10 Best Cars for High Mileage Driving

2017 Nissan Maxima front quarter driving on road hero ・ Photo by Nissan

Some people trade in their cars every few years. For them, making it past the 100,000-mile marker is not their primary concern, nor would they ever expect their car's odometer to hit 250,000. Then there are those who want to keep their cars for as long as possible and rack up impressive mileage in the process.

These people need a car that's affordable and efficient with a track record that proves it will keep on going long after other cars have been replaced by newer models. These buyers aren't the sprinters of the car world, they are the marathon runners.

For them, here are our picks for the 10 Best cars for high mileage driving.

2017 Honda Accord

Honda has a reputation for building long-lasting vehicles, and the 2017 Honda Accord is a great example. The base Accord has an affordable starting price of $22,455 with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 32 highway mpg. The mid-range EX offers an even better 36 highway mpg at a still reasonable price of $25,830.

There’s also the Accord Hybrid with a starting price of $29,605 and fuel economy of 47 highway mpg. Not only will that fuel economy help you save money at the pump, but it will also help save time by reducing how often you need to stop and refuel. As a bonus, the Accord Hybrid features collision mitigation braking and road departure mitigation as standard features.

Photo by Honda

2017 Toyota Camry

Some will complain the 2017 Toyota Camry isn’t the most exciting sedan, but it’s an excellent choice for people who want a long-lasting vehicle with a proven track record. It's comfortable and spacious with a roomy 15.4-cubic foot trunk. A starting price of $23,070 makes it affordable, and fuel economy across the lineup is an EPA-estimated 33 highway mpg.

There's also the Camry Hybrid with a starting price of $26,790 and fuel economy of 38 highway mpg. Both versions of the Camry feature an extensive list of standard safety features as a part of the Star Safety System including brake assist, smart stop technology, and traction control. Higher trims offer dynamic radar cruise control and lane departure alert.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Subaru Outback

Subaru is known for building cars that outlast the competition and have the capability to handle more rugged terrain. The 2017 Subaru Outback features standard all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance to handle snowy weather or off-road trails. There’s also up to 73.3 cubic feet of storage to carry plenty of cargo.

Pricing starts at $25,645 for the base Subaru Outback 2.5i with an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 32 MPG. Traction control, hill descent control, active torque vectoring, and X-Mode for optimized all-wheel drive are all standard across the Outback trim range. Higher trims offer advanced safety including pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Photo by Subaru

2017 Toyota Avalon

Toyota earns the second spot on our list with the 2017 Toyota Avalon. It’s a more luxurious choice than the Camry and has a larger engine that makes it more fun to drive. A reduction in fuel economy is the drawback, but it still posts a strong 30 highway mpg.

The base Avalon XLE starts at $33,300 and includes standard features like dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters, and leather-trimmed heated front seats. Once again, there’s a hybrid for those looking to maximize fuel economy. Pricing starts at $37,300 for the Hybrid XLE Plus with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 39 highway mpg.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Nissan Maxima

Those who want their car with plenty of power and lots of creature comforts will appreciate the 2017 Nissan Maxima. This sedan has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque that makes it a joy to drive. That impressive power doesn’t kill its fuel economy either. The Maxima achieves an EPA-estimated 30 highway mpg making it a fuel conscious choice.

Pricing on the base Maxima S starts at $32,610, which gives it a higher price point than most other cars on our list. That price, however, includes an extensive list of standard features that make high-mileage driving easier. These include Apple CarPlay, power front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Subaru Legacy

Subaru earns their second spot on our list with the 2017 Subaru Legacy. This sedan features all-wheel drive to make travel easier in winter weather and comes in with a low starting price of only $21,995 for the base Legacy 2.5i. It achieves an EPA-estimated 34 highway mpg and includes cruise control, paddle shifters, and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel as standard features.

The top trim of the Legacy features a more powerful engine that brings fuel economy down to 28 highway mpg, but it adds numerous features to make the drive more enjoyable. These include power heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and woodgrain-patterned trims all at a starting price of $31,640.

Photo by Subaru

2017 Honda Civic

The 2017 Honda Civic is a fuel-efficient, affordable choice and comes in three body styles. The sedan and coupe are joined this year by a hatchback making it a car that has something for everyone. It’s also one of the most affordable choices on our list with pricing starting at $18,740 for the sedan, $19,150 for the coupe, and $19,900 for the hatchback.

In addition to Honda’s reputation for reliability, the Civic offers great fuel economy. You’ll get an EPA-estimated 38 highway mpg in the hatchback and 39 highway mpg in the coupe. The best choice for fuel economy is the sedan with an EPA-estimated 40 highway mpg. No matter which you pick, gas prices won’t be a worry.

Photo by Honda

2017 Toyota Prius

The go-to car for hybrid fans is the Toyota Prius, which was all-new for the 2016 model year. It still has that unmistakable Prius design, but with a more modern look. If you’re aiming to drive lots of miles without spending a lot on gas, then this is the car for you. The 2017 Toyota Prius gets an EPA-estimated 50 highway mpg helping high-mileage drivers reap big gas savings.

Pricing starts at $23,475 for the base Prius One with seven different trims from which to choose. The most fuel-efficient model is the Prius Two Eco priced from $25,165 with an EPA estimated 53 highway mpg. Every Prius features the Star Safety System, which includes brake assist, stability control, and smart stop technology.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Mazda Mazda3

The 2017 Mazda3 is available as either a 4-door sedan or a hatchback that offers greater flexibility for those who often carry cargo. Either choice gets you an attractive, fuel efficient car that is fun to drive. Mazda has a reputation for building cars people like to drive, and the Mazda3 is an excellent way to enjoy quality time behind the wheel.

Pricing starts at $17,845 for the base Sport sedan with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 37 mpg. If you prefer the hatchback, then you’ll pay a bit more at $19, 095 and achieve the same fuel economy. Stylish on the outside and attractive on the inside, hours spent inside the Mazda3 won’t be a chore.

Photo by Mazda

2017 Hyundai Sonata

The beauty of the 2017 Hyundai Sonata is in how much car you get for your dollar. The base Sonata S starts at $21,950 and comes standard with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 7-inch color touchscreen. It also has a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power heated side mirrors, and automatic headlights.

Fuel economy is good with an EPA-estimated 36 highway mpg. Those who crave a more powerful drive experience have several engine choices in the Sonata lineup including a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 245 horsepower. Even with that larger engine, the Sonata achieves an EPA-estimated 30 highway mpg.

Photo by Hyundai