The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe is the #1-rated luxury SUV of 2023. Indeed, the luxury SUV segment has come a long way since BMW pioneered the segment with the widely popular BMW X5. However, Porsche isn't a newcomer to the luxury SUV segment, either. In fact, you could correctly say that the runaway success of Porsche's first SUV ultimately set the luxury SUV niche on fire.
Today’s shoppers have extraordinarily high benchmarks for upper-market SUVs. “More” is the word these days. According to the US News and World Report, the best luxury SUVs money can buy today include models like the 2023 Porsche Cayenne, 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, 2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023 Genesis GV80, 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and the 2023 BMW X5. Of course, the list doesn’t end here.
Unfortunately, it’s getting increasingly harder to buy the nice cars you read about and see in TV ads. According to CBS News, the constantly climbing MSRPs could edge some middle-class families out of the new car market altogether. With that in mind, it’s only natural that you want to get the best possible value for your money before signing that check for a shiny new luxury SUV. Below is a list of ten luxury SUVs that won’t leave you bankrupt through repairs and maintenance costs.
10 2023 Cadillac Escalade – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $12,933
CarEdge’s probability chart shows that a Cadillac Escalade will cost about $12,933 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service. Admittedly, $12,000 is significantly higher than the estimated repairs and maintenance costs of non-luxury models like the Toyota Rav4 which returned about $5,531 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service.
The reason for this is apparent. Luxury vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade and others on this list cost more to fix and maintain because they're made from premium materials that aren’t only expensive but can sometimes be harder to find. In any case, the Escalade’s 36.55% chance of requiring a major repair in ten good years is 3.01% better than the industry average for similarly classed SUVs. The SUV’s yearly maintenance cost also beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by $2,781.
9 2023 Volvo XC60 T8 – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $12,129
C-SUVs have taken over the automotive market by a long margin. The reason for this isn’t far-fetched. They offer their owners nearly all the refinements of a sedan in a high driving position and then add a lot more storage space. Now, the Volvo XC60 luxury C-SUV offers all of the above in an eye-catching package, both inside and out.
We chose the T8 because it's the plug-in hybrid model of the XC60, which means more cost-saving on fuel. The T8 can keep going for 19 miles on pure electric mode and will return an EPA-rated 27 mpg in combined driving when you eventually bring the engine to life.
According to CarEdge, you can expect to spend about $12,129 to keep your Volvo XC60 on the road for the first ten years. This estimate actually beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by $3,585. Also, you get a free scheduled three years or 36,000 miles of maintenance when you buy the Volvo XC60 SUV.
8 2023 Cadillac XT4 – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $12,018
The 2023 Cadillac XT4 returned a JD Power reliability score of 80/100. The 2-row C-SUV falls behind competitors in the areas of handling, drivetrain, and interior materials but offers one of the most spacious cargo volumes behind its second row.
By CarEdge's probability chart, the Cadillac XT4 will set you back about $12,018 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, beating the industry average for luxury SUV models by $3,696. It also has a 36.55% chance of requiring a major repair in that time, which is 3.01% better than similar vehicles of the same segment. Additionally, Cadillac offers the XT4 SUV with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile warranty on powertrain components.
7 2023 Lincoln Nautilus – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $11,326
The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus earned a JD Power reliability score of 88/100, making it the SUV with the highest predicted reliability rating for the luxury SUV segment this year. That's a big plus for an SUV with one of the highest comfort options with serenity and practicality as its design watchwords. By YourMechanic’s estimates, the cost to maintain and fix a Lincoln Nautilus ranges from $95 to $432, with an average of $155. The data also showed that battery replacement, brake pad replacement, brake rotors/discs replacement, brake system flush, and differential/gear oil replacement reflect the most common needs of the Nautilus.
According to CarEdge, a Lincoln Nautilus will cost about $11,326 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, beating the industry average for luxury SUV models by an impressive $4,388. Also, the Nautilus' 33.36% chance of requiring a major repair in ten years is 6.20% better than similar vehicles in this segment.
6 2023 Acura RDX – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $9,610
With a JD Power reliability score of 81/100, the 2023 Acura RDX should roll the market with the best C-SUVs this year, just as it did with the best luxury SUVs in 2022. The RDX is a sensible choice for shoppers looking for SUVs with fast acceleration, thanks to a standard turbocharged 272-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Honda making North America the Acura brand’s home base proves the Japanese automaker understands America’s deep respect for performance. The company is sure of the RDX’s reliability enough to back it with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.
CarEdge's probability chart shows the Acura RDX SUV will cost a comparatively lower $9,610 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, beating the industry average for luxury SUV models by $6,104. It does have a 28.65% chance of needing a major repair in its first ten years, but that's also 10.91% better than similarly classed vehicles. Additionally, Acura's $41,550 MSRP is on the lower side of pricing for its class.
5 2023 Lexus UX 250h – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $7,786
Lexus ranked #1 in the JD Power 2023 Vehicle Dependability Study thanks to an overall score of 133 (PP100) vs. the industry average of 186. Although CarEdge does not have specific repairs and maintenance estimate for the 2023 Lexus UX 250h, Lexus models average around $7,786 for maintenance and repairs during their first ten years of service, which is better than the industry average for luxury brands by an impressive $4,258.
The automaker proudly announced that the Hybrid version of the UX 250h “combines bold design, seamless connectivity, and available all-wheel drive performance with an exceptionally efficient hybrid drivetrain.” With a base price well under $40,000 and an EPA-rated 42 mpg in combined driving, the 2023 UX 250h is a sensible choice for cash-strapped shoppers hungry for a brand-new Lexus.
The SUV doesn’t match the Acura RDX’s rapid acceleration but offers an abundance of style and the creature comforts you’d get in an entry-level Lexus and then top them with the utility of a rear liftgate and a folding back seat. YourMechanic says the estimated cost to maintain and repair a Lexus UX 250h ranges from $95 to $404, with an average of $145. With a low 17.20% chance of requiring a major repair in its first ten years of service, your Lexus is 17.89% better when compared to the other auto manufacturers in this segment, according to CarEdge.
4 2023 Lexus GX – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $7,652
So, what is the most reliable luxury SUV for the 2022 model year? Well, according to Consumer Reports, The seven-seater 2022 Lexus GX is the most reliable luxury SUV of 2022. JD Power backed CR’s finding with an 86/100 rating of the 2022 Lexus GX.
Apparently, it’s too early to unseat the GX from the reliability throne, especially not when the Lexus GX460 has zero reported problems on RepairPal’s record, and the Lexus brand returned a 4/5 RepairPal reliability rating, giving it the 7th position out of 32 for all car brands. Considering that RepairPal estimates the average annual repair cost is $551, the Lexus GX offers above-average ownership costs.
Admittedly, the GX isn’t the overall best in the midsize SUV ranking thanks to a poor quality ride and handling that we could correctly blame on the body-on-frame underpinning. YourMechanic reckons you’d spend approximately $1,142 annually on your GX’s repairs and maintenance.
Lexus offers the GX a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile warranty on powertrain components. By CarEdge's analysis, the GX SUV will cost about $7,652 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, which beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by a class-leading $8,062.
3 2020 Lexus RX 450h – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $7,634
RepairPal's records show the 2020 Lexus RX 450h midsize SUV has zero reported problems and comes with an estimated annual maintenance and repair costs of $540, depending on age, mileage, location, and service provider. However, a new RX 450h should cost about $7,634 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service.
This figure beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by $8,080. With CarEdge’s estimated 20.47% chance of an RX 450h requiring a major repair during that time, the RX 450h SUV has a 19.09% superior dependability than similar vehicles in this segment.
2 2020 Lexus NX 300 – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $7,136
Formerly called the NX200t, the Lexus NX300 receives motivation from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. YourMechanic estimates the cost to maintain and repair a Lexus NX300 ranges from $95 to $2124, with an average of $266.
The NX300 is one of the vehicles that helped Lexus clinch the overall win in JD Power's reliability study of various automotive segments. It offers both FWD and AWD drivetrains. The SUV's tech features include dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, reclining rear seats, an 8-inch screen, and more.
The Lexus NX 300 offers one of the best-built, spacious cabins, even though the infotainment system isn’t as intuitive as some drivers would like. CarEdge reckons you’d spend about $7,136 to maintain and repair the NX 300 during its first ten years of service, which beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by $8,578. The NX 300’s 20.47% chance of needing a major repair in its first ten years is actually 19.09% better than similar vehicles in this segment.
1 2020 Tesla Model Y – 10 Years Maintenance Cost: $4,732
New for 2020, the Model Y C-SUV slot beautifully between the Model 3 sedan with less passenger and cargo space and the more expensive Model X. It goes without saying that fewer moving parts in EVs like the Model Y means a significantly reduced chance of things breaking and needing repairs.
Of course, this also means lower repairs and maintenance costs. Industry estimates show EVs cost about a third of what their gas-powered counterparts require in terms of service. Additionally, the Tesla Model Y can keep going for an impressive 316 miles on a full belly.
CarEdge estimates the Tesla Model Y will cost about $4,732 for maintenance and repairs during its first ten years of service, which is the lowest repairs and service cost compared to the luxury SUVs in this list. The figure also beats the industry average for luxury SUV models by a whopping $10,982. Furthermore, the Model Y has just an 11.68% chance of needing a major repair in its first ten years, which is another segment-leading 27.88% superiority to similar vehicles in this segment.
Sources: CarEdge, YourMechanic, RepairPal, JD Power