Suburban & Corvette Among Most Reliable Rides in the Long Run
New study reveals which new vehicles owners keep the longest, and unsurprisingly, Chevy made the list more than once.
Most people keep new cars for a good while before they decide it’s time to trade up. On average, new cars stick around for 7.4 years. But some cars stay with their owners longer than others. Automotive research firm iSeeCars decided to take a closer look at just what vehicles owners keep the longest. Unsurprisingly, two Chevrolets made the Top 10 list.
Sitting at the top with an average of nine years of ownership each is the Ford Expedition and the Chevrolet Corvette, at the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively. The Corvette has the distinction of being the only sports car on the list, which is dominated by SUVs and sedans.
“Many factors could contribute to a car’s longevity, such as its function, as shown by the dominance of family vehicles, or because of a fondness of a timeless classic like the Chevrolet Corvette,” says iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone to see the Corvette placed so highly. You don’t buy Corvettes on a whim. It’s the kind of car some only dream of owning one day. Once they make that dream come true, there’s a good chance they’ll hold on to it for as long as possible.
Another reason the Corvette placed so highly is that it’s not always a daily driver. This is a luxury for many, and often one that only comes out when the sun shines and the roads are clear. The rest of the time it stays safely ensconced in a garage while another car deals with the weather.
The other Chevrolet that made the list is the Suburban. It took the number seven spot with an average 8.4 years of ownership. That’s not much less than the Corvette and still higher than the average of 7.4 years for all cars.
The study also looked at the length of ownership for popular vehicles. The Chevy Silverado 1500 placed in this category, with an average of 7.4 years. The Silverado 1500 also earned a spot on the list of pickup trucks that owners kept the longest.
“Pickup trucks are often used as work vehicles and are known for their durability,” adds Ly. “Pickup truck drivers are likely to place more value on function and reliability rather than keeping up with modern design and technology trends.”
To see the entire study, go to the iSeeCars website.