Is the Hyundai Extended Warranty Coverage Worth Your Money? | Autance

What IS Included

The main bulk of the Hyundai extended warranty plan is the mechanical and maintenance plans you can buy.

Mechanical Coverage

The mechanical coverage of Hyundai’s warranty breaks down into three separate plans you can select to fit your needs. Each plan has a different inclusion or exclusion list and cost.

Powertrain

The plan is focused exclusively on the powertrain components like the engine, transmission, and drive axles. Like the factory powertrain warranty, this is an inclusionary type of warranty plan that leaves a lot off of the inclusion list. 

Gold

This middle ground option includes a few more parts on old and new cars without getting into the comprehensive coverage territory of the Platinum plan. In addition to the engine, drive axle, and transmission coverage, this plan also includes other drivetrain components like the shocks, front/rear suspension, fuel system, electrical systems, and the climate control systems.

Platinum

If you’re looking for a warranty that gets as close to the original new Hyundai limited factory warranty, this is it. The Platinum plan offers coverage for over 1,500 separate Hyundai parts (including audio system navigation system components) with free replacement part services included if needed.

Other Perks

In addition to the basic plans you can choose depending on the level of parts coverage you need, all three plans also include a few extra perks, some that aren’t even included on current model year new Hyundai vehicles without the extended coverage. 

Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai’s protection plans include the optional Pre-Paid Maintenance product suite that helps with basic maintenance services. From wear item replacements (i.e. brake pads, wiper blades, etc.) to more extensive periodic services, this plan keeps a vehicle in line with the factory-recommended maintenance schedule. 

Services are done by certified technicians who are familiar will the level of factory workmanship Hyundai tends to uphold with all of its vehicles. 

Roadside Assistance

If you find yourself dealing with factory-defect-related issues on the road, the warranty’s 24/7 roadside assistance program will come in handy. This program offers emergency roadside services like free towing to a Hyundai dealer, rental car reimbursement (up to $35 per day for 10 days), and trip interruption coverage (up to $200 per day for five days).

The Good

Hyundai stands out among other automakers with its extended warranty offers. Few other companies offer an extensive lineup of different protection plans and service contracts in addition to some maintenance and damage care options. While it’s not quite as comprehensive as a true third-party extended warranty, it gets close. The Drive has a great third party warranty review for you to get informed.

The level of customization, alone, is unique for most automaker extended warranties. The average automaker only offers a true extension of the original factory bumper-to-bumper and powertrain component coverage. Here, Hyundai mimics this coverage with its three service plans while offering additional perks others simply lack.

The inclusion of a maintenance program, in particular, is rare for a typical automaker. If your goal in buying the Hyundai extended warranty is to actually save money, this plan is likely to be your best bet. It covers repair costs of things like the replacement of powertrain components you may not have the skills or experience to handle yourself. 

The Bad

The only knock we found with the Hyundai extended warranty is the lack of damage coverage outside of normal factory defects. Beyond the occasional rust hole on some body sheet metal, there needs to actually be an issue with the vehicle caused at the factory for many of these services and perks to kick in. 

Hyundai does list some damage care options, but many of these only apply to leased or CPO vehicles. Some of the damage care packages, like the Tire and Wheel Protection, however, are included in some of the vehicle service plans like the Platinum package. 

Takeaway Value

If you’re looking for a way to extend the coverage or value of your original manufacturer’s warranty, the Hyundai service contracts are hard to beat. Simply put, there are very few automakers that can match the customization options, maintenance inclusions, and general money-saving value Hyundai’s warranty extensions can offer.