Some SUVs quietly surpass 400,000 miles, while most of their rivals are on their third owner or have already been scrapped. For a growing number of drivers, this is not luck but a deliberate strategy built on choosing proven high-durability models and treating maintenance like a long-term investment.
Data on high-mileage vehicles, along with owner records, show that with disciplined care, certain SUVs can realistically reach 500,000 miles and significantly reduce lifetime ownership costs. Here is how these vehicles deliver extraordinary longevity.
Maintenance That Makes Extreme Mileage Possible
Reaching 300,000 miles or more is rarely a matter of extraordinary engineering. It typically involves ordinary maintenance done on schedule. Engines and drivetrains fail early when owners skip oil changes, delay timing belt replacement, ignore transmission fluid intervals, or avoid suspension and brake work. Those who consistently stay on schedule typically reach 250,000 to 300,000 miles or more, while drivers who fall behind often struggle to reach even 150,000 miles.
Over a 25-year span, that discipline carries a cost. Consumer Reports data show that Toyota models average about $1,100 in maintenance costs during the first five years, and high-mileage estimates place long-term costs at $15,000 to $30,000 over 25 years. Spread across hundreds of thousands of miles, that spending becomes far cheaper than repeatedly financing new vehicles, turning a depreciated SUV into a long-life asset.
Used SUV Bargains With Long-Term Value
The used market is filled with SUVs that have already absorbed their steepest depreciation yet still have years of reliable service ahead of them. The Lexus GX is a prime example. The 2025 iSeeCars study reports an 18.3 percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles, which is more than triple the industry average of 4.8%. With proper maintenance, many GX models can deliver an additional 200,000 miles beyond their current mileage reading.
Shoppers often find GX models from 2005 to 2015 with approximately 150,000 miles priced between $25,000 and $40,000. This compares to $58,195 for a new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser. Many buyers view this as a form of depreciation “arbitrage,” as the first owner absorbs the significant financial hit while the second owner enjoys the bulk of the remaining life. For those who value durability over odometer fear, the savings can be substantial.
SUVs Most Likely to Reach 500,000 Miles
Toyota dominates the list of long-lasting SUVs. The 2025 iSeeCars Longest-Lasting Cars study ranks the Toyota Sequoia first, with a 39.1 percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles. Its 5.7-liter V8 and body-on-frame layout routinely exceed 300,000 miles, with some owners passing 400,000. Used Sequoias from 2010 to 2015, with 100,000 to 150,000 miles, generally sell for $25,000 to $ 45,000.
The 4Runner follows with a 32.9 percent likelihood of reaching 250,000 miles. Mid-2000s to mid-2010s models often surpass 300,000 miles when properly cared for. The 2025 model starts at approximately $42,765, while older, well-maintained versions list for $20,000 to $35,000. The Highlander Hybrid ranks third at 31.0 percent, with many examples hitting 250,000 to 280,000 miles. Hybrid models from 2011 to 2017 typically range from $18,000 to $30,000.
Lexus GX and RX models add luxury to Toyota’s durability. Early RX 350 models, along with their hybrid variants, often reach 200,000 miles or more, with hybrids showing a 17.0% chance of surpassing 250,000 miles.
American and Honda Models That Surpass Expectations
On the American side, the Chevrolet Suburban stands out. In continuous production since 1935, it holds an 11.8 percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles, according to iSeeCars. It’s a shared platform with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, using a well-tested 5.3-liter V8 that has served fleets for decades. Suburbans from 2000 to 2015 often sell for $20,000 to $50,000, while Tahoes from 2007 to 2015 range from $18,000 to $35,000. Yukons typically fall between $22,000 and $ 40,000.
The Honda Pilot is another notable long-lifer. With a 13.1 percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles, early Pilots built before 2015 frequently hit or exceeded that mark. Used models from 2005 to 2014 generally cost between $20,000 and $35,000. Newer Pilots with nine-speed transmissions have not yet accumulated sufficient long-term data, although early trends suggest they will likely be durable with regular maintenance.
How Engineering Shapes Longevity
Design language plays a significant role in the SUV’s lifespan. Seven of the top ten long-lasting SUVs use body-on-frame construction, which isolates stress in a separate ladder frame. This lowers the risk of structural damage, simplifies repairs, and provides the ruggedness needed for high-mileage use. Fleets often prefer this design due to its ease of service and consistency.
Toyota and Lexus vehicles also benefit from conservative engineering and overbuilt engines. The 2025 iSeeCars study notes that the average vehicle has a 4.8% chance of reaching 250,000 miles, while Toyota jumps to 17.8%. Nearly half of the top high-mileage SUVs are manufactured by this single company. Although unibody models like the Highlander and Pilot break the mold, they do so through tight engineering discipline and steady owner care.
The Real Cost Per Mile of New vs. Used SUVs
Mileage potential changes the financial picture. A new Toyota Land Cruiser, priced at nearly $58,195, and a used Toyota Sequoia, costing between $25,000 and $45,000, can both reach 500,000 miles with disciplined maintenance. At that distance, the Land Cruiser costs about 12 cents per mile. The Sequoia ranges from approximately $5 to $18 per mile, depending on the purchase price and maintenance costs.
Choosing new or used often depends on priorities. New models offer warranties and the latest safety technology. Used models offer lower upfront costs and, with attentive maintenance, similar long-term value. As vehicle prices rise, more drivers may adopt the long-life strategy behind these SUVs: select a proven platform, closely track servicing, and drive it long enough for its engineering to demonstrate its worth.
Conclusion: What These Long-Lived SUVs Reveal
High-mileage SUVs offer more than mechanical bragging rights. They represent a shift in how drivers think about value, longevity, and the actual cost of ownership. When maintained carefully, these vehicles demonstrate that a well-chosen platform can outlast several cycles of new-car purchases and significantly lower long-term expenses. The data also highlights how engineering choices, from body-on-frame construction to conservative drivetrain designs, shape decades of reliability.
For buyers navigating rising vehicle prices, these long-lasting models provide a roadmap for durability. They show that with the right SUV and a consistent maintenance routine, the concept of a lifetime vehicle is becoming more realistic, practical, and financially appealing. The takeaway is simple. Long service life is not an outlier. It is a strategy.
Sources:
iSeeCars 2025 Longest-Lasting Cars, Trucks, SUVs Study
Car and Driver 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Pricing and Specifications
Consumer Reports 2025 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Cost Analysis
Edmunds Used Vehicle Pricing and Valuation Database
CoPilot Search Honda Pilot Reliability and Longevity Data