Audi's bestselling crossover splits cleanly at the 2025 redesign. The 2018-2024 generation delivers what buyers expect, refined ride, solid Quattro grip, and genuine durability when you stay on top of the 60k water pump swap and control arm bushings. Owners routinely push these past 150k miles without drama. The 2025-2026 models are a different story: cars shutting down mid-drive, seven dealer visits in seven months chasing electrical gremlins, and an interior that swapped Audi's signature solidity for a screen-filled cost-cut mess. If you're shopping used, grab a CPO 2023-2024. If you're eyeing new, wait a year or walk to the X3.
If you want a Tahoe that'll outlive your mortgage, hunt down a 2000-2006 GMT800, the last generation before GM added Active Fuel Management and turned oil consumption into a lifestyle. Those trucks routinely hit 250k miles with just a transmission rebuild somewhere past 150k. Everything from 2007 forward carries the AFM lifter time bomb: one collapsed lifter means a $5,000 engine teardown, and the 6L80/8L90 transmissions fail even when you do everything right. The 2021 redesign rides better and looks sharper, but dealership techs report transmission replacements at 1,400 miles, and GM's killing CarPlay in 2026, locking you into their buggy infotainment forever. Buy a GMT800 if you want peace of mind, or budget for an AFM delete the day you sign. Skip this if you want a full-size SUV that doesn't require a maintenance prayer circle.