The battle between sedans and SUVs clearly went the way of the SUV. It was not just a technical knockout, but SUVs have taken over the market to the point that many sedans have retired from the industry, much like older boxers who just don’t have it anymore. Still, family sedans have a place on the market and continue to thrive in some corners.Modern cars typically fit into very specific categories. Some are hybrids, meant to offer impressive fuel savings; others have a sporty bend, adding a bit of extra fun to the otherwise mundane daily commute; and others are part of the EV movement. Unfortunately, one sedan class has completely disappeared from the industry, taking with it a car that wasn’t showy, didn’t brag, and certainly wasn’t thought of twice, but could be relied upon to reach 250,000 miles or more without batting an eye. The Cars That Last The Longest Usually Don’t Chase Attention Longevity Favors Proven Design Over Flashy Innovation Toyota Durability, proven design, and rock-solid dependability are essential to a vehicle's survival in the rigors of daily driving. Although cars aren’t required to complete the same tasks as trucks and some SUVs, these are important key factors in ensuring drivers want to keep them and drive them every day. If you can depend on your car to get you where you want to go, you’re more likely to keep it and forgo buying another vehicle. Owners Focused On Reliability Maintain Their Vehicles Better Toyota It's no accident that brands that have become well-known for dependability and reliability attract owners who are more focused on maintaining those qualities. Owners who focus on proper care, scheduled maintenance, conservative driving, and consistency expect to be rewarded with vehicles that last much longer than owners who are lackadaisical about those things. While this means that any vehicle could become a long-lasting car, it also takes the right build and proven components for a vehicle to reach 250,000 miles or more. The Toyota Avalon Ranks Among The Longest-Lasting Cars On The Road iSeeCars Data Shows Strong Odds Of Reaching 250,000 Miles Toyota Despite no longer being part of the Toyota new car lineup, the Toyota Avalon is the highest-ranked mainstream sedan in the iSeeCars 'Longest Lasting Car Study.' This study, established in 2013, analyzes vehicles to determine which are most likely to reach 250,000 miles or more. The Avalon was one of the seven sedans to make the list last year, ranking just behind the Lexus IS. The Avalon has an 18.9 percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles, which is 3.9 times better than the industry average.Toyota In fact, Toyota dominated the study, taking 10 of the 25 spots among SUVs, sedans, pickup trucks, and minivans in the top 25 models. That says a lot about the brand, which has a long history of dominating reliability and dependability studies. Full-Size Sedan Comfort Doesn’t Come At The Expense Of Durability Toyota Once SUVs took over the market, the full-size sedan class was in trouble. Some models bowed out early: the Ford Taurus left after 2019, and the Chevrolet Impala lasted only one additional year, to 2020. The Toyota Avalon continued production until the 2022 model year, and then it was gone.Toyota Despite the complete destruction of the mainstream full-size sedan class, the Avalon represented itself and its brand extremely well until the end. It was what it had always been: a near-luxury sedan that offers comfort and quality rather than exciting driving dynamics. The Avalon’s comfort is perfect for up to five people, and as a top choice among durable, dependable cars, it offers built-in peace of mind that any owner can appreciate. Shared Engineering With Proven Toyota Platforms Boosts Reliability Powertrain Similarities To The Camry Add Durability Toyota At the end of its production run, the 2022 Toyota Avalon was offered with two powertrains. One was a traditional V6, familiar to many drivers, the other was a hybrid setup, meant to offer slightly better fuel mileage.The 3.5-liter V6 engine mates with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. This was good enough to allow the big sedan to reach 60 MPH in 6.1 seconds, which is more than quick enough for highway driving. The fuel mileage figures reach 22 city/31 highway mpg, making the Avalon efficient enough for most drivers.Toyota The hybrid powertrain comprises a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, delivering 215 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a CVT. This setup prioritizes efficiency over acceleration, and the 0-60 MPH time slows to 7.8 seconds while the efficiency increases to 43 city/43 highway mpg, which is still a respectable figure in 2026. Conservative Engineering Reduces Long-Term Risk Toyota If more companies utilized Toyota’s approach to engineering and product development, fewer recalls and issues would arise. For decades, the brand has focused on refining its existing technology instead of rushing major changes. This allows Toyota and its luxury arm, Lexus, to remain among the top brands in terms of reliability, durability, dependability, and longevity.Toyota Proven engineering processes and technology make the Avalon a long-term, low-risk sedan that could last much longer than most owners expect. Toyota has been building some of the most dependable V6 engines for decades, and its hybrid system was proven in the Prius. Of course, the Avalon’s longevity isn’t entirely tied up in the powertrain. It’s built well, easy to drive, and includes a tech package that makes it useful for modern drivers. Low Operating Costs Help Keep The Avalon On The Road For Decades Affordable Maintenance Encourages Long-Term Ownership ToyotaThe average maintenance cost for the Toyota Avalon is $463, making it one of the most affordable full-size sedans to own. Because it shares a platform with the Toyota Camry, parts are plentiful, and many service centers can easily maintain or repair the Avalon, making it much easier to own long-term. This affordable maintenance could lead many original owners to keep the Avolon for the full 250,000 miles or more. Efficiency And Durability Lower The Total Cost Of Ownership Toyota On the outside, the 2022 Avalon looks aggressive, benefiting from some of Toyota’s late-model styling changes. Underneath, it’s soft and enjoyable, built with durable parts, efficient powertrains, and easy-to-enjoy comfort. This combination of qualities, which adds up to a little bit of everything for drivers, makes the Avalon an excellent choice among used sedans. Consistent Maintenance Is What Pushes the Avalon Past 250,000 Miles Three Trim Choices For A Dependable Toyota Sedan Toyota The final Toyota Avalon came in three trim choices, all of which had the same V6 powertrain. The Avalon Hybrid also offered three trims. The XLE is the base model and is extremely well-equipped with LED lights, dual-zone automatic climate controls, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and road-size assist.The Touring trim takes things a bit further with larger wheels, an adaptive variable suspension, adaptive cornering lights, a power moonroof, a 10-inch head-up display, and wireless phone charging. The Limited trim adds to this with leather upholstery, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. The Avalon Hybrid’s trims are XLE, XSE Nightshade, and Limited. The XLE and Limited models mirror non-hybrid versions, but the XSE Nightshade adds the Nightshade appearance package, which includes gloss-black exterior elements and dark-gray wheels. Durable Build Quality Rewards Long-Term Owners Toyota When you hear people say that “things aren’t built like they used to be,” you can think of the Toyota Avalon among those things. Cars like this Toyota full-size sedan are made to hold up over time, which means owners simply need to commit to proper maintenance, and the Avalon will reward them. The Avalon delivers luxury-level comfort without sacrificing durability. It's extremely likely the Avalon will reach 250,000 miles or more, despite being one of the most overlooked full-size sedans on the road.