Which Vehicles Have the Best Warranty Coverage?

A major factor for many shoppers in choosing a new car over a used one is the added peace of mind of a new car’s factory warranty. While a new vehicle still could develop a problem, fixing it will be on the automaker’s dime for the duration of the warranty.

But warranties are not created equal. The duration of a new car’s warranty is for a number of years from the delivery date or a number of miles, and coverage ends with whichever one you hit first. The length of protection has added importance these days, with people signing up for ever-longer loans to afford a new vehicle. The average new-car loan term was about 70 months — almost six years — in 2022, according to data company Experian.

Every new-vehicle warranty also lists exceptions and exclusions, so you’ll need to read carefully to avoid surprises down the road. Some warranties allow unexpired coverage to pass to a second owner, but others don’t.

Most warranties also require you to keep up with scheduled maintenance. You don’t have to do it at a dealer, but if you don’t, it’s even more important to keep good records in case of a dispute. Such maintenance is not covered under the warranty, though some automakers and dealers offer separate complimentary maintenance programs. Certain aftermarket equipment or vehicle modifications might also cause problems with warranty coverage.

Types of New-Car Warranties

New-car warranties have three main types of coverage that might differ in length:

Bumper-to-bumper:Sometimes called a basic warranty, this coverage is what most people think of first. A bumper-to-bumper warranty covers the whole vehicle, usually with the exception of normal replacement items such as filters, wiper blades and brake pads. There typically is separate coverage for rust and emissions equipment subject to federal and state regulations. Tires are covered by a tiremaker warranty.
Powertrain:This is sometimes covered separately for more time or miles, but it’s just for engine, transmission and drivetrain components. Powertrain warranties can also include components in drive systems for electric vehicles and gas-electric hybrids.
Roadside assistance:This provides some level of help if a problem leaves you at the side of the road.

EVs will have additional coverage for the main battery pack, the vehicle’s most expensive component. Federal regulations require that it be covered against failure for at least eight years or 100,000 miles; some automakers offer longer coverage, and some states require it. In California and states using California’s rules, coverage is required to be for 10 years or 150,000 miles, so any high-voltage battery coverage listed below would be for at least these limits for vehicles bought in those states. But it’s important to read the fine print. Battery failure is rare, but loss of capacity is not. All battery packs lose capacity over time, cutting your available driving range. Some — but not all — EV warranties also offer protection against that loss, typically guaranteeing that the battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity over the years of the warranty.

Here is a ranking by brand of new-car warranties for retail buyers based on these main types of coverage and grouped from outstanding to average:

Top-Shelf Warranties

These brands stand out for having both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties that are more generous than others. One caveat, however, is that their long powertrain warranties cover only the original owner. For subsequent owners, the powertrain coverage reverts to the same limits as the basic warranty.

Fisker

Bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage for the coming Fisker Ocean lasts six years or 60,000 miles, while powertrain and battery coverage is for 10 years or 100,000 miles with 75% battery capacity retention.

Hyundai, Genesis, Kia

Bumper-to-bumper coverage runs five years or 60,000 miles, powertrain coverage runs for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and roadside assistance extends five years with unlimited mileage. Genesis also offers enhanced maintenance and service coverage. The main drive battery and drive system components for EVs and hybrids are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles, with EV battery degradation limited to 70% of capacity.

Mitsubishi

Bumper-to-bumper coverage runs five years or 60,000 miles, powertrain coverage is for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and roadside assistance coverage runs for five years with no mileage cap. The powertrain coverage includes the Outlander plug-in hybrid SUV, but there is no provision for loss of battery capacity.

Rivian

Bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage runs for five years or 60,000 miles. Powertrain coverage is for eight years or 175,000 miles, and coverage for the battery pack is eight years or 175,000 miles with battery capacity retention of at least 70%.

Above-Average Warranties

Just below the top-shelf warranties are brands with above-average coverage in one or more of the areas.

Acura

Bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance runs four years or 50,000 miles, and powertrain coverage lasts six years or 70,000 miles.

Cadillac

Bumper-to-bumper coverage is for four years or 50,000 miles, with powertrain and roadside assistance running six years or 70,000 miles. EV batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles with battery capacity retention of at least 75%; EV roadside assistance also has those higher limits.

Infiniti

Bumper-to-bumper coverage is for four years or 60,000 miles, powertrain coverage runs six years or 70,000 miles, and roadside assistance goes four years with no mileage cap.

Jaguar

Bumper-to-bumper, powertrain and roadside assistance all run five years or 60,000 miles. EV batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles with 70% battery capacity retention.

Lexus

Bumper-to-bumper coverage is for four years or 50,000 miles, powertrain coverage is for six years or 70,000 miles, and roadside assistance lasts four years with no mileage cap. Hybrid system components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, and hybrid batteries are covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Lincoln

Bumper-to-bumper coverage runs four years or 50,000 miles, with powertrain for six years or 70,000 miles and roadside assistance having unlimited caps with the first owner. Hybrid system components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Tesla

Bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage is for four years or 50,000 miles. Coverage for electric drive units and batteries runs eight years or 150,000 miles on the Model S and X; eight years or 120,000 miles on the Model 3 and Model Y Long Range and Performance variants; and eight years or 100,000 miles on the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive. All battery warranties are for battery capacity retention of at least 70% over the warranty period.

Industry-Average Warranties

These brands offer industry-average coverage. For mainstream brands, that generally means bumper-to-bumper coverage for three years and powertrain backing for five years. Premium brands tend to average four years for both. Both groups usually include a period of roadside assistance.

Alfa Romeo, Fiat

These Stellantis brands offer bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and roadside assistance for four years with no mileage cap.

Audi

This Volkswagen premium brand offers bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and roadside assistance for four years with no mileage limit. Coverage is eight years or 100,000 miles for Audi’s EV and hybrid batteries.

BMW, Mini

Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage runs four years or 50,000 miles, and roadside assistance lasts for four years with no mileage cap. High-voltage batteries in EVs and PHEVs are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Buick, Chevrolet, GMC

These GM brands mostly offer bumper-to-bumper policies for three years or 36,000 miles; powertrain coverage runs five years or 60,000 miles, though diesel powertrains get five years or 100,000 miles. Specific electric and hybrid components, including batteries, are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. The big GMC Hummer EV’s battery is covered for at least 75% capacity retention.

Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Wagoneer

These Stellantis brands offer bumper-to-bumper coverage for three years or 36,000 miles, plus powertrain and roadside assistance coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. Hybrid drive batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. Diesel powertrain and roadside assistance coverage is for five years or 100,000 miles.

Ford

Bumper-to-bumper coverage runs three years or 36,000 miles, with powertrain and roadside assistance extending to five years or 60,000 miles. Diesel engines are covered for five years or 100,000 miles. Hybrid and EV system components and batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Honda

Bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage runs three years or 36,000 miles, while powertrain coverage lasts five years or 60,000 miles. Hybrid batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Land Rover

Bumper-to-bumper, powertrain and roadside assistance coverage lasts four years or 50,000 miles. Hybrid batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Lucid

Bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage lasts four years or 50,000 miles, while powertrain and EV battery coverage lasts eight years or 100,000 miles with at least 70% battery capacity retention.

Mazda

Bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage runs three years or 36,000 miles, and powertrain coverage lasts five years or 60,000 miles. The MX-30 EV’s battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles with battery capacity retention of at least 70%.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes’ bumper-to-bumper, powertrain and roadside assistance coverage is for four years or 50,000 miles. PHEV batteries are covered for six years or 62,000 miles in most states. Coverage for the batteries in Mercedes-EQ EVs varies, with the EQS Sedan and SUV and EQE Sedan and SUV batteries covered for 10 years or 155,000 miles with battery capacity retention of at least 70%, while the EQB SUV is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Nissan

Bumper-to-bumper and roadside assistance coverage is for three years or 36,000 miles, while powertrain coverage, including that of EVs, is for five years or 60,000 miles. Leaf and Ariya EV batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles with capacity retention of at least nine segments on the vehicle’s 12-segment capacity gauge. The Titan pickup truck gets more bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage at five years or 100,000 miles.

Polestar

Bumper-to-bumper coverage runs four years or 50,000 miles, while roadside assistance is provided for four years with no mileage cap. Batteries and electric drive components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles with battery capacity retention of at least 70%.

Porsche

VW’s luxury performance brand offers bumper-to-bumper, powertrain and roadside assistance coverage for four years or 50,000 miles. Coverage is eight years or 100,000 miles for hybrid and EV batteries.

Subaru

Bumper-to-bumper coverage and roadside assistance are for three years or 36,000 miles, while powertrain coverage lasts five years or 60,000 miles. Hybrid components, including the battery, are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. The Solterra EV’s electric drive components and drive battery are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles with battery capacity retention of at least 70%.

Toyota

Bumper-to-bumper coverage runs three years or 36,000 miles, while powertrain coverage lasts five years or 60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is covered for two years with no mileage cap. Hybrid-related components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, and hybrid batteries are covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles. The bZ4X EV includes roadside assistance for three years with no mileage cap, and its electric drive components and battery are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles with battery capacity retention of at least 70%.

Volkswagen

VW provides four years or 50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage, with three years or 36,000 miles of roadside assistance. The ID.4 EV’s coverage runs eight years or 100,000 miles of battery coverage.

Volvo

Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage is for four years or 50,000 miles. Roadside assistance is covered for four years or unlimited mileage, plus unlimited free towing to a Volvo dealer. Hybrid and EV batteries are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

More From Cars.com:

What About Extended Warranties?

When you buy a new vehicle, many dealers also will try to sell you a separate “extended warranty,” which covers potential problems beyond the original warranty’s limits. The extended warranty might be sold by the automaker or a third-party company. You may also later get sales pitches by phone or email for extended warranties around the time your original warranty is expiring. These are not actually an extension of the original warranty but are separate insurance products that provide some level of coverage (read the fine print) along with some restrictions for additional years or miles. Read more about whether one might be right for you.

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