When shopping for a new car, it’s easy to focus on the obvious features like horsepower, cargo capacity, or safety ratings. But one critical factor that often gets overlooked is the warranty. A robust warranty can transform vehicle ownership from a potentially stressful experience into a hassle-free one. So, which car brands offer the best warranties in 2024? Let’s break it down.
How Do We Determine the Best Warranties?
To rank the top car warranties of 2024, we examined several key criteria:
Coverage Scope: A bumper-to-bumper warranty provides comprehensive protection, covering more components than a powertrain warranty.
Duration: The length of the warranty—both in terms of years and mileage—adds significant value and peace of mind.
Additional Coverage: Some manufacturers go beyond the basics, offering long-term protection for corrosion or hybrid batteries.
Extra Perks: Value-added benefits like free maintenance, roadside assistance, and trip interruption coverage also make a difference.
While all these factors are important, we prioritized warranty duration and bumper-to-bumper coverage. Reliability also played a role in our rankings, with dependable brands like Toyota and Kia earning higher spots than brands known for frequent repairs.
The Brands Offering the Best Warranties
Most automakers offer a standard three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. However, some brands go above and beyond to provide exceptional peace of mind. Here are the standouts:
1. Hyundai
Hyundai’s warranty is a standout in the industry, offering exceptional value and long-term protection. Popular models like the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Sonata come with:
- Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage: Five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Corrosion Protection: Seven years with no mileage limit
Additionally, Hyundai provides five years of complimentary roadside assistance and three years of free maintenance for many models.
2. Kia
Kia’s warranty is often referred to as a “limited basic warranty,” but its coverage is anything but limited. With five years or 60,000 miles of comprehensive coverage, Kia also stands out for its:
- Powertrain Warranty: A leading 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance: Included for five years
Although Kia’s trip interruption coverage is limited to breakdowns more than 150 miles from home, the brand’s family-friendly models like the Kia Carnival and Soul make it a strong contender.
3. Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi’s warranty offerings are nearly identical to Hyundai’s:
- Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage: Five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Corrosion Warranty: Seven years or 100,000 miles
What sets Mitsubishi apart is its robust roadside assistance program, which includes five years of unlimited mileage support and trip interruption coverage.
4. Toyota
Toyota provides a solid three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. However, its standout feature is the coverage for hybrid models, including:
- Hybrid Battery and Electric Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years or 150,000 miles
Toyota also offers ToyotaCare, which provides two years of free maintenance and roadside assistance, adding value to popular models like the RAV4 Hybrid.
5. Ford
Ford edges out competitors like Chevy and Chrysler with its:
- Corrosion Warranty: Five years with unlimited mileage
- Powertrain Warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles (diesel engines up to 100,000 miles)
- Hybrid/Electric Component Coverage: Eight years or 80,000 miles
Ford’s roadside assistance package includes fuel delivery, towing, and lockout support for five years, making it an excellent choice for families prioritizing reliability.
6. Jaguar
Luxury brand Jaguar combines five years or 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage with comprehensive perks:
- Roadside Assistance: Five years
- Scheduled Maintenance: Included for five years
This makes owning a Jaguar more stress-free than most luxury brands.
7. Lexus
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury arm, offers a slightly shorter bumper-to-bumper warranty at four years or 50,000 miles. However, it compensates with:
- Powertrain Warranty: Six years or 70,000 miles
- Hybrid Components: Eight years or 100,000 miles
With four years of unlimited-mile roadside assistance, Lexus vehicles are a great option for luxury car buyers seeking reliability.
8. Lincoln
Lincoln matches Lexus in terms of warranty but stands out in terms of lifetime roadside assistance for original owners. Its Pickup & Delivery service offers convenience, providing a loaner vehicle for up to two days during repairs.
What About the Longest Warranties?
When it comes to length, Hyundai, Kia, and Mitsubishi lead the pack with 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. These extended warranties are a boon for original owners, though they often don’t transfer to subsequent buyers.
Top models benefiting from these warranties include:
- Kia Telluride and Carnival
- Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Ioniq 5
- Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid
Protecting Your Investment
Even with a fantastic manufacturer warranty, additional protection can be a wise choice. Extended vehicle protection plans provide coverage for unexpected repairs after the original warranty expires. They can include perks like roadside assistance and free maintenance, ensuring you enjoy worry-free driving for years to come.
Choosing a car with a top-tier warranty is about more than numbers—it’s about ensuring peace of mind, whether you’re commuting to work or embarking on a family road trip.