The 2023 Volvo XC60 isn’t doing so well in some critic reviews. There are high standards for luxury vehicles, and the XC60 doesn’t seem to be living up to them. Is it truly a bad SUV, or is one or two poor reviews holding the XC60 back?

The 2023 Volvo XC60 isn’t performing well

J.D. Power has featured 18 luxury vehicles on its latest list of Best Compact and Small SUVs of 2023. Sixteen of these vehicles received a score, as the Infiniti QX55 and Genesis GV70 have yet to receive enough data from real owners to give them a score.

The BMW X4 and Porsche Macan both tied for first place with an overall score of 84. In second place was the BMW X3 with a score of 83. Third place was taken by the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which has an overall score of 80. In comparison, the 2023 Volvo XC60 came in last place, with an overall score of 69. 

Owners played a major role in the low scores for the Volvo XC60

All the scores from this list are based on the responses owners gave J.D. Power for the first 90 days of ownership. In terms of quality and reliability, the 2023 Volvo XC60 received a score of 62 out of 100. The driving experience is ranked at a 69. Resale value was given a score of 75, and the dealership experience 77.

Owners were frustrated at how difficult it was to set things up the way they wished. There were no details given, but this could relate to factors such as adjusting the seats so they are comfortable and setting up the infotainment system.

Many owners were also disappointed about how difficult it is to play audio. It was ranked lower than average, and since many people listen to the radio or their own personal playlists while driving, it’s easy to see why owners would be so quick to give it a poor score.

Finally, owners weren’t that crazy about the sound of the XC60’s 247 inline 4-cylinder engine. It’s unclear if this is due to the engine being too loud, or not being loud enough for those who like the roar of a muscle car.

What owners did enjoy was the feeling of protection they get while driving the XC60, and many feel that they would be safe in the event of a wreck. Others believe the ride is comfortable, and that the materials used for the interior are well-made. 

Critics are not in agreement 

While it’s a bit of a blow that the 2023 Volvo XC60 didn’t score well on the J.D. Power survey, this doesn’t mean it’s a terrible SUV. In fact, there are several critics who believe it’s actually a decent vehicle to drive.

Take U.S. News, for instance. This review site tends to rank most Volvo models in the middle of the pack, and the XC60 is no exception. It received lots of praise for its comfort and standard features.

On the flip side, Consumer Reports no longer recommends the 2023 Volvo XC60. Owners spoke out against it and reported that they did not find it to be a reliable vehicle. It’s important to note that this is based off scores from the 2022 model, and not necessarily the 2023.

Given that much of this information is driven by consumers who have purchased the XC60 and have to live with it, it may be wise to carefully consider your options before buying one. You can do this by reading multiple reviews before making a decision, as the critics do not all agree.