The Brand With The Best New Car Warranty In America

When consumers hesitate to sign a new vehicle purchase contract, manufacturers will often dangle a tasty carrot or two to help close the deal. And one of the tastiest carrots in this scenario is the new vehicle warranty, which can often provide enough peace of mind in an uncertain world.

Of course, these manufacturers may fall over themselves as they try to put the most attractive package together and, in this race, Hyundai – seller of popular models like the Tucson crossover – comes out on top. What does Hyundai get right, and how does the company’s offering compare to others in the field?

Many Buyers Believe Hyundai’s Warranty is the Best

Quick Facts About Hyundai’s Warranty:

• Hyundai’s powertrain warranty beats most rivals
• Unlike others, Hyundai’s roadside assistance plan is not restricted by mileage limits
• Hyundai has a long warranty for EVs and hybrids, unlike some others
• Owners can transfer rust and bumper to bumper coverages to help resale value

Comprehensive is a good word to describe the South Korean company’s protection package, and it features a standout ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty as its headline maker. Hyundai itself claims that its package is “America’s best warranty” and for those drivers who want to keep their vehicles for the long haul, it certainly hits the mark. After all, Hyundai carefully considers both the short- and long-term ownership risks and has crafted a warranty package that applies to its full range of vehicles. These range from economy sedans like the Elantra to the all-new electric SUV, the Ioniq 5.

10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

This level of protection covers the most expensive components of any vehicle: the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. While the cover may only apply to the original owner, it protects them against premature component failure or manufacturing defects out of the factory. While the owner can’t transfer the balance of the warranty, the protection is certainly a great deal for those who want to drive their car well beyond the average automotive loan term (three to five years).

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Five-Year/60,000-Mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty

For many other companies, this is the headline, and many people call such a warranty bumper-to-bumper coverage. This protection will cover the repair or replacement of any component, so long as it was an original part. In doing so, it covers almost every part of the car against manufacturing defects and here, an owner can transfer to a subsequent buyer, which helps to add value to the outgoing vehicle.

Seven-Year/Unlimited Mileage Perforation Warranty

Corrosion is nowhere near the same type of problem today as it was some decades back, but here, the warranty protects the owner against rust on any body panels. Again, this is transferable and applies no matter the age of the vehicle.

Five-Year/Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance

Analysts consider this part of the package to be one of the most generous roadside assistance programs in the business. It’s available for the stated term, no matter how many miles you rack up and, again, you can transfer the balance to a new owner. The company will provide around-the-clock support, which includes flat tire assistance, fuel delivery, battery jump starts, lockout service, or towing to the nearest garage.

10-Year/100,000-Mile Hybrid and Electric Battery Warranty

If you buy one of Hyundai’s hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric vehicles, you’ll get a long warranty on the high-voltage battery. This can provide significant peace of mind to owners who may have heard horror stories about battery replacement. In turn, it certainly shows how confident Hyundai is in its electrified platforms. Unlike some rivals, this coverage is transferable to subsequent owners.

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12-Month/12,000-Mile Replacement Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty

Hyundai will repair or replace any genuine part or accessory if it is defective in material or factory workmanship. This includes accessories, if an owner installed them after the date of first use. Other original accessories come under the bumper-to-bumper coverage.

Other Warranties

To sell vehicles in the US, Hyundai, like all other OEMs, must comply with federally mandated emissions warranties. This means that specific components will get coverage for up to eight years or 80,000 miles, depending on the vehicle type and the state in question.

How Hyundai’s Warranty Helps in the Real World

If owners decide to hang onto their vehicle (and especially in uncertain times), this warranty doesn’t just look good on paper but provides practical support that other non-Hyundai owners may crave. After all, imagine a situation where the transmission breaks at 90,000 miles due to a factory defect. Ordinarily, the owner would be left to their own devices, but under the ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, Hyundai will cover the repair cost at no charge. No wonder that many owners are attracted to this combination of durability and dependability. It’s why experts see the Hyundai warranty as one of the most tangible benefits in the auto marketplace today.

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The Kia Warranty Comes Close

Some people are not aware, but Kia is Hyundai’s corporate sibling, and, in many ways, this company’s warranty mirrors that of Hyundai. After all, as Kia is part of the Hyundai Motor Group, it’s not surprising that the two brands share platforms, engineering, and components along the way. However, there are some key differences, as roadside assistance is only available to you as a Kia owner for 60,000 miles, whereas Hyundai does not have a mileage limit.

How Other Brands Fare

Genesis

Genesis is the luxury division of Hyundai, and this company will mirror the Hyundai warranties in many ways. In addition, Genesis does provide some premium benefits such as valet service and the Genesis Concierge program and has complementary maintenance as another purchase carrot.

Tesla

Of course, Tesla vehicles are all electric and the company’s warranty focuses more on battery and drivetrain longevity. Here, you’ll get a four-year or 50,000-mile basic warranty, limited roadside support for the first four years and an eight-year or 150,000-mile battery/drivetrain warranty on certain models. Don’t expect any bumper-to-bumper coverage beyond the fourth year though.

Toyota

At Toyota, expect a more traditional warranty with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a ten-year or 150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty (in certain states). Short-term owners may be happy to get two years of free maintenance and roadside assistance under the Toyota Care package.

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Honda

Perhaps it’s good that Honda has such a reputation for reliability, as it might now have an industry-leading warranty. Here, you’ll get the three-year/36,000-mile new vehicle warranty, five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five-year/unlimited mileage corrosion protection.

Ford and GM

When it comes to American heavyweights, standard is the keyword. However, you can also get some optional extended service plans through Ford dealerships, and an electric vehicle like the Mustang Mach-E gets an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. Meanwhile, Chevrolet does offer free scheduled maintenance for the first year alongside its traditional warranty coverage. It also has an EV battery guarantee that lasts eight years/100,000 miles.

The Best Way to Compare Warranties

The numbers may initially attract a prospective owner, but it’s important to look beyond just the years and miles. For example, a transferable warranty can be valuable, and your resale value will often depend on this. Also, look at the small print as many warranties will not cover wear and tear items like wiper blades or brake pads. Does that small print insist that you take the vehicle to a certified location, such as a main dealer? Some companies may invalidate a warranty if an owner fails to comply. And then there’s roadside assistance, where Hyundai wins big with its (five year) “no mileage” limit.

For Long-Term Confidence, Hyundai Leads the Way

Take all the elements into account and Hyundai wins in practice as well as on paper. This company’s warranty is the real deal, whether you’re just a daily commuter, a first-time electric vehicle buyer, or somebody who wants to keep their cars for a decade or more.

Some other companies may come close, and while no warranty may be perfect, Hyundai appears to give the most practical, longest, and broadest protection in the US market today.

Sources: Hyundai.