested and proven to last? Although there's a decent looking outside to attract would-be owners, the Explorer has excellent fuel economy.
It gets about 17 mpg in cities and 24 on the highway, as per Car Buying Strategies. That equates to long-term savings considering how many miles the Explorer can rack up without showing it. Owners also tend to hang on to Explorers for nearly 9 years, according to a study by iSeeCars, which makes it a shoe-in on this list.
24 Chevrolet Corvette
Average car owners are practical when it comes to their vehicles. According to Autoblog, people tend to hang on to their cars for a little more than 7 years. Most of those owners are making payments for the first five years of owning the car, so it's not very long that they drive it paid off before getting rid of it.
The Chevy Corvette, on the other hand, is an exception from the norm. In a study by iSeeCars, owners tended to keep this sports car for 8.8 years before giving it up. Chevy has only improved on this car over the years, making it more appealing as time goes on.
23 Mercedes-Benz SLK
Another sportier car to make it on the list is the Mercedes-Benz SLK. Even more than the Chevy Corvette, owners according to iSeeCars tend to hang on to the Mercedes-Benz SLK for 9 years. That seems to defy the general stereotype about sportscar owners, who tend to upgrade more often than the average driver.
The SLK has a slick exterior that will make it hard for owners to give up theirs so easily. Plus, as per Car Buying Strategies, it comes with a 5.5-liter V8 underneath the hood that promises high performance. Possessing beauty on the inside and out, it's easy to see why owners keep theirs for so long.
22 Toyota 4Runner
Starting off the list is the Toyota 4Runner. This popular SUV has been a go-to for car buyers on the market today who're looking for a dependable and family friendly vehicle. Not only can it fit up to seven, depending on the trim, but it can tow up to 5,000 pounds, as per Car Buying Strategies. It even has off-roading capabilities, which makes it one of the most versatile SUVs.
According to Autoblog, in a study by iSeeCars, 4Runner owners tend to hold on to theirs for 8.8 years. It makes sense why they would, considering what all the 4Runner is capable of.
21 Ford Expedition
If there's one thing Americans love, it's their big SUVs. It may not be as sleek as the Mercedes-Benz SLK; but when it comes to SUVs, owners hang on to their Ford Expeditions for just as long.
In the study by iSeeCars, Expedition owners surpass the national average by keeping their vehicles for 9 years. With 20 mpg and room for 6 passengers—including loads of cargo space—the Expedition is a perfect vehicle for the family. Plus, it's got a 3.5-liter V6 that can do 375 hp, as per Car Buying Strategies, which makes this high-performing SUV a competitor to sportscars.
20 Porsche Boxster
One of the longest owned sportscars on this list, the Porsche Boxster has beauty, performance, and longevity all wrapped into one. According to Autoblog, in a study by iSeeCars, owners like to hang on to their Boxsters just shy of an astounding 10 years.
These two-seaters may not boast a lot of the features of other long-lasting cars on this list. Though what it lacks in consideration for the family, it makes up for with a combined 25 mpg and performance, as per Car Buying Strategies. Owners don't have to hesitate in taking their Boxster out for a drive when it comes that fuel efficient.
19 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV
It may cost an arm and a leg, but the Toyota Land Cruiser won't disappoint. This big Granddaddy of an SUV fits 8 and starts at $84,000, as per Car Buying Strategies. It's also really fuel-efficient and boasts a fuel tank that's nearly 25 gallons big that can go for up to 450 miles before needing another fill-up.
If that all doesn't sound too good to be true, it's also a vehicle that's known for racking up miles. It's not uncommon to find one of these with 200,000 miles or more. That's what makes Land Cruiser owners hang on to theirs for about 10.6 years, as per the study conducted by iSeeCars.
18 Honda Element
Don't judge a Honda Element by its size. These little cars can stand the test of time. Although the Honda Element isn't known for being the most comfortable ride, it's known for being safe and practical. Plus, car owners love its boxy shape.
Unfortunately, back in 2011, Honda discontinued production of the Element. That doesn't stop Element owners from keeping there’s though. According to E3 Spark Plugs, 23.1% of original Element owners keep theirs for 10 years or more. That certainly makes this one of the top cars people hang on to the longest.
17 Honda Pilot
There's no shortage of Honda vehicles on this list. Lots of models Honda churns out are going to last awhile. Though that doesn't necessarily mean the original owners will keep them around for as long as they run.
The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, is one such vehicle as per E3 Spark Plugs. In a study by iSeeCars, 23.3% of original Honda Pilot owners ended up still having theirs after 10 years. Since the 2003 model debuted, the Honda Pilot has been an appealing option for families looking for a midsized 4-door SUV that's still on the market today.
16 Lexus RX Hybrid
Luxury SUVs are all the rage these days. The first generation of Lexus RX models first debuted back in 1998. In 2005, Lexus rolled their hybrid models off the assembly line. Now, they're one of the most reliable cars on the market today.
Cheat Sheet reports that a sales study has shown that 24.1% of RX hybrid buyers held on to their SUV for 10 years or more. It's no surprise owners would want to hang on to this SUV considering how durable they are. In spite of being one of the early hybrids on the market, these have garnered a sustainable reputation both when it comes to the environment and stability.
15 Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf may not be the flashiest car. Though one thing Golf owners can count on is the fact that their car will defy Father Time. This car is idyllic for daily use. It gets an incredible 25 mpg in cities and 35 on the highway for those road trips, according to Car Buying Strategies.
It's also a vehicle that car owners hang on to the longest, in spite some of its shortcomings. According to the study conducted by iSeeCars, 10.6% of Golf owners end up keeping theirs for 15 years and beyond. It just goes to show that some American car owners are willing to put practicality over aesthetics and performance.
14 Nissan Frontier
There are some options car owners can choose from when it comes to the Nissan Frontier. The cabs and beds come in all shapes and sizes. As per Car Buying Strategies, they go from a 4X2 base model all the way up to 4X4 for the more ambitious owners willing to explore off the beaten path. Owners don't have to worry either should they decide to go into uncharted territories.
In a study by iSeeCars, 11% of Frontier owners hang on to theirs for 15 years or more. While it may not be the best or most popular pickup on the market today, owners are in no hurry to get rid of theirs.
13 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a versatile SUV. It's got comfort, plenty of cargo space and great mpg. It gets 26 in cities, 32 on highways according to U.S. News. It's more of a midsize SUV, so it only fits three passengers.
Though it's got high safety ratings and that counts for a lot. These are all great reasons to keep the Forester around. iSeeCars found out that 11.5% of Forester owners kept theirs for at least 15 years. It's not really surprising considering all the features a Forester boasts. Those looking for higher performance ought to look elsewhere though.
12 Toyota Camry
It's plain and simple why the Toyota Camry is one of the best-selling cars in America. Car Buying Strategies details some of the dependability an owner can expect behind this unassuming sedan. With 25 mpg in cities and 35 on highways, the Camry makes for a fuel-efficient ride that's going to be tempting for owners to hang on to. It's not unheard of for these vehicles to get up to 300,000 miles.
Although many American car owners can imagine hanging on to a vehicle for that long, others beg to differ. According to iSeeCars, there's a healthy 11.5% of Camry owners who hang on for 15 years or more.
11 Acura MDX
The Acura MDX is a midsize SUV that excels in comfort and indulgence. Depending on the trim owners go with, a host of cutting-edge technology is at their fingertips.
From four USB ports to a Siri app, along with a gratuitous eight-speaker system according to Car Buying Strategies, it's easy to see why owners hang on for so long. The iSeeCars study has 11.6% of Acura MDX owners pegged as long-term owners. Almost 12% tend to keep theirs for an impressive 15+ years. If every car had some of the capabilities an MDX does, more owners would keep theirs longer.
10 Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon is your typical sedan on the outside. Although larger than most of the sedans on the market, it's still agile and handles well. The Avalon gets 21 mpg in cities, 30 on highways as per Car Buying Strategies. Plus, it doesn't need premium fuel to perform this well.
This gives a reasonable case for why 11.7% of Avalon owners have theirs for 15 years and beyond. With models starting at $34,000, it's going to be tempting for prospective car buyers. As long as they don't need all the bells and whistles some of the higher trims have to offer, like built-in navigation and help with blind-spots.
9 Honda CR-V
Honda makes durable cars. That means a lot of them are going to make the cut when it comes to longevity. The study conducted by iSeeCars has three Hondas on the list starting with the Honda CR-V. According to the study, 11.9% of CR-V owners keep theirs for 15 years or longer.
Car Buying Strategies details the latest CR-Vs coming equipped with a 2.4-Liter engine that does 184 hp. While that's nothing to phone home about, the older models people have been hanging on to perform a lot less. It's safe to say CR-V owners value the durability of Hondas and the fact that a compact SUV like the CR-V can also accommodate families at the same time.
8 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma has been around for ages. It's also going to last owners for ages if they buy one. That doesn't mean it's gone through some changes over the years. The latest Tacoma model, as per Car Buying Strategies, comes with autonomous cruise control and a forward collision warning feature.
One thing that hasn't changed though is the lifespan of a Tacoma. That's the main reason Tacoma owners aren't eager to trade or dump theirs for something else. In iSeeCars’ study, 12.4% of Tacoma owners manage to have theirs for up to 15 years. That's a long time considering they probably deserve and can afford a new ride.
7 Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia—like many (but not all) of the cars on this list—don't look to offer much on the outside. There's a saying though to "never judge a book by its cover." That certainly rings true here for a large and popular SUV like the Sequoia. It's got performance for one thing.
As Car Buying Strategies notes, it packs a 5.7-liter V8 that can do 381 hp, which isn't shabby at all when it comes to an SUV. Next up, it's rugged and stands the test of time. A whopping 12.8% of Sequoia owners hang on to theirs for 15 years at least, according to iSeeCars’ study.
6 Honda Odyssey
Minivans often get a bad rap. They have a reputation that's synonymous with soccer moms instead of performance. Though when it comes to the Honda Odyssey, drivers get a long-lasting vehicle with decent performance.
Car Buying Strategies has the Odysseys equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 that can do up to 280 hp, which is sure to knock the socks of many cars on this list. Since those who buy an Odyssey are more practical-minded, it's no surprise they hang on to theirs longer. In a study by iSeeCars, 12.8% keep theirs for 15 or more years (which is the same as the Sequoia).