The redesigned Trax nailed the hardest trick in the segment: delivering a genuinely pleasant ownership experience at the lowest price point, with a quiet cabin and spacious cargo that embarrass pricier rivals. Nearly every 2024-2026 will need a fuel filler neck replacement under warranty before 5,000 miles for a persistent EVAP leak, a quick fix GM inexplicably hasn't solved in three model years of production. Singles, couples, and two-kid families get exceptional value; three-kid households will find it objectively too small, and if you live above 4,000 feet or routinely haul a full load uphill, the underpowered engine becomes a real limitation.
Lincoln's flagship three-row tries to out-luxury the Escalade with a twin-turbo V6, quilted leather everywhere, and a 48-inch screen that actually makes sense. The Black Label trims look stunning, and owners who bought recent models rave about the presence and tech. But there's a gap between the showroom promise and the road reality: Consumer Reports tested the 2025 and found the ride quality and handling don't justify six-figure pricing, and some Black Label buyers report cracking lamination on white interior panels, unacceptable at that tier. The 3.5L EcoBoost (2018+) dodges the cam phaser nightmares that plagued older 5.4L V8 models, but you'll still visit gas stations constantly at 15-17 mpg. Buy it if you want maximum space and maximum screen in a Lincoln wrapper, but know the Escalade drives better and the Expedition costs $30k less.