Car Brands with the Best Warranty Coverage
When shopping for a new car, warranty coverage might not be the first thing on your mind. However, if you intend to keep your car for several years, it’s a crucial factor.
New car buyers who plan to keep their vehicles for an extended period should prioritize warranty coverage alongside reliability predictions. Ideally, a factory warranty should last nearly as long as your car loan. This minimizes the risk of unexpected repair costs while you’re still making monthly payments. Warrantees typically include a mileage limit and a timeframe. Coverage ends when either limit is reached. Keep in mind that manufacturers can modify their warranty coverage, and certain models may have distinct coverage compared to others within the same brand.
Vehicle price has little to do with warranty quality. Some leading mainstream brands offer excellent coverage, while some German luxury brands, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, provide only average guarantees.
Types of New Car Warranties
Most cars come with two main types of warranties, along with specific warranties for elements like emissions systems, rust protection, hybrid batteries, and tires.
A car’s basic warranty, often called a bumper-to-bumper or comprehensive warranty, generally covers all vehicle systems, including costly items such as air conditioning and infotainment systems. Wear items like filters, wiper blades, and brake pads are typically excluded. The powertrain warranty specifically protects the elements that make the car move, including the engine, transmission, differential, and axles.
An extended warranty, or service contract, goes into effect after your factory warranty expires. Some are backed by the manufacturer, while others come from independent extended warranty companies. This is an additional expense not included in the vehicle’s original price.
Brand-by-Brand Warranty Coverage
The following is a breakdown of warranty coverage offered by various car brands. Note that these details are current as of the publication date, but it’s always wise to confirm the specifics with the manufacturer when making a purchase.
29) Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC
- Basic Warranty: three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
General Motors’ mainstream brands provide three years or 36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance is also included, offering towing to the nearest dealership for covered repairs, as well as loaner vehicles or transportation reimbursement.
28) Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram
- Basic Warranty: three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
Most Stellantis brands have similar warranties. These provide three years or 36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance is also included. Diesel engine-equipped vehicles have a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
27) Honda
- Basic Warranty: three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
Honda provides the standard warranty coverage. This includes three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Honda also offers corrosion coverage for five years and unlimited miles and 24-hour roadside assistance during the warranty period.
26) Ford
- Basic Warranty: three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
Ford’s warranty coverage is typical. The company offers three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Ford models with a Power Stroke diesel engine have a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
25) Mazda
- Basic Warranty: three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
Mazda’s warranty coverage is in line with most competitors. This brand backs its new vehicles with three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Mazda also includes 24/7 roadside assistance for the first three years or 36,000 miles.
24) Nissan
- Basic Warranty: three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
Nissan’s warranty is average. It includes three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
23) Subaru
- Basic Warranty: three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
Subaru has average warranty coverage for its cars and SUVs. This brand provides three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Electric or hybrid models have eight years/100,000 miles of battery and charging component coverage. Subaru also has a five-year corrosion warranty.
22) Toyota
- Basic Warranty: three years/36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
Toyota, like most mainstream automakers, provides three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
21) Alfa Romeo and Fiat
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
These Stellantis brands have distinct warranties compared to the aforementioned Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. They offer four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Most Stellantis vehicles also include roadside assistance.
20) Audi
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
Audi’s warranty coverage is standard for the luxury segment, with four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Audi owners also receive 24-hour emergency roadside assistance for four years.
19) BMW
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
New BMW cars and SUVs come with four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. BMW offers roadside assistance during the warranty period, a 12-year corrosion warranty, and scheduled maintenance for three years/36,000 miles.
18) Land Rover
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
Land Rover provides four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Owners have access to roadside assistance during the warranty period, which can help with issues like lockouts or flat tires, as well as 24-hour emergency towing.
17) Mercedes-Benz
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
New Mercedes vehicles are covered by four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Mercedes owners have access to roadside assistance while the warranty is in effect.
16) Polestar
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
Polestar provides four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Polestar vehicles also have a battery warranty guaranteeing at least 70% of the original battery capacity after eight years. They also have a 12-year corrosion warranty. Polestar includes free scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 30,000 miles, with pickup and delivery available. The Polestar 2 and 3 include four years of roadside assistance, while the Polestar 4 gets this coverage for three years.
15) Volkswagen
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
Volkswagen’s basic warranty is better than most non-luxury rivals. VW provides four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. VW owners get 24-hour emergency roadside assistance for three years, as well as free scheduled maintenance for two years or 20,000 miles.
14) Volvo
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
Volvo gives four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. Hybrid and electric Volvos have a battery warranty that guarantees at least 55% of the battery’s original capacity after eight years or 100,000 miles.
13) Acura
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: six years/70,000 miles
Acura vehicles have a better warranty than several competitors, boasting four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, plus Acura Total Luxury Care roadside assistance for four years/50,000 miles. This is better than the warranty coverage offered by brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
12) Cadillac
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: six years/70,000 miles
Cadillac vehicles offer four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and six years/70,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Roadside assistance is available from Cadillac for the first six years/70,000 miles. The program includes towing to the nearest Cadillac dealership and may offer a loaner vehicle or expense reimbursement.
11) Lexus
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: six years/70,000 miles
Lexus, the luxury arm of Toyota, offers four years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and six years/70,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Lexus hybrid buyers also receive eight years/100,000 miles of coverage on the hybrid battery and components, along with comprehensive roadside assistance services for four years with no mileage cap. Complimentary first and second scheduled maintenance services and loaner vehicles are provided.
10) Lincoln
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: six years/70,000 miles
Lincoln SUVs and crossovers provide excellent bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage, with four years/50,000 miles of basic coverage and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain protection. Lincoln buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance for the duration of the basic warranty.
9) Lucid Motors
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: eight years/100,000 miles
Lucid Motors protects its high-performance electric vehicles with excellent warranty coverage, including a four-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. The Lucid Air also features an eight-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, guaranteeing that the battery pack will retain 70% of its rated capacity for eight years/100,000 miles. Lucid offers home or workplace repairs for many maintenance needs and includes two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
8) Tesla
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: eight years/100,000, 120,000 or 150,000 miles, depending on model
Tesla provides excellent new vehicle warranties on their electric cars, though the specifics for powertrain coverage depend on the model selected. The Tesla Model S, X, and Cybertruck get a battery and drive unit warranty of eight years/150,000 miles, warranting the battery to retain 70% of its rated capacity over this time. Tesla Model 3 and Y Rear-Wheel Drive customers get the same coverage for eight years/100,000 miles, while other Model 3 and Y configurations come with an eight-year/120,000-mile powertrain warranty.
7) Infiniti
- Basic Warranty: four years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: six years/70,000 miles
Infiniti, a luxury automaker, protects your purchase with a basic warranty covering your car for four years or 60,000 miles (mileage limit higher than most). Powertrain coverage lasts six years/70,000 miles. Included are three years of scheduled maintenance and complimentary pickup/dropoff, as well as four years of roadside assistance, regardless of mileage.
6) Jaguar
- Basic Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
Jaguar offers some of the best comprehensive warranty coverage for luxury automakers, with a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. However, its powertrain coverage lags behind many luxury brands. The all-electric I-Pace has an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
5) Rivian
- Basic Warranty: four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: eight years/150,000 miles or eight years/120,000 miles, depending on configuration
Rivian provides a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper new car warranty. Its electric powertrain and battery are covered for eight years with 120,000 or 150,000 miles, depending on configuration. Rivian’s corrosion (perforation) coverage is also excellent.
4) Kia
- Basic Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Kia offers an unparalleled warranty, with bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage matching the industry’s leaders. The basic coverage is transferable to a second owner, and the powertrain coverage may also transfer if purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned car.
1) Mitsubishi (tie)
- Basic Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Mitsubishi offers incredible warranties, with five years/60,000 miles of comprehensive coverage and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The basic warranty can be transferred to subsequent owners. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV also gets extended coverage for its plug-in electric vehicle components and battery pack.
1) Hyundai (tie)
- Basic Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Hundai offers exceptional powertrain coverage, a pioneer in offering 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. The company’s comprehensive coverage is good for five years/60,000 miles and is transferable to second owners. Hyundai also has seven years of anti-perforation (corrosion) coverage with unlimited miles.
1) Genesis (tie)
- Basic Warranty: five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Genesis, the luxury arm of Hyundai, provides exceptional new car warranties, comparable to Hyundai’s but with additional benefits. During the first three years/36,000 miles, Genesis offers a Service Valet to pick up your vehicle for service and provide a loaner, with free scheduled maintenance. Roadside assistance is available for five years with no mileage cap.
Extended Warranties: Should You Buy One?
Extended warranties (also called extended service contracts) cover your car after the factory warranty expires. These can be a no-hassle way to cover repair costs. Be mindful that they usually do not cover wear-and-tear items or routine maintenance. Consider where to buy one, and verify the company’s reputation and service policies.
