Best Car Warranties

Key Points:

• You can find the best manufacturer warranties from Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Jaguar, and Acura.
• The best extended warranty providers are Endurance, autopom!, Carchex, and Omega Auto Care.
• There is no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to auto warranties, so compare many different companies to find the right fit for you.

After 1,475 hours of research, we created this car warranties comparison guide to help you size up new car warranties from most major manufacturers that sell vehicles in the United States. Learn which companies offer the longest warranties and how to best compare coverage.

In this guide, we’ll also discuss options for lengthening your car warranty. Our researchers have reviewed the best extended car warranty companies, looking at price, coverage, customer reviews, and reliability. We’ll offer some provider recommendations and explain how to recognize good extended coverage. You can start comparing quotes from our highest-rated warranty providers below.

An extended car warranty refers to mechanical breakdown coverage offered by a vehicle manufacturer. However, this term is often mistakenly used to describe coverage from third-party companies. Independent providers offer similar protection through vehicle service contracts, but we’ve used the terms interchangeably in this article for convenience.

Auto Warranty Ratings: Our Review Process

We review and analyze many providers to find the best that the auto warranty industry has to offer. The ratings we give are for independent companies that offer vehicle service contracts such as Endurance and Carchex. Our methodology for this article does not apply to car manufacturers that provide warranties, such as Kia and Hyundai. 

Each third-party warranty provider is given an overall score based on their ratings in five main categories: reliability, coverage plans, pricing, transparency, and customer experience.

How We Rated Independent Car Warranty Providers

To give you the most current information, we update our review standards several times each year. Below are more details on what we look for in each rating category: 

Reliability

Providers are given a high score in this category based on any awards, ratings, or recognitions by trusted warranty evaluators, such as Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Carfax, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot, and how much experience a warranty provider has.

Coverage Plans

Providers that offer several different coverage options are rewarded with a higher score in this category. If a company offers plans with long term limits and several benefits, its Coverage score increases.

Pricing

Providers that offer affordable coverage plans as well as deductible options can expect to see a higher score in the pricing category. If these same providers offer discounts, their score will increase. 

Transparency

When it comes to this category, if a company offers a money-back guarantee and allows customers to view sample contracts on coverage-plan pages, it will receive a high rating. Its website also has to be relatively clear and easy to navigate.

Customer Experience

In this category, strong online customer reviews bring providers high scores. If a provider has a mobile app and offers an online chat option for customers, its score for customer experience will increase as well. We usually browse websites such as Trustpilot and the BBB to find common complaint patterns and highlights that customers say about each provider.

---

New Car Warranties Comparison

Virtually every car manufacturer includes warranty protection with its new vehicles. A new car warranty is a guarantee that vehicles are free of defects in materials or workmanship. Standard new car coverage is divided into several individual warranties, each covering specific parts for different lengths of time.

The two most important new car warranties are bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. Under car manufacturers, bumper-to-bumper warranties are typically called new vehicle limited warranties, and they usually cover the majority of mechanical and electric vehicle components, with a few exceptions. Common exclusions include wear-and-tear parts like tires and brake pads and routine maintenance services like oil changes. 

A powertrain warranty covers components such as the engine, transmission, and transfer case. Powertrain-plus warranties typically include what powertrain warranties cover while adding on coverage for the alternator, systems in steering, electrical, air conditioning, and more.

Powertrain coverage often lasts a few years longer than bumper-to-bumper coverage. Many car manufacturers also offer anti-perforation warranties, which cover damages from rust corrosion on body sheet panels of cars.

Roadside Assistance

While roadside assistance isn’t a warranty itself, it’s a benefit that is often included in most factory warranties–though some companies allow you to purchase additional roadside assistance. This perk is typically used when your car breaks down on the side of the road, and it usually includes:

• Battery jump-starts
• Fuel deliveries
• Key fob replacements
• Lockout assistance
• Towing services to the nearest repair facility

New Car Warranties Comparison

Most car manufacturers will offer the same types of warranties that cover almost the same items. The most effective way to evaluate which companies offer the best warranties is to look at the length of coverage. 

Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Jaguar, and Acura offer the longest term and mileage limits for new car warranty coverage and benefits. The list below provides the main coverage details so that you can compare warranties from the top providers:

#1 Hyundai

Here are some of the main warranties that Hyundai offers:

• 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty
• 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
• 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty
• 5 years/unlimited miles of 24-hour roadside assistance

After ranking in the top 10 in the 2023 version of the study, Hyundai came in slightly below the industry average in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠. Car repair estimator site RepairPal ranked Hyundai fourth out of 32 auto brands for reliability, which is more familiar territory for the automaker.

Learn more from our guide on the Hyundai warranty.

#2 Kia

Kia takes the second spot on the list for having a slightly shorter anti-perforation warranty. However, this manufacturer shows the same length of powertrain and bumper-to-bumper coverage as Hyundai:

• 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty
• 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty
• 5-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty
• 5 years/60,000 miles of 24-hour roadside assistance

Kia scores higher than Hyundai in terms of vehicle reliability. According to the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Kia produces the eighth-most reliable cars out of 29 ranked brands. With a steady warranty package and a good car brand, your Kia vehicle will be heavily protected from a mechanical breakdown, offering maximum peace of mind.

Learn more from our guide on the Kia warranty.

#3 Mitsubishi

Here are some of the main warranties that Mitsubishi offers:

• 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty
• 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
• 7-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty
• 5 years/unlimited mileage 24-hour roadside assistance

Mitsubishi wasn’t ranked in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, but finished in the top 10 of the 2023 version. RepairPal gives Mitsubishi a 4.0 out of 5.0 for overall reliability, placing it sixth out of 32 auto brands.

#4 Jaguar

Jaguar’s EliteCare program includes the following warranties:

• 5 years/60,000 miles of coverage for a new vehicle limited warranty, complimentary scheduled maintenance, and 24/7 roadside assistance
• 1-year/unlimited-mileage parts and accessories limited warranty
• 6-year/unlimited-mileage paint and corrosion warranty

It’s worth noting that Jaguar is not one of the most reliable auto brands, despite its popularity. RepairPal ranks the automaker 29th out of 32 for reliability and pegs its average annual repair cost at nearly double the industry average. In a way, this makes Jaguar’s length of coverage and complimentary maintenance services much more useful.

#5 Acura

Acura provides:

• 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty 
• 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain limited warranty 
• 5-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty

According to J.D. Power, like Jaguar, Acura is below the industry average for vehicle reliability, so longer warranties for this auto brand are useful.

Certified Used Car Warranty Comparison

The list below provides coverage details for some of the top certified pre-owned (CPO) car warranties. These warranty options cover used cars sold by the manufacturer that meets specific quality control standards.

#1 Mitsubishi

A Mitsubishi CPO warranty covers powertrain components for 10 years/100,000 miles and gives secondary owners whatever is left over from the 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty. CPO warranties from this manufacturer don’t include deductibles, although other warranties might.

#2 Hyundai

Hyundai CPO warranties cover powertrain components for 10 years/100,000 miles and all other parts for 5 years/60,000 miles, much like Mitsubishi. Unlike with Mitsubishi, Hyundai CPO warranties come with a $50 deductible.

#3 Kia

Kia CPO warranties cover powertrain components for 10 years/100,000 miles and other parts for 1 year/12,000 miles. These warranties include a $50 deductible.

---

Extended Car Warranty Comparison

Many drivers choose to purchase an extended warranty to protect their vehicle after its factory warranty expires. Extended warranties (also called vehicle service contracts or vehicle protection plans) can offer coverage similar to a factory warranty, though plan specifics differ from provider to provider.

Most manufacturers offer extended warranty protection when you buy your new vehicle. Drivers also have the option to purchase a vehicle service contract from a third-party provider.

Top Extended Car Warranty Providers

Below, we compare the top extended car warranty providers. This list is created based on the thorough research we conduct each year into the extended car warranty industry.

#1 Endurance: 4.6 Stars

Endurance takes the top spot in our rankings and our award for Best Overall extended warranty option. As a direct provider of coverage, Endurance ensures there’s no intermediary to deal with when you need a covered repair, which makes the claims process easier, typically.

Endurance offers six different coverage plans with terms up to 8 years/unlimited miles. We also like that the company offers a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which include key fob replacements, tire repairs and replacements, and 24/7 roadside assistance.

Read more: Endurance Warranty Review

#2 autopom!: 4.6 Stars

Autopom! has an excellent industry reputation, which includes an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB with a 4.3-star customer rating. The provider keeps things simple with three plans that range from exclusionary coverage to basic powertrain protection. We give autopom! our Best Claims Process award due to a common theme of its many positive online reviews.

Read more: autopom! Review

#3 Carchex: 4.4 Stars

Carchex offers five different coverage plans with terms up to 10 years/250,000 miles. We recognize the company with our Best Industry Reputation award for its A+ rating from the BBB and partnerships with leading automotive organizations like Kelley Blue Book (KBB) and Carfax. 

Along with solid coverage options, Carchex offers benefits such as roadside assistance, towing services, and trip interruption coverage.

Read more: Carchex Warranty Review

#4 Omega Auto Care: 4.3 Stars

Omega Auto Care offers three main coverage options, with two featuring upgraded tiers. Each plan comes with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption benefits, and basic maintenance services. The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and 3.8 out of 5.0 stars from customers on Trustpilot.

Read more: Omega Auto Care Review

Car Warranty Price Comparison

The price of an extended car warranty depends on several factors, so we recommend comparing options from different companies. Here’s a look at some of the quotes we received in April of 2024 from Endurance and Carchex on a 2022 Toyota 4Runner with varying mileage:

Provider	Coverage Level	Terms	Monthly Cost	Deductible
Endurance	Comprehensive	2.5 years/40,000 miles	$85.68 for 30 months	$100
Carchex	Comprehensive	Unlimited; month to month	$149.99	$200
Endurance	Powertrain	2.5 years/40,000 miles	$84.91 for 30 months	$100
Carchex	Powertrain*	Unlimited; month to month	$159.99	$250

*For a 2017 Toyota 4Runner

Here are the quotes we received for mid-level coverage on a 2017 Honda Civic with 100,000 miles:

Provider	Terms	Monthly Cost	Deductible
Endurance	2.5 years/40,000 miles	$104.39 for 30 months	$100
Carchex	Unlimited; month-to-month	$149.99	$200

---

Manufacturer Extended Warranty Vs. Third-Party Extended Warranty

While manufacturer extended warranties typically offer more comprehensive coverage, third-party extended warranties are usually less expensive and do not need to be purchased through a dealership (meaning they’re not subject to dealer markups).

Car Warranties Comparison	Manufacturer Extended Warranty	Third-Party Extended Warranty
Time limit for purchasing	Must be purchased before your factory bumper-to-bumper warranty expires	Can be purchased at any time
Repair shop options	Repairs can only be performed at an authorized dealership	Repairs can be performed at any certified repair shop or dealership
Parts and technicians	Guarantees that only original manufacturer parts are used and repairs are made by certified brand technicians	Does not guarantee full reimbursement for original manufacturer parts, but repairs can be performed by certified brand technicians if made at a dealership
Cost	Can include a dealer markup	Often cheaper than manufacturer extended warranties
Claims process	Claims typically handled at the dealership	Claims process can be more involved
Coverage limits	Typically has coverage limits that top out around 100,000 miles	Typically offers higher coverage limits, with some companies providing coverage up to 250,000 miles
Added benefits	Typically includes benefits such as roadside assistance, trip interruption reimbursement, and rental car reimbursement	Typically includes benefits such as roadside assistance, trip interruption reimbursement, and rental car reimbursement

As you can see, there are pros and cons to each option.

---

How To Compare Car Warranties

When researching extended car warranties, be sure to shop around and compare prices. It’s also important to thoroughly explore coverage options. Our fall 2023 survey found that 35 percent of respondents would purchase longer and more extensive coverage if they could redo the warranty-buying process.

Reputable extended car warranty companies provide low-cost, reliable coverage and quick claims servicing. Other extended warranty providers, however, nickel and dime customers and make it difficult to file claims, offering poor service at a high price.

If you’re looking for the best car warranty, be sure to consider:

Coverage	Read sample contracts if available. Make sure you understand exactly what is covered by any warranty before you buy it.
Cost	Don’t overpay for your warranty. Extended car warranty costs are different for every driver. Compare multiple quotes to find the best price for you.
Customer Reviews	Read review sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to sense how a company treats its customers. Every extended warranty company will have a number of customer complaints, but it’s important to see how each company addresses those complaints.
Industry Reputation	Consider providers with well-known brand partners, awards, or high industry remarks. Find out which companies administer the warranty you’re considering (some providers administer their own policies while others act as brokers). Then look at the AM Best financial strength rating of the administrator to see whether a company is financially stable enough to pay out claims. You don’t want to invest in a warranty only to have the warranty administrator go bankrupt.

---

Car Warranty Comparison: Our Take

In this article, we outlined major automaker warranties and extended car warranties so you can draw comparisons between offerings. We also highlighted what to look for when comparing auto warranty options. No car warranty is best for everyone so it’s important to weigh your options and make the best decision based on your situation.

Car Warranties Comparison: FAQ

Below are some common frequently asked questions about the best car warranties:

How We Rate Car Warranty Companies

Our review team extensively researches extended car warranty providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: Warranty providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), work with reliable partners and administrators, and have a long history in the warranty industry score well in this category.
• Coverage Plans: We take a close look at the coverage plans available through each provider, including how many are offered, maximum term limits, plan exclusions, and more. We also evaluate the added benefits companies include with their warranty plans, such as roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits.
• Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and coverage plans to get a sense of a provider’s average costs. We see how each company’s pricing, deductible options, and discount opportunities compare to competitors when determining this score. 
• Transparency: We evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews and complaints from sites like the BBB and Trustpilot. Our team also reaches out to customer service reps during our secret shopper analysis to get a sense of the customer experience with each company.

*Data accurate at time of publication.