The top 15 cars that original owners keep for 15 years or more are exclusively Japanese models and predominantly Toyotas, according to a new study by iSeeCars.com.

Earning the top spot is the Toyota Highlander midsize SUV, with 18.5 percent of original owners keeping the vehicle for 15 years or more, two and a half times the average for all vehicles.

The automotive research firm analyzed more than 750,000 cars from the 1981-2003 model years sold in 2018 to determine which cars are most likely to be kept for at least 15 years.

Toyota holds 10 spots among the top 15 models, followed by Honda with three.  

“Japanese vehicles are known for their quality and reliability, which is reaffirmed by the results of this list,” iSeeCars chief executive officer Phong Ly said in a news release on the study.

The charts below provide a summary of the findings are courtesy of iSeeCars.

SUVs account for the majority of the vehicles on the list with eight, but the list includes a mix of additional vehicle types, including pickup trucks, sedans, minivans, and even a hybrid. That shows consumers can find an enduring vehicle to match their unique needs, Ly said.

After the top-ranked Toyota Highlander, three additional Toyota SUVs make the list, including the sixth-ranked Sequoia, the 11th-ranked RAV4, and the 14th-ranked 4Runner.

“These Toyota SUVs all have above-average reliability ratings, which likely contributes to why their owners choose to hold onto them,” said Ly.

The second-ranked Toyota Prius is the only hybrid on the list.

“Because of the added upfront cost of hybrid vehicles, owners have the incentive to keep their cars for longer to accrue fuel savings to offset the initial expense,” Ly noted. “The oldest hybrid vehicle to remain in continuous production, the Prius’ appearance on the list helps dispel concerns about battery durability and shows that Toyota’s quality and reliability standards extend beyond its conventional fuel vehicles.”

Two minivans make the list — the third-ranked Toyota Sienna and the eighth-ranked Honda Odyssey.

“Minivans are the consummate family vehicles ideal for families with younger children due to their practicality and accessibility,” said Ly. “However, these vehicles are so reliable for families that they may be keeping them after their children have grown when a minivan is no longer necessary.”

Two Honda SUVs — the fourth-ranked midsize Pilot and the ninth-ranked compact CR-V — are among the vehicles most likely to be kept for 15 years or more.

“Both vehicles consistently earn high reliability and safety ratings making them popular family vehicles that stand the test of time,” said Ly. The lone luxury vehicle on the list comes from Honda’s luxury marque, Acura, with the MDX in the 13th spot.

“The MDX shares a chassis with the Pilot, which suggests that both are well-made vehicles that are depended on by their owners.”

Also making the list are two Toyota pickup trucks: the fifth-ranked Tundra and the seventh-ranked Tacoma.

“The Tundra has frequently been named as the ‘Most Dependable Large Pickup’ according to JD Power, and the Tacoma has consistently been the best-selling midsize pickup truck,” said Ly. “The fact that their owners don’t want to give their trucks up speaks to the dependability of Toyota pickups.”

Two Toyota midsize sedans, the 12th-ranked Camry and the 15th-ranked Avalon round out the list.

“The Camry and Avalon are built on the same platform and both achieve excellent reliability ratings,” noted Ly. “While many manufacturers are discontinuing sedans due to the declining popularity of the segment, there is still a demand for the popular Toyota sedans due to their excellent quality.”

The lone Subaru on the list is the 10th-ranked Forester compact SUV.

“The Forester is a reliable vehicle known for its safety and affordability, which are both characteristics of the Subaru brand,” said Ly. “The vehicle offers standard all-wheel drive and impressive fuel economy, which appeal to practical consumers.”

Comparison of brands

As reflected in the model analysis, Japanese brands produce the most cars that owners keep for 15 years or longer. Of the five brands that score above the 7.5 percent average for all vehicles to be kept for at least 15 years, four are Japanese. Korean brand Hyundai ranks fourth with 8.9 percent of original owners keeping cars made by the brand for at least 15 years.

Rankings by Metro Area

iSeeCars analyzed the data geographically to determine the metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of cars with original owners who keep their vehicles for at least 15 years. iSeeCars identified 35 metro areas where the percentage of cars kept by original owners for at least 15 years is at least 1.2 times greater than the national average of 7.5 percent.

“Vehicles that are kept for so many years show that they can stand the test of time and likely don’t have to frequently undergo expensive repairs,” said Ly. “Those looking for a reliable and enduring car have a variety of options across all vehicle types.”