A plush three-row that trades on deep discounts and a hushed cabin, but the 2018-2024 generation carries a documented transfer case weakness. Multiple owners report the same failure: the case splits catastrophically at highway speed, dumping fluid and stranding the vehicle, sometimes with only 30k-70k miles on the clock. When it works, you get adult-sized third-row space, a genuinely quiet ride, and dealer incentives that undercut Honda and Toyota by thousands. The catch is you're rolling dice on a known mechanical fault, and mismatched tires accelerate the failure. The all-new 2025 redesign swaps the V6 for a turbo four and starts fresh on a new platform, so the old gremlins shouldn't follow, but there's zero long-term proof yet. Buy used and you're gambling; buy new and you're hoping Buick learned its lesson.
Here's what you're actually buying: a spacious, dependable family hauler with a third row that fits humans, a removable middle seat that's genuinely clever, and a proven V6 that'll run to 200,000 miles without drama. The tradeoff is fuel economy, no hybrid option means high-teens MPG while Toyota sells Highlander Hybrids as fast as they can build them, and at $4/gallon that's real money over ownership. Interior materials on lower trims feel a step behind the CX-90 and Grand Highlander, and the styling won't turn heads. Buy it if you need maximum space and proven reliability and don't mind feeding the tank. Skip it if fuel economy or luxury feel matter more, the Grand Highlander Hybrid and CX-90 both answer those needs better.