Almost
any car can make it to 200,000 miles and beyond if you’re willing to
throw enough money at it. But that doesn’t mean that keeping your trusty
steed is a good idea. A less expensive and more hassle-free way to go
is to simply buy a safe, reliable model in the first place, and properly
maintain it for the long haul. Just follow the maintenance schedule in
your owner’s manual, take care of minor problems as they arise, keep it
clean, and you should be good to go.
The
models listed below are all safe bets to get to 200,000 miles and
beyond. Of the 740,000 vehicles represented in our annual subscriber
survey, these are the 10 cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks
respondents most often reported as having more than 200,000 miles. They
are listed in order based on the total number of responses on vehicles
that had 200,000 or more miles.
As
a bonus, all happen to be models that were Consumer Reports-recommended
cars when new. That means they’re not only reliable, but they also
scored well in our road tests.
Honda Accord
The
2016 Accord is the most-likely vehicle to get to 200,000 miles,
according to our Reliability survey. It is well equipped, competitively
priced, and performs well, making it one of our top-rated family sedans.
It handles responsively, though the ride can be choppy. It has a roomy
and well-finished interior, and gets 30 mpg overall with its mostly
unobtrusive continuously variable transmission. The 3.5-liter V6 is
lively and refined, and gets a very good 26 mpg overall. EX, EX-L, and
Touring trims have an unintuitive-to-use infotainment system. The Hybrid
model returned 40 mpg overall but is on a hiatus for 2016; Honda has
promised to bring it back with an updated powertrain in 2017.
Reliability has been above average.
Read the complete Honda Accord road test.
Toyota Camry
If
you’re looking for smooth, dependable transportation that skews toward
comfort and convenience, the Camry delivers what you need. Interior
appointments have been upgraded and center dashboard controls
simplified. Suspension changes made the already comfortable ride
steadier, and further isolated noise. Handling is sound and secure. The
2.5-liter four-cylinder delivers ample, unobtrusive power and returned a
competitive 28 mpg overall in our tests. The available 3.5-liter V6 is
punchy yet still got a very good 26 mpg overall, while the Hybrid gets
an amazing 38 mpg overall. The long history of solid reliability and
owner satisfaction scores is another asset.
Read the complete Toyota Camry road test.
Honda Odyssey
This
versatile and capable hauler combines clever and generous packaging
with responsive handling and a supple ride—surprising for a minivan. Its
vigorous 3.5-liter V6 and smooth six-speed automatic returned 21 mpg
overall in our tests. The Odyssey can seat eight in relative comfort,
with varying configurations for cargo and passenger needs. Easy access,
excellent child-seat accommodations, and abundant cabin storage add to
the family-friendly quotient. Among our few gripes is the tediously
complicated dual touch-screen infotainment system. In addition, fit and
finish and some material selection are not what one would expect at this
price, and all-wheel drive isn’t available.
Read the complete Honda Odyssey road test.
Honda Civic
Redesigned
for 2016, the Civic has been significantly improved, and is now a more
substantial, refined, and capable car than the previous model. The base
engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder; a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder
comes on EX-T and Touring versions. The continuously variable
transmission works well with the turbo. The ride is more comfortable,
handling is precise, and the quieter interior has a lot more storage
space. However, the car’s low stance means difficulty getting in and
out. In addition, the front seats lack adjustable lumbar, which could
cause discomfort on a long drive. Advanced safety features are
available, but a full blind-spot monitoring system is not offered. EX
trims and above have a complicated radio.
Read the complete Honda Civic road test.
Toyota Prius
The
new Prius is longer, lower, and wider than the previous version. It
relies on a new platform with an independent rear suspension that
contributes to more responsive handling and a steadier ride. Toyota
claims that with its upgraded engine, lighter hybrid system components,
and battery cells with a higher energy density, the new Prius will have
10 percent better mileage. Colorful digital gauges dominate the
dashboard and make it easier to access the infotainment features. The
sensible Prius has always been about efficiency and low running costs.
Toyota hopes to inject an emotional component, with more aggressive
styling and a more involving driving experience. The lower stance may
hurt ease of access.
Read the complete Toyota Prius road test.
Toyota Sienna
As
minivans go the Sienna is a sensible choice, but it isn’t very engaging
to drive. Interior fit and finish and controls were improved in 2015,
and the cabin was made quieter. The Sienna rides very comfortably, but
handling is lackluster. The 3.5-liter V6 is lively and returns a
respectable 20 mpg overall. The all-wheel-drive version—the only such
minivan on the market—sacrifices just 1 mpg. An eighth seat cleverly
stores in the back when it isn’t installed in place. That 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 the Honda Odyssey.
Read the complete Toyota Sienna road test.
Honda CR-V
The
CR-V is one of the roomiest, most functional small SUVs. The 185-hp,
2.4-liter four-cylinder and CVT returned 24 mpg overall in our tests.
All but the base LX version use a distracting, difficult-to-use, and
frustrating infotainment system. Handling is responsive and secure, but
the ride is stiff, with bumps coming through in a pronounced way. The
interior is somewhat quieter than before, but overall the CR-V is still
loud inside. The rear seats are roomy, and folding them is a breeze.
Small rear windows hurt the view out back, but the standard rear-view
camera helps. Reliability has been average of late. Active safety
features such as forward-collision warning are only available on the top
Touring trim.
Read the complete Honda CR-V road test.
Toyota Corolla
The
Corolla delivers a relatively comfortable ride for a small car and has a
quiet, spacious interior. Handling is lackluster but very secure. A
sportier S version has a more taut, responsive suspension. The
continuously variable transmission is adequate in delivering power to
the wheels. Fuel economy is excellent at 32 mpg overall, and returns 43
mpg on the highway. Interior upgrades include standard Bluetooth
connectivity, automatic climate control, and a touch-screen radio with
simple controls. Inside, padded and stitched surfaces contrast with a
number of drab, hard-plastic bits. The rear seat is one of the roomiest
in the category.
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. Its rough-sounding 4.0-liter V6 is
powerful and reasonably fuel-efficient. But the ride is unsettled, and
handling is clumsy. The body leans while cornering, and the bobbing and
bouncing ride chips away at driver confidence. Limited versions have a
tighter suspension with somewhat better control, but at the expense of a
stiffer ride. 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 to be
recommended.
Read the complete Toyota 4Runner road test.
Ford F-150
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