Toyota, hybrids outlast competition as buyers focus on reliability

Toyota tops the list of most-loved car brands as consumers continue to prioritize reliability and affordability when looking for vehicles.

Driving the news: With many drivers looking to optimize their vehicle purchase for longevity, it’s important to know which models owners hold onto the longest. IseeCars examined over 929,000 vehicles from 1981-2009 to find out which cars have been kept for more than 15 years and the manufacturers most likely to withstand the test of time.

• Toyota takes the top five spots on the list of most-loved vehicles, with the Highlander Hybrid ranking first overall, followed by the Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Tacoma and Prius.

• Hybrids take three of the top spots on iSeeCars’ list, a trend likely driven by their improved reliability and lower maintenance requirements.

• When it comes to manufacturers, it’s no surprise that Asian brands dominate the list. Toyota ranks first, with 5.6% of owners keeping their cars for 15 years or more, followed by Honda at 5.3%, Lexus at 4.4%, Mazda at 4.3% and Hyundai at 4.2%.

• Lexus’ appearance on the list is interesting, as it is the only premium automaker to score highly for longevity.

Zooming in: While few drivers keep their vehicles 15 or more years, the age of vehicles on the road is getting steadily older, sitting at roughly 12.6 years this summer. For passenger cars the total is even higher, averaging around 14 years. Several factors are driving this trend:

• Many buyers are looking to save money in the long term, leading them to purchase cars that rate highly for reliability. High prices for new models are also forcing many to keep their vehicles for longer.

• Manufacturing methods are also improving, allowing cars to last longer. However, while one would expect pricier automakers to score better, the list of most-loved models is instead dominated by Toyota, a mass-market brand.

• This may partially be explained by Toyota’s reputation and customer loyalty, but also raises questions about whether expensive price tags at competitors are justified.

Bottom line: Selling durable and reliable cars is crucial for dealers as they not only drive brand loyalty but also come with higher resale value. Knowing which models future-oriented buyers are most satisfied with can help retailers make the right inventory decisions and boost customer retention.

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