These 15 SUVs Outlive Most Sports Cars
A neighbor of mine had an old Toyota Land Cruiser that looked like it had survived three lifetimes and a small war.
Dents, faded paint, a squeaky door hinge that could summon birds, but it ran like a champ.
Meanwhile, my cousin’s flashy European coupe spent more time waiting on parts than actually moving.
Some SUVs are built with the kind of stubborn reliability that makes sports cars seem fragile in comparison.
They may not corner like a dream, but they just keep going, long after the speed demons have tapped out.
1. Toyota Land Cruiser
Built like a tank but way more comfortable, the Land Cruiser laughs in the face of time. Toyota engineers these beasts to last at least 25 years in the harshest conditions on Earth.
Owners regularly report odometer readings exceeding 300,000 miles with only basic maintenance.
In Australia, they’re nicknamed “the vehicle that built the Outback” because remote communities rely on their unfailing dependability.
Even the oldest models command premium prices on the used market—a testament to their legendary durability.
2. Lexus GX
Underneath its posh exterior beats the heart of a mechanical warrior. Sharing DNA with the Land Cruiser, the Lexus GX combines opulent comfort with Toyota’s bulletproof reliability.
Maintenance records show these luxury tanks routinely surpassing 250,000 miles while their owners enjoy heated leather seats and premium sound systems.
The 4.6-liter V8 engine is so overbuilt that mechanics joke they rarely see one in for anything beyond routine service.
Many first-generation models from 2003 still command $15,000+ on the used market.
3. Toyota 4Runner
Rock crawling one weekend and school carpooling the next—the 4Runner handles it all without breaking a sweat.
Many owners report their odometers rolling past 300,000 miles with the original transmission and engine still purring along.
Toyota’s legendary build quality shines through in this body-on-frame beast. The simple, proven design lacks fancy electronics that tend to fail in other vehicles.
A 1996 4Runner recently made headlines after crossing the million-mile mark with its original engine—something no Ferrari owner will ever experience!
4. Honda Pilot
Soccer practice, grocery runs, cross-country road trips—the Pilot handles family life while laughing at the concept of retirement.
Honda’s engineering excellence results in an SUV that regularly sees 250,000+ miles without major issues.
The V6 engine in these workhorses is so reliable that mechanics often joke they get bored servicing them.
One Florida family documented their Pilot reaching 600,000 miles with just routine maintenance.
Unlike temperamental sports cars, the Pilot doesn’t mind sitting in traffic or idling during endless school pickup lines.
5. Acura MDX
Sleek looks hide this luxury SUV’s incredible staying power. Beneath its sophisticated exterior lies Honda’s bulletproof engineering—the same DNA that keeps Pilots running for decades.
The MDX’s V6 engine routinely crosses the 300,000-mile threshold while still delivering smooth power.
One Chicago owner documented 420,000 miles on his original engine before finally trading up to a newer model (also an MDX, naturally).
While sports car owners worry about every raindrop, MDX drivers plow through blizzards year after year without drama.
6. Ford Expedition
Massive, mighty, and seemingly immortal—the Expedition keeps American families moving long after lesser vehicles have given up.
Ford’s full-size SUV benefits from the same robust engineering as the F-150 truck platform it’s built upon.
The 5.4L and later 3.5L EcoBoost engines regularly surpass 250,000 miles when properly maintained. One Texas rancher documented 745,000 miles on his 2003 model before reluctantly replacing it.
Unlike delicate sports cars, the Expedition doesn’t mind towing 9,000-pound trailers or navigating unpaved roads for decades on end.
7. Chevrolet Suburban
Celebrating over 85 years in continuous production, the Suburban earned its longevity reputation the hard way—by actually lasting forever.
These massive people-movers frequently log 300,000+ miles while shuttling families, towing boats, and conquering road trips.
Their truck-based chassis and simple mechanical design mean fewer complicated systems to fail. Secret Service units still use specially-modified Suburbans because of their legendary reliability under pressure.
A Minnesota family made news when their 1999 model crossed 1.2 million miles with the original engine still running strong.
8. GMC Yukon
Sharing its robust platform with the Suburban but wearing more upscale clothes, the Yukon combines durability with surprising refinement.
The beefy frame and proven powertrains regularly see these SUVs crossing 300,000 miles with minimal drama.
Professional drivers particularly love the Yukon for its combination of comfort and unstoppable reliability.
A Chicago limousine company reported one of their Yukons surpassing 400,000 miles of continuous commercial service.
While exotic sports cars hide under covers during winter, the Yukon charges through snowstorms year after year without complaint.
9. Toyota Sequoia
Named after one of Earth’s longest-living organisms, the Sequoia lives up to its moniker with incredible longevity.
Toyota’s largest SUV shares its powertrain with the legendary Tundra pickup, resulting in extraordinary durability. The 4.7L and later 5.7L V8 engines regularly exceed 300,000 miles with basic maintenance.
A California surf instructor made headlines when his 2001 Sequoia passed 650,000 miles with only one transmission rebuild.
Unlike temperamental sports cars, the Sequoia doesn’t mind being packed with wet surfboards and sandy kids day after day.
10. Nissan Armada
Flying under the radar while quietly outlasting flashier competitors, the Armada inherits its toughness from the global Patrol platform.
Nissan’s largest SUV packs a robust V8 that mechanics praise for its simple, overbuilt design.
The first-generation models (2004-2016) are particularly renowned for their mechanical simplicity and durability.
One Arizona owner documented 380,000 miles on his original engine and transmission.
While delicate sports cars need climate-controlled garages, the Armada handles scorching desert heat and freezing northern winters with equal indifference.
11. Jeep Grand Cherokee
Conquering trails Monday and corporate parking lots Tuesday, the Grand Cherokee combines rugged capability with surprising longevity.
The 4.0L inline-six engine from earlier generations has achieved legendary status among mechanics for its nearly indestructible nature.
Later V8 and V6 powerplants continue the tradition of exceptional durability. A Montana forest ranger reported his 1997 model crossing 400,000 miles while still handling mountain trails with ease.
Unlike exotic sports cars that panic at the first snowflake, the Grand Cherokee has been conquering blizzards and muddy trails for decades.
12. Honda CR-V
Modest in size but mighty in lifespan, the CR-V routinely outlasts vehicles twice its price.
Honda’s engineering excellence shines through in this practical package that regularly exceeds 300,000 miles with minimal fuss.
The efficient four-cylinder engines seem almost immortal when properly maintained. A New York taxi company made headlines when their fleet CR-Vs averaged 350,000 miles before retirement.
While sports car owners obsess over every oil change, CR-V drivers sometimes forget maintenance entirely—yet these compact warriors keep soldiering on regardless.
13. Subaru Forester
Rain, snow, mud, or shine—the Forester keeps going when lesser vehicles surrender.
Subaru’s legendary all-wheel-drive system and horizontally-opposed engines create a uniquely durable package that thrives in harsh conditions.
Vermont mechanics report regularly servicing Foresters with over 300,000 miles still tackling harsh New England winters. The simple, accessible design makes maintenance easy and affordable.
One Maine mail carrier documented 425,000 miles on her 2005 model, still delivering on rural routes through blizzards that leave sports cars garage-bound for months.
14. Mazda CX-5
Proving that longevity doesn’t require sacrificing style, the CX-5 combines head-turning looks with surprising durability.
Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology creates engines that maintain efficiency and performance well beyond 200,000 miles.
The CX-5’s rigid chassis and corrosion-resistant body help maintain structural integrity for decades.
A Canadian photographer documented 280,000 miles on his first-generation model while still praising its responsive handling.
Unlike finicky sports cars that demand premium fuel and constant attention, the CX-5 keeps looking good and running right with minimal maintenance.
15. Hyundai Palisade
Despite being relatively new to the market, the Palisade is already building a reputation for bulletproof reliability.
Hyundai’s dramatic quality improvements over the past decade culminate in this three-row SUV that’s engineered to last.
The 3.8L V6 engine features dual continuously variable valve timing and a cast iron block for maximum longevity. Early adopters report trouble-free ownership well past 100,000 miles.
Hyundai’s confidence shows in their industry-leading warranty—they’re essentially betting the Palisade will outlast most competitors by a significant margin.