Buying a new car in 2021 means sifting through a bigger range of models than ever, trying to find the perfect car. No matter what buyers are looking for, one thing everyone wants is durability. It's all very well having a machine that drives great and has heaps of power, but if it lasts a few thousand miles then falls apart it's no good.
Luckily, the market is currently awash with cars that are capable of driving several hundred thousand miles with very little maintenance at all. Mostly, those cars are big, family SUVs, but there are also a few hidden gems that might surprise many car fans. So, let's take a look at the models to buy in 2021 for those who need something that will do 300,000 miles without issue.
10 Chevy Suburban
A full-size SUV capable of carrying a family and all the luggage they could need, the Chevy Suburban is an unsurprising candidate for a high-mileage car. Not only is it comfortable for long road trips, but it's big enough to fit everything in too.
A 2019 survey by iSeeCars analyzed the mileage of cars coming up for sale on the used market, giving an insight into which models tend to sport the biggest figure on the odometer. According to the study, 0.2% of Suburbans for sale had more than 300,000 miles on. That might not sound like a lot, but in the context of how many Suburbans change hands every year, it's actually a lot more common to find a 300,000 miler than many buyers might think.
9 Ford Expedition
Another high-ranking car in the ISeeCars study was the Ford Expedition, a full-size SUV that shares much of its platform with the best-selling F-150 pickup. Like the Suburban, it's big enough to fit a whole family and their belongings, so it attracts a similar demographic of buyers.
The number of cars coming up for sale with over 300k stands at 0.2%, although it's worth noting that this figure just includes cars that are put up for public sale. Therefore, the total amount of 300,000-mile Expeditions may well be much higher than the figure from the study.
8 Lexus LS
Lexuses have topped charts for reliability and build quality for decades now, so they're a very solid choice for an ultra-high mileage car. The LS is the brand's flagship sedan, which starts at $76,000. That might seem a lot, but it's great value considering the miles that a new buyer could do in it.
Older-model LS sedans very regularly cross over the 300k mark, with the highest pushing half a million miles. Lexus' reputation for durability is just as bulletproof as it was back then, so there's no reason to think that a brand-new LS couldn't easily reach that mileage, or even more.
7 Toyota Sequoia
Yet another big SUV, there's very much a running theme with most of the high-mileage cars on this list. This time, it's Toyota's turn, with the Sequoia being easily able to pass several hundred thousand on the clock.
iSeeCars puts the figure at 0.4%, although the total percentage is likely higher as a full 9.2% of trucks sold in 2019 had over 200,000 on them. That means there's an awful lot of examples out there that by now will have ticked well over the 300k mark.
6 Subaru Outback
The quintessential rugged Subaru, the Outback has long been a favorite among buyers who need something resistant to all weathers, terrains, and seasons. It makes sense then, that when it's used as a long-distance driver, the Outback holds up very well.
Historically, some Outbacks have had engine issues, but that was down to a faulty part that Subaru is no longer using for the 2021 model. So, buyers of a new Outback today can rest easy knowing their car will likely drive them for several hundred thousand miles before needing major repair work.
5 Toyota Corolla
Another Toyota, the Corolla is a long-serving hatchback that's deliberately over-engineered by Toyota for maximum durability. It means old Corollas can go for years, often being passed from driver to driver down generations.
They won't be the fastest or most exciting cars around, but they will last for pretty much as long as their owner wants them to. It's not uncommon to see 300,000-mile examples, especially where multiple members of a family have used the car as a long-distance commuter.
4 Ford F-150
One of America's best-selling vehicles, the F-150 is a true classic. It's achieved its status thanks to the Ford promise of being Built Tough, which has come to mean lasting durability and quality construction.
There's been a few model years where quality has slipped slightly, but so far it seems 2021 cars are as durable as Ford buyers have come to expect. That means driving the truck long distance shouldn't be an issue, especially with proper maintenance.
3 Honda Civic
Civics are small, cheap, and surprisingly dependable little hatchbacks. Most drivers who do crazy mileage each year won't pick one, so it might take longer for a Civic to reach the 300,000 mark than some other models. But, when it does get there it should still be in good shape.
There are reports of Civics with over 500,000 miles on them, and even a few that have reached the million-mile mark. With that kind of reliability, there should be no problems taking the Civic for as many miles as its driver can manage.
2 Mazda Miata
The mantra of Japanese build quality doesn't just cover family sedans and SUVs, it extends all the way into their sports cars too. One of the reasons the Mazda Miata is so popular is that it can pretty much handle whatever is thrown at it, including being abused on a track or on the road.
If it's more carefully driven, a Miata will quite happily roll to 300,000 miles and beyond. Owners' forums even talk of cars that have close to half a million miles and still haven't had any major work done. It might not be the most practical of cars in terms of cargo space, but a Miata will certainly beat out a lot of much more expensive competition on the durability front.
1 Toyota Land Cruiser
The undisputed king of high mileage, the Toyota Land Cruiser is the car to get for those who need to cover huge distances. ISeeCars' study puts the Land Cruiser as the top-traveled car on the market, with 1.5% of cars sporting over 300,000 miles.
It might not be the most luxurious or most technologically cutting-edge SUV on the market, but it's undoubtedly the most durable. Unfortunately, 2021 is the last year that American buyers will be able to purchase one of these cars. That's because, thanks to slow sales, Toyota has decided to retire the car in the States after this model year.