Where Can You Get the Best SUV Warranty?

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An extended auto warranty is a protection plan you can buy from an automaker or dealership to cover mechanical breakdowns. Third-party providers offer similar coverage in the form of vehicle service contracts. We use these terms interchangeably in this article for simplicity.

Affiliate Disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase coverage from the extended warranty providers outlined here. These commissions come to us at no additional cost to you. Our research team has carefully vetted dozens of extended warranty providers. See our Privacy Policy to learn more.  

Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.4/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Affordability: 4.5/5.0
Transparency: 5.0/5.0
Customer Service: 4.4/5.0
idée We recommend Endurance as the best warranty provider
  • Best Overall
  • Coverage Plans: 6 options plus maintenance plan
  • Odometer Limit: Unlimited mileage
  • Free Cancellation: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Factory-level bumper-to-bumper plan Free membership for first year
Multiple powertrain/mid-level choices $500 collision discount
Scheduled maintenance coverage Tire repair or replacement
24/7 emergency roadside assistance Total loss protection up to $1,000
Trip interruption reimbursement Key fob replacement and repair
Rental vehicle coverage Endurance mobile app
Towing allowance $250 credit with shopping or dining partners
  • The best SUV warranty can give you added peace of mind and put money back in your pocket.
  • All new SUVs come with a manufacturer warranty, but some brands offer longer coverage than others.
  • Once your factory SUV warranty expires, you can get extended coverage from your manufacturer or a third-party provider. 

When choosing an SUV, there are many factors to consider — spaciousness, safety features, and even warranty length can play a big role in your vehicle’s value. But which automakers have the best SUV warranty coverage, and why does it matter? 

In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more about SUV warranties. We’ll also introduce you to the best extended car warranty companies that offer coverage after your factory warranty expires. SUVs are more likely to break down as they age, so long-term protection may be well worth the investment. 

To see how much an extended SUV warranty would cost from one of our top recommended providers, get free quotes above.

7 Best SUV Warranty Plans in 2021

All new SUVs come with a factory-backed warranty plan stating that your manufacturer will cover the repair and replacement costs of parts that break down during your first few years of ownership. These last for a limited number of years or miles set by the manufacturer, with the best SUV warranty coverage spanning up to 10 years. 

As mentioned, SUVs become more prone to breakdowns as the years go by, which is why the length of your warranty term matters. Below, we’ve listed the top seven best SUV warranty packages, all of which offer longer coverage limits compared to the three-year/36,000-mile industry standard. 

Best SUV Warranty Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty Powertrain Warranty Roadside Assistance
1. Hyundai 5 years/60,000 miles 10 years/100,000 miles 5 years/unlimited miles
2. Kia 5 years/60,000 miles 10 years/100,000 miles 5 years/60,000 miles
3. Tesla 4 years/50,000 miles 8 years/150,000 miles for Model X 4 years/50,000 miles
4. Mitsubishi 5 years/60,000 miles 10 years/100,000 miles 5 years/unlimited miles
5. Genesis 5 years/60,000 miles 10 years/100,000 miles 5 years/unlimited miles
6. Cadillac 4 years/50,000 miles 6 years/70,000 miles 6 years/70,000 miles
7. Lincoln 4 years/50,000 miles 6 years/70,000 miles 6 years/70,000 miles

*Tesla’s equivalent of a powertrain warranty is called the Battery and Drive Unit Warranty.

Emissions, battery, and corrosion protection are among the other warranties that will with your new SUV purchase. It’s important to note auto warranties do not cover routine maintenance items like oil changes and tire rotations and will not cover misuse or collision damage. 

Here’s why Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla topped our list of the best SUV warranty coverage:

#1 Hyundai: Longest New Car Warranty Limits

Hyundai has the best SUV warranty in the industry. Its five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty nearly double the coverage offered by brands such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.

Overall, Hyundai lives up to its reputation as “America’s Best Warranty” thanks to its complimentary roadside assistance, which lasts for five years and doesn’t have a mileage cap. Most manufacturers end their roadside assistance when bumper-to-bumper coverage expires, but with Hyundai, even if you hit 60,000 miles just three or four years into owning your car, your roadside assistance coverage remains valid.

#2 Kia: 10-Year or 100,000-Mile Powertrain Coverage

Kia offers similar term limits to Hyundai, which isn’t surprising seeing as they’re sister brands. Kia features the same basic warranty length of five years or 60,000 miles and includes powertrain coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles. 

The main difference lies in the roadside assistance terms, as Kia only covers 60,000 miles. Still, it’s one of the longest SUV warranties on the market.

#3 Tesla: High Levels of Protection for Electric SUVs

While Tesla has no powertrain components, its Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty is comparable to other combustion luxury brands like Audi, Porsche, and BMW. The Model X is Tesla’s only SUV on the market and is covered for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

The Battery and Drive Unit Warranty covers your electric vehicle’s essential features for up to eight years or 150,000 miles, with a minimum 70% retention of battery capacity over the warranty period. Overall, the cost of Tesla maintenance is relatively low during the first years of ownership, but upkeep adds up as your Tesla ages.

What’s Covered by an SUV Warranty?

Factory warranties vary between brands and have different limitations, but in general, powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties are the most common coverages you can expect to come with your new SUV. Here’s what each covers:

Powertrain SUV Warranty

Powertrain warranty coverage protects the drivetrain of your all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive SUV, including the engine, rear axle, front axle, driveshaft, and transmission. Exact covered parts may vary, so check with your manufacturer for more details. 

Automakers typically guarantee your powertrain is protected for at least five years or 60,000 miles. Maintenance of these components is expensive and can end up costing thousands of dollars in labor and parts, which is why manufacturers like Hyundai offer longer term limits. For example, a 2021 Hyundai Palisade comes with 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.

Bumper-to-Bumper SUV Warranty

Bumper-to-bumper warranty plans are the most comprehensive level of protection, covering a majority of vehicle systems and parts including braking, steering, air conditioning and heating, and suspension components. 

This coverage is often regarded as “exclusionary,” meaning all parts are covered except for a list of exclusions. Non-covered parts can be anything from tires, wiper blades, and brake pads to the catalytic converter, depending on your manufacturer.

SUV Warranty Benefits

New car limited warranties typically come with a few perks at no additional cost. These benefits can include:

  • 24/7 roadside assistance: Covers locksmith assistance, towing, battery jump-starts, and flat tire changes
  • Rental car reimbursement: Reimburses for alternative transportation while your car is in the shop
  • Trip interruption coverage: Covers a certain amount of food and lodging expenses if you get in an accident far from your home and need to stay overnight while your car is fixed 

If you sell your car before your factory warranty expires, it can also be transferred to the subsequent owner at no additional cost. 

Where & When to Buy an Extended Warranty for Your SUV

Even the best SUV warranty coverage doesn’t last forever. If you want to keep your coverage after your manufacturer’s warranty expires, you have two options: You can purchase additional coverage from the manufacturer or from an independent warranty company. 

With almost every new car purchase, dealerships will offer an extended vehicle service contract. You can add on the coverage while at the dealership, or if you want more time to think about it, most manufacturers will allow you to purchase coverage at any time before your new vehicle limited warranty expires. 

Manufacturer-Backed Extended Service Contracts

If you are looking to extend coverage with your automaker, here is a closer look into vehicle service contracts from the three brands that offer the best SUV warranties with new vehicles: Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla. Typically, these can be purchased directly from your dealer.

Hyundai Extended Warranty Kia Extended Warranty Tesla Extended Warranty
Maximum Coverage 10 years/100,000 miles 120,000 miles 8 years/100,000 miles
Deductible $0+ $0+ Varies
Number of Plan Options 3 5 1
Roadside Assistance
Transferability
 

Are Third-Party Extended Warranties Worth It for SUVs?

Extended service contracts aren’t for everyone, and the need for protection depends on your unique financial situation. If you aren’t sold on your dealer’s extended warranty options, independent warranty companies may be the way to go. Let’s look at a few benefits of third-party coverage:

  • Low pricing: Third-party warranties are often cheaper than manufacturer-backed plans.
  • Longer warranty terms: Manufacturers typically don’t offer extended coverage past the 100,000-mile mark, but there are a number of extended warranties for cars over 100,000 miles available from independent companies.
  • Additional coverage options: Most automakers only offer a couple of extended coverage plans to choose from. But some reputable extended car warranty companies have up to six plans, some of which even include coverage for routine maintenance services in addition to vehicle repairs.
  • Choice of repair shop: Manufacturer-backed warranties usually require you to take your car to the dealership for repairs. However, independent warranty companies give customers more flexibility over their repair facility. Many third-party warranties are accepted at dealerships and any other shops certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®).

Our Recommended Third-Party Providers for SUVs

It’s important to learn more about costs and coverage options before deciding if an extended warranty is worth it for your SUV. We’ve reviewed and rated the top warranty companies in the industry, looking at factors like industry reputation, coverage options, affordability and customer service. Below are the providers that have the best SUV warranty options.

Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.4/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Affordability: 4.5/5.0
Transparency: 5.0/5.0
Customer Service: 4.4/5.0
idée We recommend Endurance as the best warranty provider
  • Best Overall
  • Coverage Plans: 6 options plus maintenance plan
  • Odometer Limit: Unlimited mileage
  • Free Cancellation: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Factory-level bumper-to-bumper plan Free membership for first year
Multiple powertrain/mid-level choices $500 collision discount
Scheduled maintenance coverage Tire repair or replacement
24/7 emergency roadside assistance Total loss protection up to $1,000
Trip interruption reimbursement Key fob replacement and repair
Rental vehicle coverage Endurance mobile app
Towing allowance $250 credit with shopping or dining partners

#1 Endurance: Best Overall

We rate Endurance 4.6 stars for its quality customer service, six levels of coverage plans and low costs. Overall, this company is a great choice for SUV drivers because of its unlimited mileage.

With each extended warranty, all Endurance customers receive a free year of enrollment in the Endurance Elite Membership program, which includes membership rewards, identity theft protection, a personal assistant through the Endurance Mobile app, key fob and tire replacements, and other perks. All customers also have access to roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursement for the duration of their warranty. 

If you’re interested in learning more about this provider, our Endurance warranty review can get you started.

#2 autopom!: Best Claims Process

autopom! is a reputable auto warranty provider that earned the designation of “Best Claims Process” in our 2024 auto warranty provider review, with an overall rating of 4.6. autopom! offers three different auto warranty plans and covers cars up to 7 years or 150,000 miles.

What makes autopom! stand out from the rest of the competition is its customer service scores and claims process. In the warranty industry, it’s very uncommon for auto warranty providers to have positive reviews, and autopom! has strong reviews on the BBB website and Trustpilot.

Find out more about this provider’s cost and coverage options in our full autopom! review.

#3 CNA National Warranty Corporation: Best for EV Coverage

CNA National Warranties are only available through dealerships, however it does stand out by offering lifetime warranty contracts for customers to keep their cars covered. The provider has four coverage levels each including towing, roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption coverage.

Prices will vary depending on the dealership that you purchase your CNA National warranty from, which makes it hard to get a good gauge on the provider’s affordability. One aspect that makes CNA National Warranty Corporation stand out from the rest of the industry is its offerings for electric vehicles. This is why our team awarded it the “Best for EV Coverage” in our 2024 study and gave it an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5.0.

Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.

  • Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
  • Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
  • Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
  • Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.

*Data accurate at time of publication.