How Long Do Toyotas Last?
On average Toyotas can last for over 200,000 miles, or 16 years—and the Tundra pickup truck may be the most reliable in the lineup.
Written by Jim Alexander
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Toyota is one of the biggest, most affordable, and most reliable car makers in the world. Owners can expect many models to last up to 250,000 miles—or 16 years—which makes it one of the best bang-for-you-buck brands on the road.
J.D. Power & Associates ranks Toyota as the 5th most reliable car brand overall and is the top-rated affordable brand, beaten only by four luxury car makers (including Lexus, which is owned by Toyota).
However, Toyota offers a wide range of vehicles and some models are more dependable than others. To help sort through all the data and help find the right car for you,
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Are Toyotas reliable?
In the simplest terms: Yes.
Toyota has long been regarded as one of the premier car brands for reliability and longevity on the road. Consumer Reports regularly features Toyota at or near the top of its rankings for reliability, and the brand is widely respected for its robust build quality, ease of use, and low maintenance costs.
For these reasons, many Toyota models are also bestsellers, with the Camry often topping the mid-sized sedan rankings. Other notable models are the
Highlander
and Sienna
—along with the ever-popular Prius, which revolutionized the gas-electric hybrid market.How many miles can a Toyota last?
Toyotas have an average lifespan of 200,000—250,000 miles.
With proper care and maintenance, Toyotas can run for a long time—some have even driven over 500,000 miles—which is why Toyota ranks near the top of Kelley Blue Book’s Top Resale Brands. If you want a new car and drive over the national average of 12,000 miles per year, this longevity is a factor worth considering.
How many years can a Toyota last?
The typical Toyota lasts around 16 years. This is better than its competitors, who average roughly 11 years on the road.
That being said, those who live in areas with more extreme weather often find that their cars degrade faster than those in milder climates. For example, the salt laid down on icy roads tends to corrode exposed pieces of metal, which can include the frame of your car.
Conversely, those who live in hot desert areas can see components made of rubber—like tires, hoses, and fan belts—dry out and crack earlier than expected.
Key Takeaway Toyotas are some of the most reliable cars on the road, but your local conditions may affect the kinds and amount of maintenance you need to keep them going.
The most reliable Toyota models
Toyota offers a wide range of vehicles—from compact sedans up to large trucks and minivans. Buyers also can choose from several different powertrains, including gas, electric, and (depending upon your location) hydrogen fuel cells.
No matter which vehicle is right for you, reliability is always a concern. Here’s what we look at to determine a car’s reliability:
- The number of mechanical issues
- The cost to repair those issues
- The number of recalls
We used
J.D. Power’s
Quality & Reliability ratings along with Edmunds.com’s
True Cost to Own® estimates to evaluate each Toyota’s overall cost of ownership to find the three most reliable Toyota models. Check them out below: Tundra
2021 starting price: $35,820
True cost to own (5 years): $58,649
J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 86/100 (great)
The
Tundra
is one of the most well-known trucks on the road and it’s got the stats to back it up. It ranked #2 in the Best Large Light Duty Pickups category by J.D. Power in 2021 and ranked #1 in Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value for its class. Avalon
2021 starting price: $37,150
True cost to own (5 years): $47,826
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 85/100 (great)
The
Avalon
is Toyota’s largest sedan and comes with either a traditional gasoline-powered engine or a hybrid, the latter of which offers 44 miles per gallon on the highway. Ranked #3 by J.D. Power in the Best Large Cars class, the Avalon is a great option for those who want space, efficiency, and reliability.Camry
2021 starting price: $26,070
True cost to own (5 years): $40,335
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 84/100 (great)
The
Camry
is one of the best-selling and safest vehicles on the road and was named the 2021 Best Midsized Car for the Money by U.S. News & World Report. However, the new model has proven to be divisive as Toyota took a bold approach with its exterior styling. Some love it, but the model ranked third-worst in J.D. Power’s APEAL study in the midsize car category. The least reliable Toyota models
Even the most reliable car makers can run into trouble with some of their models. The Prius and Supra rank at the bottom of reliability rankings for the Toyota brand.
Prius
2021 starting price: $25,550
True cost to own (5 years): $36,119
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 74/100 (average)
It’s a testament to Toyota’s overall build quality that one of its worst ranking cars still receives a grade of ‘average.’ One of the biggest issues found in J.D. Power’s review of the
Prius
comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) small-overlap, frontal-impact collision test, which gave the car only an ‘acceptable’ ranking for front passenger impact safety. GR Supra
2021 starting price: $44,115
True cost to own (5 years): N/A
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 61/100 (fair)
How to make your Toyota last longer
The best way to keep your Toyota on the road is to be a diligent owner. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your car in top shape:
- Use only OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts for repairs
- Keep your vehicle clean to prevent corrosive wear and tear
- Observe the manufacturer recommended maintenance schedules
- Frequently check your tire pressure and fluid levels
- Be a good driver! Observe the speed limit and traffic laws
MORE: Recommended maintenance schedule for a Toyota
How to find affordable Toyota insurance
Toyotas are some of the most reliable cars on the road. But when life throws you a curveball, it’s important to have the best car insurance to protect both you and your vehicle.
So if you want new car insurance or just looking for the cheapest price, the
Jerry
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This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country
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FAQs
What warranty does Toyota offer?
Every new Toyota comes with a 36,000 mile/36 month that covers everything apart from normal wear and tear. For those cars with gasoline engines, owners receive a 60,000 mile/60-month powertrain coverage which additionally includes seatbelts and airbags.
Are Toyotas expensive to maintain?
No, most Toyotas have below-average maintenance costs. The typical Toyota owner will pay $441 per year as compared to the national average of $652. This can add up to significant savings over the life of your car.
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