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.
The Grand Highlander is Toyota's answer to families who need genuine three-row space without the fuel bill, the standard hybrid delivers 34+ MPG in real-world driving and a third row adults can actually sit in. The gas tank won't fill past 12 gallons on many units (there's a TSB, but dealers often charge $400+ for the fix once the warranty expires), and infotainment freezes are common enough to plan around. Buy the standard hybrid if you need the space and efficiency and can live with those quirks; skip the Hybrid Max unless you're towing, and avoid the 2026 model year entirely until the early check-engine-light problems get sorted.