Where Can You Get the Best SUV Warranty

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.

If you’re looking to purchase a new SUV, you may be wondering which brands offer the best SUV warranty coverage to protect your vehicle once you drive it off the lot.

In this article, we’ll discuss four of the top SUV warranties from car manufacturers and what to expect from coverage. We’ll also go over what to look for in a good SUV warranty, from benefits to the buying experience. Finally, we’ll dive into the perks of purchasing an extended warranty to protect your vehicle in the long run.

Our review team has researched and ranked the industry’s best extended car warranty companies. If you’re in the market for extended SUV coverage, we recommend comparing quotes from a few top-rated providers to find the warranty that best suits your needs and budget. You can start getting free, personalized quotes above.

4 Best SUV Warranties

The four best SUV warranties are from Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi and Genesis. These manufacturers offer the longest powertrain warranties on the market, extending up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. They also provide some of the longest bumper-to-bumper warranties, which extend up to 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Here’s an overview of each of the best SUV warranty plans:

While these SUV warranties generally cover the same parts, each brand’s plans are specialized to meet the unique needs of its models.

A slight difference can also be found in the brands’ parts and accessories warranties. Hyundai and Kia provide coverage for genuine, manufacturer-specific parts for 1 year/12,000 miles. Genesis offers a 1-year/12,000-mile warranty for replacement parts but a 3-year/60,000-mile warranty for accessories. Mitsubishi does not have a clear parts and accessories warranty, but it does protect your restraint system for 5 years/60,000 miles.

What Does an SUV Warranty Cover?

An SUV factory warranty covers parts that fail due to defects in materials or workmanship. There are two main types of warranty coverage – powertrain and bumper-to-bumper – which cover a certain set of vehicle parts.

Your SUV’s powertrain warranty covers only the parts that make the vehicle move – the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axles, and related parts.

On the other hand, a bumper-to-bumper warranty covers most mechanical and electrical components. Ironically, it does not cover the bumpers themselves. Many bumper-to-bumper warranties are exclusionary, which means your manufacturer warranty booklet or vehicle service contract will only list the parts that aren’t covered under warranty instead of naming all of the parts that are covered.

It’s important to note that all warranties will only cover damage that results from normal use. Damage from collisions, misuse, improper maintenance, abuse or environmental causes will not be covered.

The other main parts of your SUV’s warranty are the corrosion or anti-perforation warranty and the emissions warranty. The corrosion warranty repairs or replaces sheet metal panels that rust through. The emissions warranty follows federal and, in some cases, state guidelines on maintaining a well-working emissions system.

SUV Warranty Benefits

Roadside assistance is the main benefit offered with factory SUV warranty coverage. If your SUV suffers a mechanical breakdown or other issue that leaves your vehicle inoperable, the roadside assistance that comes with the manufacturer’s warranty can help.

Services covered under factory SUV warranty coverage include:

• Towing
• Lockout assistance
• Winching
• Flat-tire changes
• Battery jump-starts

The benefits that come in addition to your factory warranty can include a few other services as well. The Mitsubishi warranty, for example, includes trip interruption reimbursement and fuel delivery with its emergency roadside assistance program.

What to Look for in a Good SUV Warranty

The best SUV warranty coverage offers long term lengths and high levels of protection. According to IHS Markit, most drivers on the road today will own their vehicle for 11.8 years, so choosing a manufacturer with a longer coverage term can mean your SUV will be covered for most of your ownership.

Here are a few other factors that make for a strong SUV warranty:

• Additional benefits: Roadside assistance, towing, trip reimbursement and rental car reimbursement are all features to seek out when searching for the best SUV warranty.
• Complimentary maintenance services: Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance in their factory coverage. Since your car’s upkeep is essential to maintaining your warranty’s validity, looking into this option is a smart play.
• Parts and accessories warranty: As mentioned, some manufacturers include a certain length of coverage for all factory-installed parts and accessories. This extra coverage can come in handy if you opt for a specialty vehicle package or upgraded SUV components.

Is an Extended SUV Warranty Worth It?

As outlined above, the best SUV warranty plans cover your vehicle’s most important parts for up to 10 years. However, many automakers only offer powertrain coverage for five years. If your vehicle is covered for just a short amount of time, extended coverage may be well worth it, as SUVs can be more costly to fix than compact or midsize sedans.

An extended warranty, also called a vehicle service contract, repairs or replaces any defective parts after your factory warranty expires. The optional coverage can either come from your manufacturer or from a third-party provider.

These plans are a beneficial financial investment for many drivers, especially those who want to save money on costly repairs, want added peace of mind on the road or want to increase the resale value of their car. However, if you have a highly reliable SUV or an SUV you plan on trading in after only a few years, you may not need the extra coverage.

Ultimately, for vehicle service contracts to be worth it, the cost of repairs should outweigh the cost of the extended warranty.

Manufacturer Extended Warranties

The four best SUV warranty providers also offer extended warranties. Here’s an overview of each manufacturers’ options:

Our Picks for Best Extended Auto Warranties

A manufacturer-backed extended vehicle warranty has its benefits, like specialized contracts and factory-trained technicians. However, third-party providers offer more flexibility and are often cheaper.

Our review team has evaluated every major auto warranty company, taking a look at plan options, costs, customer reviews, industry reputations and more. Based on this research, we suggest reaching out to Endurance and CARCHEX for quotes for your SUV extended warranty coverage.

Endurance: Best Provider

Endurance is our recommendation for drivers who want to work with a provider without a middleman. The warranty company works with customers directly rather than through an administrator, which means there are fewer hoops to jump through when getting a quote and filing a claim.

Here’s a snapshot of Endurance auto warranty coverage:

• Six comprehensive warranty plans to choose from
• Term limits up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles
• Deductible options of $0, $50, $100 or $200
• Sample contracts online for added transparency
• Coverage accepted at dealerships, authorized independent repair shops or repair facility chains like Pep Boys

For more information, read our in-depth Endurance warranty review. You can also click below to get a free, personalized quote.

CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars

CARCHEX is our extended car warranty choice for older vehicles. An extended warranty for cars over 100,000 miles can be difficult to find, but CARCHEX offers a specialty plan designed for the unique needs of high-mileage cars and SUVs.

Here’s an overview of CARCHEX warranty coverage:

• Five comprehensive coverage levels to choose from
• Term limits up to 10 years or 250,000 miles
• Deductible options of $0, $50, $100 or $200
• Endorsed by industry giants such as Kelley Blue Book and CARFAX
• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau

For all the ins and outs of the provider’s extended warranty plans, read our full CARCHEX review. You can also use the tool below to get a free quote from CARCHEX.