For decades, Toyota has been the gold standard for automotive reliability. Its vehicles routinely rack up hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal drama, earning a reputation that makes resale values enviable and ownership costs low. But a new iSeeCars study analyzing over 174 million vehicles suggests Tesla is quietly challenging that legacy—especially when it comes to high-mileage longevity.

The study calculates the probability that a vehicle will reach 250,000 miles. Toyota still reigns supreme overall at 17.8 percent—nearly four times the industry average of 4.8 percent. Honda follows at 10.8 percent. Yet Tesla clocks in at 4.6 percent, tying for sixth place overall and outperforming brands like Mazda (3.6 percent), Subaru (2.3 percent), and even some luxury nameplates such as Mercedes and BMW. In the luxury segment specifically, Tesla ranks third behind only Lexus and Acura.

The numbers are striking. According to the data, a Tesla is twice as likely to hit 250,000 miles as a Subaru. For an electric vehicle brand still in its relative youth, that’s remarkable. EVs have far fewer moving parts—no oil changes, timing belts, spark plugs, or exhaust systems to fail. This mechanical simplicity appears to be paying dividends in real-world durability, even as skeptics have long questioned battery degradation and long-term service costs.

Still, Tesla is not Toyota—yet. Toyota’s dominance stems from decades of proven internal-combustion engineering refined across millions of vehicles. Its hybrid powertrains, in particular, have set benchmarks for efficiency and longevity. Tesla, by contrast, is betting on software updates, over-the-air diagnostics, and a minimalist drivetrain to achieve similar results. Early data shows promise: many Model 3 and Model Y owners report minimal issues beyond typical wear items like tires and suspension components.

Caveats remain. Tesla’s fleet is younger on average, so the study captures vehicles that haven’t yet faced the full test of time. Battery replacement costs, while dropping, are still a factor. Traditional automakers also benefit from denser dealer networks and decades of parts availability.

Nevertheless, the iSeeCars findings signal a shift. Tesla isn’t just surviving high mileage—it’s thriving relative to many gas-powered competitors. As EV adoption grows and battery technology matures, the gap between Tesla and Toyota may continue to narrow. For now, Toyota remains the dependability king. But Tesla has earned a seat at the table, proving that electric vehicles can be built to last. The question isn’t whether Tesla has dethroned Toyota. It’s whether the crown is even up for grabs anymore.