Small luxury SUVs with lowest reliability scores expected in 2023
You win a little and you lose a little. Although reliability is a key factor for SUV shoppers, it doesn’t always suit some models. This luxury SUV is rated at the bottom of its class in terms of predicted reliability, but how bad is it? The good news is that despite the drop in overall reliability score, most of the small SUVs below from Volvo, Lexus and Audi still have plenty of positives to report.
What is the least reliable small luxury SUV?
Unfortunately, the normally dependable 2023 Volvo XC60 luxury SUV has fallen into the low tier in terms of reliability. US News and J.D. Power gave the compact car a predicted reliability score of 62 out of 100. Although the Volvo brand is known for making safe vehicles, this car was not impressive in the reliability department.
Starting at $43,450 for the base XC60, the fully loaded Ultimate (top trim) costs $55,800. Although it doesn’t score a lot of points in terms of reliability, the XC60 still has a lot going for it. Volvo offers the XC60 in different options, including a Polestar Engineered version and a hybrid model with 35 miles of electric range.
The Volvo XC60 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus award, the highest award an SUV can receive. It also received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.
Is the Lexus NX a reliable luxury SUV?
While this luxury SUV has a history of reliability, the 2023 Lexus NX received a low predicted reliability score of 67 out of 100 from J.D. Power. It’s not clear why this version received such a low score for 2023, but the small SUV segment is very competitive. Lexus SUVs are known for offering good value and holding onto that value over time.
The compact Lexus NX is a comfortable SUV with the upscale interior that shoppers have come to expect from the brand. It is also equipped with many standard safety systems to keep everyone safe on the road. Starting at $38,605, the base NX 250 is a good, budget-friendly option for some. The fully equipped NX 350 Luxury is faster, more feature-packed, and adds some enhanced exterior details.
The 2023 Lexus NX received a Top Safety Pick Plus award from the IIHS. This luxury small SUV received high scores in key crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and crash mitigation tests.
Is the Audi Q5 a good luxury SUV?
Overall, the 2023 Audi Q5 is a good luxury SUV. While it only received a predicted reliability score of 69 out of 100 from J.D. Power, it has several other features to make up for it. Audi offers a well-appointed interior and a long list of standard features.
For 2023, the Audi Q5 starts at $44,200 for the Premium trim. A fully loaded S-line Prestige will set you back $57,400 or so with all the bells and whistles. With five comfortable seats and standard all-wheel drive, the Q5 makes a good small SUV. Audi’s base engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder with few horsepower options. It also comes in a plug-in hybrid variant. The 2023 Q5 earned a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award.
The good news is that the expected degree of reliability is just an expectation. These luxury SUVs have many standard safety systems, a variety of trim levels to choose from, and many positive attributes along with their degree of reliability. It’s a good thing to keep in mind, but a test drive and budget may be more important.
