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.
Lincoln's rear-drive luxury SUV delivers 400 twin-turbo horses and a genuinely plush cabin at a price point that undercuts the Germans by five figures, though you're trading badge prestige for value. The 2020-2021 launch models arrived with fit-and-finish problems and electrical gremlins that tarnished the comeback story; 2023+ builds appear cleaner, but the inconsistency means a thorough pre-purchase inspection isn't optional. Buy a recent-year Aviator if you want massage seats and serious power without the German repair bills, or if the Grand Touring hybrid's 500-hp efficiency appeals. Walk if you need a usable third row for adults, can't live without marquee cachet, or aren't willing to gamble on Lincoln's quality control finding its footing.