Hyundai America announces lifetime warranty on hybrid batteries

Wow. That's daring. I wonder if it's got some catches like "non-transferable" or only to the original owner or immediate family members.

Too bad the Sonata hybrid hasn't gotten great reviews as a hybrid and it's apparently much slower than the '12 HyCam. (http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-v...us-v-power-adequate-family-2.html#post1433986) This must be an attempt to at least get people to consider the HySonata.

 

i think their 10 year warranties and take your car back if you lose your job marketing schemes worked pretty well so who knows? this one might too.

 

Also Hyundai were very aggressive during the Cash 4 Clunkers.
They started offering deals while other companies sat on their laurels waiting weeks for devine intervention (zero risk). By the time the program started it was almost over due to Hyundai pre-sales. Probably should have got the Santa Fe but I did not catch on to Hyundai's move. Wonder how that C4C worked out for them. Good I suspect they made huge in-roads.

 

I looked at aa Hyundai when they first came to the US about 20 years ago. I thought they were crap, like the KIAs. However, they have learned from their mistakes and have upped the standard for styling and reliability by continually improving.

Frankly, if I did not already own a Prius, I would be taking a serious look at the Hyundai.

 

Good idea because I still, in fact just 15 minutes ago, read a post in which somebody was saying no on a used prius because of "battery pack" costs. This FUD has been going for over a decade now. Hyundai is basically saying stfu we'll cover it forever, good idea.

 

I agree, bald move. At least until I see the small print.

I cannot remember details, but I looked at the details of the 10 year warranty a few months ago and found lots of 'gotchas.'

 

I like the looks of the Veloster

 

Lets say the failure rate turns out to be 10%, and replacement cost to Hyundai is $2500. Spread out over the fleet, this is $250 a car.

What do you suppose looks better to marketing, who are trying to move an uncompetitive car ? A $250 incentive to new car buyers, or the great PR that comes with a 'lifetime warranty' ?

 

CARB states require 150K mile / 10 year warranty anyway.
Stat's show most folks won't ever keep a car for 10 or more years anyway / even if the warranty beyond that time were transferable. But of course, being likely that the warranty IS non-transferable (like some of the Chrysler 'Lifetime' warramty to-original-owners-only Trucks) - it means you have to keep your hybrid for a long long time ..... long after the dash has split ... long after the short block had to be rebuilt ... long after the paint has faded ... and the seat springs are shot. but hey, at least your traction batteries are still under warranty.
But still ... it is cool marketing ... and says a lot about their faith in their lithium chemistry.
.

 

^^ for PZEV cert. Does the Hyundai qualify ?

Your comments are spot on if the warranty is non-transferable.

 

I suspect this review by motortrend may have something to do with the lifetime warranty now being offered:

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE vs 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Comparison - Motor Trend

Pretty much sum up as saying the sonata hybrid sucks.

 

Sonata Hybrid has had 6-7 recalls so far... that was in first half year of it on market.

 

Press release at Hyundai offers 'lifetime battery replacement guarantee' for Sonata Hybrid. Still would like to see the "fine print".

 

Most carmanufacturers only give 100,000km OR 3 year warranty here (Netherlands).
Hyunday gives 7 years.

Even if there is small print to consider, they are simply doing a cracking job at promoting the durability.

I must say I am somewhat surprised at the suspicious nature of people on here... Obviously there will be small print, but even the 3 years/100,000km guys have small print... (e.g. Volvo didn't lift a finger to replace my engine or BOTH my AC radiators within 5 years).

So I marvel at the possibility of the life-time warranty. Well done Hyundai!
Despite/Regardless ANY smallprint that may accompany it. (Which I obviously want to see and read as well )

BTW: Kia and Hyundai are from the same factory (someone was comparing buildquality).

 

The reason we want to see the fine print is we want to look for things such as a deductible (not that likely) or conditions of transferability. For example from Hyundai Assurance | America's Best Warranty, for the 10 year/100K mile powertrain warranty:

As for Hyundai vs. Kia being from the same plant, it depends. See http://media.caranddriver.com/files/domestic-bliss.pdf, for example.

Also, just because a vehicle is from the same plant, doesn't mean its build quality is the same. The Lexus RX is built at the same plant in Canada as the Corolla and Matrix. You think the RX has the same build quality as the other two?

 

Hyundai's TV spots claim 100,000 mile warranty on the traction battery. From their website:

Warranty Features Hybrid
New Vehicle, 5 year / 60,000 miles
Powertrain, 10 years / 100,000 miles
Anti-perforation,
7 year / unlimited miles
Hybrid System components,
10 year / 100,000 miles
24-hour Roadside Assistance,
5 year / unlimited miles

Sorry, I'm not buying the lifetime warranty story. BTW the car is rated 35/40mpg.