I was looking for a new car, and I drive at least 20,000 km per year, so petrol cars have become too expensive for me — I just can’t handle the fuel costs anymore. I also constantly worry about fuel consumption. Charging infrastructure isn’t suitable for me either, so I focused on hybrid vehicles. As for Chinese options, they’re still relatively new and haven’t been proven over time, so I decided to stick with Japanese or Korean models. With a budget of around AED 20,000 (whether monthly or upfront), most Japanese options were base models from Toyota and Honda with very basic features. Their comfort and insulation were underwhelming, especially compared to the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. After a lot of research and browsing car forums, I realized that even Toyota and Honda hybrids have their own issues — in the end, it really comes down to luck. So, I settled on the Tucson. I had trouble with pricing and offers, and eventually ended up buying it from another city and registering it myself. Space-wise, it’s great for families. The seats are wide and supportive, especially for the legs. The rear seats are nicely elevated, so you don’t feel like you’re sitting too low, but they are a bit firm, which might be uncomfortable on long trips. Performance is excellent. The car responds quickly, and one of my main concerns — the transition between petrol and electric — turned out to be surprisingly smooth. Once the engine warms up, you can barely feel when it kicks in. Even when you let off the accelerator, the regenerative braking doesn’t feel harsh — it’s very natural. Since it has a 6-speed gearbox, the driving experience feels very close to a conventional petrol car. As for fuel economy — it’s impressive, Alhamdulillah. The display shows between 4 to 5 liters per 100 km, and I plan to confirm it on a proper road trip soon. The cabin insulation is good, handling is solid, and the L2 driving assistance system makes long-distance drives much easier — it really helps. Of course, the car isn’t perfect. My biggest complaint is the central screen — it has thick black bezels and doesn’t support Apple CarPlay, which is annoying. Storage options inside the car are limited — there isn’t even a sunglasses holder. The rear A/C has no separate controls, though cooling is sufficient. The headlights aren’t the best either, especially in lit areas, but they do the job in darker roads. In summary: the Tucson Hybrid is a smart and balanced choice, especially for those who drive a lot and want an economical, comfortable car without the complications of a fully electric vehicle or the price premium of Japanese hybrids.

No 8AT, no four-wheel drive, I'm so disappointed... Even a four-wheel drive option would be fine. Why not bring in a high-power four-wheel drive? What's the point of introducing this version!

I really can't understand. With such a great design, would releasing a plug-in hybrid or range extender cause the company leaders so much pain?

Sometimes I feel like the gear is stuck, especially when starting the car. Have you guys experienced this situation?

The new e2 Honor Edition feels so bumpy to drive! I'm really frustrated.

How can I turn off the low-speed warning sound on the Toyota bZ3? It's so annoying, especially late at night!

Cayenne steering wheel noise: When the car is cold, there's no issue; it's very smooth. After driving for a while (around 1 hour), especially in hot weather, there's a squeaking noise when turning the wheel. Do any fellow car enthusiasts have the same issue? I saw on a social media platform that it might be the airbag clock spring?

I've been driving a Touran for 7 years, and it's time for a change. I'm looking for recommendations based on my needs. Here's what I'm looking for: I commute 25km one way to work, and there's no fixed parking spot in my community. The city is crowded, which tests my driving skills, so the car can't be too big. I'd like a space for a nap at noon, so electric or plug-in hybrids are preferred. We are a family of three, and we often take the kid out on weekends, so the car's stability and smooth driving are important as my family gets car sick easily. I often take care of the kid alone, and since the kid is not very strong, an electric sliding door would be great. My kid likes camping in the car, so it needs to have ample space. Occasionally, I need to move things between houses, so flexible space is a plus. Since my wife doesn't drive, we can only have one car. Right now, it seems like the GAC E8 is the only option 🤣

I picked up my Nissan X-Trail Classic in March '24. While driving, I always feel the brake pedal makes a loud noise when it rebounds, especially when I release the pedal quickly.

Has anyone experienced a noise from the front right wheel, like a screeching sound, especially when lightly pressing the brakes or driving at 20-30 km/h after braking? The noise is very sharp.

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.