Audi's three-row flagship is caught between two truths: the 2016-2020 models delivered some of the finest interiors the brand ever built, tactile, sophisticated, genuinely special, while newer examples cheapened out with creaky piano black and the platform itself now trails refreshed rivals by a generation. The safety systems will phantom-brake you through roundabouts with alarming confidence, and the base 2.0T four-cylinder has no business hauling 5,000 pounds of German SUV plus seven passengers. But the 3.0T V6 pulls strong, Quattro handles winter without drama, and long-term reliability has been solid across the second generation. Hunt for a pre-2020 model if you want the good bones, skip the four-cylinder entirely, and budget time to neuter the driver assistance, families prioritizing space and mechanical competence over cutting-edge screens will find a capable workhorse here.
Cadillac's first serious electric SUV nails the luxury fundamentals, that magnetic suspension delivers genuine float, the interior looks expensive without trying too hard, and Super Cruise makes highway miles feel effortless. Real-world range sits comfortably in the 280-320 mile zone for mixed driving. The problem is charging: 40+ minutes to 80% is standard, not a fluke, and the car tapers hard after 50%. Software gremlins (screen freezes, rain-triggered sensor faults) show up often enough to annoy, though 2024-2025 models are notably more stable than the buggy 2023s. The used market is flooded with low-mileage lease returns at $32k-40k, a legitimate bargain if you can tolerate the quirks. Buy it for serene daily driving and occasional road trips where you're not in a rush. Skip it if you need Tesla-fast charging or can't stomach software hiccups.