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.

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 bought a used Nissan Sunny in 2018—it was a 2015 model, and I was the second owner. I paid 160,000 EGP for it. When I got it, the odometer showed 60,000 km, but it was obvious they had tampered with it—just by looking at the tires and other details. Still, at the time I just needed a car to get me around. The first year with the car was honestly a pleasant surprise. Fuel consumption was excellent—even with a bit of aggressive driving, it was doing about 6L/100km. That was after I cleaned the injectors, changed the spark plugs, and washed the sensors. After that, the throttle response was smoother and performance improved. One time, I managed 700 km on a single tank—but that was rare. Usually, it did just over 600. Interestingly, it consumed more fuel on the highway than in the city, which is a bit odd but shows it's built more for short urban trips. Driving it was light and smooth. The steering was soft but had a decent return, the suspension was soft but not too floaty, and even though the car is lightweight, it felt more planted than I expected. Honestly, it’s one of the most comfortable cars I’ve ever driven. The interior space is amazing. From the outside, it looks small, but inside it feels like a full-size sedan. Nissan clearly prioritized passenger space—they shrunk the hood and dashboard, which is great, but comes at a cost. The insulation is terrible—you hear road and wind noise like you're riding a tuk-tuk. And the bodywork is so thin, it feels like you could crush it with your hands. Put your foot in the wrong spot, and it feels like you'll puncture the floor. There were also a few issues: the stereo was poor, I had to replace the A/C motor, and I still get some strange noises. But in the end, I see the Nissan Sunny as a very basic car that offers comfort, space, and ease of use—but at the expense of build quality, sound insulation, and overall sturdiness. If you're on a tight budget and just need something to get you through your daily drives without asking much, it’s a logical choice. But if you’re looking for luxury or durability... look elsewhere.

Look, I'm one of those people who did a lot of research before buying a car. I tried everything from the Geely StarRay to the Nissan Sentra and the Volkswagen Jetta. But in the end, I went back to the classics and chose the 2021 Toyota Corolla 1.2T Plus—because, quite simply, it doesn't come with problems, and that's the most important thing for someone in their 30s with a job, a home, and responsibilities. I bought it with a few extras thrown in, like LED headlights, parking sensors, window tinting, floor mats, and 7 free maintenance services. The car won't blow your mind or steal your heart, but it’ll stick with you and do its job. It's comfortable, smooth, has solid suspension, and its performance is more than enough for daily drives—you don’t need to fly. The interior is simple but comfy. The console doesn’t have CarPlay, but it's not the end of the world—I just connect it via Wi-Fi and that’s it. Fuel consumption is around 6.3L per 100 km, and I drive calmly. In short, the Corolla isn’t the best car in everything, but it's probably the one with the least headaches—and that matters more than fancy specs or a big screen.

I had the chance to try out the new Toyota Corolla, the 1.2T Elite version. Honestly, there aren’t many changes in the design compared to the previous generation, but I thought I’d share my thoughts anyway. The engine performance isn’t particularly strong — 116 horsepower on a car this size is just acceptable. But when you push it and let the RPMs climb, it actually feels better than expected. It’s not slow, and it feels lighter than I thought it would. The CVT gearbox is smooth and decent overall, although at low speeds there are some light vibrations and a bit of drag when you lift off the throttle. When you demand sudden acceleration, it takes a little time to reach the higher revs, but it’s not annoying. The suspension handles big bumps well, but you can feel smaller imperfections in the road, especially at lower speeds. On curves and sharp turns, the car holds itself pretty well and stays composed — that was a nice surprise. The steering is great. It’s light at low speeds and firms up nicely as you go faster. The response is smooth and precise, and the brakes are easy to get used to and feel very natural — no issues there. Noise insulation is average. Wind noise is handled well, and the engine isn’t too loud, even at high RPMs — that’s actually better than the hybrid version. But road noise does come through at higher speeds, and ambient noise isolation is just okay. Inside, the design hasn’t changed much — it still feels quite basic. The materials aren’t great; most of the interior is hard plastic. The screen and instrument panel haven’t been upgraded like in the 1.5 or hybrid versions. The infotainment system is slow and outdated — not what you'd expect in a 2024 model. Front seating is fine — you can adjust the driver’s seat to a comfortable low position and the steering wheel aligns well with it. The back seats, however, aren’t great. The space is average, the seatback is a bit upright, and the cushion isn’t very long. The trunk, on the other hand, is decent and handles luggage well. In terms of safety features, you do get useful tools like radar and driving assist, but there’s no rear parking sensor — which is strange. Overall, the car isn’t lacking in features, but the priorities feel a bit off. In the end, this car doesn’t really surprise you — and that might actually be a good thing for people who prefer something reliable and familiar. It’s not futuristic, but if you’re after dependability and ease of use, it could still be a smart choice — especially with how crowded the market is becoming with hybrids and EVs. Ultimately, it depends on your needs and your budget at the time of buying.

It’s now been 8 years since I got the car, and I’ve driven it for 230,000 km—and not once has it let me down. No breakdowns, no issues. It’s never even been to the dealership; all the maintenance was done at local workshops—just oil changes and basic stuff. On top of that, the yearly expenses—insurance, fuel, maintenance—have always been reasonable. I was planning to replace it in 2022, but some things happened at home—I spent a year and a half unemployed. During that time, I started driving for Uber with it. Then in 2024, I went back to my regular job. And since the car was still running great, I decided to stick with it—it still does the job. Of course, don’t expect high performance or speed—if you fill it up with passengers, it struggles a bit. But that’s not what it was built for anyway. It’s a car that simply gets you from point A to point B, without worries, and without draining your wallet. It’s extremely economical, not luxurious—but it gives you peace of mind. And honestly, in times like these, that’s what really matters.