Start a conversation about long-lasting cars, and Toyota will undoubtedly be part of the discussion. This automaker has come a long way from exporting small and cheap cars to the U.S. almost 70 years ago. Today, according to Statista, Toyota is the world’s largest automaker by volume.

This growth didn’t happen by accident. Over the decades, the company built a reputation for selling durable and reliable vehicles – Toyotas consistently dominate the “250,000-mile club.” A recent unscientific look at the iSeeCars.com marketplace shows 4,600 cars with at least 250,000 miles on their odometers. Of these, 686 wear a Toyota badge. Among Japanese brands, Honda came in a distant second with 388 high-mileage examples.

The 250,000-mile club isn’t an official designation but a milestone of exceptional vehicle longevity. Not many cars make it this far. Keep reading as we explore why Toyotas often reach this benchmark, how dependability saves car owners money, and what Toyota models lead the pack.

The Durability of Toyota Vehicles: Built to Last

Toyota’s success comes from building durable, high-quality vehicles that can go the distance. This approach doesn’t involve promises or marketing slogans but focuses on design and manufacturing.

Toyota’s use of robust, time-tested components is at the core of this methodology and the resulting long-term reliability of its cars. For instance, many Toyota models use timing chains instead of timing belts on brand-new vehicles. A timing chain usually lasts the engine’s lifetime, while a timing belt needs replacement every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. In addition, a failed timing chain or belt can lead to catastrophic engine failure in most cars. So, going with the more durable option reduces the chance of expensive repairs in the first place.

Another example involves Toyota’s reduced reliance on turbochargers. Turbocharging helps maximize engine power but can add extra stress, making it another component that can become a trouble spot. While some Toyota performance vehicles use turbochargers, mainstream models like the Camry and most Corollas have avoided this technology.

Similarly, Toyota keeps it simple when it comes to transmissions. Ten-speed units hit the market in 2017 to improve performance and fuel efficiency, but some automakers have stumbled with these complex gearboxes, causing reliability issues. Toyota took a slower and more steady approach, gradually introducing ten-speed transmissions in select models. This gradual rollout helped engineering and manufacturing catch up to the technology.

Toyota gets criticized for not being the most innovative manufacturer, but sticking with what works aids in dependability. BMWs are technology-laden vehicles with engaging driving characteristics, but these advancements come at a price. RepairPal rates the German automaker 30th out of 32 brands for reliability. In contrast, Toyota ranks eighth.

Quality Engineering and Consistent Performance

Toyota’s reputation for reliability isn’t just about using durable parts but also how those parts work together. The company dedicates significant resources to maintaining quality control and high manufacturing standards. This happens through the Toyota Production System (TPS), which emphasizes continuous improvement and waste reduction. The net result of the TPS are vehicles that improve over time while staying affordable.

Toyota’s engineering philosophy also focuses on designing vehicles for consistent performance over time. This means a car will operate just as well in the future as it does when leaving the factory. For example, Toyota engineers its powerplants to have greater tolerances between moving parts, translating into fewer problems over hundreds of thousands of miles.

We’ll skip the technical details (here’s an in-depth MotorTrend article on the subject), but this approach significantly reduces the risk of significant mechanical failures. The trade-off can be a less refined and less powerful engine, but the average Camry or Corolla owner is more concerned with getting from Point A to Point B than extra horsepower or torque.

Engineering also plays a role in Toyota’s hybrid technology. What started as a novelty a quarter of a century ago with the then-quirky Prius has transformed into a significant shift in automotive powerplants. Over the past two-plus decades, Toyota has worked to ensure its hybrid vehicles are just as reliable as ones with conventional engines. In fact, a 2023 Consumer Report survey revealed that hybrids have 26% fewer problems than standard gas vehicles, with many Toyotas contributing to these findings.

Toyota is so confident in its hybrid technology that the Sienna minivan became hybrid-only in 2021, and the all-new, ninth-generation Camry only has a hybrid engine under the hood.

Low Maintenance Costs: Key to Longevity

One of the reasons Toyotas frequently make it to the 250,000-mile club is their reputation for low maintenance costs. Theoretically, any car can be kept on the road with an unlimited repair budget, but the reality is that some repairs (such as engine or transmission work) can cost more than an older car is worth.  In this situation, an affected vehicle usually finds a final parking space at a junkyard.

A YourMechanic study confirms that Toyotas are less expensive to maintain. Toyota owners spent an average of $5,500 over ten years to keep their cars on the road, lower than the 29 other car brands analyzed. The most expensive? BMW, with a ten-year service tab of $17,800. Drilling further into the details, the Toyota Prius was the cheapest to own, with a 10-year repair and maintenance average of $4,300.

Several factors contribute to Toyota’s low maintenance costs:

• Reliable Components: As mentioned, Toyota designs its parts to require less frequent replacement, minimizing the amount owners spend on repairs.
• Simple Designs: Many Toyota models feature straightforward engineering, making repairs easier and less time-consuming, which helps lower costs.
• Wide Parts Availability: Thanks to Toyota’s popularity, parts are readily available, often at competitive prices and through aftermarket companies.

These factors add to generally less-expensive repairs for Toyotas. Using a Toyota Camry as an example, let’s look at how much specific components cost compared to other sedans. The amounts are based on RepairPal-supplied estimates, including labor:

Toyota Upkeep: Tips for Improved Longevity and Reduced Costs

The best way to keep your Toyota on the road longer and for the least amount of money is obvious: regular maintenance. These steps include:

• Oil and filter changes (every 5,000 miles or as indicated in the owner’s manual)
• Fluid check and top-offs
• Tire rotations and alignments
• Annual inspection (separate from a safety check to spot early troubles of major mechanical systems)
• Other tasks as recommended by Toyota (such as brake fluid or coolant replacement, new spark plugs, air filter change, etc.)

Toyota’s Reliability Across Multiple Models

Reliability is not a hit-or-miss affair with different Toyota models. All Toyotas have a generally good reputation for dependability. A 2024 study by iSeeCars.com identified the top 30 vehicles most likely to reach 250,000 miles or more, and, unsurprisingly, Toyotas occupied nine slots, including the top five. If the sole Lexus, the GX SUV, is added to the list, Toyota can claim one-third of the spots.

The Toyota Tundra pickup received top honors as one of the longest-lasting vehicles, with a 36.6% chance of joining the 250,000-mile club. Second place was earned by the Sequoia SUV at 36.4%, followed by another SUV, the 4Runner, at 26.8.%  The Tacoma pickup and Highlander Hybrid SUV rounded out the top five.

You may have noticed a pattern among the potential high-mileage favorites: they’re either SUVs or trucks. These results make sense, as these vehicles are built to more robust standards because they’re frequently used to haul heavy payloads or pull trailers. Automakers recognize this, often adding elements to help manage the extra loads, like more robust suspension components or heavy-duty cooling systems.

Yet these beefier standards didn’t exclude other Toyotas from iSeeCars’ longevity list. The Avalon, Highlander, Camry, and Prius also made the top-30 cut. Overall, Toyotas have a 17% chance of reaching 250,000 miles or more. Honda came in second at 13.6%

The fact that longevity isn’t limited to a single Toyota model or body style reinforces the company’s reputation for reliability. This is a critical reason why Toyotas, especially older ones, are always in demand.

Endurance Protects Your Toyota for the Long Haul

While Toyotas are known for their reliability, no vehicle is immune from breakdowns, especially when approaching high mileage. An extended car warranty (also known as an auto protection plan or contrato de servicio de vehiculo) can provide essential peace of mind, a must-have for car owners without the benefit of a factory warranty.

Endurance offers programs for Toyotas (and most other brands) that protect against mechanical issues that might otherwise leave owners with headaches and significant repair bills. Affordable powertrain coverage safeguards the engine, transmission, and drive axles, often the systems with high service costs.

Expanded programs protect other vital areas, such as the electrical system, suspension, steering, air conditioning, and cooling system. Many car owners opt for Endurance Supreme coverage, which is similar to a new car garantía de parachoques a parachoques. Endurance also offers tailored converge for high-mileage or commercial-use Toyotas.

Advantages of Endurance Warranty

• Protection Against Unexpected Repairs: The risk of a breakdown and surprise repair bills increases with every mile. An Endurance plan cushions against high service costs, making ownership of an older car more predictable.
• Choice of Repair Facilities: Endurance customers can select any certified shop, including dealer service departments, for covered repairs. We have also partnered with RepairPal to provide convenient access to thousands of certified repair facilities across the U.S.
• Increased Resale Value: For a small fee, an Endurance Warranty plan can be transferred to a new owner, making an older or high-mileage Toyota more attractive to potential buyers.
• Inflation Protection: Regardless of how expensive car repairs will be in the future, an active Endurance plan will lock in your coverage at the initial rate. Plus, there are no premium increases to worry about.

Endurance Auto Protection Benefits

Endurance planes de protección de automóviles go beyond just covering repairs; all customers enjoy comprehensive benefits:

• 24/7 Roadside Assistance: Round-the-clock support for towing, lockouts, jump starts, and more.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: If your car needs extensive covered repairs, Endurance can help cover the cost of a rental car.
• Trip Interruption Coverage: A reimbursement allowance that helps cover lodging and food costs for breakdowns while away from home.

In addition, all plan holders are eligible for a free year of Beneficios de élite. Just pay a small enrollment fee for access to tire repair and replacement services, key fob replacement, collision repair discounts, and total loss protection.*

Learn how to protect your Toyota and other cars with Endurance auto protection. Visit our online store for instant price and plan details, or request a Cotización Gratis. Call (800) 253-8203 for personalized help from an Endurance plan advisor.

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