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.
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.