Only 1 luxury sports sedan makes the list of vehicles most likely to last 15 years
Wondering which luxury car is built to last? If you’re looking for a sports sedan with long-term potential, the Lexus IS 350 might surprise you. When iSeeCars analysts ranked vehicles most likely to stay with their original owners for 15 years, only one luxury model cracked the top 13. It wasn’t a Mercedes, a BMW, or even a Land Cruiser. The Lexus IS 350 made the list—a model praised for blending thrilling performance with Toyota’s legendary reliability.
Not familiar with the IS series? The Lexus IS was Toyota Corporation’s answer to Europe’s top sports sedans. Launched in 1998, it quickly became known for its rear-wheel-drive excitement, first with an inline-six engine, and later with V6 and V8 options. Over the years, Lexus added turbocharged, hybrid, and V8 configurations to the IS lineup, creating a rare combination of speed and durability.
I know what you’re thinking next: Owners are keeping these things for 15 years!? Absolutely.
The iSeeCars team analyzed data from 929,000 cars sold in 2024. They found that while most cars are sold after a few years, owners hold onto a few legendary models at very high rates. Here’s how the list stacks up:
Top 13 most “loved” vehicle models
| Rank | Model | % 15-Year-Old+ Cars Kept by Original Owner | Compared to Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 7.0% | 1.9x |
| 2 | Toyota Camry Hybrid | 6.9% | 1.8x |
| 3 | Toyota Highlander | 6.6% | 1.8x |
| 4 | Toyota Tacoma | 6.4% | 1.7x |
| 5 | Toyota Prius | 6.3% | 1.7x |
| 6 | Honda CR-V | 6.3% | 1.7x |
| 7 | Ford Escape Hybrid | 6.3% | 1.7x |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 6.2% | 1.6x |
| 9 | Lexus IS 350 | 5.8% | 1.5x |
| 10 | Nissan Versa | 5.7% | 1.5x |
| 11 | Toyota Tundra | 5.5% | 1.5x |
| 12 | Honda Ridgeline | 5.5% | 1.5x |
| 13 | Subaru Forester | 5.5% | 1.5x |
How did a compact Lexus sports sedan end up among rugged Tundras and practical CR-Vs? First, it’s a coveted car. Rear-wheel-drive sports sedans are a blast to drive, and few front-engine, RWD models were available in that era. If you wanted Japanese reliability in that format, the Lexus IS was one of the only options.
This model has since built a cult following. Today, finding a used Lexus IS that hasn’t been modified into a race car is tough. So, owners who love these cars have plenty of reasons to hold on to them.
The BMW 3 Series might offer similar fun, but it’s nowhere near this list. In fact, seven of the top 13 cars for longevity are built by Toyota Corporation. The Lexus IS 350’s place here likely reflects Toyota’s legendary build quality. Maybe these cars truly are more reliable than competitors—or perhaps their owners trust that reputation enough to keep investing in repairs.
Want to experience this iconic sports sedan yourself? Check out used Lexus IS 350s near you and see why so many owners hold onto theirs for 15 years and beyond.
