عبدالله عرفات
Nov 10
Hey guys, just wondering, in terms of chassis tuning and highway noise control, how do the S90 and XC60 compare? Which one is more comfortable and suitable for family use? We currently have an old Kia SUV, and for the second car, my family is looking for something with better shock absorption and sound insulation. 😲
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I’ll share my personal test drive impressions of various SUVs in the same price range. Can anyone explain the difference in chassis feel between the GV70 Flagship and Luxury models? If there's someone who has driven both, please provide detailed insights! I've also tried SUVs of the same class like BBA, Volvo, and Jaguar. Personally, I think the new GLC has the best overall chassis quality, with Genesis coming in second. Genesis has the best sound insulation! The throttle response is the worst on the GLC! The X3, Q5, Genesis, Volvo, and Jaguar feel quite similar. Subjectively, the GV70 ranks in the top two for overall comfort and drivability. PS: The Q5 feels more filtered and softer. The X3 is a bit too ground-hugging and follows the road surface too much, which I don't like. Volvo is in the middle, but it has the worst sound insulation in its class! The GLC's chassis quality is great with a solid, integrated feel, but the throttle response is really lacking! The Jaguar F-Pace has a slightly firmer chassis and a more sporty driving feel, but its downside is average noise control with some resonance, and it has the smallest rear space. Genesis offers the best overall driving experience. Even with 21-inch wheels, the suspension is really excellent, and the power delivery is smooth and responsive. The space is similar to the X3.
I've got a 2013 Forester and I'm hearing some clunking noises from the chassis. I already replaced the steering rack, but the issue is still there. I'm thinking about changing the shocks next, but the specialist said it's not necessary and that this noise is something the car has had since it was made. Has anyone else experienced this issue? Any advice?
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.
4I had been browsing car websites for a while and looked at models like Jetour. When the compact version of the Sportage was released, I was really drawn to its bold design—but once they announced the price, I knew it was out of my budget. So I went back to looking at cars like the Jetta VS5 and BinYue. I wasn’t in a hurry because I was using a friend’s car, but when he moved to another emirate, I had no choice but to buy my own. I consulted with my family and started visiting dealerships. I was planning to go with the Jetta, but at the dealership, I saw the compact Sportage in front of me, tried it out, and really liked it. It felt right, and the price fit my budget, so I went ahead and decided to buy it. After some back-and-forth with the salesman, we closed the deal. I'm 173 cm tall, and the front seat is spacious—I have good headroom—and the back is very comfortable. You can stretch your legs easily, and the trunk space is more than enough. Honestly, it exceeded my expectations. Sound insulation, though, is an issue! Tire noise is noticeable, and if you open the windows, you get a strong wind sound. Even the engine gets loud when you press the gas. Some people mentioned water leaks or strange noises, but I haven’t experienced that so far. I did get a bit of fog inside one of the headlights. I haven’t driven it much yet, but the company gave me six free services over three years, plus a AED 500 workshop voucher. The car has a 2.0L engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission—it’s been smooth and hassle-free so far. The power is enough for me. In sport mode, it responds quickly and drives smoothly. Of course, everyone dreams of a V8, but I like driving calmly—I’m not the type to race off at traffic lights. As for fuel consumption, it’s still too early to judge—I’ve only done about 100 km. The average so far is 10L/100km, and the best I got was 8.1. Some say they’ve managed 5.9, but realistically I think around 7 is more typical. There’s no such thing as a perfect car—just pick what you like and can live with. If the design and features work for you and the price fits your budget, go for it. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable with your choice.
5I've had the car for about a month now, and honestly, I feel like it's a great fit for younger drivers. The design is sporty, and the interior space turned out to be better than I expected, so I didn’t hesitate to go ahead and place the order. At first glance, the look is pretty standard — nothing too flashy — and the car sits lower than most other SUVs. So far, I’ve driven around 600 km. Fuel consumption is currently between 8.8 to 9 L/100 km, mostly city driving. I haven’t taken it on the highway much yet, but I believe the fuel economy will improve over time. Acceleration is quite strong — it uses the same engine as the Civic — though I don't push it hard often; I only tried flooring it once just to see how it feels. The rearview camera is clear, and I didn’t install a 360° system since I’m used to using the mirrors, but I might add it later — blind spots are always a risk. Friends and coworkers who sat in the back all said the space felt pretty good. What annoyed me the most is the infotainment system. Wireless CarPlay has a 1–2 second delay, which isn’t terrible but still noticeable. I’ve seen people online claim some versions have zero delay — not sure how true that is. The voice assistant is also a bit frustrating; it sometimes activates randomly in the middle of a conversation and starts talking out of nowhere! The horn also sounds cheap — one guy compared it to an electric scooter and honestly, I couldn’t agree more. Another weird thing: there’s no one-touch window up/down feature, which feels like a missed basic feature. And the sound insulation is weak — you can clearly hear wind and tire noise, especially at higher speeds. I usually end up turning up the music just to drown it out — maybe that's just typical for Japanese cars? Overall though, as my first car, I’m pretty satisfied. I don’t have much experience with other cars yet, so this is just my perspective. Hope it helps anyone considering this car — no offense intended to anyone!
6Since this is our first family car, we decided to go with a petrol vehicle that’s suitable for both city driving and long trips. After trying out and comparing many cars — Korean, Japanese, and even some Chinese hybrids — we finally chose the 2025 Changan Eado High-Energy Edition. Honestly, the first thing that made me choose it was the design — I really liked how the car looks, and the color matched my personal taste perfectly. The second reason was the engine — the 1.5L turbo is more than enough for highway driving. Even though it's a small engine, it delivers excellent power on the road, and at the same time, it’s fuel-efficient in the city — unlike a 2.0L that would consume more. The third and most important reason was the price — I see it as an excellent deal. I ended up with a good-looking car that’s packed with features. As for daily use, both my wife and I are new drivers, so having 360° cameras was a huge plus — it helped us a lot with parking and narrow roads. Honestly, without them, we wouldn’t have dared to enter many places. The car's performance is solid, acceleration is great, and just a slight push on the gas gets it moving quickly. The space is also impressive — three people can sit comfortably in the back, and the trunk has enough room for travel and groceries when we return from family visits. The smart features are also really helpful — I can use voice commands to control the A/C, start navigation, or play music without taking my hands off the steering wheel. On top of that, the car has a built-in dashcam that records continuously. Just insert a memory card and it overwrites old footage automatically. Exporting videos is easy too. In short, for around AED 70,000, I got a car that meets all my needs and protects me from the heat and the rain. It’s been an excellent experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a practical and affordable car.
7I bought the 2025 Passat 380 Star Edition, and since we already have a 2024 330 Elite model at home, I was able to directly compare the two. The main differences come down to a few added features — like extra millimeter-wave radars, one additional camera, and three more ultrasonic sensors. Most of the other specs are nearly identical. The biggest improvement I noticed is in the adaptive cruise control, which is now more responsive and accurate. The rear parking sensors also trigger more easily. Fuel consumption is actually quite good: on highways and elevated roads, it averages around 7.1 L/100 km — nearly the same as the 330 (which ranges between 6.8 to 7.2 L). As for space, it's one of the main reasons I chose this car. We’ve got kids in the family, and this car is mainly for weekend outings and family use. Compared to the Magotan, the Passat offers better ride comfort, and its 2.87m wheelbase ensures a roomy interior. Feature-wise, the Passat covers everything needed for daily use: side mirrors that tilt automatically when reversing, ventilated and heated seats, auto hold, adaptive cruise, and active braking. It’s all there and makes daily driving much more convenient. Now for the downsides: the infotainment system feels outdated. The screen is too small, there's no built-in navigation worth using, and no wireless phone connectivity, which is a letdown in 2025. Also, there’s still a bit of jerkiness at low speeds that hasn’t been addressed. The gear shifter is still wrapped in leather but looks pretty basic. Overall, at this price point, the Passat is still a solid choice. It doesn’t have any major flaws, and it’s a good all-around car — perfect for someone who wants a reliable, practical ride without too much fuss or flash. Not the flashiest design, but definitely a sensible and balanced option.
8Since 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.
9I bought the new Toyota Corolla 1.2T. The engine has 116 horsepower—not super powerful, but its performance is better than I expected, especially when you push it. The CVT gearbox is smooth, though there are occasional slight jerks. In terms of comfort, it’s pretty good. The suspension absorbs big bumps well, but you do feel the smaller ones a bit. The driving is stable, the steering is light and responsive, and the brakes are solid. Wind noise is well-insulated, but tire noise becomes very noticeable at high speeds. The interior feels a bit outdated, with lots of plastic materials. The screen is weak, runs the old system, and is barely backlit. Front space is fine, but the back is a bit cramped. The trunk has a decent amount of space. It comes with a full set of safety features, but no parking sensors! The bottom line? It’s a practical, reliable car—great for people who aren’t looking for fancy tech but want something dependable and easy to drive.
10I was looking for a good sedan, and I went through the usual headache of choices like anyone else. I looked at the Sentra and the Civic—each had something I liked, but also something that made me hesitant. The Sentra felt a bit too quiet for me—I’m still young—and while the Civic was tempting, I just couldn't fully buy into it. I randomly walked into a Toyota showroom, and right there in front of me was the Corolla. I took it for a test drive, and honestly, the sales team was incredibly polite and respectful—unlike the staff I’d dealt with at other dealerships. In the end, I was convinced and bought the hybrid Corolla. After a year of use, the car has been comfortable and smooth to drive, with no major issues. But it’s not without its annoyances—like the sluggish, outdated screen and the old-school head unit, so I replaced them. Even the seats and the center armrest would get dirty easily, so I had them covered in leather. The headlights were halogen, so I swapped them for LEDs. The horn also sounded weak, so I changed that too. In terms of performance, it's decent—not a rocket, but more than enough for daily commutes. At speeds over 120 km/h, the car felt a bit floaty, so I upgraded the wheels and tires from 16" to 17", which really improved its stability. The most impressive thing, hands down, has been the fuel consumption—it once dropped to 3.9L/100km! But after I accidentally reset the system, it now reads 5.3 and I can't figure out how to get it back. Space-wise, it's fine—comfortable up front, and okay for two people in the back, but three will feel cramped. The one thing that really bugs me is the A/C, especially for rear passengers. There aren’t effective rear vents, and airflow is a bit weak during summer. I enjoy tweaking my car, so I’ve done a lot of modifications—brakes, tires, wheels, lights, sound system, and a few small accessories. Overall, though, I’m satisfied. My advice for anyone planning to buy one: don't go for it just because everyone else is. Buy it because you’re personally convinced. Compare prices and features carefully. At the end of the day, the Corolla is a solid, respectable car. It won’t let you down, but it’s not perfect—there are things that need a bit of work, depending on your preferences and how willing you are to spend a little more after buying it.