10 Cheap Cars With a 100,000-Mile Warranty

2016 Nissan LEAF ・ Photo by Nissan USA

Warranties are one of the biggest reasons to splurge on a brand new car, but not all warranties are created equal. The bumper-to-bumper warranty is the most valuable since it covers practically anything; unfortunately, it’s practically unheard-of to find one that’s valid longer than a few years. The powertrain warranty, however, typically covers flaws and defects in the car’s "go-parts," and this is where the most confident manufacturers get generous.

There are several manufacturers that currently offer 100,00-mile powertrain warranties, even on their entry level vehicles, because it communicates that they’re willing to stand behind their design and build quality. Some of these new cars can be had for a song, which might be a nice change of pace if you’re tired of constantly calling for a tow. So, are you convinced it’s time to give up on your old beater? Take a look at our list of 10 cheap cars with a 100,000-mile warranty.

1) 2016 Hyundai Accent

Hyundai's going to be showing up on this list a lot, because this manufacturer is one of the leaders of the pack when it comes to offering a consumer-friendly, confidence-inspiring warranty. Granted, the 2016 Hyundai Accent has come a long way from some of the Hyundai vehicles of decades past, and the brand's across-the-board five-year/60,000-mile basic limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty reflects that. The 2016 Accent seats five passengers and comes as both a sedan and a hatchback. Look at the sedan for a sub-$15,000 base MSRP, and turn to the Accent hatchback for sportier styling and better options. All 2016 Hyundai Accents come with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 137 horsepower.

2) 2016 Kia Sedona

The 2016 Kia Sedona is a minivan that can seat up to eight passengers when properly equipped. The Sedona was recently redesigned for the 2015 model year and carries over for this year without any notable changes. As a family-focused vehicle, the 2016 Kia Sedona offers a refined and comfortable interior, finished in high-quality materials that help absorb sound to provide a quiet and relaxing ride.

All 2016 Sedonas are powered by the same drivetrain, a 3.3-liter V-6 that comes paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, which provides the van with 276 horsepower. Kia backs the powertrain with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, and the Sedona also features a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. The 2016 Kia Sedona's feature offerings include power sliding doors, dual sunroofs, climate-controlled front seats, an upgraded audio system, and plenty of safety equipment.

Photo by Kia Media

3) 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Toyota doesn't usually offer a 100,000-mile warranty, even though its cars are generally perceived to be quite reliable. There are some exceptions to that rule, though, and the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is one of them. The 2016 Avalon Hybrid is a large sedan that provides upscale benefits without the associated cost premium, and Toyota backs the hybrid powertrain components with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. It's meant to inspire confidence that the hybrid technology is worth the extra money (and won't result in huge repair bills). The 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is slightly more aggressively styled than Toyota's typically conservative sedan fare, and seats five passengers. The Avalon Hybrid offers 200 horsepower and fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon city and 39 miles per gallon highway from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired to an electric motor and a battery pack.(Model pictured is the Avalon, not the Avalon Hybrid.)

4) 2016 Hyundai Veloster

The Hyundai Veloster is a sporty four-passenger compact hatchback that gets a few updates for the 2016 model year, but the important thing is that it still comes with Hyundai's excellent warranty. Although the Veloster isn't one of the most popular vehicles in the compact class, the warranty might help sway some potential buyers in its favor. The five-year/60,000-mile basic limited warranty, combined with the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, protects the hatch body and both of its available engines. The base 2016 Hyundai Veloster comes with a 138-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, paired to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.The Veloster Turbo makes 201 horsepower from a turbocharged version of the same engine, with either a six-speed manual or a new seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

5) 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is easily the most popular model in the brand's lineup, thanks to its three rows of seating for seven passengers, available at a price lower than most other crossovers of this size on the market. The Outlander was just redesigned for 2015, and the new styling helped bring a much-needed jolt of energy to Mitsubishi. What else helps the 2016 Outlander? Well, Mitsubishi provides new Outlander owners with a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which communicates confidence in both the Outlander's four-cylinder and six-cylinder options. The former is a 2.4-liter engine that makes 166 horsepower and comes paired to a brand-new continuously variable automatic transmission, and the latter is a 3.0-liter V-6 with 224 horsepower and a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Photo by Mitsubishi

6) 2016 Nissan LEAF

The 2016 Nissan LEAF is a fully electric compact car that provides seating for five, and is notable for being one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market in the United States. It's also lauded as one of the best-selling electric cars in the world, which is a distinction well-earned.

The 2016 LEAF offers a new, larger battery on its two highest trim levels, for a range of 107 miles per charge (the 2015 model and 2016 base trim get 84).Though Nissan hasn't yet released all the details of the 2016 LEAF, the warranty will probably be similar to that of the 2015 model. The 2015 LEAF provided pretty standard warranties of three-year/36,000-mile limited and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain. However, Nissan also covers the 2015 LEAF's battery pack for eight years or 100,000 miles, which may help reassure buyers who are anxious about switching to an electric vehicle.

7) 2016 Kia Sportage

The 2016 Kia Sportage is a small crossover SUV that seats five passengers and is available for a low MSRP. The 2016 Sportage comes complete with Kia's warranty, which offers five-year/60,000-mile basic limited protection as well as the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The powertrain in question is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 182 horsepower; a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder is also available, for 260 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive come standard with the 2016 Sportage, though buyers can upgrade to all-wheel drive. The Sportage features athletic handling, thanks to  precise steering a firm suspension system; however, what’s fun for the driver isn't necessarily comfortable for the passengers. The 2016 Kia Sportage, however, features lots of equipment, and the cabin interfaces are easy to use.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

8) 2016 Ford C-Max Energi

The 2016 Ford C-Max Energi is a plug-in hybrid compact wagon with seating for five passengers. Ford backs the C-Max Energi's hybrid components with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. As we've already seen, a specific drivetrain warranty like this is common among manufacturers who want potential customers to feel confident enough to invest in new or unfamiliar technology. The C-Max Energi has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that is mated to an electric motor. This drivetrain puts out 188 horsepower and can be driven like a conventional hybrid, earning fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon city and 36 miles per gallon highway. The C-Max Energi also can run on electric power alone for up to 19 miles, earning 88 mpg-equivalent.

9) 2016 Nissan NV

The 2016 Nissan NV is a series of commercial cargo vans that are highly customizable for different applications. Many auto manufacturers alter their warranties for vehicles that are sold for commercial or fleet use (for example, selling the same vehicle to a taxi company instead of to a person), but Nissan's pretty up front about the NV's warranty. 

Buyers of 2016 NVs can enjoy a basic limited warranty that's recently been extended to five years or 100,000 miles, as well as a powertrain warranty of the same length. After all, it's not just taxi drivers or small business owners who can appreciate the Nissan NV's versatility. It can be optimized to handle up to 12 passengers across four rows, and the lineup offers a couple different engines, including a 261-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 or a 5.6-liter V-8 that yields 317 horsepower.

10) 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer

The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer is a compact sedan that accommodates five passengers and offers adequate power. A refresh for this model year helps the Lancer to compete better with more stylish cars in its segment. It gets a new front fascia, LED running lights, and some updates to the features list. The base model Lancer gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 168 horsepower and 167 kb-ft of torque is available. Considering that the Lancer isn't particularly competitive in its class or at its price point, its warranty might actually be its most compelling sales feature. All 2016 Mitsubishis drive off the lot with a limited warranty of five years/60,000 miles, plus a powertrain warranty of 10 years/100,000 miles.

Photo by Mitsubishi