10 SUVs That Quietly Cross 250,000 Miles With Original Engines
Despite the SUV market moving toward a more luxurious and comfortable place, and even though we tend to change our vehicles more quickly than we used to, longevity is still one of the most important things for a lot of us. Some SUVs are just made to live forever with proper care, and even up against what the modern market can offer, a lot of us would still have the high-mileage potential over the massaging seats.
iSeeCars says modern SUV models, on average, have a 4.8 percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles; the following 10 SUVs all have a higher chance of that, and certain model years have more than proven themselves as high-mileage legends.
Models are listed in ascending order based on their chances of reaching 250,000 miles, from the lowest to the highest.
10
GMC Yukon XL
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 9-Percent
As the long-wheelbase version of the GMC Yukon, the GMC Yukon XL provides a huge amount of space over the standard models (up to 144.7 cubic feet in the 2026 model), rock-solid dependability, and an immense number of luxury features in the top trims, like the Denali and Denali Ultimate. You get a Bose audio system, open-pore wood trim, massaging front seats, and full-grain leather. It is a lounge on wheels.
What makes it more impressive, though, is that it can go the miles. iSeeCars estimates that a GMC Yukon XL has a nine percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles, while the 2026 model also receives a J.D. Power reliability rating of 78 out of 100.
We don’t expect any 2026 models to have reached 250,000 miles yet. That would be some going. However, models like the 2006 GMC Yukon XL have proven themselves as long-lifers. Under the hood of the 2006 Yukon XL are three V8 options: a 5.3-liter LM7 Vortec V8 in the 1500 models, a 6.0-liter LQ4 Vortec V8 in the 2500 models, and a massive 8.1-liter L18 Vortec V8 in the 2500 HD models.
Of the three, it is the 5.3-liter variant that owners say has gone the distance. It is big, low-stress, naturally aspirated, and has a hugely overbuilt bottom end. The highest mileage claims sit between 300,000 and 500,000 miles with their original engine.
9
Acura MDX
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 9.1-Percent
As the luxury arm of Honda, Acura benefits from the bulletproof build of the Japanese brand and the premium additions of something more expensive. iSeeCars says that, with a 9.1 percent probability of reaching a quarter of a million miles, the Acura MDX is 1.9 times more likely than the market average to do so.
The 2026 Acura MDX is rated 4.4 out of 5 for reliability by owners on Kelley Blue Book, and while that is an impressive rating, it is some of the older models that have gone on to prove themselves, especially models from the third generation (2015 to 2018).
There is just one engine option for the 2015 MDX: a naturally aspirated, direct-injection V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 under the hood is part of Honda’s J-Series family, specifically the J35Y5. There is no turbocharger to potentially fail, and no associated cooling complications.
The Honda J-Series is one of the brand’s most established engine families, and it features variable cylinder management; when the system deactivates cylinders during normal driving, it reduces engine wear.
8
Chevrolet Suburban
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 11.8-Percent
More than one Chevrolet Suburban has proven capable of reaching high mileage, and even the current Suburban model year is well-received with an 81 out of 100 reliability rating on J.D. Power. According to iSeeCars, five percent of Suburban models have hit 200,000 miles or more, making it the most reliable American SUV for high mileage.
To put that into perspective, iSeeCars says that the percentage of GMC Yukon XL models with 200,000+ miles is four percent, and there is just one percent of Ford Explorer models with that kind of mileage.
The Chevy Suburban has long been used as a livery model and a taxi or hauler, so it has a lot of history of lugging people and cargo around. This is why we also see many used models with high mileage: they historically do short runs rather than long-haul family trips. Models like the last model year of the ninth-generation, the 2006 Suburban, are some of the most likely to hit the big miles, thanks to the truck-based platform (GMT800), the overbuilt design all-around, and the bulletproof Hydra-Matic transmission used (especially the 4L80E).
The Vortec 6000 V8 used in the ’06 Suburban has a cast-iron block, a pushrod configuration, no turbocharger, and fewer electrical systems than newer models. Owners have claimed to have put over 300,000 miles on these models with just simple maintenance.
7
Toyota Highlander
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 12.7-Percent
Toyota is synonymous with reliability, and one of the most likely SUVs to hit 250,000 miles is the humble Highlander. This mid-sized SUV has been providing easy family versatility since 2001. Historically, the most likely models to reach high mileage are the 2015 and 2016 Toyota Highlander.
This gen of Highlander, the face-lifted third-gen, is available with the 2GR-FE V6 under the hood. This Toyota engine is practically indestructible and has powered everything from mainstream sedans to Lexus models. Both owners and mechanics love it: it is naturally aspirated, it has an overbuilt bottom end, it uses port injection instead of direct injection (which can lead to less carbon buildup), and it runs a timing chain instead of a belt.
The U660E transmission used in these model years is also more highly regarded than the eight-speed automatic used in later models, so drivetrain-wise, these third-gen Highlander models are built to last. According to owner discussions on Reddit, some of the highest-mileage models have 320,000+ miles on the original engine and transmission.
6
Honda Pilot
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 13.1-Percent
Like Toyota, Honda has made a reliable name for itself, and the Honda Pilot has become one of the most indestructible family SUVs on the market. iSeeCars estimates that the average lifespan of a Pilot is 170,542 miles, and they say that there is a 13.1 percent chance that a Pilot model will hit 250,000 miles.
Owners on Kelley Blue Book rate the 2026 Honda Pilot 4.6 out of 5 for reliability, and 90 percent of owners who have left a review say they’d recommend one. The 2008 model, the final and most refined year of the first generation, is one of the most likely Pilot models to cruise past a quarter of a million miles.
The 2008 Pilot has just one engine option: a J-Series V6. The J35 V6 under the hood has a forged steel crankshaft, a simple SOHC valvetrain, cast-iron cylinder liners, and a non-interference engine design. That means, if the timing belt snaps, it is more likely to stall than completely destroy the engine. There are a huge number of first-gen Pilot owners who have posted on Piloteers and have claimed to put over 300,000 miles on the original J35 V6 with just simple maintenance.
5
Lexus RX Hybrid
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 17-Percent
The Lexus RX Hybrid is the luxury Japanese marque’s mid-size crossover, and since 1998, despite the added hybrid system, has become an exceptionally well-regarded SUV. This is Lexus, after all. iSeeCars says that a 17 percent chance of seeing 250,000 miles is 3.5 times the market average.
Owners of Lexus RX models rate the fourth generation as exceptionally reliable, thanks to the well-proven V6 under the hood and the refined hybrid system (the fourth-generation Lexus system). However, many owners have also noted how far the third-generation models can go on the original engine.
The 2015 Lexus RX Hybrid has seen owners drive between 267,000 and 280,000 miles with the original engine, with just simple maintenance to thank.
The 2GR-FXE V6 under the hood is naturally aspirated, has a timing chain, and is equipped with port injection instead of direct injection. The thing you should look out for, though, is that the 2GR can be prone to oil leaks, and high-mileage 2015 models are likely in need of a hybrid battery change, which, for a Lexus RX, can cost between $5,000 and $6,000.
4
Lexus GX
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 18.3-Percent
As one of the Lexus V8 SUVs that should be getting more attention, the 2010–2023 Lexus GX is the one-stop shop for reliability, luxury, and off-road prowess. Under the hood of the GX 460 is the legendary 4.6-liter 1UR-FE V8, one of Toyota and Lexus’s finest creations. Like many of the engines most likely to reach 250,000 miles, the 1UR-FE V8 is naturally aspirated; it has cast-iron cylinder liners, port injection, and a counterweighted forged steel crankshaft.
You also get hydraulic lifters and roller rocker arms, resin-coated aluminum pistons, forged connecting rods, and primary and secondary timing chains. Furthermore, maximum power is delivered at 5,500 rpm and peak torque at 3,500 rpm, making it a relatively low-stress unit.
The GX 460 is also built on a tough truck-based ladder frame; it has relatively simple electronics, straightforward upkeep needs, and a well-proven design that didn’t change much over its 13-year production run.
Owners on the Club Lexus forum have reported mileage for GX 460 models from 100,000 miles to over 400,000 miles without having to rip into the engine; just oil changes, fluid changes, and, generally, radiator changes.
3
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 31-Percent
Maybe surprisingly to some, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is estimated to last longer than the non-hybrid Highlander. iSeeCars estimates a 31 percent chance of the Highlander Hybrid lasting 250,000 miles, and an average lifespan of 187,995 miles. The sweet spot for Highlander Hybrid dependability is the 2020 to 2022 models, which are part of the fourth generation.
There is just one engine option for the 2020–2022 Highlander Hybrid: a naturally aspirated inline-four paired with the Toyota Hybrid Synergy system and an e-CVT. The non-hybrid models of the same era come equipped with an automatic transmission that many owners have complained about.
The 2020–2022 Highlander Hybrid has the following powertrain specs and, according to FuelEconomy.gov, can achieve up to 36 combined mpg. So you get the reliability and fuel efficiency in one package.
According to owner ratings on Kelley Blue Book, the 2022 Highlander Hybrid has a reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5. This is largely due to the powertrain, which benefits from D-4S port and direct injection and low-end torque from the hybrid system (which cuts down low-end strain).
2
Toyota 4Runner
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 32.9-Percent
Some SUV nameplates make you think of going the distance, and the Toyota 4Runner is one of those SUVs that has been proven so many times to be an unkillable SUV. The 4Runner has solidified itself as an overlanding icon: it can handle the trails with ease, it is built tough all-around, and it carries some of the most proven Toyota engineering there is.
iSeeCars estimates that the 4Runner has an average lifespan of 197,828 miles, and a 32.9 percent chance of reaching 250,000 miles. That makes it 7.7 times more likely than the market average.
There are a number of 4Runner models that could get you to a quarter of a million miles. Take the third-gen models with the 5VZ-FE V6; there are a lot of models with over 300,000 miles on the clock, while fourth-gen models with the 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE V8 under the hood have seen hundreds of thousands of miles on them with the original engine and transmission.
However, the fifth-generation 4Runner is also predicted to be a long-life SUV choice. It is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1GR-FE V6. This V6 delivers peak horsepower at 5,600 rpm and peak torque at 4,400 rpm, underpinned by an overbuilt design. There are no overly complicated electronics; there is no turbocharger; the five-speed transmission has been refined over the years, and the engine has a heavy-duty timing chain. The engine is simple and overbuilt where it matters, and alongside the sturdy ladder frame, that is why these machines can just keep going.
1
Toyota Sequoia
Chance Of Reaching 250,000 Miles: 39.1-Percent
With a 39.1 percent probability of reaching 250,000 miles, according to iSeeCars, the Toyota Sequoia is the SUV most likely to do so. This estimation makes the Sequoia 8.1 times more likely than the market average. Like the 4Runner, the Sequoia runs a body-on-frame construction and, in certain model years, gets a naturally aspirated engine under the hood.
Some trims are well-suited for overlanding; they are overbuilt in most areas that matter; simple maintenance keeps them running, and Toyota-grade reliability and generational refinement have ensured that many models will just keep going.
The second-generation Sequoia is renowned for its toughness, with some owners reporting nearly 400,000 miles without a major engine rebuild. For many owners, the massive 5.7-liter 3UR-FE V8 found under the hood of the higher trims is the engine to opt for.
Despite the massive displacement, horsepower and torque are relatively low. You won’t win any drag races with it, but that means when horsepower and torque are delivered at 5,600 and 3,800 rpm, respectively, engine stress is kept low. Like some of the most unkillable Toyota engines, the 3UR-FE V8 is overbuilt, has robust internals, has a wealth of heritage and testing behind it, and uses a simple port injection setup. Of course, maintenance is important here, but with proper care, these things can last.
Sources: OEMs, iSeeCars, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Club Lexus, Piloteers, and RepairPal
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