Top 5 Midsize SUVs that will last over 300,000 miles

Following is the list of top 5 Midsize SUVs that have excellent track record of reliability and should be expected to easily get to 200,000 miles. Even if your SUV is not in this list, it can still reach 200,000 miles as there are a lot of good SUVs out there.

5. TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Almost 21% of the Highlanders had over 200,000 miles, study range is 2001 and 2008. None of the vehicles crossed 300,000 miles in this study, but there is one 2003 highlander that reached 299,000 miles. It was four cylinder engine model, but the V6 performance is also top notch.

There were very few number of hybrids sold compared to gasoline, but still the hybrid version from 2006-2007 had 38% of vehicles having more than 200,000 miles. The highest mileage was of a 2006 model which had 253,000 miles. The Consumer Reports rated the hybrid number 3 vehicle of midsize SUVs in 2005.

The highlander have a few other issues that the other top 4 selected vehicle do not. Although, they are general very reliable SUVs, but their 2002 and 2003 models had some engine issues and 2008 model had an oil cooler leak. If you are looking for a used highlander, then 2004-2007 models have less issues, but for hybrid version there was a recall in 2013, so be cautious of that.

4. LEXUS RX 300 / 330

The years in rage of this study is 1999-2006. The car which had the highest mileage was a 2001 model 3.0 V6 with 350,000 miles. Out of all vehicles 24 percent of them had more than 200,000 miles and there were three above 3,000 miles. The RX300 had the 3.0 V6, or 1MZ-FE engine which were in production from 1998-2003, while RX330 had 3.3 liter V6 and was in production from 2004-2006. They are popular for their extreme reliability . The total production was just over a million between 2000 and 2010. It is pertinent to mention here that models between 2000-2002 may be susceptible to engine sludge, so follow extreme oil change procedures.

3. ACURA MDX

The model years in this study is 2001-2009. The highest record was 381,000 miles on a 2004 model with 3.5L V6. Furthermore 26% of MDX had more than 200,000 miles and three vehicles had more than 300,000 miles. There haven’t been many issues recorded for this model. Consumer Reports in 2005 ranked the MDX at 7th place. The total production for MDX was about 500,000 from 2000-2010. Do note that early 2000s MDXs can have transmission issues, similar to early Accords and Odysseys with V6. Also for the models between 2003-2006, there was a Takata airbag recall which may send fragments into passengers, go to the dealer and have them replace the airbags for free.

2. HONDA PILOT

The vehicles in study were from 2003-2006. Highest recorded mileage was 378,000 miles on a 2003 model. 30% of total Pilots had more than 200,000 miles. Pilot also features a 3.5L V6 same as the MDX. The fact that this car offers third row seats is a treat for larger families. Pilot is built on the same platform as Accord, MDX and Odyssey. It was ranked at #2 in 2005 consumer report. Total production from 2000 to 2010 was over 950,000. There aren’t many problems with Pilot, but there were a few problems with ignition switches for 2003 model and also earlier models can have transmission failure. There is also a Takata airbag recall for 2003-2015 models of Pilot.

1. TOYOTA 4RUNNER

The model years in range of this study 1986 to 2007, however most of them were from late 90s and above. The highest record was 415,000 miles on a 2000 model with 3.4L V6. A jaw dropping 58% of 4Runners had more than 200,000 miles, 16% had more than 250,000 to 350,000 miles and 23 vehicles had more than 300,000 miles. It basically puts the competition to dust. Total production from 2000-2010 was around 900,000 vehicles. The issues are rare, but there has been a lawsuit filed recently about rusty frames, so if you’re in the rust belt then be careful of this aspect when buying used 4Runner, especially models from 2005-2011.