Last updated: 2026-03-04
Lexus UX vs Volvo XC60: Reliability Compared
Lexus UX
Volvo XC60
Choosing between the Lexus UX and the Volvo XC60? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus UX currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Lexus UX and Volvo XC60 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Lexus UX is more reliable than the Volvo XC60, scoring 80/100 vs 74/100.
The Lexus UX demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Volvo XC60, with an average reliability score of 80/100 versus the XC60's 74/100. The UX has only 2 recalls over eight years and a notably low owner complaint rate of 1.2 per 10,000 vehicles, while the XC60 has faced 42 recalls and a higher complaint rate of 5.3 per 10,000. Additionally, the Volvo XC60 is associated with common issues in several areas, including the electrical system and brakes, whereas the Lexus UX has not identified any prevalent problems. Although specific repair cost estimates for the UX are unavailable, the XC60's estimated annual repair cost is $746, further indicating the UX's advantage in reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Lexus UX has 40 fewer total recalls
- 2Lexus UX scores 6 points higher in reliability
- 3Lexus UX has 4.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Lexus UX vs Volvo XC60: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Lexus UX | Volvo XC60 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 80/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 2 | 42 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 1.2 | 5.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 6 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Lexus UX and Volvo XC60?
The Volvo XC60 exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with a notable concentration in the electrical system, which accounts for 81 complaints, including five linked to crashes. Additional areas of concern for the XC60 include service brakes and steering, both with crash-linked incidents, suggesting potential safety implications. In contrast, the Lexus UX shows a markedly lower overall complaint count with no detailed breakdown, indicating fewer reported issues. The absence of crash-linked complaints and detailed problem data for the Lexus UX may suggest either a lower incidence of severe issues or underreporting compared to the Volvo XC60.
| Component | Lexus UX | Volvo XC60 |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | —None | 1.8Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| ENGINE | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Lexus UX or Volvo XC60?
How Does Lexus UX vs Volvo XC60 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Lexus UX | Volvo XC60 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1001R / 2C | 76/1004R / 22C | Lexus UX |
| 2023 | 80/1000R / 1C | 74/1005R / 40C | Lexus UX |
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 2C | 72/1006R / 60C | Lexus UX |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 2C | 75/1005R / 31C | Lexus UX |
| 2020 | 84/1000R / 0C | 75/1006R / 17C | Lexus UX |
| 2019 | 77/1001R / 3C | 72/1008R / 33C | Lexus UX |
| 2026(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | 74/100(predicted) | Lexus UX |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Lexus UX scored 84/100 and the 2025 Volvo XC60 scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Lexus UX vs the Volvo XC60?
Lexus UX vs Volvo XC60: Common Questions
- Is the Lexus UX more reliable than the Volvo XC60?
- Based on our data, the Lexus UX is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Lexus UX or the Volvo XC60?
- The Volvo XC60 has more recalls (42) compared to the Lexus UX (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Lexus UX or the Volvo XC60?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus UX has a lower complaint rate at 1.2 per 10,000 sold versus 5.3 for the Volvo XC60. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Lexus UX or Volvo XC60 safer?
- Both the Lexus UX and Volvo XC60 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Lexus UX comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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