Volkswagen Boosts Warranties for 2018 SUVs

Volkswagen will offer six-year or 72,000-mile warranties for the Atlas mid-size SUV and Tiguan compact SUV for the 2018 model year, which it says would be "the best transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty among SUVs in America," according to the company.

While this would be the first warranty offered with the Atlas, it would mark a significant extension from the 2017 Tiguan, which includes three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The warranties would be transferable beyond the first owner.

The 2018 Atlas and 2018 Tiguan’s six-year or 72,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes powertrain coverage for their engines, transmissions and optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

Competitors to the Atlas such as the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder offer a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Competitors to the Tiguan also offer a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty with a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty such as Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.

Hyundai and Kia offer a five-year or 60,000-mile basic warranty and a higher time and mileage limit on their powertrain limited warranties. If the car is sold to a second owner, the powertrain limited warranty is not transferable beyond five years or 60,000 miles from the date it was first sold new.