I've heard from my friend that HiPhi is really popular lately and is considered the most luxurious among Chinese-made cars. Is it really that good? It seems to be for high-end consumers. Can you still test drive during the pandemic? Are there any discounts? Can someone who bought it share their experience?

I've heard from my friend that HiPhi is really popular lately and is considered the most luxurious among Chinese-made cars. Is it really that good? It seems to be for high-end consumers. Can you still test drive during the pandemic? Are there any discounts? Can someone who bought it share their experience?

I want to buy a Kia Pegas for commuting, but I've heard from friends that when driving in D gear, you need to come to a complete stop to shift into 2nd gear. Is it really that troublesome?

Model X, 40,000 km. There's a consistent humming noise from the rear wheels while driving, most noticeable at speeds of 35-40 km/h. You can feel a slight vibration in the floor when sitting in the back seat. I've been to the dealership a couple of times for this, and the last time, the technician confirmed the noise. After checking, they said the half axles are fine and concluded it's due to tire aging. I've heard that 21-inch tires tend to wear unevenly and might need replacement around 40,000 km. The tires only have 40,000 km on them, and the tread still looks clear. Is this really possible?

It's over, right? Back then, those HiPhi car owners who blamed me were really smart, weren't they? You guys are just so clever. Ding Lei made a car like a cheap little runabout and convinced you it was better than a Ferrari, and you actually believed it. Now that Ding Lei has taken off with your money, are you still happy about it?

I've heard that HiPhi only has three months left for a revival period. Does anyone have any insights? Although HiPhi cars are average (or rather bad) and the pricing is quite ordinary, the design is really cool! [laughing]

Starting with sedans, this is my first time learning about SUVs. I've heard about the T-Roc. Is it popular among women?

I 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.

Since 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.

I 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.