Hyundai Certified Gets Top Award But Does Buying One Make Sense?

When it comes to buying a new car vs. a used car, some folks are always going to opt for new while others feel certified pre-owned is the only way to go. Well, the latter might be right in the wake of Hyundai being pegged best overall certified pre-owned program for popular cars by IntelliChoice.

This is the third straight year the Korean automaker has been tapped by IntelliChoice as "Best Popular Brand" in its annual Certified Pre-Owned Car Awards. Hyundai crowed in a press release, "The three-year winning streak lends validity to the claim as the best in the industry."

Hyundai certainly has a steady pipeline of used cars to enter its certified pre-owned program, thanks to strong sales the past three years (including 700,000 last year). Hyundai accepts cars five years old or younger with 60,000 miles or less on the odometer into its certified pre-owned program.

IntelliChoice said in a news release provided by Hyundai, "Hyundai's Certified Pre-Owned program offers consumers an unsurpassed comprehensive program consisting of an excellent warranty, 100% inspection score, thorough dealer compliance and strong financing incentives," said Eric Anderson, Ownership Database Supervisor, IntelliChoice. "Hyundai's strength in these areas helped them earn the top ranking for Popular Brand Certified Pre-Owned program for the third straight year. Hyundai has also had a 70% increase of certified sales over that time."

Partly driving the increase in Hyundai certified pre-owned, in my opinion, is Hyundai has become more of a destination brand. Buyers are no longer shopping Hyundai Sonatas, for example. They're willing to poke around a dealership and see what the best vehicles on the lot might be. A customer for a new Sonata might be willing to consider driving home a certified pre-owned Genesis.

What makes Hyundai such a strong candidate for a certified pre-owned purchase is its great (excuse the hyperbole) new car warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Truth be told most folks are going to hit 100,000 miles long before 10 years but what the program means is any of the certified pre-owned Hyundais offered on the dealer lot have all been covered by warranty. That's a strong incentive for owners to keep them in good running order.

"At Hyundai, we make every effort to ensure our vehicles surpass customer expectations and this philosophy extends to pre-owned models. This award is proof that our customers shop with confidence knowing we offer the most competitive warranty and Certified Pre-Owned program in the industry," said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president, Sales, Hyundai Motor America. "

Hyundai's enhanced Certified Pre-Owned vehicle program provides buyers with:

• 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (from original in-service date)
• Comprehensive 150-point inspection
• 10-Year/Unlimited Mileage Roadside Assistance
• Rental car reimbursement for covered repairs
• 90-days of no-charge XM satellite radio
• Complimentary CARFAX® Vehicle History Reports™
• Trip Interruption Benefit

IntelliChoice evaluates manufacturer Certified Pre-Owned programs within two categories: Premium and Popular. Each program is assessed by the following criteria: warranty, inspection list, title verification report, special financing, roadside assistance, return and exchange provisions, compliance system, used cost of ownership and market penetration. Each area is weighted based on consumer preference and overall consumer benefits. The overall rankings are then determined by adding the scores of each of the certified areas.

IntelliChoice, part of the Motor Trend Automotive Group, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car value analysis. IntelliChoice provides consumers with information and tools to make better purchase decisions.