Top 10 Longest Lasting Cars On The Road

July 4, 2018 Auto News

There are numerous factors to think about when it comes to purchasing a vehicle. Colour, model and fuel mileage are only a few of the many things to consider. But what about how long you’ll be able to drive your vehicle for? It’s an important aspect that can ultimately save you money down the road.

According to Consumer Reports, the average Canadian drives their vehicle for an average of 11 years. That averages approximately 300,000 kilometres! However, the report also says only one per cent of drivers use their vehicle for that distance without running it to the ground.

So how do you get the best of both worlds: drive your car for as long as possible without paying thousands in repairs? A good rule of thumb to remember is the more bells and whistles a vehicle has the more trouble and complications they often come with. Another fundamental rule of purchasing a long-lasting vehicle is to ensure it’s designed to fit your needs. If you’re a long-distance driver, you’ll want a vehicle with superior comfort, range and cargo space.

To put all this research into perspective, we’ve determined the top 10 vehicles on the road in 2018 that you’ll want to invest in.

Here’s what we considered when compiling our research:

Reliability: How likely a vehicle is to hold up based on problems reported in numerous Canadian surveys.
Owner Satisfaction: What type of reviews drivers left on various website threads.
Safety: How a vehicle performed in government or insurance industry crash tests (if the vehicle had been tested).

Here’s the top 10 vehicles that landed on our list, starting with the best:

Top 10 cars that last the longest miles

Kia Forte
Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic
Toyota Camry
Subaru Outback
Ford Taurus
Acura TL
Chevrolet Impala
Buick Encore
Nissan Murano
Best Cars to Buy in Canada

Kia Forte

Though this compact model may not seem like the flashiest car on the market, it certainly scores well with customer reviews and its safety track record. The Kia Forte is a fuel-efficient vehicle with a spacious interior and lots of features at a pocket-pleasing price. Online reviews proved this vehicle stands the “long-lasting” test with many drivers saying their Kia’s have hit over 200,000 kilometres and still run great, which is why it makes the top of our list! Fill out our quick and easy online application to get pre-approved for a Kia Forte today.

Toyota Corolla

Toyota takes the “if it’s not broken, why fix it” approach when it comes to their vehicles. Even their newest models still offer features that date back to the 90s, like a four-speed automatic transmission. Its simple yet modern features allow it to be both reliable and affordable. Consumer reports claim the Corolla will take you past the 300,000-kilometre mark with just the basic maintenance.

Honda Civic

A simple car through and through, the Honda Civic is a winner when it comes to reliability, efficiency and practicality. It’s known for luring entry-level compact shoppers into showrooms while also enticing seasoned drivers with the option of coupe and sedan body styles. Plus, it’s been Canada’s top-selling car for 20 consecutive years, which has to say something, right?

Toyota Camry

Most people buy a Camry because they know once they do, they won’t have to for at least another 10 years. That’s one of the many reasons why it makes our top 10 list. Not to mention, it gets most owners past the 300,000-kilometre mark without a problem. Whether you go for a four or six-cylinder model, it really makes no difference when it comes to reliability and life-span. Though its models have held up their reputation over the years, its price has increased significantly. But if it stands the test of time, the price may not be your concern.

Subaru Outback

The Outback is the only model on our list with all-wheel drive, making it a surprising fit as a long lasting vehicle. But despite its niche market, Subarus have had a strong presence in customer satisfaction and reliability for well over 10 years. As more features have been added to this compact SUV, it’s consumer rating has fallen slightly, yet a large percentage of all Outbacks ever built are still on the road today.

Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus has managed to receive strong praise from drivers for passing the 300,000-kilometre mark while also withstanding harsh Canadian winters. One downfall to look out for: avoid EcoBoost models and stick with the base V-6 engine in order to ensure the best reliability.

Acura TL

Despite falling into the luxury vehicle category, the Acura TL regularly last upwards of 10 years for most drivers, which isn’t much surprise given it’s manufactured by Honda. Whether you go with a front-wheel or all-wheel drive model, its engine is easy to maintain over the long term.

Chevrolet Impala

The Impala continues to be a favourite among large car drivers. Its spacious yet quiet cabin gives it a luxurious vehicle-feel while still keeping it user-friendly. You may be wondering why it’s lower down on our list considering its straight A track-record. The reasoning for this is though it may last long, many drivers surveyed said it does require several repairs along the way. All-in-all, an Impala will take you to the 300,000-kilometre mark but not without throwing some extra cash at it.

Buick Encore

This small SUV offers a luxurious interior while still remaining a comfortable ride for five passengers. Though the Encore will last you a long time, it will also set you back at least $20,000. A used model may be a more cost-efficient option — as long as it’s been well-maintained.

Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano scores across the board as stylish, quiet and fuel efficient. Though its reliability ratings have fallen with its newer models, many drivers say the older models stand the 300,000-kilometre test. You won’t find many class rivals that can match its interior quality and great gas mileage.

At Birchwood Credit Solutions there’s no bad time to secure car financing. We offer competitive rates and it takes less than two minutes to fill out our easy online application. Get in touch with our knowledgeable finance team to find out how to get pre-approved for a car loan before you start shopping.

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Written by

Rebecca Lake