I stand (virtually) with @wdccruise.

I have several "high end" appliances in the kitchen, but my induction cooktop is a 36-inch Gallery Frigidaire (Electrolux), one of the lower priced units that operates the way I want. Given ability to fit the unit (first priority), then the second priority in my opinion is whether you can easily change power levels while cooking.

When we were looking for induction 7 years ago we looked at Bosch, Viking, Wolf and a few others. We chose 30” Wolf because the hob design and other features met our cooking style. Look at quality and what fits your cooking style. Loved that cooktop, ended up moving and will get another induction at some point but we will study the options available and could select a different brand but did love that Wolf.

Brand consistency isn't a thing like it was 20 years ago when people felt it necessary to have matching styles. Now people mix brands in order to assemble the best quality appliances they can afford. This is because appliance manufacturers excel in some things, but not in others.

Note that older Wolf induction cooktops have a digital control that turns on/off the element and sets its power level for each induction element. The new models have squeezed the controls into a small box at the lower-right and there is only one digital control to set the power level for all elements.

And that clearly describes my comment w.r.t. second priority. The more steps needed to turn power down the longer some boilover or other undesired action continues. I don't know what E'lux and its pawns are doing these days, but my original Kenmore (E'lux clone) and later Frigidaire have separate controls for hobs spaced across the cook's side edge that run down or up in power with a touch.

For boilovers, Wolf still retains the power on/off "button" separate from the control center. So it's still a one tap from function. Instead of having a distinct All Off icon as they did formerly, there is now only the power icon. Works just as well.

@awm03: "Wolf still retains the power on/off "button" separate from the control center."

True, one must touch and hold, not tap, the button* and it shuts off all the induction elements, not just the one with the boilover.

*Use and care guide page 7

I'm buying a Gaggenau 400 series. You can put a pot anywhere on the induction cooktop, and the cook top recognizes where the pan (of any shape or size) is and heats it (no white circles). I believe Thermador (owned by same parent company as Gaggenau) has the same feature (probably slightly less money). But according to the salesman, you can't install the Thermador one flush with the countertop, and you can with the Gaggenau. To me, it seems cool as heck, and so I'm willing to spend a ridiculous amount for what will probably be the only kitchen that I ever get to completely remodel and is my forever home. I think it might be a good choice for you given your high-end neighborhood, as I think you would be the talk of the neighborhood. Call me shallow, but that is kind of fun sometimes to be the cool kid with the cool new toy.

I'm also getting a Miele dishwasher that opens when you knock twice on it. The song "Knock Three Times on the Ceiling" keeps going through my head. Is that a bit silly? Probably, but again, way cool and you only live once.