Your new-car checklist - the must-haves for your next new vehicle

It’s easy to get swept up in the surge of excitement that comes with buying a new car, especially if you’re trading up from something old, clunky, and about as packed with modern technology and convenience features as your average two-man tent.

It’s not just the famed new-car smell, either. The amazing technology (like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, for example) on offer in new vehicles can change with the speed of light, and so there’s almost always something new to discover, and be impressed by, whenever you upgrade your car.

Need evidence? We challenge anyone to climb into the cabin of a vehicle like the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross - what with that big, clear touchscreen, seamless smartphone mirroring, head-up display, and its exclusive tactile touch pad that acts as a secondary infotainment controller - and not feel blown away by the new features and functionality on offer.

Think of it as your perfect third space (after your home and workplace), then, and one that’s not just premium-feeling, but practical, too, with seating for five, seriously cutting-edge technology, and head-turning style, all wrapped up in one shapely stylish SUV package.

But the truth is there’s more to a new-car purchase than what you see on the surface. And in a lot of ways, it’s the stuff you can’t see and touch that is actually the most important, because it will have a direct impact on how you live with your vehicle long after that new-car smell fades. Or more specifically, how much it will cost you to live with your new car.

We’re talking, of course, about warranty and servicing costs. And sure, they might not grab the headlines the way cutting-edge technology or safety features do, but they’re every bit as important, if not more so.

A quick glance across the major car brands in Australia reveals some pretty stark differences in the kinds of warranties offered, with some offering a mere three years of coverage, after which you’re essentially on your own. Other manufacturers will offer five years, while some will even stretch to seven.

Which is what makes Mitsubishi’s game-changing Diamond Advantage coverage so unique, because it doesn’t stretch for three years, or five years, or even seven years. Nope, Mitsubishi has you covered for a 10 full years, or 200,000kms, from the date of registration - and when you consider the average Aussie drives around 13,000km per year, that really is more than enough.

That’s even more important in a vehicle that inspires spontaneity the way the Eclipse Cross does. It’s a small SUV, of course, which means, through its super clever design, it’s small enough outside to make navigating city streets and tight parking spaces a breeze, but also big enough inside to ensure there’s ample space for weekend adventures or trips away. But no matter where your weekend takes you, Mitsubishi’s got you covered.

Yes, Japanese brands have a reputation for being incredibly well-made, and for bullet-proof reliability, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also enjoy the confidence that comes with even more peace of mind.

It’s the longest warranty on offer in Australia, but it is still only half the ownership story. The other, just as important part is servicing, or in other words, how often you’ll be expected to take your vehicle back to the dealership, and how much it will cost you each time you do.

Some cars demand six-month service intervals, for example, while others stretch to 12 months. And even then pricing varies widely. And that’s where capped-price servicing is so important.

Let’s use the Eclipse Cross as an example again. Mitsubishi’s Diamond Advantage program includes 10-years’ of capped-price servicing, too, as well as four-year’s roadside assistance. That means that you know exactly what each annual service will cost before you enter the dealership.

Each annual service for the first five years, for example, costs just $299 for a total $1495. Other vehicles in the small SUV space will cost almost twice that for the same period. That’s a huge difference, and one that translates to money in your pocket.

Not all warranties are created equal, then. And it pays (literally) to do your research.