If I asked you to guess which car Americans are most likely to keep for 15 years, you’d probably think of rugged off-roaders like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes G-Wagon, or a Cummins-powered Ram truck. Maybe even the iconic Jeep Wrangler. But the real answer is unexpected: it’s the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. That’s right, it’s both a crossover and a hybrid. And it is America’s most-loved car. Here’s the kicker: not only do Highlander Hybrids stay with their owners for 15+ years, but many are also still running strong after 250,000 miles.

What it means to be “most-loved”

Our source for this surprising result is an iSeeCars study that analyzed over 929,000 used cars, specifically those originally purchased between 1981 and 2009 and still held by their original owners as of January-September 2024. These vehicles were tracked to see how many original owners held onto their cars for 15 years or more. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid came out on top, with a higher percentage of owners keeping it for at least 15 years than any other model.

A crossover, not a heavyweight

While full-frame SUVs like the Wrangler and Land Cruiser are built on truck platforms, the Highlander Hybrid is a crossover, meaning it uses a unibody frame like most cars. Traditionally, body-on-frame construction was considered more durable, but Toyota’s unibody Highlander proves that a modern crossover can go the distance, too—offering more refined handling, reduced weight, and better fuel economy without sacrificing longevity.

“The functional, high-value nature of these models aligns with long-term ownership,” says iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer, noting that crossovers like the Highlander Hybrid provide families with the practicality and efficiency needed for daily life. Plus, the Highlander Hybrid’s blend of reliability, safety, and comfort has kept it at the top of many families’ lists for over a decade and a half.

The hybrid advantage

One reason for the Highlander Hybrid’s endurance is its electric drive system, which actually helps reduce wear and tear on key components. The electric motor launches the vehicle from a stop, easing the load on the gas engine and allowing it to warm up gradually. This reduces strain on the engine and contributes to its longer lifespan. Plus, the Highlander Hybrid’s regenerative braking system recaptures energy to recharge the battery while also reducing wear on the standard brakes.

According to Consumer Reports, hybrids are proving excellent for long-term reliability and fuel efficiency. “A hybrid can provide years of trouble-free miles, and they are a good defense against rising fuel prices,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports. Models like the Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Ford Escape Hybrid lead traditional cars in both reliability and efficiency. Fisher adds, “With a top-rated hybrid, you get solid reliability, better fuel economy, and lower maintenance costs without sacrificing acceleration, ride comfort, or cabin quietness.”

Long-term savings with a long-term keeper

When you keep a vehicle for 15 years, you save big on payments, insurance, and registration costs, which all decline over time. Brauer points out, “Keeping a car for 15 years means no loan payment for most of that time, along with falling insurance and registration costs.” And because the Highlander Hybrid is exceptionally reliable, it requires fewer costly repairs, giving owners peace of mind and more money in their pockets.

A hybrid crossover with a third row of seating is an ideal vehicle to own for 15 years. The Highlander Hybrid is relatively inexpensive to drive and maintain and its configuration adapts to a family’s changing needs over time. The numbers prove Toyota builds the most reliable option on the market, and its devoted owners are keeping it longer (and putting more miles on it) than the owners of even the vehicles with the most legendary durability—like the Wrangler or full-size trucks.

Ready to discover why the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is America’s most-loved car? Click here to see used pre-owned Highlander listings near you. Or explore configuring the perfect brand-new Toyota Highlander.