New Vehicle Warranty Comparison: Mitsubishi Continues to Lead the Way

When shopping for a new vehicle, most buyers tend to focus on price, design, features, or fuel economy. But there’s another crucial component that can have a major impact on the ownership experience: the warranty. A vehicle’s warranty coverage affects not only how much you'll pay out of pocket in the early years of ownership, but also how confident you can feel about long-term reliability and resale value. In Canada, one brand continues to set the benchmark—Mitsubishi, with its industry-leading 10-10-5 warranty program.

To help you better understand how different brands stack up, this guide provides an overview of the main types of warranties, a detailed explanation of what Mitsubishi’s 10-10-5 actually includes, a brand-by-brand comparison of warranty value, and a breakdown of why these coverages matter to you as a vehicle owner.

Mitsubishi's 10-10-5 Warranty: The Industry Leader

Mitsubishi stands alone in Canada by offering what is arguably the most comprehensive warranty available: 10 years or 160,000 km of powertrain coverage, 5 years or 100,000 km of new vehicle basic (comprehensive) warranty, and 5 years of unlimited kilometre roadside assistance.

The 10-year powertrain warranty is especially notable because it far exceeds the industry standard. This coverage protects you against expensive repairs to the engine, transmission, and drivetrain—components that are often the most costly to fix and that directly impact the vehicle's long-term performance. With a 160,000 km limit, Mitsubishi’s coverage can last well into the second ownership cycle for many drivers.

In addition to this, the 5-year/100,000 km basic warranty covers nearly every component on the vehicle that isn’t classified as a wear item, including the infotainment system, electrical components, air conditioning, suspension, and more. Unlike powertrain coverage, the basic warranty ensures that almost all unexpected defects are covered in the first half-decade of ownership.

Finally, roadside assistance is included for five years with no kilometre limit. That means no matter how much you drive, you can count on support for flat tires, dead batteries, towing, lockout service, and other emergencies, without paying extra.

Together, these three components—powertrain, comprehensive, and roadside assistance—give Mitsubishi owners the highest level of protection of any mainstream automaker in Canada.

Top Warranty Programs in Canada (Ranked by Overall Value)

1- Mitsubishi: 10-10-5

• Basic Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
• Powertrain Warranty: 10 years / 160,000 km
• Roadside Assistance: 5 years / unlimited km
  Mitsubishi remains unmatched in Canada when it comes to powertrain coverage, offering a full 10-year / 160,000 km limited powertrain warranty, plus 5 years comprehensive, giving buyers long-term peace of mind.

2- Hyundai & Kia: 5-5-5

• Basic Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
• Powertrain Warranty: same as basic
• Roadside Assistance: 5 years / unlimited km
  Both brands offer strong value with a long basic warranty and extended powertrain coverage.

3- Toyota & Lexus: 3-5-5 + Exceptional Hybrid/Electric Coverage

• Basic Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 km
• Powertrain Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
• Hybrid/Electric Components: 8 years / 160,000 km
• Roadside Assistance: 3 years / unlimited km
  While Toyota’s standard warranty isn’t as long as others, its hybrid and electric component coverage is among the best in the industry.

4- Honda & Acura: 3-5-3

• Basic Warranty: 3 years / 60,000 km
• Powertrain Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 km
• Roadside Assistance: 3 years / unlimited km
  Solid and dependable, but with no extended coverage beyond the norm.

5- BMW & MINI: 4-4-4

• Basic Warranty: 4 years / 80,000 km
• Powertrain Warranty: Same as basic
• Roadside Assistance: 4 years / unlimited km
  BMW offers slightly longer basic warranty coverage, but no separate or longer powertrain warranty.

6- Mercedes-Benz: 4-4-4

• Basic Warranty: 4 years / 80,000 km
• Powertrain Warranty: Same as basic
• Roadside Assistance: 4 years / unlimited km
  Luxury brands tend to offer solid comprehensive coverage but rarely go beyond 4 years.

7- Volvo: 4-4-4

• Basic Warranty: 4 years / 80,000 km
• Powertrain Warranty: Same as basic
• Roadside Assistance: 4 years / unlimited km
  Like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Volvo packages all warranty coverage into one 4-year term.

What Do Vehicle Warranties Cover?

New vehicle warranties are broken down into specific categories, each designed to protect different parts of the vehicle during the early years of ownership.

The basic warranty, often referred to as “bumper-to-bumper,” usually lasts between 3 to 5 years and covers almost everything on the vehicle except for wear-and-tear items like brake pads and tires. It includes coverage for electronics, infotainment systems, climate control, safety equipment, and more. This is the most comprehensive part of the warranty and often the most used during the first few years of ownership.

The powertrain warranty is more limited in scope but longer in duration. It covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain—components that are essential to your vehicle’s ability to run. These systems don’t fail often, but when they do, they’re expensive to repair or replace. The length of this coverage is a major factor in long-term ownership confidence.

Roadside assistance provides peace of mind in emergencies. It typically includes towing, battery jump-starts, lockout services, and help with flat tires or empty fuel tanks. It can make a big difference, especially if you frequently travel long distances or in rural areas.

Hybrid and electric component warranties apply to vehicles with electrified powertrains. These warranties cover high-voltage batteries, electric motors, and associated control systems. Most automakers now offer 8 years or 160,000 km of coverage on these components, which aligns with federal incentive program requirements.

Corrosion perforation warranties are offered separately and protect the body structure of the vehicle from rust damage that leads to holes forming in the sheet metal. This is particularly important in northern climates where road salt is heavily used.

Comparison Table: New Vehicle Warranty Coverage in Canada

Why Do Warranties Matter?

Warranties often go unnoticed during the purchase process, but they can have a real impact on your cost of ownership and overall satisfaction over time.

A strong powertrain warranty reduces the risk of paying out-of-pocket for major repairs down the road. When an engine or transmission problem occurs outside of warranty coverage, the cost can easily climb into the thousands. Brands like Mitsubishi give owners long-term protection that extends far beyond the average financing term.

Resale value is also affected by warranty coverage. A vehicle still under factory warranty is more appealing to used buyers and can command a higher price or sell faster.

A longer basic warranty offers peace of mind during the initial years of ownership, especially for buyers who plan to keep the vehicle for five years or longer. It means fewer surprises and potentially lower ownership costs.

Finally, warranty coverage reflects a brand’s confidence in its vehicles. When an automaker like Mitsubishi offers 10 years of protection on the powertrain, it’s a signal that they stand behind the engineering of their products.

Final Thoughts

If you’re comparing new vehicles, make sure the warranty isn’t just a footnote in your decision. It’s an essential part of the total value equation. Mitsubishi leads the way in Canada with its 10-10-5 warranty, offering unmatched long-term coverage that gives buyers peace of mind well beyond the industry standard. Whether you choose a mainstream or luxury brand, understanding your warranty coverage can save you money, reduce risk, and help ensure a more confident ownership experience.