The 10 Best SUV Warranties for 2016

2015 acura mdx

In essence, a new car warranty is an insurance policy issued by a manufacturer guaranteeing the repair or replacement of any covered part or system found to be defective within the time period stated. Usually expressed in months and miles, the de facto period of warranty coverage used to be 36 months or 36,000 miles—whichever came first. With increased competition, some manufacturers sought to burnish their reputation for reliability by offering a longer than average warranty. Thus, today you’ll find warranty terms covering vehicles for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, (whichever comes first). The 10 best SUV warranties for 2016 divide coverage among different categories. The Basic Warranty covers the entire car from bumper to bumper. The Powertrain Warranty covers all of the mechanical aspects of the car (usually excepting wear items). The Corrosion Warranty guarantees against rust. Roadside Assistance guarantees help should the car break down, and some manufacturers are including free scheduled maintenance as part of their warranty programs. All time periods are based upon the date the vehicle was first sold.

Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe

Overcoming its early reputation for questionable build quality, Hyundai enjoys the distinction of offering the absolute best of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016. The basic warranty on a new Hyundai SUV is five years or 60,000 miles—whichever comes first. Hyundai’s SUV powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles, again—whichever comes first. The bodies of its vehicles are guaranteed to be rust-resistant for seven years, regardless of mileage, and for the first five years you own your Hyundai the company will provide roadside assistance regardless of the mileage. Hyundai Tucson pricing starts at $22,700, Santa Fe Sport starts at $24,950, Santa Fe starts at $30,400.

Mitsubishi Outlander, Outlander Sport

As good as people know Mitsubishi’s SUVs to be all over the world, the company is struggling to gain mainstream acceptance in the USA. One of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016; the company’s basic guarantee covers its vehicles from bumper to bumper for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. The powertrains are warranted for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Mitsubishi’s bodies are covered against rust for seven years or 100,000 miles, and for the first five years of ownership, Mitsubishi will provide free roadside assistance, regardless of mileage. Outlander Sport pricing starts at $19,595, Outlander starts at $22,995.

Kia Soul, Sportage, Sorento

Another relative newcomer to the USA marketplace, Kia’s models were also initially met with a degree of skepticism. While the earliest Kias were indeed of questionable reliability, today’s Kia products are solidly built, handsomely styled, and nicely equipped. For its version of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016, Kia covers its products for five years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first) with a basic bumper-to-bumper warranty. The maker’s powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles, rust is warranted against for five years or 50,000 miles, and roadside assistance is provided for five years or 60,000 miles. Kia Soul pricing starts at $15,190, Sportage starts at $22,150, and Sorento starts at $24,900.

Volvo S60 Cross Country, V60 Cross Country, XC60. XC70, XC90

Volvo models are renowned the world over for their safety and durability. If you’re ever faced with choosing a car for the Zombie apocalypse, run—don’t walk to your nearest Volvo dealer. :^) Seriously though, Volvo does build a pretty tough SUV. It also backs them with one of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016. Bumper to bumper coverage is provided for four years or 50,000 miles, the powertrains are covered for four years or 50,000 miles, the bodies are warranted against rust-through for 12 years-regardless of mileage, roadside assistance is provided for four years regardless of mileage, and Volvo will perform all scheduled maintenance services for the first three years or 36,000 miles. VolvoS60 Cross Country pricing starts at $43,500, V60 Cross Country starts at $41,000, XC60 starts at $36,400, XC70 starts at $36,050, and XC90 starts at $48,900.

Photo by Volvo

Cadillac SRX, Escalade

Cadillac is on a quest to once again to see its products counted among the finest automobiles in the world. Going a long way toward achieving this accolade is the company’s rather generous warranty package. One of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016 covers Cadillac’s SRX and Escalade. Bumper to bumper coverage is provided for four years or 50,000 miles, the powertrains are covered for six years or 70,000 miles, and corrosion is warranted against for six years regardless of mileage. Regularly scheduled maintenance is provided at no charge for four years or 50,000 miles, and roadside assistance is provided for six years, or 70,000 miles. Cadillac SRX pricing starts at $37,605, Escalade starts at $72,970.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Buick Encore, Enclave

Buick’s new Encore crossover sport utility vehicle easily qualifies as one of the cutest sport utes out there today. It's a remarkable combination of diminutive proportion and exceptionally luxurious outfitting find the smallest Buick model inventing a new segment of the marketplace—the ultra-compact luxury suv. Among domestic manufacturers, Buick’s is one of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016. The maker covers its models from bumper to bumper for four years or 50,000 miles. Buick powertrains are covered for six years or 70,000 miles, and corrosion is warranted against for six years—regardless of mileage. Buick will provide all scheduled maintenance free of charge for the first year or 12,000 miles, and roadside assistance is provided for six years or 70,000 miles. Encore pricing starts at $24,065, Enclave starts at $39,050.

Infiniti QX50, QX60, QX70, QX80

The luxury arm of Nissan has one of the most comprehensive line-ups of crossover sport utility models out there. Among the best handling most fun to drive sport utilities offered today, they range in size from compact to full-size. Infiniti’s products are also covered by one of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016. Bumper to bumper coverage is provided for four years or 60,000 miles, powertrains are covered for six years or 70,000 miles, corrosion is warranted against for seven years regardless of mileage, and roadside assistance is provided for four years, regardless of mileage. Infiniti QX50 starts at $35,000, QX60 starts at $42,700, QX70 starts at $48,850, and QX80 starts at $63,250.

Lexus NX, RX, GX, LX

With their unparalleled reputation for smoothness, luxury, reliability, and overall build quality, Lexus automobiles are envied by many a luxury manufacturer. The company started out with just two cars back in 1989, but today it fields an entire range of models including four SUVs covered by one of the 10 best warranties for 2016. Lexus warranty protection is afforded the entire vehicle for four years or 48,000 miles. Powertrains are covered for six years or 70,000 miles, and corrosion is warranted against for six years regardless of mileage. Scheduled maintenance is provided at no additional charge for the first year or 10,000 miles, and roadside assistance is provided for four years, regardless of mileage. Lexus NX pricing starts at $34,480, RX starts at $40,970, GX starts at $50,140, and LX starts at $83,180.

Lincoln MKT, MKX, Navigator

With their sleek styling, lovely interiors and cutting-edge driver’s aid technologies, Lincoln’s SUVs are among the nicest luxury models currently on offer. The maker credited with inventing the full-size American luxury SUV, Lincoln broke new ground when it introduced the Navigator back in 1997 as a 1998 model. One of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016, Lincoln covers its models from bumper to bumper for four years or 50,000 miles. Powertrains are covered for six years or 70,000 miles, corrosion is warranted against for five years regardless of mileage, and roadside assistance is provided for six years or 70,000 miles. Lincoln also provides regularly scheduled maintenance at no additional charge for two years or 24,000 miles. Lincoln MKZ pricing starts at $35,190, MKT starts at $43,210, and Navigator starts at $61,920.

Photo by Lincoln

Acura RDX, MDX

The first Japanese luxury brand offered in the USA, Acura has a very strong history in this country. It also has a reputation for producing agile, technologically advanced automobiles with exceptionally efficient engines and strong reliability. Acura also provides one of the 10 best SUV warranties for 2016. Honda’s luxury marque offers bumper to bumper coverage for four years or 50,000 miles, its powertrains are covered for six years or 70,000 miles, and corrosion is guaranteed against for five years regardless of mileage. Roadside assistance is provided for four years or 50,000 miles. Acura RDX pricing starts at $35,270, MDX starts at $42,865.