Only 1 Luxury SUV Is No Longer a Premier Option
The luxury SUV segment is very competitive, with many different model choices for automotive customers. Consumer Reports aids this buying decision with a list of recommended models. These recommendations are based on its annual Auto Reliability Survey. Only one luxury SUV is no longer recommended by Consumer Reports for 2023: the 2023 Volvo XC60.
The 2023 Volvo XC60 is the only luxury SUV on this list to lose its status
The 2023 Volvo XC60 compact luxury crossover SUV, a smaller version of the XC90, was previously on the Consumer Reports list of recommended vehicles. This recommendation was because of the favorable reliability ratings that the luxury SUV earned from the organization’s owner surveys.
However, with the recent Auto Reliability Survey, CR reversed its recommendation for the 2023 Volvo XC60. It’s the only luxury SUV to lose the recommendation from Consumer Reports.
Why is the XC60 luxury SUV no longer a great choice?
Consumer Reports analyzed 17 potential problem areas during the previous 12 months for the annual Auto Reliability Survey. Examples include electrical systems, engine, noises, brakes, leaks, and paint. In total, CR analyzed over 300,000 surveys. It then utilized the results of these surveys to determine the predicted reliability ratings of almost all new vehicles sold in the United States.
Unfortunately, the 2023 Volvo XC60 lost its recommendation from Consumer Reports because of the lower reliability — as shown in the Auto Reliability Survey. The diminished reliability is due to multiple factors. This includes problems with the engine computer, brake rotors, and electronics system. Also, there are issues with the Google operating system freezing or malfunctioning and problems with the infotainment system.
Furthermore, as detailed by CarExpert, some of the XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid vehicles have a recall. The recall is due to a problem with the engine control module.
Additional vehicles like the Volvo XC60
The 2023 Volvo XC60 is the only luxury SUV that lost the Consumer Reports recommendation, but there are six other models that got kicked off the list. Ford has two models that lost the coveted honor: the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric crossover SUV and the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport compact crossover SUV.
A fourth SUV, the 2023 Hyundai Kona subcompact crossover SUV, was also dropped from the list. The other three models no longer recommended by CR are the 2023 Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck, the 2023 Nissan Sentra compact sedan, and the 2023 Hyundai Elantra compact sedan.
Measures by Volvo to fix the reliability problems
For fans and prospective buyers of the 2023 Volvo XC60, it might be disappointing that Consumer Reports no longer recommends the luxury SUV. However, Volvo claims it addressed most of the problem areas flagged by CR. For example, the Swedish automaker is able to resolve the issues with the Google operating system and infotainment system via a combination of software and hardware updates.
Also, the warranty for the XC60 now covers the cost of the brake rotors issue. Additionally, for the recall of the XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid, affected owners don’t have to visit a dealer. The engine control module problem for the XC60 Recharge can be fixed via a software update.
We’ll have to see if these measures will result in an improved reliability rating for the Volvo XC60 in the Auto Reliability Survey in 2023. If so, the luxury SUV might regain the coveted recommendation from Consumer Reports.
