A recent study conducted by market research firm iSeeCars indicates the Chevy Suburban is one of the longest-lasting nameplates around, with many examples of the full-size SUV surpassing 200,000 miles driven.
iSeeCars recently published its Top 15 Longest-Lasting Cars ranking, which is based on the percentage of registered vehicles of a particular nameplate that have surpassed the 200,000-mile mark. . The study found that 6.6 percent of all Chevy Suburban models registered in the U.S. today have 200,00 miles or more – making it the third longest-lasting vehicle, based on this metric. The Toyota Land Cruiser was first, with 18.2 percent of vehicles reaching at least 200,000 miles driven, followed by the Toyota Sequoia at 14.2 percent.
Not surprisingly, the GMC Yukon XL, which is essentially a rebadged version of the Suburban, was right behind it in fourth, with 5.5 percent of Yukon XLs hitting 200,000 miles or more. The Chevy Tahoe, of which the Chevy Suburban is an extended wheelbase version, was also among the top ten longest-lasting vehicles at 4.4 percent. The GMC Yukon was twelfth overall at 3.7 percent.
While iSeeCars did not say why fewer GMC Yukon and Yukon XL models hit 200,000 miles than Chevy Suburban and Tahoe models, it could be due to the fact that they are more likely to have added luxury features, which could increase repair costs later in the vehicle’s life span and make it more likely owners will replace the vehicle instead of repairing it. This may also be why the Cadillac Escalade is absent from the top 15.
iSeeCars analyst Karl Brauer was not surprised to see GM’s four full-size SUVs perform well with regard to longevity and reliability.
“All manufactured by General Motors, the Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, and Chevrolet Tahoe share a platform and many common parts, confirming why these popular family vehicles are all likely to last 200,000 miles,” said Brauer.
Brauer had high praise for the Toyota Land Cruiser and Sequioa, as well, which could be described as rivals to GM’s own full-size SUVs.
“The iconic and indestructible Toyota Land Cruiser is engineered to last at least 25 years, even under the harshest of driving conditions, as it is relied upon in many developing countries where off-road driving is the norm,” said Brauer. “And like the Land Cruiser, the truck-based Toyota Sequoia has the durability of a pickup chassis with three full rows of seating for up to eight passengers, making it a capable family hauler that endures demanding use while towing heavy loads.”
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Comments
My 2004 Tahoe is ready to roll over 423,000 miles. I believe they should recompute the numbers!
Legend status.
My 1998 GMC Suburban 2500 4wd with 6.5 turbo diesel engine, made in Mexico, currently has 533,000 miles on the clock. Original block, guts and heads. Minimal engine oil consumption. Minimum average repairs. Approximately 22 mpg overall. Use Mobil One high mileage 10W 40 synthetic engine oil with K&N oil and air filters with a change-out of oil filters every 10K miles. Fuel filter change every 25K miles. Injector cleaner and lubricant additive used. Change transmission, transfer case and differential fluids every 50K miles.
Thank God no DEF required. Passes SMOG in Reno, Nevada every year.
Purchased vehicle new for $36K in 1998. Very pleased with 6.5 Turbo Diesel V8 engine. Has under piston lubricating / cooling oil spray system. V8 is the best balanced IC engine.
Find it strange and bizarre that GM is specifying 0W 20 weight engine oil for their 3.0 diesel engine. In warm/hot climates this weight of oil has the consistency of water for lubrication. Not good. Please explain this strange engine oil specification. Is this specified for intended obsolescence, shorter engine life?
Suggest equipping the Suburbans and Denalis with the 6.6 Duramax Diesel as an option. I’m spooked about the long engine life of the 3.0 diesel. You purchase a diesel for long life, fuel efficiency, load handling and safety.
BTW: The GM vehicles made in Mexico are of better quality and have less defects than USA made GM vehicles. This is due to Hispanic worker passion and pride in their work and appreciating a good job with benefits in Mexico.
I have a Chevrolet avalanche with over 390,000 miles on it that is still going strong and hadn’t had no problems out of it
My 2005 suburban 272k and still going.
My 2015 Yukon XL with 108,000 miles, since it’s been off warranty, has needed a new AC unit, a new transmission. Currently the front headlights seals have failed and are leaking water. Cost of the part alone is $1400 each (that’s not a typo). To make it even worse, to replace them you literally have to take off the entire front of the Yukon off. The motorized lift gate won’t work when it gets cold.
So, I’m at the point of looking for a new vehicle, I looked at a new 2022 Yukon with the diesel mileage, however, there’s a condition with the starter that can only be repaired by, get this, taking the entire body off (and that takes 40 hours of labor @ $200 per hour). Seriously, how did this engine get approved for production.
Entire headlight assembly including bulbs start at $50 from Rockauto and Amazon. Just pull the two pins out, remove the old one and insert the new one. Then re-insert the two pins. Close the hood and drive away.
The price for the 2015 Yukon XL headlight assembly on Rock Auto is $838.00
More info on the diesel repair issue that requires taking the body off the frame
Well, think Toyota had to ace GM as every ’22 Tundra have to potentially go “off-frame” instead of select GM trucks…
That’s not the starter they need to get to with the body off, it’s a wheel on the camshaft.
What is the overall condition of a Tahoe with 400K miles? Interior must look like rags.
Aside to the interior, my 2004 Tahoe has some obvious body blemishes but overall a wash makes it look much younger than it is. The most glaring need are the rocker panels are rusted out. Running boards intact. The back right quarter panel is rusted behind the wheel. Otherwise the dark navy blue cleans up nicely. 5.3 runs great. A/C pumps out cold air. Radio works, haven’t tried a CD in a while. Pull my Four Winns and camper no problem. Sun roof operates flawlessly. Have a 2017 with 112,000 but may trade soon,
One reason why the GM full size SUVs have dominated the market for many years, with a 60-70% market share. They are best in class.
My 04 suburban should get to 200k after I put an alternator in it. However, I have no brakes and the instrument panel no longer works and the smell of burnt wireing is abit worry some. Nice reading that you all are very happy. Who needs brakes when you only have a few stop signs in your village and plenty of back roads to navigate. No need for a speedometer when you have your handy gps. God speed everyone.
Wonder how the new ones will fare. A lot of electronic bits and bobs to maintain there..
My 2016 suburban is at 375000 after 2 transmission and 1 alternator change, still going strong
My 1997 Chevy Tahoe 5.7 Vortec has over 360,000 miles and it’s all original. Can’t beat a chevy!!
My 21 Tahoe with 10,000 get its lifters replaced. Not a typo, ten thousand
I would love to see the total number of Land Cruisers and Sequoia’s that are out there on the road that make up the 18.2 and 14.2 percent that they report. While it may make no difference with this report on the Suburban and such, I would guess that combined they don’t equal the volume of ‘Burbs that are on the road and used daily.
200k is not a hard milestone to hit with most cases… it’s a matter of proper care and maintenance. (Some exceptions apply, obviously)
Very well said. I see 10-20-30+ year old GM fullsize SUV’s on the road doing their job all the time and most that I have seen have easily over 200-300k miles with original powertrain. I dont see many old Toyota SUV’s or other brands still around especially with high mileage but ok. Im more than happy with my 99 GMC Suburban and 01 Yukon XL bkth 2500’s with the Big Blocks. The 99 Vortec 454 almost 300k miles and the 01 Vortec 8100 about to turn 400k miles and both original powertrains and still going strong everywhere and anything I tow with them.
If you add Chevy Suburbans and GMC Youkon XL’s (basically same thing), they make 11.8% of vehicles on the road with over 200,000 miles. Add in the Tahoe and Yukon (again almost same thing), they make 19.9% of vehicles on the road with over 200,000 miles.
Except for a single Ford, it’s all Toyota, Chevy and Honda.
My 2003 Suburban just turned 634,000 miles. I bought it new 21 years ago, and it has performed amazing service during that time. I replaced the transmission at 535k, but the engine is all original with only the water pump and alternator replaced. It still runs as quiet and smooth as it did twenty years ago, and I would not hesitate to take it on a long trip.