I’m a guy born in the ‘90s and very passionate about cars. Since late 2019, I’ve been following the prices of the Toyota RAV4, but I wasn’t in a rush since I didn’t urgently need a new car. I visited almost every Toyota dealership in Abu Dhabi and Dubai until I found one outside Dubai that had the best pricing. I ordered a white and black dual-tone model (I paid AED 4,000 extra for this color). So far, I’ve driven about 1,680 km, mostly on highways. Fuel consumption is excellent — around 6.3 L/100km — and the car feels very stable at high speeds. The AWD system only kicks in when needed, like during takeoff or sharp turns. I compared it to a 2021 Honda CR-V. The CR-V has slightly better throttle response and handling, but the RAV4 is still very comfortable and quieter, thanks to the type of tires. Comfort & Space With over 10 years of driving experience, mostly in German and local cars, I can say that Toyota and Honda cars are easier to drive, even the bigger ones. The RAV4 is very comfortable with good interior space, though the CR-V wins when it comes to rear legroom and the panoramic sunroof. Design I loved the bold look of the RAV4 from the first glance — the sharp angles, front lights, and overall lines really appealed to me. Some people say the design is strange, but I find it unique and attractive. Interior & Features At first, I felt the interior was a bit simple for the price, especially compared to the CR-V. But with the new model updates, my opinion changed. The screen became slimmer and more modern. Storage solutions inside the car are excellent. I don’t ask for much from the multimedia system — Bluetooth and maps are enough for me. The 360-degree camera is great, even though the resolution isn’t very high. Downsides & Notes The brake pedal is a bit soft and takes some getting used to. Toyota cuts costs in small things like interior trims. I’m very detail-oriented, so I personally added protective covers to most interior parts. What bothers me the most right now is the potential for water leakage from the roof rails. I’ve read about similar issues from users in other countries. But overall, I’m very satisfied with the car and plan to share more after the first service, God willing.

I want to buy a high-quality, first-hand car.

To all C40 owners, just wondering, does the new car have any smell? My XC60 had no smell at all, but since the C40 is an electric vehicle and doesn’t have leather interiors, I’m worried it might have a smell which could make me car sick.

Choosing your first car is always exciting! Between the Hongqi E-HS9 and the Mercedes E-Class, both have their own unique features. If your wife is prone to motion sickness, comfort is key. Generally, the Mercedes E-Class is known for its smooth ride and luxurious interior, which might provide a more comfortable experience. However, the Hongqi E-HS9, being an SUV, offers a spacious cabin that could also be beneficial for comfort. It's best to test drive both to see which one feels better for your needs. 😊

Is this Hyundai's first compact car? Feels like the first one, guys, what do you think? The first compact car, but I've never seen Hyundai make compact cars before. I think it's their first compact car. Have you seen it? If there's a second one, you can mention it in the comments.

Why doesn't such a big car use the CT5-V's 3.0T V6 gasoline engine? That's not very American. 🤦‍♂️ I can understand not using a V8, but going straight to a 4-cylinder, what's up with that?

I've always been a fan of Toyota, particularly fond of the Harrier and RAV4. But after test driving the BYD Song PLUS, I couldn't sleep all night. In terms of value for money, appearance, features, driving experience, and fuel consumption, BYD completely outshines Toyota. While Toyota is known for its durable engines, considering BYD's market feedback over the years, BYD's engines are also reliable enough to last until the car is scrapped.

I've always been a fan of Toyota, really like the Harrier and RAV4. But ever since I test drove the BYD Song PLUS, I couldn't sleep that night. In terms of value for money, appearance, features, driving feel, and fuel economy, BYD completely surpasses Toyota. While Toyota is known for its durable engines, considering BYD's market feedback over the years, their engines can last until the car is scrapped without any issues.

How's the interior of this car? Do I need to install the ambient lights myself?

Since I got the car, I’ve driven it a few times on intercity highways and elevated city roads. At first, fuel consumption was quite high — around 12 L/100 km — but after some regular use, it dropped to 7.8. It hasn’t gone any lower since then, even though I’ve only driven about 500 km in less than a month. Honestly, every time I refuel, it stings a little 😅. This is my first car, so I don’t have much to compare it to, but driving feels smooth overall. Once you hit 100 km/h, tire noise becomes noticeable, but throttle response during overtaking is pretty decent. The thing that annoyed me most is the infotainment system. There’s no built-in CarPlay, so I bought an external adapter. While it technically works, Bluetooth is unstable, and the navigation voice won’t come through the car speakers. On top of that, the system randomly activates and starts saying weird things, and the voice assistant sometimes greets you with “Hi” and other times with “I’m here” — honestly, it feels awkward. I’m not sure if all Japanese brands do this, or just this one. As for interior space, the rear seat area is quite good, but the new car smell is still strong, so I’ve thrown in a bunch of charcoal bags to absorb it. Overall, I’m satisfied for a first car, but there are definitely things that could be better.

Since the end of last year, I’ve been keeping an eye on the Mercedes E300. Thankfully, I had been working hard on myself and building my own business, and over time, I was able to establish a solid financial foundation. So I decided it was time to reward myself with a car I love—something that would reflect years of effort, while also offering comfort and luxury for me and my family. In March, when Mercedes brought back their offers, I didn’t hesitate—I went ahead and got the car. The young guy at the dealership was respectful and provided excellent service from start to finish. Thankfully, I was able to choose a special license plate number too, and I was very satisfied! Now that I’ve driven it for 2,000 km, I can confidently say: Engine Performance The 2.0L high-power turbo engine performs excellently—even at high speeds. At low speeds in the beginning, you might feel the gear shifts are a bit hesitant, but after that, everything becomes smooth. I pushed it up to around 170 km/h, and the car was stable, with very minimal cabin noise. Handling I’ve owned more than 7 cars in my life, ranging from small economy cars to luxury SUVs, but the E300L really stands out with its balance and control. Driving it is comfortable, the steering is smooth and precise, and above all, you get a real sense of luxury. Mercedes has a kind of prestige that’s hard to describe—you can almost feel it flowing through the car. After a long day at work, you can’t help but relax and drive with ease and confidence. Ride Experience From my perspective, the car is incredibly comfortable. The front seats come with leg extensions, and the center console with its large screens gives off a high-tech vibe. Add to that the 64-color ambient lighting and the insane quality of the Burmester sound system—it's truly something else. The interior design is elegant, simple, and user-friendly, with no clutter or button overload—a testament to Mercedes’ deep design experience. Even the rear seats now have electric adjustments and a leg rest, making the back-seat experience extremely comfortable.