If you measure reliability in miles driven, cars with unkillable engines are for you. These incredible cars are made to run for a long time, each of them reaching at least 300,000 miles. Does this mean every model from these generations achieved this feat? Not at all. In order to achieve high mileage, vehicles must be subjected to regularly scheduled maintenance, driven conservatively, and have owners who are willing to properly care for them.
When purchasing a used car, you want to know if it’s going to last a long time. This means searching for cars that have a history of driving past 250,000 miles while searching for versions with low miles. These cars with unkillable engines have proved they can meet your needs by completing more than 300,000 miles of driving in some reported versions.
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The highest mileage figures were sourced from platforms based on reported mileage shared by owners. These platforms include CarSurvey, Reddit, and YouTube. The general vehicle information was sourced from various automakers. This list is sorted from lowest to highest mileage figures.
10
1995-1999 Toyota Avalon
Highest Mileage Recorded: 320,000 Miles
In its heyday, the Toyota Avalon was a favorite large sedan for many owners. This car gave you the cabin size you desired while also providing you with Toyota’s reputation for reliability and quality. The Avalon was the bridge between the Camry and some Lexus models, giving many owners a pleasant drive wherever they chose to take this impressive sedan.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
3.0-liter V6 |
Transmission |
4-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
200 hp |
Torque |
214 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
19/27 mpg |
The Avalon was easily one of the best full-size cars on the market, and it came with an unkillable engine that gave it the desired level of power and performance. This Toyota was stylish, reliable, and extremely roomy, ensuring you had a Toyota that felt more like a luxury car than a basic sedan.
9
2007-2013 Toyota Corolla
Highest Mileage Recorded: 415,519 Miles
You expect to find one of the best-selling vehicles of all time on this list. The Corolla has been around forever and has become well-known for its remarkable durability. It doesn’t seem right that a compact sedan would reach more than 400,000 miles, but that’s exactly what happened. This makes the Corolla extremely affordable and nearly unkillable.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
1.8-liter 4-cylinder |
Transmission |
4-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
132 hp |
Torque |
128 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
26/34 mpg |
This generation of the Corolla had some impressive upgrades to make it modern for the time. The Corolla does what it’s always done well, offering a comfortable ride, simple controls, and a quiet cabin. When it comes to driving quality and practicality, the Toyota Corolla has you covered.
8
1998-2001 Nissan Altima
Highest Mileage Recorded: 420,000 Miles
The early years of the Nissan Altima weren’t always the best for this car, but those early models built the reputation for this car as one of the longest-lasting models available. The Altima from 1998-2001 had many versions that racked up high mileage figures, enabling owners to enjoy their trusty steeds for several years of great driving.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
2.4-liter 4-cylinder |
Transmission |
4-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
150 hp |
Torque |
154 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
20/28 mpg |
The Nissan Altima developed a solid reputation for reliability, making this generation one of the many cars that could last over 300,000 miles, featuring an unkillable engine. The Altima came with a lot of great equipment, including alloy wheels, a CD player, and air conditioning.
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7
1997-2001 Toyota Camry
Highest Mileage Recorded: 500,000 Miles
You knew at least one version of the Toyota Camry would make this list. The Camry has been and continues to be one of the most durable and enduring midsize cars available. It’s been on the market for more than 40 years and has been one of the most trustworthy, dependable, and enjoyable cars in its class.
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Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
3.0-liter V6 |
Transmission |
4-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
194 hp |
Torque |
209 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
17/25 mpg |
When it comes to a favorite sedan, most Americans agree that the Toyota Camry is that car. This generation of the Camry stood tall and strong, despite a new Honda Accord arriving midway through. It’s hard to take down the champion, and this is easily the sales and quality champion of the midsize sedan world.
6
2015-2022 Toyota Prius
Highest Mileage Recorded: 500,000 Miles
The Toyota lovefest continues with a recent generation of the Toyota Prius. The Prius has been around for more than twenty years, but the previous generation from 2015 to 2022 takes the title of the highest-mileage model for this venerable hybrid car. The Prius is well known for its efficiency, but adding impressive reliability is simply icing on the cake.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
1.8-liter 4-cylinder hybrid |
Transmission |
CVT |
Horsepower |
121 hp |
Torque |
139 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
54/50 mpg |
The fourth-generation Prius not only lasts a long time, but it also comes with a wide range of driver assist systems and safety features. This generation had modern features, including forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning.
5
2002-2006 Lexus ES
Highest Mileage Recorded: 596,000 Miles
The Lexus ES is a brilliant luxury sedan filling the midsize role for the brand. This car does so many things well that it’s hard to find a flaw. The well-made interior with comfortable seats offers plenty of support. The quality of ride gives you gentle road manners, and you’ll enjoy the reasonable power coming out of the engine. There’s no denying the durability of this car and what it brings to the market.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
3.3-liter V6 |
Transmission |
5-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
218 hp |
Torque |
236 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
18/27 mpg |
This generation of the Lexus ES came with a comprehensive array of luxury and convenient features. It also had the benefits of advanced safety technology, which has been modern since the early 2000s. The excellent reputation for reliability meant this car was ready to take you wherever you wanted to go, and you knew you could trust it.
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4
2011-2017 Lexus CT 200h
Highest Mileage Recorded: 600,000 Miles
Do you remember the Lexus CT 200h? This little car is a hybrid hatchback that came from the Lexus brand to give you a luxury alternative to the Prius. The CT 200h included excellent fuel economy, impressive practicality, and an uncompromising build quality. The proven Prius powertrain gave this car the best chance at recording high mileage figures, which it did, hitting 600,000 miles.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
1.8-liter 4-cylinder hybrid |
Transmission |
CVT |
Horsepower |
134 hp |
Torque |
142 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
43/40 mpg |
While it was part of the lineup, this Lexus hybrid hatchback didn’t face much competition. It was a distinct choice for shoppers looking for something classier than the Prius but with the fuel efficiency and hybrid benefits that Toyota built into its hybrid car.
3
2016-2021 Honda Civic
Highest Mileage Recorded: 773,493 Miles
The Honda Civic is easily one of the cars with an unkillable engine, and this compact car hit its record mileage figure with a model from a recent generation. The outstanding reputation for reliability, sportiness, and affordable driving excellence makes the Honda Civic a shoo-in for this list. This little Honda has come in many varieties, making it easy to find one that fits your desires.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
Transmission |
CVT |
Horsepower |
158 hp |
Torque |
138 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
31/40 mpg |
The 2016-2021 Honda Civic is relatively modern, giving drivers many of the same qualities and features found in modern versions of this small car. The Civic provides excellent fuel economy and performance figures from turbocharged engines, which are more powerful and fun than the base setup.
2
2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra
Highest Mileage Recorded: 1,000,000 Miles
Hyundai didn’t always make the most reliable vehicles. In fact, when Hyundai and Kia first began selling vehicles in America, they were considered the bargain-basement vehicles and most were among the least reliable models on the road. Thankfully, Hyundai has done a lot to change that and the Hyundai Elantra has proven it has an unkillable engine with a model that reached 1,000,000 miles.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
1.8-liter 4-cylinder |
Transmission |
6-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
148 hp |
Torque |
131 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
28/38 mpg |
The Hyundai Elantra from 2011-2016 was considered a late bloomer. This car dates back to the 1990s and those models were not well-liked. This generation is certainly a strong departure from those early models by giving drivers some of the best features and qualities while providing dependable powertrains for Elantra drivers.
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1
1990-1993 Honda Accord
Highest Mileage Recorded: 1,003,440 Miles
Honda has a strong reputation for building some of the longest-lasting vehicles, and the Accord is one of them. The 1990-1993 Honda Accord is the fourth generation of this car that has been around for three decades, giving drivers Honda excellence for a long time. When you want to see one of the cars with an unkillable engine that lasts more than 300,000 miles, this is the car at the top of the list.
Most Popular Powertrain Specifications
Engine |
2.2-liter 4-cylinder |
Transmission |
5-speed manual |
Horsepower |
130 hp |
Torque |
142 lb-ft |
Driveline |
FWD |
Fuel Efficiency |
21/27 mpg |
The fourth generation of the Honda Accord brought more size and comfort to the market, making it one of the best midsize sedans of the time. This Honda challenged the Camry for dominance in the market, continuing the lengthy battle these two sedans have had with horns locked. The Accord was comfortable and reliable, making this model one of the best to ever hit the road.