Winner: Kia seven year warranty
This year's winner continues the trend for diversity. When launched earlier this year, the Kia Cee'd was met with a considerable fanfare. Out of the blue the Korean car maker had produced a family hatchback that has the measure of the best in the class. With great build, lots of equipment and competitive pricing, it has given the established opposition a lot to think about.
However, its most outstanding feature has nothing to do with how it's made or the way it drives. No, what's remarkable about the Cee'd is its seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. A comprehensive package aimed squarely at those spending their own money on a new motor, the package was recently reinforced from covering just the drivetrain to the whole car. Seven years' bumper-to-bumper warranty when the industry standard is less than half that...
To top it all off, there's also a 10-year anti-perforation guarantee, five years' paint protection and a three-year roadside recovery membership. There's even good news for second-hand buyers, as the cover can be transferred to any new owner. The message for other manufacturers is clear: Kia means business.
