10 Cars Proven to Get to 200,000 Miles and Beyond
An exclusive Consumer Reports survey shows these sedans, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks are in it for the long haul
By Jeff S. Bartlett
Almost any car can make it to 200,000 miles and beyond, if you’re willing to throw enough money at it.
But that's not necessarily a good idea. It's better to buy a safe, reliable model, and then properly maintain it. Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual, take care of minor problems as they arise, and keep it clean.
These are the 10 cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks that Consumer Reports survey respondents most often reported reaching more than 200,000 miles, drawn from the survey's responses. They're listed in order based on the total number of responses, with the Toyota Camry the top model.
Given that we're looking at a long span of years for this analysis, be aware that road-test scores, reliability, and other ratings vary over time. Whether buying new or used, it is wise to check the ratings available on the CR model pages for the specific model year you are considering.
Click through the links below to read the complete road tests and see the detailed reliability, owner satisfaction, and pricing information.
Toyota Camry
Sure, it might seem vanilla, but the Camry truly delivers what shoppers want in a midsized sedan.
The Camry offers a no-fuss driving experience, great outward visibility, controls that fall easily to hand, and a roomy interior. A quiet cabin, slick powertrains, a comfortable ride, and sound handling make it pleasant and capable.
Year after year this sedan delivers outstanding reliability and solid owner satisfaction. The Camry acquitted itself well in crash tests, and fuel economy is competitive. We got 26 mpg overall with the V6 engine and 28 mpg with the four-cylinder, topping out with the Hybrid's 38 mpg. The redesigned 2018 Camry is currently on sale.
Honda Accord
The Accord is one of the better midsized sedans. It is well-equipped and competitively priced, and it performs well. It handles responsively, though the ride can be a bit choppy. It has a roomy and well-finished interior.
The four-cylinder gets 30 mpg overall with its continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 3.5-liter V6 is lively and refined, and gets a decent 26 mpg overall. But the infotainment system on EX and above versions is unintuitive. Standard automatic climate control is a nice feature, but the LX lacks a power seat.
The Accord Hybrid has an EPA rating of 48 mpg combined. (Learn about the 2018 Honda Accord coming in fall 2017.)
Toyota Prius
In our tests, the Prius returned 52 mpg overall, a significant improvement over the previous generation's 44 mpg. On top of that, the new car also handles more responsively and rides more comfortably. Colorful digital gauges dominate the dashboard with abundant fuel-economy information. The touch-screen infotainment system is fairly straightforward.
The sensible Prius has always been about efficiency and low operating costs. The car can drive solely on electric, up to about 25 mph typically, and the engine is now quieter when it kicks in. However, tire noise is noticeable, and cabin access is not as easy because of the car's lower stance.
A plug-in version, the Prius Prime, can go about 23 miles on electric power, and takes five hours to charge on 120V. For 2017, forward-collision warning with automatic braking is standard.
Honda CR-V
The redesigned CR-V gains features, space, and optional turbo power. While the base LX trim is fitted with a carryover 184-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, EX and above trims sport a 190-hp, 1.5-liter turbo. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard and works well with either engine. Fuel economy is impressive at 28 mpg overall for the EX.
Handling is more nimble and sure-footed, and the ride is steady. There's less road noise and a quieter cabin. The interior is comfortable and roomy, particularly the rear seat, and more upscale.
Controls have been improved. An available 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility and Garmin navigation. Available safety gear includes automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning.
Toyota Sienna
As minivans go, the Sienna is a sensible choice, but it isn't very engaging to drive. The Sienna rides comfortably and is quiet inside, but handling is lackluster.
It has a lively 3.5-liter V6 engine but the new eight-speed automatic doesn't shift as smoothly as the previous six-speed version. However, the transmission helped improve fuel economy to 21 from 20 mpg. The all-wheel-drive version—the only minivan on the market that has AWD—sacrifices 1 mpg.
An eighth seat cleverly stores in the back when it isn't installed in place. The 2017 update also brought a standard backup camera, an additional LATCH attachment, and a front-passenger seat-cushion airbag. Reliability has been above average. That and the availability of all-wheel drive are the Sienna's biggest advantages over any other minivan.
Read the complete Toyota Sienna road test.
Honda Civic
The Civic is substantial and capable. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder and optional 1.5-liter turbo deliver good fuel economy, and the turbo brings more oomph and readily available power.
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) amplifies the noise of the base engine; it works better with the turbo. The ride is comfortable, handling is precise, and the interior has a lot of storage space. However, the car's low stance means you may have to perform the limbo to get in and out. In addition, the front seats lack adjustable lumbar support, which could cause discomfort.
We found Honda's infotainment system to be unintuitive—the only way to avoid it is to get the base LX. Forward-collision warning is available. A four-door hatchback and Si version are new. A 306-hp Type-R performance version has just joined the model line.
Read the complete Honda Civic road test.
Toyota Corolla
The Corolla delivers a comfortable ride and has a quiet, spacious interior for a compact sedan. Handling is lackluster but very secure. A sportier S version has a tauter suspension with marginally better handling.
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) is fine when loafing around but can elicit loud engine noise under higher revs. Fuel economy is excellent at 32 mpg overall and returns 43 mpg on the highway.
Inside, padded and stitched surfaces contrast with a number of drab, hard-plastic bits. Upscale features include standard Bluetooth connectivity, automatic climate control, and a touch-screen radio with simple controls. The rear seat is one of the roomiest in the category. For 2017, Toyota has made forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking standard.
Read the complete Toyota Corolla road test.
Toyota 4Runner
Tough and ready to tackle off-roading adventures, the truck-based 4Runner falls short of most modern SUVs on all other counts. Its rough-sounding 4.0-liter V6 engine is powerful and reasonably fuel-efficient. But the ride is unsettled, and handling is clumsy. The body leans noticeably while cornering, and the bobbing and bouncing ride chips away at driver confidence.
A high step-in and low ceiling compromise access and driving position. The SR5's 4WD system is part-time only. A third-row seat is optional, and the power-retractable rear window is handy. Reliability is well above average, but it scores too low in our testing to be recommended.
Read the complete Toyota 4Runner road test.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander ranks among the best midsized, three-row SUVs, with a desirable balance of an absorbent ride, responsive handling, and generous interior space. A third row allows seating for eight in a pinch—seven with optional second-row captain's chairs—and folds flat easily for more cargo stowage.
The punchy 3.5-liter V6 engine is matched to an eight-speed automatic for 2017. While the new transmission isn't as smooth as the previous six-speed one, it helped improve fuel economy to 22 mpg overall. The Hybrid version gets 25 mpg overall.
It's a long reach to some controls, particularly the touch screen. The Entune system includes a larger 8-inch screen. A comprehensive suite of safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, is standard for the 2017 model year.
Ford F-150
Ford's big-selling pickup truck has an all-aluminum body, which saves about 700 pounds over steel. Engine choices include a 3.5-liter V6 engine, 2.7- and 3.5-liter turbo V6s, and a 5.0-liter V8. For 2017 the 3.5-liter turbo gets an optional 10-speed automatic transmission; other models use a six-speed automatic.
We tested the 2.7- and 3.5-liter turbo engines, and each delivered abundant power. In our tests the 2.7 got 17 mpg overall, 1 mpg better than the turbo 3.5. The 2.7 is also surprisingly quicker from 0 to 60 mph.
The cabin is very quiet, but the ride is jittery. Safety offerings include forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. Other notable features include a 360-degree-view camera and integrated loading ramps. Reliability has dropped to below average. The F-150 receives significant updates for 2018.
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