A car that costs over a hundred thousand and yet the lower trim doesn't have electric seats, no radar, 18-inch wheels, and the seats are still fabric? Isn't this just asking for trouble?

Just asking for advice. Fellow car enthusiasts, does the CX30's tire easily get bulges like the 18-inch rims on the Mazda3? How about its fuel consumption and maintenance costs? Which configuration would you recommend? Is the fabric seat a good choice? Is it recommended to get the sunroof version? Any issues with leaking? Is the maintenance troublesome later on? Thanks.

Does this car have good off-road capabilities, suitable for road trips? The back seat seems really spacious, good for sleeping, right? I'm not too worried about fuel consumption since it's American, as long as it's not too bad. I'm just concerned that besides being big, it won't be like a car costing around a hundred thousand [facepalm][facepalm] How's the driving experience and all that?

Just consider it a lesson that costs hundreds of thousands, haha.

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.

I recently tried out the new Kia K3, and honestly, the exterior design hasn’t changed much from the previous model. It still carries Kia’s signature styling, especially with the signature “tiger nose” grille, which is now split into two sections. The upper part is narrow with a honeycomb pattern, connected to sharp-looking headlights with LED strips shaped like arrows — a sporty and stylish touch. The lower grille is trapezoidal, which makes the front look wider, and there are air vents on each side that add an aggressive edge. From the side, the car looks clean and modern with blacked-out side mirrors and window trim. The wheels have a blade-like design — sharp and eye-catching. At the rear, there’s a subtle black ducktail spoiler and a full-width LED light bar connected by a red strip — a nice upgrade over the previous split taillights. Inside, it has a sleek, all-black interior that feels refined and well put together. It features a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a floating infotainment screen. The screen itself looks simple but functions well and is easy to use. The seats are well-stitched with ventilation holes in the backrest, which really help in hot weather, and they’re quite comfortable overall. The rear seat space is generous — I had around 2 to 3 fists of legroom, and the floor is nearly flat, so even three people in the back won’t feel cramped. The rear seats offer good support too, with a deep cushion that helps you find a comfortable position easily. The model I drove had a 1.4L turbo engine, which is noticeably better than previous versions, paired with a 7-speed DCT. Acceleration between 30–80 km/h is solid, and the throttle responds quickly. After 90 km/h, there's a slight delay before the full power kicks in. Braking is smooth and confident at high speeds, but at low speeds, the pedal feels a bit soft at first — takes a little getting used to. Overall, it's a comfortable and enjoyable car to drive, and I think it’s a great option for anyone looking for a sporty yet practical daily car.