10 SUVs That Keep Going and Going and Going...

by Eric Mack

While we've already named our picks for trucks and cars that seem to outlast the competition, there's still plenty of SUVs out there that can keep you rolling for (hundreds of) thousands of miles. Toyota comes up big in this category, taking up four spots out of our top 10 (including the Lexus RX300 and 330 crossover), but there's still plenty of love to go around for some modern American classics like the Ford Explorer, which we've noticed is an especially big favorite of Vehix readers.

Once again, we didn't use any fancy calculus or other scientific formula to come up with this list. It's based on readily available reviews, ratings, online chatter, stories our friends from Alaska told us and a number of other sources. So, if you think we made a glaring omission, or that any of the following models should be banned from the road, please leave a comment and keep the discussion going and going until it finally outlasts that old '86 4-Runner (fat chance). Speaking of which, here's what you've been waiting for, listed in no particular order....

1. Toyota 4-Runner

Here's an SUV that was made for life in the '80s, with the ability to go about anywhere in relative style, and you could still even pop off the rear roof for an off-roading convertible experience. The 4-Runner adapted with the times over the years to remain a favorite among suburban commuters, mud boggers and everyone in between. With Toyota's venerable 22R engine at the center of things up until 1995, even those original models from the 80s are still sought-after reliable rides.

2. Ford Explorer and Ford Explorer Sport

After our first list of cars that run forever, many of you loyal Vehix readers let us know we had created a grave sin by omitting this gold standard of modern sport utility. The Explorer has had its ups and downs in the public eye over the years (remember those bad Firestone tires from a decade ago?), but has emerged over time to prove itself as a solid and versatile vehicle that's cheap and easy to maintain.

3. Honda CR-V

In the mini-SUV or crossover category, the CR-V comes out on top of a whole bunch of lists, including Consumer Reports'. Sometimes knocked for being a bit underpowered, and not really capable of much off-road sport utility, the CR-V remains popular for its reliability, and car-like ride, with plenty of comfort inside and all-wheel drive that gets the job done on slick roads.

4. Subaru Forester

We hailed Subaru's hatchback wagons in our initial cars list - these are the vehicles that our friends in Alaska can't live without when it's 30 below zero, roads are ice-packed, and they just don't want to stay indoors. We're convinced that one day someone will drive a Subaru to the moon, and the Forester is a likely candidate to make the 238,000 mile journey, once they get the zero-gravity drive train worked out.

5. GMC Yukon

GMC's Yukon inherited quite a legacy when it replaced the long-running Jimmy in the early 1990s. Those early years were not the Yukon's best, but an engine revision in 1996 increased performance, and a new generation starting in 2000 made further improvements while also scaling back size and power a bit to reflect their increasingly city-centric customer base. Those post-millennium Yukons are as good a bet as any when it comes to a full-size used SUV.

6. Toyota Land Cruiser

Like a minivan with attitude, the Land Cruiser has been such a favorite over the decades that Toyota hasn't felt a need to make many major changes. Roomy, rugged and increasingly comfortable as modern features were added over the years, there's a reason this one is a worldwide favorite. Although there are minor differences, just about any model year from the last two decades is a safe bet.

7. Jeep Cherokee

The godfather of the modern compact SUV, the Cherokee has been performing well off and on the road since the early 1980s. Some owners complain of occasional electrical problems and warped brake rotors, but overall, a well-maintained Cherokee will continue performing sportily and full of utility for years.

8. Nissan Pathfinder

The 4-Runner's toughest competition when it comes to the truck-based SUV category, the Pathfinder offers above-average dependability, particularly in post-2001 models with a slightly more powerful engine. Sometimes the front suspension isn't quite up to a lot of heavy offroading, but overall the Pathfinder performs.

9. Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 runs neck and neck with the Honda CR-V in the used compact SUV market. Great fuel economy and handling are pluses, while an underpowered engine and some automatic transmission problems in early models make up the bulk of the downside.

10. Lexus RX300 or RX330

We touted the entire Lexus fleet in our original long-lasting cars list, and we're sticking by our words. The RX300 and RX330 offer some of the best crossovers available for the mon