Many people aspire to own the best new one luxury cars, as they are the ultimate status symbol. If we look at the top 10 luxury cars on the market, they combine performance, smooth ride quality, comfort and refinement in a way that ordinary cars cannot.
On the outside, they sport impressive designs; inside, they are filled with cutting-edge technology and the most comfortable furnishings.
Luxury car manufacturers build their new high-end cars with excellent build quality, high quality materials and the best performing parts, unlike their regular budget cars. As a result, they are very expensive, especially when they are new cars. The promise of a hassle-free ownership experience, free of maintenance hassles and expensive repairs, is one of the main reasons why a buyer would opt for a new luxury car in 2023 over a used car. Unfortunately, despite being super expensive and of superior quality and refinement, some luxury cars prove that they are not. reliable cars from the beginning. These are the luxury cars to avoid in 2023.
To determine these least reliable luxury cars of 2023, we looked at predicted reliability ratings from trusted publications like Consumer Reports, RepairPal and insurance company WithClutch. Here are the 10 new luxury cars we’ll stay away from in 2023 that have the lowest reliability ratings.
10 2023 Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli has a lot going for it. It’s high performing, has a stunning Italian-style exterior and is truly a comfortable and practical luxury exotic. Also, it is not as common as its German rivals. But the Maserati Ghibli has had few updates since its introduction in 2013, its reliability has been very inconsistent and maintenance costs are relatively high.
Despite its hefty price ($83,795), the Ghibli combines high-end interior finishes with low-end materials, resulting in an interior that falls short of the standards set by top luxury cars. Also, the Maserati Ghibli’s high depreciation rate means it loses $51,168 on average over five years. It simply has too many compromises, making lower-priced competitors better buys.
9 2023 Volvo S60
There are a lot of good things that the Volvo S60 has to offer. The stunning looks, many desirable standard features and the pleasant and cozy interior are sure to please you. With front or all-wheel drive, handling is satisfying, and under the hood is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that, combined with hybrid technology, produces 455 hp and 523 lb-ft in the S60 Polestar Engineered.
The Volvo S60 made Consumer Reports’ 2022 Least Reliable Luxury Cars list, ranking 12/13 among compact luxury cars. It also has the lowest WithClutch combined reliability score of any Volvo model, at 46/100. And with the 2022 Volvo S60 already subject to two recalls, it’s best to avoid even the 2023 model.
8 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV
The Cadillac Escalade ESV is one of the best luxury cars ever. It is the epitome of large, comfortable and powerful American luxury SUVs. While you need deeper pockets to buy one, it takes even more bottomless wallets to keep it running smoothly. The 2023 Escalade ESV’s reliability rating is 2/5 below the RepairPal average, placing it 14/19 among full-size luxury SUVs.
The likelihood that an Escalade ESV repair will be a major or serious problem is 22%, based on RepairPal data collected over the years. Considering the average for premium full-size SUVs is 19% and the average for all car models is a low 12%, that’s not very encouraging.
7 2023 Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover remains a highly desirable offering among high-end SUV buyers due to its A-Lister status, making it the No. 1. 1 luxury car. It runs great, comes with an attractive sporty design and has an interior that is the height of luxury. But the Range Rover is an overrated luxury car; his ads depict him crossing rivers, climbing hills and driving on dirt roads. As such, you might assume that the Range Rover is reliable and capable of driving anywhere without a problem.
It’s not like that. Long-term reliability hasn’t been a Land Rover thing since the Land Rover Defender era. The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover ranks 15/19 in its class, receiving just a 2/5 below average reliability rating from RepairPal. The average repair and maintenance cost of luxury vehicles in this class is $1,127; so its annual cost of $1,258 is a bit high.
6 2023 Audi S4
The Audi S4 AWD is a high-performance, sporty version of the regular A4 meant to be more fun to drive. Audi, however, has not traded comfort for performance. The interior is well finished and tastefully appointed with comfortable leather sports seats. The Audi S4’s engine is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 349 hp, which allows it to reach 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
But the current B9-generation Audi S4 is among the luxury cars to avoid in 2023. It has a composite reliability score of 43/100 from WithClutch and estimated annual repair costs of $1,171 from RepairPal. Only the Audi A4, on which the S4 is based, receives a worse reliability score (38/100) in Audi’s lineup. Ranked 27 out of 31 in its category, there are surely better options.
5 2023 Porsche Macan
The Porsche Macan is aimed at fans of the Porsche brand who are looking for an SUV designed for a sporty and enjoyable driving experience. It’s always been a big seller, even though its spaciousness and interior richness don’t match its price. Porsche Macan S and GTS trims reach 60 mph in less than four seconds, thanks to their more powerful turbocharged V6 engines, mated to a quick seven-speed PDK transmission.
But going for the Macan in 2023 is not for the faint of heart. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 1.5/5, making it a luxury car model to skip in 2023. Also, the Macan requires more repairs and maintenance than any Porsche SUV or four-door car at $1,265 per year. Beyond that, the frequency of unscheduled repairs for the Macan is 1.27 times a year, compared to 0.6 for its class and 0.4 for all models.
4 2023 BMW X6
Mercedes-Benz always proclaims that it created the luxury SUV class, but today it is BMW that has the best German luxury SUVs in the X5 and X6. The practicality and cargo space of the BMW X6 compared to the X5 is compromised by its SUV coupe form. But, it barely makes up for it with more powerful engines and a more luxurious cabin, boosting its luxury credentials.
While it’s great to drive for a large SUV, according to RepairPal, the BMW X6 ranks 16/19 among full-size luxury SUVs and requires $1,206 in annual repairs. The BMW X6’s WithClutch composite reliability score is 25/100, while RepairPal gives it a poor 2/5. Unexpected repairs costing more than $1,000 are 1.0 times a year, compared to 0.4 for all cars and 0.7 for its class.
3 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes GLE models are among the best luxury car choices in the luxury SUV segment, from the GLE 350 to the GLE 580. The GLE is a well-balanced SUV package that combines high performance, unmatched comfort and excellent utility. Looking stunning, inside are spacious interiors with premium luxury features and the latest car technology. Unfortunately, only introduced in 2016, the Mercedes GLE models have established a reputation for unreliability.
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE received an abysmal reliability score from Consumer Reports. Mercedes doesn’t seem to have improved much. Consumer Reports ranks the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 9th worst on its latest list of the 10 least reliable cars for the 2023 model year.
2 2023 Porsche Panamera
When it comes to the best luxury car features, the Porsche Panamera lacks nothing. It’s fast and powerful, with an interior trimmed like a private jet. However, it is one of the worst luxury cars of 2023. RepairPal ranks the Panamera 30 out of 30 in the full-size luxury car segment with a reliability score of 0.5/5, while WarrantyWise is a little generous with a score of 23.5/100. Don’t forget that it has a high depreciation rate, losing 59.9% of its value in five years.
Even worse are the high maintenance costs of the Porsche Panamera. It’ll cost you about $16,531 in maintenance and repairs over the first 10 years, $4,570 more than the industry average for luxury sedans, according to CarEdge. Its timing chain, a common failure, costs over $10,000 to fix. The Panamera also takes the unenviable first place among European luxury cars that consistently breaks down, with a frequency score of 2.18 per year.
1 Lincoln Aviator 2023
In Lincoln’s lineup, the Aviator SUV sits between the Nautilus SUV and the full-size Navigator flagship. It brings elegant style, spacious three-row interior, luxurious and modern with comfortable seats. While most top luxury car rivals like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 excel at handling, the Aviator focuses on quick acceleration and a smooth ride. Power comes from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft, or 494 hp and 630 lb-ft from a hybrid engine.
In many ways, the second-generation Aviator looks like an American winner in the midsize luxury SUV segment. However, it ranks near the bottom in reliability, receiving a low reliability score from Consumer Reports. That makes the Aviator the third least reliable vehicle in 2023 across all manufacturers in Consumer Reports’ books.
Sources: Consumer Reports, RepairPal, WithClutch, CarEdge
