Car Advice, Tips, Reviews, Q&A in UAE

I test-drove the Hyundai Elantra N, and the driving experience is seriously fun thanks to its sporty suspension (MacPherson front and multi-link rear), 19-inch wheels, and PS4S tires. The grip is excellent, even during sharp cornering, especially with the electronic traction system. The interior is typical Elantra, but the sporty seats and design really boost the performance vibe. Even though it doesn’t support CarPlay, it’s packed with features focused on driving enjoyment. Fuel consumption is around 13L/100km, which is acceptable for a car with this much power, though the 47L fuel tank feels a bit small. It needs 95 octane fuel to perform at its best. Cool features include NFC unlocking, reminders if you forget your phone on the wireless charger, a KRELL sound system, and the red "N Grin Shift" button that gives you an extra 10 horsepower for 20 seconds.

The Nissan Juke is honestly a compact car with a youthful design. It can easily compete with models from Toyota and Volkswagen, and to a lesser extent, Honda. Its interior space is better than cars like the Ford EcoSport or Chevrolet Trax. The engine runs smoothly, and fuel consumption is very low.

I had been following RAV4 offers since 2019, and after a long period of research and test driving, I finally bought the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid at a great price with some extras. The car is comfortable and stable, with excellent fuel consumption at around 6.3L/100km. I compared it directly with the CR-V — the exterior design caught my eye from the start, and over time, I grew to accept the interior, especially after the updated screen. The downsides are the soft brakes that take some getting used to, and a few basic interior trims — but overall, I’m very satisfied with the car.

Driving the Tiguan is comfortable — the steering is light in traffic and stable at high speeds. Performance depends on the engine: the 1.4T is a bit underpowered, but the 2.0T is much better, especially the version with all-wheel drive and six driving modes. Just keep in mind that the 7-seat option is only available in the top trim and can't be added to lower trims, which might be an issue if you need extra seating.

I test-drove the Haval H7 2021 model, and honestly, I think it’s a solid SUV with plenty of features. The design is bold and eye-catching, with a wide front grille that gives it a strong presence, and the 20-inch wheels add a sporty touch. Inside, the brown upholstery with chrome and wood accents gives a premium feel, and the 9-inch screen works well. Space is excellent — I’m 177 cm tall and felt comfortable in both the front and back seats, and the panoramic sunroof adds a spacious feel. The 2.0 turbo engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox delivers strong performance, especially in sport mode. As for the downsides: the suspension is a bit stiff and noticeable over bumps, sound insulation isn’t great at high speeds, and fuel consumption in the city goes over 10L/100km — even more with the A/C on. Overall, it’s a strong car at a reasonable price, especially since they added more features without raising the price. I think it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a well-equipped and affordable SUV.

The Geely Emgrand is reasonably priced and packed with features. It looks great, has a clear 360-degree camera, and the 1.5L engine performs well even on the highway. The only downside is that the suspension is a bit stiff over bumps, but overall, I’m really happy with it.

The interior space isn’t very big. I’m 175 cm tall and there’s still a bit of room in the back, but headroom is a bit tight. The trunk can be expanded when you fold down the rear seats. It’s powered by a 1.5L turbo engine with 136 hp and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission — suitable for daily driving. The suspension is comfortable, handling is good, and fuel consumption is around 7.4L/100km.

I bought the car mainly for its looks — it’s really bold and distinctive. The interior follows Haval’s familiar style, and the engine feels strong and solid. Fuel consumption isn’t low, but I never bought it to save fuel anyway; that’s normal for a vehicle this size. Safety was one of my top reasons for choosing it, and I genuinely feel secure while driving. The cabin is very spacious — I got the 5-seater version and it’s super comfortable. My fuel consumption is about 18–22 in the city and 14–16 on the highway, probably because of some aero mods I added that increased drag. Overall, I’m very satisfied with the car.

The Chevrolet Malibu is an underrated gem in Egypt. Its exterior design is eye-catching, and the interior is quite good — it comes with a touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay, digital gauges, and heated front seats. The cabin is spacious and the trunk is large, although rear headroom is a bit limited. Performance is excellent for city driving, with quick acceleration from 0 to 80 km/h. After that, the 1.5 turbo engine feels a bit less powerful, but the Sport mode helps. Overall, it's a solid car for its price and category.

The Nissan Sentra was my first car after getting my license, and I regret not buying a used one because I ended up bumping it quite a lot in the first year. Its performance is weak, especially on highways, and the sound insulation isn’t great. Fuel consumption is around 6.5L/100km, and I don’t use ECO mode because it makes the car feel even weaker. But to be honest, it’s very comfortable — the seats are genuinely impressive.

The Toyota Highlander has a bold, premium-looking exterior but is still easy to handle for daily use. The interior is simple and practical, though the plastic feel is noticeable. Wind noise becomes more noticeable after 90 km/h. Space is great for five passengers; the third row is okay for short trips but not ideal for long drives. Performance is decent, especially with the hybrid assist during takeoff, but it can feel a bit sluggish if you drive gently. Fuel consumption is excellent — as low as 4.6 L/100 km on short trips, and usually stays between 5–6 L depending on your driving style.

Driving the Prado is lighter and easier than I expected for a vehicle of its size. The steering is very responsive and flexible. However, the engine noise is quite noticeable and sounds a bit rough, especially when the engine kicks in after running on electric mode — things are quiet and smooth on electricity, but once the engine starts, the sound becomes prominent. Fuel consumption is really low. I haven’t taken it on long trips yet, but in the city, it doesn’t exceed 10L/100km. When I fill the tank, it shows a range of about 500 km — which is decent, but honestly, the fuel tank feels a bit small. The safety features are excellent. It has automatic emergency braking both front and rear, which is a great addition. The seats are a bit firm, but they offer good back support. One thing I don’t like is that you can’t fully turn off the headlights — they switch on automatically even before it gets dark. The smart system (infotainment and services) is free for the first five years, but no one seems to know how much the subscription will cost afterward — not even the dealership staff. Tip for anyone buying: when negotiating the price, ask them to activate the hidden features. For example, the windows don’t roll up automatically when you lock the car, and if you go back to the dealership to enable it later, they’ll charge you — which is kind of unreasonable. The trunk is spacious, but because of the battery placement, the floor is a bit high, which makes it harder to load and unload things. Rear legroom is average — if the front seats are reclined a bit, it gets a bit tight in the back. I’ve only had the car for a week, and these are my first impressions.

I spent quite a while comparing different cars — Suburban, Buick Verano, StarRay, Honda XRV, the new Nissan Sentra, and the Corolla. I was actually about to go with the Sentra since it's comfortable, fuel-efficient, and practical. But then I thought: I’m still young, why not go for something with a bit more excitement? So I changed my mind. I considered the Suburban with the 1.4 turbo — everyone says it’s great — but I didn’t like the 2022 design, and the new facelifted model was just too expensive. In the end, it came down to the Honda Civic and the Buick Verano Pro. My family really wanted me to go with the XRV — they love it — and even on the day of delivery, they were still trying to convince me to change my mind. But I told them, since I’m the one driving it, I’ll get what makes me happy — so I went with the Civic. I was busy with work, so my family handled the whole process. They went to the dealership, paid the deposit the same day, picked up the car the next morning, and by that evening, the car was registered, insured, and ready to drive! Everything moved fast. We didn’t get a huge discount, but we did get AED 7,000 off, plus extras like leather seats, seat heaters, window tint, floor mats, a can of engine oil, and a fire extinguisher. Performance-wise, the car is quick — responsive acceleration, and it handles inclines with no problem. Way better than the Qashqai we had before. Fuel consumption is excellent. At first, it was doing 6.2L/100km on the highway. Now after almost 2,000 km, the average is around 6.3 — I think that’s really efficient. Space was a nice surprise. I expected the rear seats to be tight, but they’re actually spacious — I’m 177 cm tall, and with the front seat adjusted to my comfort, the back seat still feels roomy. Downsides? The chassis is pretty low — I’ve scraped it twice already going over bumps or potholes. Even e-scooters honk at me from behind! The body feels a bit light too. Sound insulation isn’t great — after 80 km/h, tire noise becomes noticeable. But I actually like the engine sound — smooth and satisfying. Driving experience is excellent — the steering is sharp and responsive, and body roll is minimal. At first, I found the driver-assist system a bit annoying since it felt like it was fighting me for the wheel, but I got used to it, and it’s actually helpful. The side mirror heaters don’t seem very effective, but the automatic headlights are a big plus — they make night driving much easier. In short? The Civic is a great car. It looks sporty, drives well, and while it has a few small issues, as a first car for a young person, I say: just buy it and don’t overthink it.

I just bought the 2025 Peugeot 508 mainly for its interior design and safety features. After adding a custom front grille, the exterior now has a sportier look. The space suits me well, and the performance is great compared to my previous cars — acceleration is more than enough. Ride comfort is decent, though a bit firm. I haven’t done any deep driving yet, but road feedback is clear — you can feel it, though it’s not bothersome. The European version looks better, but mine is still good enough. Overall, I’m happy with my choice, even if I have a few comments about the pricing and negotiation process.

I chose the MG6 because of its unique and sporty design. I added some carbon fiber touches, and honestly, it looks even better than the stock version. The interior design is nice, but the materials feel a bit hard and lack that premium feel. That’s why I added a few accessories to improve the look. The infotainment system isn’t the fastest, and the 360° camera isn’t very clear — seems like a common issue across all trims. When it comes to driving, the car is both quick and stable. The 1.5 turbo engine responds fast, whether from a standstill or while cruising. The sporty exhaust sound is amazing — I always keep it in sport mode because it makes driving so much more fun. The tire noise is quite noticeable though — I just wish the sound insulation was better.