We often associate reliable and easy-to-live-with cars with Japanese automakers. The likes of Honda, Toyota, and Nissan have a long history of offering bulletproof vehicles. History is proof of this, even in luxury cars such as Acura and Lexus offerings.
However, that is not the whole story: this list shows that American and Swedish luxury cars can also be as long-lasting (if not more so) as their Japanese counterparts. From Volvo to Lincoln and Cadillac, this list includes notable entries with surprisingly low estimated maintenance costs and a strong preference for high mileage; some exceed 200,000 miles.
This list is organized in increasing order of the ‘percentage chance of lasting 250,000+ miles’ according to iSeeCars.
2021 Cadillac CT5
4.5 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
Don’t be disappointed by the low likelihood of this Cadillac CT5 reaching 250,000 miles; this is still a work in progress. Unlike the other older entries on this list, the 2021 CT5 is relatively new, with the first-gen m odel being introduced in 2020. Hence, for a five-year-old luxury sedan, this American car is doing pretty well. J.D. Power has rated it 80/100 for Reliability.
Thanks to this and an 80/100 for Driving Experience, the 2021 CT5 earns an overall 78/100, which helps it retain the second spot on J.D. Power’s ‘Best Midsize Premium Car of 2021’ list. Notable luxury features on this sharp-looking American sedan include dual-zone climate control and power-adjustable front seats. Going up the trim ladder unlocks features such as leather-wrapped heated seats, a power sunroof, and Super Cruise hands-free driving technology, among others.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $783 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,819 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 4 (NHTSA)
2016 Volvo S60
6.2 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
This nearly 10-year-old Volvo is a formidable contender to be a long-lasting luxury car. The Volvo S60 scores a solid 8.0/10 for Reliability on iSeeCars, supporting its longevity. Things are equally impressive: its J.D. Power rating of 83/100 (Reliability score of 85/100) helped it make the top 10 of the highly populated ‘Best Compact Premium car list of 2016’.
Luxury features are wholesome here. In keeping with timeless Scandinavian design, the cabin is layered with premium materials, including leather and wood trim. The 2016 S60‘s comfort is enhanced by features such as heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a heated windscreen, and certain higher trim levels also include additional sound insulation materials. Advanced safety features are also a highlight, with notable ones being Pre-Collision Detection and Blind Spot Information System.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $779 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,737 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 4 (NHTSA)
2020 Lincoln MKZ
14.2 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
Dialing the odds up in its favor is the highly underrated and underappreciated 2020 Lincoln MKZ. This luxury sedan scores an impressive 8.2/10 in iSeeCars‘ reliability ratings. This is further cemented by its solid overall score of 80/100 from J.D. Power, which helped it claim the second spot among the ‘Best Midsize Premium Cars of 2020’.
Behind the MKZ‘s rather mundane-looking exterior design is a wholesome suite of luxury and comfort features. It comes with leather-trimmed heated seats. The front seats also get power adjustability and even power lumbar support. Other luxury- and comfort-focused features include dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, and a power-adjustable steering column. Lincoln also offers genuine wood trim, and the top trim levels include ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and ambient lighting.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $831 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $12,416 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 (NHTSA)
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2008 Volvo XC70
16.1 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
This Volvo strongly reminds us of the iconic and indestructible 240, not just in its design but also in its reputation as a long-lasting luxury car. It scores a commendable 7.7/10 in Reliability on iSeeCars. This nearly two-decade-old Volvo XC70 also has a solid J.D. Power rating, with an overall score of 82/100. This is split between a Quality and Reliability score of 87/100, a Driving Experience score of 72/100, and a Resale score of 83/100.
Despite being an older car, the 2008 XC70‘s luxury features still make an impact. Notable features include leather upholstery, wood trim, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-way power driver’s seat with memory. For a 2008 car, it’s even more impressive to have features such as adaptive cruise control and advanced safety technologies, including a Personal Car Communicator and height-adjustable booster seats.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $661 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,082 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 8 (NHTSA)
2010 Lexus RX Hybrid
17.0 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
Despite being one of the oldest luxury cars on this list, the 2010 Lexus RX continues to deliver on Reliability. As per iSeeCars, it gets an impressive overall score of 8.4/10, which consists of a reliability score of 8.4/10, a Value Retention score of 8.5/10, and a Safety score of 8.4/10. It also remains relevant to today’s luxury cars in offering a commendable suite of features.
It comes with standard leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and wood or metal trim. It even has heated power front seats and was the first RX to feature the now-distinguished Remote Touch controller for the infotainment system. Other notable bits include heated mirrors, interior air filtration, and a moonroof.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $439 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,862 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 (NHTSA)
2021 Lexus GX
18.3 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
Completing its longevity claim is a solid iSeeCars reliability score of 8.4/10. The 2021 Lexus GX also makes a mark with a reliability rating of 85/100 on J.D. Power. This is the primary reason its overall score is 79/100, helping Lexus claim the second spot on J.D. Power’s ‘Best Midsize Premium SUVs of 2021’ list.
This brutish, off-road-ready luxury SUV gets a well-packaged luxury suite. The base trim includes features such as dual-zone climate control, leatherette upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a power moonroof. Going up the GX ladder unlocks features such as heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. Semi-aniline leather and a wood-trimmed heated steering wheel are features reserved for the top-of-the-line Luxury trim.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $770 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,110 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0 (NHTSA)
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2020 Acura MDX
22.1 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
While not as popular as luxury SUVs, the 2020 Acura MDX stands out for its impressive longevity claims. Supporting it is an iSeeCars reliability score of 8.4/10. It is also expected to have an average lifespan of 11 years, as per iSeeCars. The 2020 MDX scores a decent 79/100 on J.D. Power reliability ratings.
Acura impresses further by helping the MDX punch above its weight in terms of luxury appeal. This is mainly because even its base trim includes features such as perforated Milano leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control. Selecting the top-spec trim level (with the Advance Package) unlocks features such as ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and natural wood accents.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $571 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,564 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 6 (NHTSA)
2017 Lincoln Navigator
22.6 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
The Lincoln Navigator is a large SUV that also scores high in reliability. It scores 8.4/10 as per iSeeCars, which complements its longevity claim. On J.D. Power, it gets an overall score of 74/10, which is average but enough to help it slot in the third position among the ‘Best Large Premium SUVs of 2017’ list.
There is no dearth of luxury features on this eight-year-old SUV. It gets leather-trimmed seats, heated and cooled front seats, and an available 30-way adjustable seat with massage and memory function for the driver. Other bits include dual-zone automatic climate control, rear climate controls, and power-folding third-row seats. The 2017 Navigator‘s standard safety suite also includes features such as rear cross-traffic alert and the Blink Spot Information System.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,131 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $13,176 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 5 (NHTSA)
2018 Acura RDX
26.5 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
The 2018 Acura RDX‘s strong likelihood of exceeding 250,000 miles is supported by a reliability rating of 8.6/10, according to iSeeCars. They also estimate that this RDX can easily last for an average of 14 years. It also scores highly on J.D. Power ratings, with a reliability score of 85/100. This elevates its overall rating to 78/100, placing it fifth on J.D. Power’s 2018 list of ‘Best Compact Premium SUVs’.
What makes this luxury SUV more enticing is its comprehensive list of features. It gets leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat with lumbar control, and memory settings. It also gets available front ventilated seats. Other features include dual-zone automatic climate control, a power moonroof, and a range of standard driver-assist features.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $497 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,295 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1 (NHTSA)
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2020 Lexus IS
40.7 Percent Chance Of Lasting Over 250,000 Miles
The entry point to Lexus’s luxury lineup impresses with its exceptional reliability and strong track record of longevity. It has a 40+ percent chance of lasting over 250,000 miles, which is a solid reminder of its impressive reliability, thanks to Toyota’s roots. The Lexus IS scores an impressive 8.9/10 in iSeeCars‘ reliability ratings. While J.D. Power has not rated the 2020 IS model, it has given the very similar 2017 model a solid 89/100 for Quality and Reliability.
The luxury features are comprehensive and quite impressive for the affordable price. It gets leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard features on the base trim. Going up the ladder adds more premium features, such as power-adjustable seats with memory and heated and ventilated seats.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $551 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,110 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0 (NHTSA)
