Hyundai to hit back at Kia, Chery, BYD and more: Mega warranty incoming - and there's good news for current owners of vehicles like Tucson, Santa Fe and Kona

Hyundai has officially confirmed it is preparing a Kia-equalling seven-year warranty in Australia, building on the brand's existing five-year coverage.

As previously reported by CarsGuide, Hyundai is finally set to match its sister brand Kia in offering a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the new arrangement expected to come into effect at some point this year.

Hyundai is the fifth best-selling brand in the country so far this year. And of the brands ahead of it on the sales charts, only Kia offers a seven-year warranty. Toyota, Ford and Mazda all offer five years of coverage.

Hyundai clearly hopes the warranty change will help it climb the sales ladder. And there's good news for existing owners. CarsGuide understands any new warranty period would be backdated, ensuring any owners who have bought, or who do buy, a vehicle this year would have their five-year warranty extended to seven years, too.

Hyundai won't be drawn on specific timings, but the brand's new President and Chief Executive Officer in Australia, Don Romano, described the warranty extension as his "number-one issue".

"Do I believe we need a seven-year warranty? Yes, I do," said Romano.

"It's not as easy as it sounds. Because in some cases, if you go with a service platform requirement, it requires government approval, and that can take up to a year.

"But do I think we need to address our warranty? I think what we need to do is address our brand, because there are 70 different manufacturers out there, and I think warranty is a critical part of that,

"So yes, that's one of the things I believe in, and that I'm going to pursue. But I have to understand how best to pursue it, and I haven't done that yet because I didn't realise just how challenging that can be."

Despite the challenges, CarsGuide expects a new warranty period to be introduced this year and backdated to January 1, 2025. But while some brands have pushed to eight and even 10 years, Hyundai says it will stick with seven.

2024 Hyundai Kona Premium

"Those 10-year warranties have some service requirements on them, and I need to understand more the legalities of doing something like that," said Romano.

"I wouldn't rule out any term if I feel it's necessary to go even further, but I need to look at it from a financial perspective, and from a legal perspective. I'm in the process of this and it's my number-one issue."

But asked whether he was targeting seven years, Mr Romano replied: "I am".