Jaguar's well-executed CPO program leads the category by offering exceptional consumer protection. Factor in a pampering dealership experience, luxurious automobiles, and brand prestige that comes with all Jaguar models, and the attraction of this CPO program is magnetic. The stringent standards placed on its CPO vehicles and generous consumer protection has earned Jaguar the IntelliChoice Best Overall Certified Pre-Owned Program, Luxury Class honors for the fourth time in five years.
With the luxury segment filled with superb CPO programs, our research has identified Cadillac, Porsche, and Saab as each earning an Excellent Warranty distinction, providing their premium pre-owned vehicles with exceptional protection. Four brands share the distinction of earning Excellent Inspection status: Cadillac, Lexus, Lincoln, and Volvo. This quartet joins Jaguar, Infiniti, and Land Rover in providing detailed inspections that are quantifiably better than the competition's.
In the non-luxury category, our analysis has Volkswagen topping the list for Best Warranty, buoyed by the German automaker's excellent four-year/50,000-mile base warranty on new vehicles. General Motors divisions Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac share the top position in the Best Inspection ranking, each boasting a more thorough vehicle inspection than segment competitors. The best checks often translate to the best-condition vehicles, giving participating GM dealerships a distinct advantage.
Best Overall Program, Non-Luxury accolades are bestowed upon Volkswagen for operating an outstanding CPO program. VW offers a comprehensive 24-month/24,000-mile CPO warranty, plus the company transfers any existing warranty coverage. For a late-model Volkswagen, this means the remaining portion of the four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This protection is given to qualifying vehicles less than five years old, with less than 75,000 miles on the clock, that pass a detailed 112-point mechanical and appearance inspection. Volkswagen gained an edge this year by adding a vehicle-history report into its CPO regimen. Thanks to the best warranty, top-notch inspection, and ultimately, exciting German-engineered product, Volkswagen offers the most appealing non-luxury certified pre-owned program today.
Combining the cost benefits of a depreciated vehicle with warranty protection, certified pre-owned programs offer an enticing new-vehicle purchase alternative. Be certain to carefully read and understand the CPO plan before committing, and you could find a deal that is the best of both worlds.