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.
Volvo built the XC90 around a safety cage so robust that salvage yards need special equipment to crush it, and that obsessive engineering carries through to the seats (like living room furniture), the crash ratings, and the peace of mind families actually pay for. The tradeoff is European luxury upkeep: maintenance costs run higher than a Lexus or Acura, parts take longer to arrive, and your neighborhood quick-lube will be lost under the hood. The infotainment is the universal complaint, laggy, temperamental, still tethered to a cable for CarPlay. If safety and comfort top your list and you can budget for the care it demands, the XC90 delivers on its promises. If you're stretching to afford it or expect Toyota-level running costs, the Highlander is the honest answer.