What Car Manufacturer Has the Best Warranty in 2026?

By Kathryn Tretina

Kia and Hyundai offer the longest new-car warranties, with 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties. If you prefer a luxury vehicle, Lexus stands out with a robust warranty and dependability.

More than ever before, a new car is a significant investment. As of January 2026, the average new car sold for $49,191, according to Kelley Blue Book data. With such a steep price tag, it’s no surprise that most people turn to car loans to finance their purchases. In fact, Experian reported that 80% of new vehicles are purchased with auto loans, and the average loan term was 69 months. 

When you purchase a new car and commit to a loan repayment term, you want to be confident that your car will last and that the manufacturer will stand behind its vehicles. A strong warranty program can give you peace of mind, ensuring you don’t have to worry about unexpected repairs for the major vehicle components. 

All of the biggest car brands have warranty programs, but what their warranties cover and how long they last varies by company. 

Key Takeaways 

• Kia and Hyundai offer the best manufacturer car warranties, while Lexus stands out for luxury vehicles. 
• New-car powertrain warranties can cover your car for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. 
• Limited warranties are transferable and can improve your car’s resale value.

Car Warranty Coverage: 5 Best Manufacturer Warranties 

We researched 33 car brands, including both domestic and foreign marques, and found that they all offered basic and powertrain warranties. At minimum, manufacturer warranties cover a new vehicle for three years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), but some brands can go above and beyond. 

If you’re shopping for a new or pre-owned car, we’ve identified the car brands with the best warranties:

Kia: Best Overall

J.D. Power vehicle dependability ranking: 9/28

Limited: Five years/60,000 miles

Powertrain: 10 years/100,000 miles

Pre-owned (beyond original warranty): 1 year/12,000 miles

From SUVs to sedans, Kia stands out for its innovative and reliable vehicles, backed by an industry-leading warranty. New vehicles are covered with a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

Along with those standard forms of coverage, new Kia vehicles also come with roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles. You also can take advantage of a trip interruption policy. If a warranty-related issue happens more than 150 miles from your home and the repairs will take more than 24 hours to complete, your warranty will reimburse you for meals, lodging or rental car expenses. You’ll receive up to $100 per day for up to three days. 

If you purchase a certified pre-owned Kia, you’ll still have the original 1-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Kia vehicles are also backed by a platinum coverage plan for one year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

Hyundai: Best replacement parts warranty

Vehicle dependability ranking: 12/28

Limited: Five years/60,000 miles

Powertrain: 10 years/100,000 miles

Pre-owned (beyond original warranty): 5,000 miles or 90 days on select vehicles

Hyundai’s top-selling vehicles include the Tucson, Elantra and Santa Fe.  The company has one of the best car warranties of any manufacturer. Like Kia, Hyundai vehicles have a limited warranty for five years or 60,000 miles and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Hyundai owners also are backed by 24-hour roadside assistance for five years. 

What separates Hyundai from many other companies is its replacement parts and accessories limited warranty. For one year or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first), Hyundai will cover the repairs or replacement of any Hyundai genuine replacement parts or accessories supplied by Hyundai that are defective in material or workmanship. 

Genesis: Best electric vehicle warranty

Vehicle dependability ranking: 13/28

Limited: Five years/60,000 miles

Powertrain: 10 years/100,000 miles (gas-powered), 10 years/100,000 miles (battery)

Pre-owned (beyond original warranty): 1 years/15,000 miles

While Genesis has several gas-powered vehicles, its electric models — the GV60 and Electrified GV70 — are highly rated. They’re backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, so Genesis will cover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle’s EV battery. 

As an added perk, new Genesis owners can use the service valet program for three years. The program can perform remote diagnostics on the vehicle, and it can arrange pickup for repairs or service at a local Genesis retailer. Also, you can get complimentary roadside assistance. 

Lexus: Best luxury brand warranty

Vehicle dependability ranking: 1/28

Limited: Four years/50,000 miles

Powertrain: Six years/70,000 miles

Pre-owned (beyond original warranty): Two years/unlimited mileage

Lexus is a top-rated brand for dependability, and among luxury brands, it has one of the longest warranty periods for its reliable cars. Vehicles like the GX 550 have a limited warranty for four years or 50,000 miles and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

Plus, new car owners can benefit from free maintenance; your first two scheduled maintenance visits are complimentary. 

For pre-owned vehicles, buyers of CPO vehicles are covered by a limited warranty for two years with a mileage limit. 

Mini: Best pre-owned warranty

Vehicle dependability ranking: 3/28

Limited: Four years/50,000 miles

Powertrain: Four years/50,000 miles

Pre-owned (beyond original warranty): One year/unlimited mileage

With most car brands, used-car buyers are eligible for the vehicle’s original limited warranty; coverage applies from the car’s initial delivery date to its first owner. But some brands, including Mini, go a step further, offering a special warranty on CPO vehicles that goes beyond the basic warranty. 

Mini is owned by BMW Group, but it’s a stand-alone brand with its own warranty terms. Besides the initial manufacturer warranty, pre-owned Mini vehicles are covered by a one-year limited warranty, with no limit on mileage. Plus, CPO Mini owners have three to four years of roadside assistance and can get two free oil change services for used vehicles. 

Methodology

We researched the warranties offered by 33 major car brands. We considered the following factors to select the best new-car warranty options: 

• Brand dependability rankings in the 2026 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study
• Vehicle safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• Duration for a basic or limited warranty
• Duration for a powertrain warranty
• Additional features or coverage perks
• Additional coverage beyond the original warranty on pre-owned vehicles

We prioritized companies that combined strong dependability rankings with longer-than-usual basic and powertrain warranties. We also looked for brands that offered extended coverage on pre-owned vehicles. 

How do car warranties work? 

An automotive warranty is a manufacturer’s promise to repair or replace certain parts or components of its vehicles if it stops working or has defects. The warranties are usually for a limited time or mileage, and they protect you from having to cover the cost of unexpected repairs on a new or CPO vehicle. 

Warranties don’t cover wear and tear or basic maintenance, but they cover the critical components of the vehicle. There are several types of warranties; for new vehicles, the most common are bumper-to-bumper warranties and powertrain warranties. 

Bumper-to-bumper

Sometimes referred to as a comprehensive warranty, a bumper-to-bumper warranty is a basic limited warranty that covers most of the vehicle components that exist between the car’s front and rear bumpers. Bumper-to-bumper coverage applies to the following: 

• Transmission
• Engine
• Drive axles
• Brakes
• Suspension
• Steering
• Vehicle body
• Heating and air conditioning
• Electronic devices

Bumper-to-bumper warranties are usually available for a shorter duration, such as three years or 36,000 miles. 

Powertrain

The powertrain warranty covers the components that are critical for powering the vehicle, such as the engine or transmission. Powertrain warranties provide longer coverage, but fewer components are covered than under a bumper-to-bumper warranty. For example, the powertrain coverage may last for 10 years or 100,000 miles. 

Why a Warranty Is So Important

A strong warranty doesn’t just provide peace of mind; it also reduces your out-of-pocket repair costs during the first few years of ownership, and it can help protect the vehicle’s resale value. Brands like Kia, Hyundai and Lexus have built their reputations on the quality of their vehicles and warranties.

When comparing automakers and vehicle warranties, consider what exactly the warranty covers (and its exclusions), whether the warranty is transferable if you sell the vehicle, and what other services may be available, such as roadside assistance. The best warranties protect your investment and simplify repairs when the unexpected happens. And if your warranty expires, you always have the option of purchasing an extended warranty. 

In the market for a new vehicle? Before heading to a dealership, check out Cars.com’s picks for the best cars of 2026. 

Manufacturer Warranty FAQs

What car manufacturer has the longest warranty? 

Kia, Hyundai and Genesis offer the longest warranties. Their limited warranties cover vehicles for five years or 60,000 miles.

What is usually covered under a 10-year warranty? 

A 10-year warranty is typically a powertrain warranty, which covers the components necessary to make your vehicle move. Powertrain warranties cover the engine, transmission and driveshaft. 

Which has a better warranty, Honda or Toyota? 

Both Honda and Toyota offer near-identical, three-year/36,000-mile limited warranties. If you’re torn between these two brands, consider that Toyota is better rated in the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. 

How long is the average new-car warranty? 

The average car warranty is three years or 36,000 miles for limited warranties, and five years or 60,000 miles for powertrain warranties, according to Kelley Blue Book.