The Best ‘New Car’ Warranties In The Industry: Ranked By Brand
The United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration says Americans are driving more than ever. The average driver now puts an average of 13,476 miles on their vehicle every year. With so many miles driven, car companies understand that customers want some assurance that their vehicles will last for the long haul. After all, the average US driver now keeps their vehicle for an average of around 200,000 miles according to AARP. While three-year, 36,000-mile warranties used to be the norm, many car companies now offer better warranties to satisfy their customers.
Here are some of the best new car warranties in the industry. We chose to focus on out-of-the-box options but some manufacturers also offer additional warranty extensions for an added fee that can reach 10-years and 100,000 miles. Keep in mind that some vehicles within a brand might be excluded and terms change from time-to-time.
Tesla Provides A 4-Year, 50,000 Mile Guarantee With Some Surprises
The base warranty for all Tesla vehicles currently stands at 4 years or 50,000 miles. The bumper-to-bumper warranty is fairly standard for the industry but what Tesla offers on top of that warranty is pretty incredible.
The Battery and Drive Unit for Model S and Model X units is 8 years or 125,000 miles. The Model 3 features the same coverage for 8 years or 100,000 miles. If you picked up the Model 3 with a long-range battery you get 8 years or 120,000 miles.
Lexus Throws In 50,000 Miles Or 4 Years
The Lexus bumper-to-bumper warranty extends for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. With a higher price point, the warranty is a welcomed addition for car buyers but the company's guarantees don't stop there.
Lexus offers a 6-year, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty alongside a 7-year corrosion warranty that is good for an unlimited number of miles. Lexus also provides an emissions warranty for 8-years or 80,000 miles. A Lexus isn't a cheap purchase but the company backs up their high-performance vehicles.
Acura Is Confident In Its 4 Year, 50,000 Miles Warranty
Acura vehicles pack on the warranties to ensure drivers are treated fairly for up to eight years, depending on their vehicle's needs. The company's standard bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts for 4 years or 50,000 miles.The company's corrosion and rust-through warranty last 5 years with unlimited miles while its powertrain warranty is extended to 6-years or 70,000 miles.
If you're in a state that provides emission control testing that warranty is good for an even more impressive 8-years or 80,000 miles.
Audi: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
Four years or 50,000 miles is provided for Audi's bumper-to-bumper warranty and the company provides the same powertrain warranty, an offering that is lower than many of the other powertrain options on our list.
Audi also throws in a 1-year, 10,000-mile maintenance warranty that is good for one scheduled maintenance check-up. You'll also receive 8 years or 80,000 miles for emissions testing and a 12-year corrosion warranty that provides for unlimited mileage. The corrosion warranty is only matched by a few vehicles on our list.
Mini: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
If you're in the market for a Mini Cooper your powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranty will extend 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Mini is also here to help customers ensure a strict maintenance schedule is followed for the first three years.
Maintenance guarantees extend for 3 years or 36,000 miles. The company offers a 12-year and unlimited mile corrosion guarantee and emissions promises for 8 years or 80,000 miles to ensure your car is running up-to-par for the long-haul.
Mercedes-Benz: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
Mercedes-Benz's warranty policy is wrapped up into an almost standard package. The company's 4-year, 50,000-mile package covers bumper-to-bumper needs, its powertrain package, and corrosion.
Like other manufacturers on our list, emissions are also covered for 8-years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. The company also provides an adjustment period that lasts for 1 year or 12,000 miles. The Mercedes-Benz adjustment period covers tires (excluding Sprinter/Metris), alignments and balancing, brake discs/pads, glass, and wipers.
Lincoln: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
Buying a Lincoln comes with some nice warranty backing. The company's 4 year or 50,000-mile warranty is a nice standard guarantee but where the company really shines is with its powertrain promise alongside some other additional warranties. The Lincoln powertrain is warrantied for 6 years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The company also gives buyers peace of mind with an adjustment period good for 1 year or 12,000 miles. The adjustment period covers alignment and wheel balancing. Lincoln also provides a five-year corrosion warranty with unlimited miles, which is admittedly low. Emissions are covered for a standard 8 years or 80,000 miles.
BMW: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
BMW offers a pretty standard 4-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty and the company adds some nice additional protections that can extend up to 12 years for customers looking to keep their vehicle looking fresh on the outside.
As previously noted, BMW matches Audi's 12-year, unlimited mileage corrosion warranty. The company also provides buyers with a 3-year, 36,000-mile maintenance schedule, besting Audi. The company also provides a 1-year or 2,000-miles "adjustment period" that covers wheel alignments, balancing, and wiper blade inserts. Throw in an 8-year, 80,000-mile emissions guarantee and you have a winning warranty combination.
Porsche: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
The 4-year, 50,000-mile warranty for a new Porsche purchase seems low given the cost of the vehicles, especially given the same powertrain promise. At the same time, the company backs up its warranty with some additional perks.
Porche offers some vehicles with a 12-year, unlimited corrosion warranty. The auto brand also provides emissions help for 8-years or 80,000 miles. There are some exclusions, for example, the 911 GT2 and GT3 receive corrosion coverage for 3 years and the 2016 models are only covered for 4 years. We're not overly impressed given the starting price points for Porsche vehicles.
Land Rover: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
Purchasing a Land Rover provides buyers with a 4-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection plan that also covers the vehicles powertrain. The company does sacrifice a bit of corrosion coverage.
Unlike other vehicles, there is not an 8-year protection plan. Instead, corrosion is covered for six-years with unlimited miles. Land Rover also offers an industry standard 8-years of emissions coverage or 80,000 miles. It's not the best warranty plan but it was enough to make our list.
Alfa Romeo: 4 Years, 40,000 Miles
The Alfa Romeo started with basic coverage that provides bumper-to-bumper service for 4 years and 40,000 miles. For a premium car, this is a bit of a letdown. The company, however, does offer free 24/7 roadside assistance during that time period.
The basic warranty for Alfa Romeo also includes 5-years and unlimited miles for corrosion coverage and a 5-year, unlimited-mileage emissions warranty. It's not the best warranty in the industry but it still beats out some other brands.
Cadillac: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
Cadillac provides a fairly standard 4-year or 50,000-mile warranty which includes one maintenance visit during the first year of ownership which offers maintenance items, such as oil and filter changes, tire rotations, and required manufacturer inspections.
The company's powertrain warranty is even better, offering 6 years and 70,000 miles of coverage which is pretty darn good for the industry. Sadly, corrosion is covered only for 6 years with unlimited miles. Corrosion is covered for 8 years and 80,000 miles.
Buick: 4 Years, 50,000 Miles
Buick provides a 4-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that will likely expire mileage-wise before the 4-year period is up. The company also provides some additional warranties to help keep your car in tip-top shape. The company's powertrain warranty is an impressive 6 years or 70,000 miles and customers receive one maintenance in the first year or 75,000 miles.
Maintenance includes oil and filter changes, tire rotations, and required manufacturer inspections. A 1-year, 7,500-mile adjustment period covers alignment and wheel balancing. Buick also provides an unlimited mileage corrosion coverage for 6-years alongside an 8-year, 80,000-mile corrosion warranty.
Infiniti: 4 Years, 60,000 Miles
Infiniti ups its warranty game with a 4-year warranty that offers 60,000 miles in coverage. The warranty seems more in line with the number of miles the average U.S. driver is putting on their vehicle these days. The Infiniti powertrain offers even better coverage at 6 years or 70,000 miles.
In the first year or 12,000 miles, the company also provides an alignment and wheel balancing. In addition, Infiniti provides unlimited mileage corrosion protection for 7 years and offers 8 years or 80,000 miles of corrosion coverage.
Hyundai: 5 Years, 60,000 Miles
Hyundai in recent years has become a serious competitor in the United States and the company has backed up its vehicles with a 5-year or 60,000-mile warranty with bumper-to-bumper coverage. The company also provides a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty for a vehicle's original owner.
Throw in a 1 year or 12,000 miles wheel alignment and tire balancing option and it's a good deal. Hyundai also provides a 7-year, unlimited-mileage corrosion guarantee and emissions coverage for 8 years or 80,000 miles.
Mitsubishi: 5 Years, 60,000 Miles
Mitsubishi, in recent years, has been luring in customers with its 5-year or 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Where the company really shines though is a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty for its powertrain system.
On top of that excellent coverage, Mitsubishi also offers a 1-year or 12,000-mile adjustment period that includes wheel alignment and tire balancing. The company also offers a 7-year, 100,000-mile corrosion warranty and provides an 8-year, 80,000-mile emissions protection plan.
Kia: 5 Years, 60,000 Miles
Kia offers a lot of warranty protections but not all of its coverage is equal. The company starts with a 5-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and then adds in a rather low 5-year or 100,000-mile corrosion and rust-through promise. The company also offers paint and audio coverage for 3-years or 36,000-miles.
Kia provides new car buyers with 8 years or 80,000 miles in emissions checks. On top of all those options, a new Kia comes with an original owner's warranty of 10-years or 100,000 miles for its powertrain system.
Jaguar: 5 Years, 60,000 Miles
If you're throwing down the cash for a Jaguar you can rest easy that your bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties are good for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Other protections also include additional warranties.
Your Jaguar's adjustment period lasts for 1 year or 12,500 miles and covers wear parts and service adjustments. Corrosion is also covered for six-years and unlimited miles while emissions testing receives 8 years or 80,000 miles in coverage. Honestly, we were hoping for more from this luxury automaker.
Volkswagen: 6 Years, 72,000 Miles
Volkswagen has spent years trying to repair its reputation and that starts with a rather impressive bumper-to-bumper warranty that includes 6 years and 72,000 miles. That same time period also covers your new vehicle's powertrain.
VW also provides buyers with a 1-year ear or 12,000miles adjustment period for wheel alignment and tire balancing. Corrosion is protected for 7 years or 100,000 miles, which honestly could be better. Volkswagen also includes 8 years or 80,000 miles for its corrosion warranty.
