When you buy a Toyota, the expectation is that it will last. 100,000 miles is quick work, and 200,000 miles means your Toyota is just about breaking in. We were curious about which Toyota models go past 250,000 miles, so we recently scoured owner forums to find the absolute highest mileage Toyota models we could find. After searching through nearly 600 different entries from Toyota owners, we built a list of the highest mileage models we found.
Toyota vehicles are known for their stellar longevity, and to even make this list, the bare minimum threshold was 343,000 miles. Most cars will never dream of seeing numbers that high, but that goes to show you the quality standards expected of a Toyota. Let’s break down each entry to determine which Toyota models, from pickups to hybrids, make easy work of 250,000 miles and are capable of lasting much longer.
Models are listed in ascending order based on mileage, from the lowest to the highest.
2004 Toyota Sienna
Distance Traveled: 343,343 Miles
The first Toyota on our list is the brand’s iconic minivan, the Toyota Sienna. The 2004 Sienna was the first model year of the second generation, powered by the 3.3-liter 3MZ-FE V-6.
The MZ V-6 engines are notorious for oil consumption issues, but clearly, these V-6 engines are still capable of handling high mileage like a tank. This same engine was later used in the Lexus’s first luxury hybrid ever produced, the 2006 Lexus RX400h. This engine would have a solid production run of 13 years before being discontinued in 2015. According to Kelley Blue Book, you can find a 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE Limited for $4,175 or less, making it a no-brainer for a low-cost minivan with epic longevity.
2001 Toyota Echo
Distance Traveled: 376,000 Miles
Back when cars were affordable, there was a charming subcompact sedan called the Toyota Echo. The Toyota Echo only stuck around for a single generation between 2000 and 2005 and was always known for its fuel efficiency and reliability.
The Toyota Echo was the simpler predecessor to the Toyota Yaris, one of Toyota’s most humble and small vehicles. It was powered by the 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE inline-four, a reliable engine that barely cracked 100 horsepower. Amazingly, the 1NZ-FE inline-four has proven to be so versatile and relevant that an updated version is still in use today for some of Toyota’s Japanese market vehicles. According to Kelley Blue Book, if you are paying over $1,000 for a 2001 Toyota Echo, you have overpaid.
1997 Toyota Tacoma
Distance Traveled: 385,000 Miles
Toyota trucks are famous for their bulletproof reliability, and the 1997 Toyota Tacoma is a perfect example of that. Few vehicles are capable of surviving constant abuse like the first-generation Tacoma, which served as a replacement for the Toyota Hilux.
The 2.7-liter 3RZ inline-four featured in the first-generation Tacoma may not get as much love as its 2.4-liter 22R inline-four predecessor, but its robustness has been proven through decades of reliable service. Part of this reliability is attributed to its deep-skirt cast-iron cylinder block and forged crankshaft and connecting rods that were built for longevity. According to Kelley Blue Book, a 1997 Toyota Tacoma has a current resale value of $4,730.
2003 Toyota Sequoia
Distance Traveled: 390,000 Miles
If you want a versatile SUV that simply refuses to die, the 2003 Toyota Sequoia is an easy choice. The Toyota Sequoia recently topped our list of the SUVs most likely to hit 250,000 miles or greater with a 39.1 percent chance.
That is 8.1 times higher than the average SUV, and this reliability comes thanks to the Toyota V-8 engines that exclusively powered the first two generations of the Sequoia. Whether you opt for the 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE V-8 found in the first generation or the 4.6-liter 1UR-FE V-8 found in the second generation, there is no wrong choice. The 381-horsepower 5.7-liter 3UR-FE was the optional engine found in the second generation that combined performance with durability. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price for a 2003 Sequoia SR5 is $3,800 in our current market.
2009 Toyota Prius
Distance Traveled: 409,000 Miles
Few vehicles ever produced are capable of racking up miles quite like the 2009 Toyota Prius. The second-generation Toyota Prius cemented the relevance of hybrid technology and has had one of the largest long-term impacts on commuter cars.
The 1.5-liter 1NZ-FXE inline-four powering the 2009 Prius is one of the most fuel-efficient engines ever produced. The overall package only got better as the hybrid battery system is known to last 200,000+ miles without problems. Even when the battery packs do eventually go out, they are easy to replace and affordable, unlike modern hybrid vehicles. According to Kelley Blue Book, a 2009 Prius goes for $5,325.
1998 Toyota Corolla
Distance Traveled: 410,000 Miles
The Toyota Corolla is the world’s bestselling car of all time for a reason: it just works. The 1998 Corolla was the first model year of the eighth-generation Corolla and introduced the 1ZZ-FE inline-four engine.
The 1.8-liter 1ZZ-FE inline-four would become legendary for its low upkeep cost and unkillable nature, moving from a timing belt to a timing chain design. Despite also being known for early oil consumption issues, the 1ZZ-FE remains one of Toyota’s most reliable engines. According to Kelley Blue Book, a 1998 Toyota Corolla has a current resale value of $1,467.
2001 Toyota Tacoma
Distance Traveled: 420,000 Miles
Another Toyota that simply refuses to quit is the 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The 2.7-liter 3RZ-FE engine powering the 2001 Tacoma may not be the most powerful or fuel-efficient, but its reliability is unquestionable.
These engines are both easy to work on and have cheap parts, making them perfect for long-term ownership. Other than changing the timing chain at about 150,000 miles, the 3RZ-FE inline-four requires nothing but standard fluid changes. According to Kelley Blue Book, a 2001 Tacoma Regular Cab can be found between $6,100 and $6,875 with current market pricing.
2011 Toyota Corolla
Distance Traveled: 496,000 Miles
Rounding out the podium of our list is the tenth generation of the Toyota Corolla. The 2011 Toyota Corolla has proven itself as one of the most reliable commuter cars ever produced, and half a million miles isn’t just a fantasy but achievable.
Both the 1.8-liter 2ZR-FE inline-four and the 2.4-liter 2AZ-FE inline-four found in the 2011 Corolla are known for their low maintenance costs. An electric power steering unit replaced the previous hydraulic unit, improving fuel economy up to 35 MPG highway in the 1.8-liter models. Variants of the 2ZR-FE inline-four are still in production today, demonstrating this engine’s legendary longevity. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price for a 2011 Corolla is between $7,125 and $7,575, depending on trim.
2005 Toyota Corolla
Distance Traveled: 520,000 Miles
Starting to notice a theme? That’s right, the Toyota Corolla is the only vehicle on our list to appear three separate times, with two of those appearances in the top three. The 2005 Toyota Corolla may look bland compared to a new one, but its clear-cut reliability will make you forget all that.
The ninth-generation Toyota Corolla carries the same 1.8-liter 1ZZ-FE inline-four found in its predecessor with increased power output. If you wanted a little more spice with your Corolla, the 2005 XRS model sported the legendary 1.8-liter 2ZZ-GE, the same engine utilized by the Lotus Elise S2 111R. The 2ZZ-GE is one of the highest output per liter and highest revving engines ever produced, and still offers great fuel economy and durability. This goes to show you that the 2005 Toyota Corolla really could do it all. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price for a 2005 Corolla varies between $3,350 and $4,050, depending on trim.
1999 Toyota 4Runner
Distance Traveled: 600,000 Miles
Few Toyota models garner universal adoration quite like the 1999 Toyota 4Runner. Its reliability can only be considered the stuff of legend. To this day, this third-generation 4Runner is often considered the perfect generation due to its clean body shape and ideal size.
The 2.7-liter 3RZ-FE inline-four powered the base model 4Runner, while the 3.4-liter 5VZ-FE V-6 was the more powerful option found in the SR5 and Limited trims. Considering that the 3RZ-FE inline-four has appeared on this list three times, you can be assured it is one of Toyota’s most reliable engines. Despite this, the 3RZ-FE inline-four is still underrated among legendary Toyota engines. Part of this has to do with its relatively short production run of ten years, whereas some other iconic workhorse Toyota engines have seen over two decades of production. The 1999 4Runner is also the last model year when a manual transmission was offered in a 4Runner chassis. According to Kelley Blue Book, the current resale value of a 1999 Toyota 4Runner is $4,296.
Sources: Toyota, Toyota subreddit, Kelley Blue Book