Car Reviews

2019 Mazda CX-3 The 2019 Mazda CX-3 is the Jet Li of cars. It exudes a sense of holistic balance which retains Mazda’s credibility as the enthusiast’s car brand. If you feel that a saloon or a hatchback is too fragile for your needs, this is an intelligent alternative that makes fewer compromises than similar models. The design is striking if not pretty, with a coherent application of sharp edges and flowy panels. What used to be a design that was bland when compared to a Mini, is now in a niche of its own. The profile makes it look like a big, tough hatchback, which is a great way to diffuse the confusion of crossover styling. On the inside you’ll see the best-designed crossover interiors. Two circular air vents are finished in red, black, and chrome. Climate control dials are finished in chrome and fall to the hand easily. A 7-inch touchscreen with Mazda Connect juts out of the dashboard, which can be controlled by another well-placed rotary dial. Audio comes from 6 speakers, with a 6-speaker Bose setup available on the higher variants. There is no Apple Car Play or Android Auto available yet, and the user-interface of the stock system takes some getting used to. However, it has a few streaming services available, along with HD radio, so the interface is the only thing you’ll miss. Stitching at the edges of the dashboard is appropriate for the lofty GTX price tag. Overall this interior looks a bit fatter than the previous generation but is much more luxurious. Seats are properly sized and cushioned. This isn’t a car that will seat four tall, large people in comfort, but young families will fall in love with the Mazda CX-3. There is an air of agility throughout the cabin which is in rhythm with the athletic abilities of the car itself. The engine is a 2.0-litre four cylinder which puts out 146 hp and 192 Nm of torque. Off the highway the Mazda CX-3 is decently peppy with adequate throttle input. High-speed overtakes highlight the shortcomings of this engine. It takes 8.3 seconds for the Mazda CX-3 to get to 100 kph. But if you start looking at the numbers, you’re missing the point. It takes a lot more metal to build a crossover than a hatchback - 1300 kgs of it. Where the Mazda 3 excels is in its handling. The suspension lends a flat ride with little body roll. This car is about the kind of balance that is missing from the quasi-SUV's of today. The UAE price of the base-variant Mazda CX-3 is 70,000 AED. A standard GT model will fetch 88,000 AED. The fully-optioned GTX costs AED 96,000. Fully optioned, this is an expensive vehicle, but it feels nice like any other expensive vehicle. AWD is good for light off-roading. It lends much-needed cornering grip on the road. We recommend upgrading to grippy tires, because this car begs you to push itself. Brakes feel very good; the stopping distance is similar to other crossovers. The 2019 Mazda CX-3 falls short of the competition when it comes to practicality, which is the only concern you’ll have when shelling out 90,000 Dirhams for one of these. But crossovers are still unconventional vehicles, and this is a good one. Mazda CX-3 Features Front and curtain airbags ABS, EBD Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind spot monitoring Lane-departure warning Mazda CX-3 Price in UAE Mazda CX-3 - 2.0 litre GS (2WD) - 70,000 AED Mazda CX-3 - 2.0 litre GT (AWD)- 80,000 AED Mazda CX-3 - 2.0 litre GTX (AWD) - 96,000 AED Mazda CX-3 Exterior Mazda CX-3 Interior Mazda CX-3 Review

2019 Mazda CX-5 The biggest with crossovers is that they are often so obsessed with appearances that they compromise on things that petrol-heads expect from the hardware. Mazda, though, stands right up there with BMW when it comes to crossover vehicle dynamics. The 2019 CX-5 improves upon its own shortcomings as a comfy, lofty car, while still being interesting to drive. It looks lithe and sophisticated, like it has a higher IQ than a Honda CRV. Mazda has nailed the design down to where it is neither bloated on the outside nor cramped on the inside. Tight like a gym-bro’s T-shirt, there is a coherence to the Mazda CX-5’s design. Two tiny holes at the bottom of the rear bumper are the exhaust tips. HID headlamps are available on the top variant. The tailgate is automatic, too. Moving to the inside you’re greeted by an interior that is as good and as well-laid out as any other, more expensive car. There are hard plastics, but they aren’t where you would see or touch them. There is a sunroof but it’s not panoramic. A touchscreen sticks out from above the center air-vents, just like on a German car, controlled by a rotary dial on the center console. On offer is a 6-speaker system, but the top variant gets a 9-speaker Bose audio system. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 car gets rear air-vents and dual-zone automatic climate control, making it a legitimate GCC family car. Rear seats split 40:20:40. While the base-model is 2WD, the other two variants get Mazda’s torque-transferring AWD system. This SUV hasn’t got the hardware for rocky or muddy climbs, but it’ll track well on gravel and dirt roads. The all-round independent suspension gives it excellent handling, even if it is a bit stiff for large bumps. There is a marked improvement in refinement – an indicator of Mazda’s evolution. There is one engine on offer, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder naturally-aspirated, good for 188 hp and 251 Nm of torque. The motor will push to 100 kph in 9.3 seconds. The Mazda CX-5’s 1550kg weight bogs it down a bit at lower revs and lower speeds, but the power builds up steadily to 6000 rpm. The traditional 6-speed torque-converter automatic is crisp and intuitive, high-enough praise against the competition’s CVTs. The steering has less feedback than before, even as it still is the class-leader in terms of accuracy and weight. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 stays true to the crossover name, and represents the maturity of Mazda. It is quiet and composed and refined - a well-adjusted car. The safety tech on this car isn’t the best in the business, but very usable and reliable. It has adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and front and side airbags. This car received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating – exactly what you’d expect from Mazda of 2019. The UAE price of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 is 90,000 AED for the base GS model. The Grand Touring (GT) model has a price of 104,000 AED in UAE. Top-variant GTX is priced at 130,000 AED. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is a driver’s car like it should have been. Some may think it’s a bit soft and conventional for the adventurous and innovative Mazda. In my opinion, this is a perfectly fine automobile that needs but one thing for the family-oriented petrol-head: a manual gearbox. Of course, there will never be one of those, but a dual-clutch with paddle shifters would be a worthy upgrade for 2020. Mazda CX-5 Features Keyless entry, start, tailgate release Fuel efficiency: 10.5 L/100 km (9.5 kmpl) Tire pressure monitoring system Auto headlamps and rain-sensing wipers Adaptive cruise control Forward collision mitigation Mazda CX-5 Price in UAE Mazda CX-5 - 2.5 litre GS (2WD) - 90,000 AED Mazda CX-5 - 2.5 litre GT (AWD)- 104,000 AED Mazda CX-5 - 2.5 litre GTX (AWD) - 130,000 AED Mazda CX-5 Exterior Mazda CX-5 Interior Mazda CX-5 Review

2019 Mazda CX-9 Mazda has spent the last four decades selling cheap, fun cars, and then pumping the money they save into technological advancement. What a refreshing change from the greed-driven industry practices of today. After all, it was Kenichi Yamamoto of Mazda who had the courage to produce a rotary-engine sports car, the Cosmo, at a time when British sports cars were the mainstay. Several great things have come out of Mazda’s projects, from the SkyActive engines that push the limits of fuel-injected efficiency, to the Furai concept that looked extra-terrestrial. The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is a worthy contender in the SUV segment, even though it isn’t really geared-up for the trail. This is due to the fact that a lot of people who do buy SUV's aren’t interested in off-roading. They just want a big car to carry people and things, and in 2019, SUV's are our station-wagons. The CX-9 has all-wheel-drive and other things that improve how it feels on the road. Exterior-wise this is a big car. The grille is angled, like a ship’s hull. The headlights are long and sleek, and the chrome from the grille pierces them. The fog lights are tiny, located down below at the bottom of the bumper, where no-one can see them. Mazda calls this the Kodo design philosophy. It takes inspiration from wild animals when they are hunting for prey. The car resembles other CX-series SUV'S, in that it looks like a zoomed-in CX-5. Viewed in profile it looks even more like a wagon, with a rear like a modern, traditional SUV. Inside, it is very car-like with a slim, two-part dashboard separated by a thick metallic-looking strip which houses the air vents. Climate control switch gear is placed in a module below the vents, followed by a large cubby hole. A nice gear lever for the 6-speed automatic falls naturally to hand. Behind it is the swiveling and rotating knob to control the touchscreen, which looks like a tacked-on tablet, but is still modular and minimalist. The interior feels premium in this expensive urban SUV. Big and comfortable seats are a pleasure to sit in on long drives. There is a lot of lumbar support as well. Second-row seats are spacious and luxurious, and there’s a third row as well. A 2.5-liter SkyActive engine powers this big SUV. It is turbocharged, making 227 hp and 420 Nm torque. Pull from the turbo is enough to move this car around, pushing to 100 kph from a standstill in 8.3 seconds - a great number for such a tiny engine. Fuel economy suffers, with the CX-9 going only 11.9 km for every liter of petrol (8.4 L/100km) as opposed to CX-3 and CX-5. The UAE price of the 2019 Mazda CX-9 is 117,000 AED for the basic package and 160,000 AED for the fully-loaded model. What the 2019 Mazda CX-9 lacks in steering feedback it makes up for in accuracy; it masks its weight when cornering. There is no doubt that this is a car for a very specific customer - a family person who wants something crisp to drive. This is what Brian O’Conner would have put his kids in. The CX-9 is Mazda’s flagship vehicle, a true driver’s car. Mazda CX-9 Features: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Ventilated front seats Automated emergency braking Blind-spot monitoring Adaptive cruise control 360-degree camera 12-speaker Bose audio system Mazda CX-9 Price in UAE Mazda CX-9 - 2.5 litre turbocharged GS (2WD) - 117,000 AED Mazda CX-9 - 2.5 litre turbocharged GT (AWD)- 140,000 AED Mazda CX-9 - 2.5 litre turbocharged LTD (AWD) - 160,000 AED Mazda CX-9 Exterior Mazda CX-9 Interior Mazda CX-9 Review

2019 Mazda 6 The Mazda 6 has always been the grown-up’s car - sensible and always well-dressed, making compromises instead of mistakes. The 2019 Mazda 6 is a reliable and responsible, environmentally conscious car. It is luxurious, the kind of luxury that comes after many years of hard work and intelligent financial planning. Hence, it makes no lofty claims, but impresses with what it is - the reality. The exterior is simple and minimal, adhering to the rules that the Japanese have perfected over many years. There are no artificial air-dams or splitters or closed-up vents - just one big grille flanked by two slim headlamps, and at the bottom, another vent with two thin chrome strips on each side. There is extensive detailing on the surfaces, from the mesh of the grille to the texture of the paint. The paintwork, in fact, involves a technique developed by Koji Teramoto that utilizes the least number of paint layers to get the most brilliant shine. Twin exhausts adorn the rear, tucked neatly and matter-of-fact under the bumper. Neat, clean lines protrude from the sides, and the fastback flows gently into the trunk line - this is a specimen in industrial design. Enter through the large, wide-opening doors and you are greeted with excellent soft materials on every surface. A long, straight crease runs across the dashboard, housing the air vents and separating the top and bottom of the dashboard. There are chrome embellishments everywhere - on the window switches, gear knob, climate control unit, even the seat backs. There are two engines on offer, a 2.0-litre which makes 163 hp and 213 Nm of torque, and a 2.5-litre which makes 191 hp and 258 Nm of torque. This is a heavy car at 1500 kgs, so the it takes the former engine 10.5 seconds to get to 100 kmph, and the latter 8.1 seconds for the same. All but the base model get the 2.5 engine. You can have either a 6-speed automatic, which is intuitive, or a 6-speed manual for a more mechanical feel. If you buy this car for economy, the UAE price of Mazda 6 is 80,000 AED and not cheap in anyways, but it is a nice car that will return 6.3 L/100 km (15.9 kmpl ). The 2.5-litre is also decently efficient at 6.8 L/100 km (14.7 kmpl). The 2019 Mazda 6 possesses a unique balance of power and efficiency. There is a start-stop system available as well, which improves economy further, although it might not be very useful in the hotter months to let your air conditioning switched off. The UAE price of the 2.5 L S Grade Mazda 6 is 85,000 AED. The V Grade costs 96,000 AED, while the top-of-the-line Mazda 6 goes for 116,000 AED. Like other Mazda's, the range-topper is priced out of its own range, but it has the features to back itself up. Automatic everything, great interiors, and top safety features make for an impressive resume. In 2019 the Mazda 6 becomes more comfortable than before. It has the poise and wisdom of a well-traveled sailor and ethics of high standards. A few misgivings that make it less good to drive, are the excessively light steering and bad rear visibility. But those sacrifices are for the benefit of the passengers, who wouldn’t be hustled around in high-g-force cornering. In conclusion the Mazda 6 is a nice family car for people who value aesthetic over everything else. Mazda 6 Features 11-Speaker Bose audio system Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents On-screen Navigation Adaptive cruise control Touchscreen with swiveling rotary knob Front, side, and curtain airbags Stability control, ABS, EBD Mazda 6 Price in UAE Mazda 6 S Grade - 2.0 litre - 79,900 AED Mazda 6 S Grade - 2.5 litre - 85,000 AED Mazda 6 V Grade - 2.5 litre - 96,000 AED Mazda 6 R Grade - 2.0 litre - 116,000 AED Mazda 6 Exterior Mazda 6 Interior Mazda 6 Review

2019 Mazda 3 The 2019 Mazda 3 sedan is a small car that other small cars should be proud of. Available as a hatchback and a sedan, the only differences between the two are in rear styling and trunk capacity. It is smart and stiff, like a freshly-starched dress shirt; modern and classy like Meryl Streep. The previous Mazda 3 was a driver’s daily driver, a faithful and reliable carrier pigeon. In 2019 the Mazda 3 is no more a pigeon, but a trained falcon. Mazda has made this compact car longer, giving it a low-slung, menacing look. The hatchback looks particularly nice with its Italian roundness, but the fastback on the sedan is in a class of its own. The big grille takes up most of the frontal area. The grille’s chrome edges pierce the headlights, looking like the tear ducts of a cheetah. Sleek and slippery, the lines in the profile flow cleanly across the sides of the car. In the back the new tail lamps are nicer than before, coherent with the headlamps and the overall design of the car. Step in through the large doors, and you’d mistake this for a BMW. At the center of the gauge cluster is a huge tachometer dial, brilliantly lit and clear. There’s a digital speedometer at the bottom of this dial, but you would be looking at the head-up display to check your speed. On either side there are adequately large readouts for the trip meter, gear indicator, range, fuel gauge, and outdoor temperature. The dashboard looks visually bulkier than before, but leaps ahead with its quality. Seats are nice and appropriately-sized, though knee-room in the rear is scarce when tall people are sitting in the front. The sloping roof-line eats into rear head-room, too, and that’s the price you pay to look good. The 419-litre trunk, though, is large enough to accommodate a full set of airport luggage. The Mazda 3 comes with two engine options, a 1.6-litre that makes 105 hp and 145 Nm torque, and a 2.0-litre which makes 155 hp and 200 Nm of torque. The smaller engine is slow, but since it is attached to a nice car, and is decently smooth itself, it’s alright. The 2.0-litre’s outputs are about average for similarly priced cars - it gets the job done. The 0-100 kph times for the 1.6 engine is 12.5 seconds, while the 2.0 will do that in 9.5 seconds. But the 2019 Mazda 3 is not about the numbers. It’s about being a great driving companion. People buy Mazda's because other affordable cars have become too soft and light to drive. This car has all the required agility, with all-round independent suspension in the sedan, and twist-beam rear axle in the hatch. Both these cars feel quite similar to drive, special despite the properly boring numbers. You even get a lot of cutting-edge technology - adaptive headlamps, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning - this car really takes care of you. The UAE price of the base 1.6 2019 Mazda 3 is AED 64,900. For a fully-specced Mazda 3 with the same engine you’ll have to spend AED 79,900. The 2.0 engine car ranges from 89,900 to 93,900. The engines shine in their fuel economy numbers, which are far better than the Hyundai's of the world, at an impressive 5.9 L/100 km (16.9 kmpl) for the 2.0-litre Mazda 3 and a whopping 4.9 L/100 km (20.4 kmpl) for the base engine. This is probably the most fuel-efficient car that also looks great. Mazda 3 features Adaptive cruise control Keyless entry Automatic headlamps and wipers Adaptive headlights Dual front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, traction control Mazda 3 Price in UAE Mazda 3 Comfort - 1.6 litre - 64,900 AED Mazda 3 Prestige - 1.6 litre - 72,900 AED Mazda 3 Comfort - 2.0 litre - 89,900 AED Mazda 3 Prestige - 2.0 litre - 93,900 AED Mazda 3 Exterior Mazda 3 Interior Mazda 3 Review

Mitsubishi Montero Sport Mitsubishi focusing more on SUV's now, because those are the cars people want, and Mitsubishi needs its profits in 2019. The new Montero Sport is its flagship vehicle. It is a highly capable and advanced machine built to take on Mother Earth’s unpaved territory. While the Pajero/Montero cars held their own off-road among the Jeeps and Range Rovers of the world, this one is also a comfortable, spacious cruiser that breaks no sweat even with a full load of passengers and cargo. On the outside this car has design cues common with the new Eclipse SUV – the thick chrome ‘P’ under the headlights and the bonnet-line. The front is very urban-SUV, a departure from the Pajero’s utilitarian looks. The shoulder-line curves gently across the length of the car until it gets to the C-pillar. Then it rakes sharply upward. Some may find the rear polarizing – in my opinion the weirdness is praise-worthy. Big wheels offer a tall stance and makes this an imposing car. You won’t have to shout if you stop beside a semi-truck, to talk to the driver. Door sills are high up, and there is a step to help you along the way. On the inside you are met with a Toyota-like ruggedness which is not a bad thing. The door handle is huge and the steering has solid grips and paddle-shifters. Gauges are sharp and clean, with white-on-black chrome dials and a multi-information display. There’s even a 220V AC power outlet behind the cup holders. The trunk is huge with a flat loading bay and no ‘lip’ for easy loading. This is a quiet, luxurious SUV with nice buttons and switches. The drive-mode dial in the center is finished in chrome. Interestingly, the turning radius is quite narrow at 5.6 meters. Power comes from a 3.0-liter V6 transmitting 285 Nm of torque to the rear wheels or all wheels via an 8-speed torque converter automatic. Rock-climbing will be an anxious affair with the delicate bodywork, but approach and departure angles are appropriate, at 30 and 24.2 degrees respectively. 215 Hp from the V6 means that this is not a fast SUV – the 100 kmph dash takes 12 seconds! But who needs fast when you can haul? This is a car for quenching your wanderlust. UAE prices for the 2019 Mitsubishi Montero Sport range from AED 75,800 for the 2WD GLX to 108,000 for the 4WD Premium Navigation Package. You will have to spend a minimum of AED 89,000 to get a four-wheel drive Montero. An optioned 2WD can be had for AED 80,000. Mitsubishi has birthed an all-round-performer with the Montero. There are no compromises on being an expensive, fully-loaded, comfortable, body-on-frame SUV. The eight-speed transmission utilizes the meager power very well. Fuel efficiency with 4WD is dismal, at 9.5L/100km (10.5kpl). However, don’t expect it to be clumsy like a bull in a china shop. It has forward collision mitigation, and, in the parking lot, it will prevent sudden or accidental acceleration. There’s even a simulated real-time, aerial-view camera. A highly capable flagship from Mitsubishi – a proper SUV. Mitsubishi Montero Sport Features Blind spot warning 7 Airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP Adaptive Cruise Control Ultrasonic Misacceleration System (UMS) Keyless entry, push-button start Dual-zone automatic climate control 6.1” QVGA Touchscreen Mitsubishi Montero Sport Price in UAE Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLX 2WD - 3.0 liter - 75,800 AED Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2WD - 3.0 liter - 80,000 AED Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 4WD - 3.0 liter - 89,000 AED Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4WD Premium Navigation - 3.0 liter - 108,000 AED Mitsubishi Montero Sport Exterior Mitsubishi Montero Sport Interior Mitsubishi Montero Sport Review

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross The Mitsubishi Eclipse was a fast, V-6 sports car which was immortalized when it was consumed by fire in the first Fast and the Furious movie. The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a punchy, 4-cylinder turbocharged small SUV which was unveiled at the Dubai Autodrome. This new model is arguably the best-looking one out of the Outlander-platform cars. From the front, the car looks modern and aggressive, with big fog lamps and ample chrome. Where the A-pillar looks a bit awkward and very un-European, the C-pillar appears to jut out of the bodywork and has a clean, chrome window line. Viewed in the profile, the sharp, angular lines make it look like a tails-up kitten ready to pounce, with prominent wheel arches and low-profile tires. At the rear, there are big taillamps that run the entire width of the car and split the window into two parts offering better visibility than the design would allow, even with the back of the tail lamps obstructing the view. On the inside, everything you touch feels soft and premium. The dashboard is a bit restrained in its design but looks solid with the thick metallic lines. It functions very well and houses buttons exactly where you would expect. There is a 7.0-inch touchscreen which can be controlled by a mouse pad on the centre console – an excellent alternative to touching the touchscreen – a task which is both cumbersome and dangerous when driving. The higher-spec GLS is equipped with a Head-Up Display (HUD) – a transparent screen that rises up from the top of the dashboard when you start the car. Small SUVs are usually not very interesting to drive, but the Mitsubishi Eclipse feels punchy with its 1.5-litre, turbocharged engine. Steering is sparse on feedback but accurate. Its lightness is helpful in parking lots and city traffic. The INVEC-III CVT has eight simulated speeds, i.e. eight ranges of gear ratios in the continuously variable transmission. A normal CVT would have felt very well with the 250 Nm of turbo-torque which comes in early at 2000-rpm. This one wastes time hunting for the simulated ratios and requires you to rev the engine to make it respond quickly. The car produces 150 hp and accelerates to 100 km/hr in 10.3 seconds – this isn’t the slowest 2019 Mitsubishi. The car has a bit of body roll but handles decently on the corners. The suspension feels firm on bad roads and demands you to slow down for bigger bumps. But on normal roads, it sails over occasional, small undulations. Sharp bumps make themselves heard in the cabin, though. Disc-brakes at the rear and ventilated discs at the front stop this crossover quickly and surely. The 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a UAE price of AED 73,900 for the base GLX model. Without options, the GLS model will cost you AED 78,900. A fully-optioned Eclipse comes with a price tag of AED 89,000. That is a lot of money for a small SUV, but it has a number of active safety features (untested by NHTSA), and SAWC all-wheel drive. When you get into the Mitsubishi Eclipse, you are met with comparatively slim side sills. The door covers these sills when shut, so your pants will not get dirty if you accidentally rub your leg on the sill when entering. That is the level of attention to detail which makes this a good family car that justifies its price tag – it makes you feel special. This is an honest attempt by Mitsubishi at building a good car. Mitsubishi Eclipse Features: Adaptive Cruise Control Available Super All-Wheel Control (SAWC) with Active Yaw Control (AYC) Two-part panoramic sunroof Forward Collision Mitigation Rockford Fosgate Audio 2/6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Auto-levelling headlights Dual front airbags (GLX), side airbags, curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag (GLS) Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Price in UAE Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross GLX - 1.5 litre turbocharged - 73,900 AED Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross GLS - 1.5 litre turbocharged - 78,900 AED Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross GLS Full Option - 1.5 liter turbocharged - 89,000 AED Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exterior Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Interior Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Review

Mitsubishi Attrage The idea of the compact sedan took seed in America, where the sedan was an acceptable in traditional body-style. Car makers responded by converting their hatchbacks to sedans, and thus was born the Volkswagen Jetta. But a sedan body-style often offers less practicality over the hatchback it is spawned from, and that is true for the 2019 Mitsubishi Attrage – it has 20-liters less trunk space than the Mirage. But as far as pride of ownership goes, this car is miles ahead of the Mirage. The trunk is little awkward but not ugly. A big, chrome grille and new headlamps look nice on the Attrage, as do the 15-inch wheels that still look small. Tail lights are large, too. Pick the right color and the car looks upscale. If the shoulder line wasn’t so steep it would have helped the looks, but since this car is designed around people, this is the best we get. The cabin is the same as the Mirage – well laid-out and functional – but with better contrast and dark materials. This one gets automatic climate control which looks nicer below the 2-din CD player than three dials. There is an armrest with cup holders in the rear, and large, usable cubby spaces throughout the cabin. One would expect little difference in the driving dynamics, but with a longer wheelbase, this is a nicer, more planted car to drive than the hatch. The bigger wheels look nicer and offer grip at highway speeds. In the city, the turning radius is a bit more than the hatch, but this is still a small car. The biggest advantage of the saloon, by far, is the option of a 5-speed manual gearbox. This cuts down the time it takes to get to 100 km/hr – this one does it in 12.7 seconds. The engine is the same MIVEC 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder unit. It offers 100 Nm of torque and can make up to 78hp. This car weighs about the same as the hatch (885kg), making it a fun city car that maintains its composure on the highway, too. Yes, it feels slightly more outdated than the hatch, with the all-red gauge cluster and fewer standard features. Future updates will surely mend this issue. Fuel efficiency is the USP of this car, at 4.8/100. There is a joy in economy, and that is all that this car has to offer – it makes saving money an every day adventure. UAE price of the 2019 Mirage is AED 38,900 for the GLX base trim. A fully-optioned one can be had for AED 45,000. The 5-speed will return better fuel efficiency, and also transform a benign compact car into a fun daily driver. This new Attrage is a symbol of how good base cars are in 2019. This is not a sporty or luxurious vehicle, but it is comfortable and enjoyable to drive. The Attrage is the kind of vehicle that takes attention away from itself, so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery. Mitsubishi Attrage Features Dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP Keyless entry Delayed-action power windows (they operate for 30 seconds after you turn off the engine) 450L trunk Power mirrors 2-DIN CD player with USB input (GLS) or 1-din CD player (GLX) Automatic climate control Height-adjustable driver’s seat Mitsubishi Attrage Price in UAE Mitsubishi Attrage GLX Base - 1.2 liter - 38,900 AED Mitsubishi Attrage GLX Full Option - 1.2 liter - 45,000 AED Mitsubishi Attrage Exterior Mitsubishi Attrage Interior

2019 Mitsubishi Mirage The 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage is an economy car built to be fuel efficient. It is more sophisticated and better finished than before, though also pricier. This is one lovable little car now, which loves you back with the nice interior, polished exterior and enormous fuel saving. On the outside it is proportional, with larger headlamps that house daytime running lights and projector head lights. The sides and the back are the same as the outgoing model. But the new LED tail lamps lend a younger look to this aging design. The paint is looks good, too. The lower-profile make the sides look less bulky, lending it a super mini-look. It appears bloated from some angles, but only to indicate that there is room on the inside – the Mirage is spacious and has a decent-sized trunk. The materials here are still hard plastics, but they look nicer now. The center console has a neat layout. Door-cards now get some padding, too, and the steering is wrapped in leather. This new car is nice inside. Air conditioning is manual, with chunky dials. Segmentation of the 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage is difficult with some premium features – electronic wing mirrors and steering-mounted audio controls. Storage space is generous up-front and scarce in the rear. The gauges read clear, and there is a redundant-for-CVT tachometer, too. Keyless entry makes this car very convenient, as does push-button start. Hill-start assist will prevent anxiety caused by the gutless engine. The 2019 Mirage is as slow a car as before, making 78 hp and 100 Nm from its 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine. It will sprint to 100 km/hr in 13.8 seconds. It is still a light car, at 880 kg without passengers. The driving experience isn’t fun by any means but the turning radius is 4.6 meters, which means that you’re going to need fewer three-point turns than other cars. The hardware isn’t too bad – torsion beam suspension in the back is capable of offering decent handling. The front brakes are ventilated, which means the Mirage will stop well, over and over again. The cabin-ambiance is more important than the driving experience for this car. A better engine would have been costlier, any way. So the primary motive of the Mirage is good fuel economy. This baby Mitsubishi will consume 4.7-liters/100 km. However, since prices in the UAE range from AED 36,900 for the base-spec and go up to AED 45,000 for the fully-specced car with 4 speakers, 2-din CD player, and 165/65 R14 tires. The new car deserves such a price tag, since it has many features that aren’t commonplace in the economy segment. The Mitsubishi Mirage has a fresh face for 2019 and promises to offer more than before. Given the popularity of this car in the UAE, this new one is expected to sell well. Enthusiasts cut Mitsubishi more slack than other car makers, and that’s why the Mirage has come this far along. But the 2019 car is more with-the-times than before. Mitsubishi Mirage Features Hill Start Assist Keyless entry and push-button start Tire Pressure Monitoring System Dual front airbags, ABS, EBD 60/40 Split rear seats Mitsubishi Mirage Price in UAE Mitsubishi Mirage GLX - 1.2 liter - 36,900 AED Mitsubishi Mirage Limited - 1.2 liter - 45,000 AED Mitsubishi Mirage Exterior Mitsubishi Mirage Interior

2019 Mitsubishi Lancer EX Poised and perfect in every way The global automotive industry suffers from a severe competition – the only way to stay afloat is to make cars at the least cost possible and sell them at prices similar to other vehicles of the same size. Segmentation is killing off great cars, and the Lancer Evolution was one of them. Once a flagship offering, Mitsubishi has now discontinued it entirely. All that remains of the wonderful EVO is its compact saloon brother, the Lancer EX. Now new for 2019, this new car is a ray of hope among enthusiasts. While it's true that the exterior has remained unchanged for many years, it still looks thoroughly modern. This was a futuristic look, and now that the future is here, Mitsubishi will probably never update it. The design is quintessentially Japanese – poised and perfect in every way. Whether it is a highway or an art studio, 2019 Lancer EX is inspiration personified. Step inside and the interiors aren’t modern but the aesthetic is timeless. It is still all plastic but the materials have a soft look throughout the cabin. They are dark, but that complements the air of sportiness and sophistication. Thin chrome lines the air conditioning dials – dainty. The CVT gets paddle shifters which are made from magnesium. The touchscreen is small by 2019 standards, but it is mated to a 710 -Watt Rockford Fosgate sound system for exhilarating fun and enjoyment. There are two engine options and three transmission options. You can have the GLS or GLX models with a 1.6-liter engine which makes 117 hp and 154 Nm, with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed auto. The better engine is the 2.0-liter which makes 150 hp and 197 Nm, but it is only available with the 6-step CVT in GLS, GLX, and GT trims. The GT is the best-equipped and best-looking car of the lot. None of the trims make for a fast car – 0 to 100 km is possible in 10.5 seconds with the 2-liter and 13.6 seconds with the 1.6 engine. This makes the 1.6 - liter variant about as quick as a stick-shift Mirage. But it is better equipped and no more expensive than a Mitsubishi Mirage. Mitsubishi Lancer Features Rain-sensing wipers Adaptive HID headlamps with cornering adjustments Driver and passenger, driver’s knee, side, and curtain airbags (5-star safety rating in 2015) 351L trunk Sunroof 9-Speaker Rockford Fosgate audio Keyless entry, go, trunk release Mitsubishi Lancer Price in UAE Mitsubishi Lancer GLX - 1.6 liter - 41,900 AED Mitsubishi Lancer GLS - 1.6 liter - 59,000 AED Mitsubishi Lancer GLX - 2.0 liter - 45,000 AED Mitsubishi Lancer GLS - 2.0 liter - 60,000 AED Mitsubishi Lancer GT - 2.0 liter - 67,000 AED Mitsubishi Lancer Exterior Mitsubishi Lancer Interior

Hyundai Accent The 2019 Hyundai Accent is a fuel-efficient and fun compact economy car. The exterior is a symphony of tight, straight lines and flowing curves, making it look more expensive than it really is. Headlamps are projectors with a thin row of Daytime Running LED's making it pretty classy. The rear LED taillights look modern and attractive too. The sloping roof and the rising shoulder line add bulk to the rear doors, but that can be corrected by opting for bigger, lower-profile (205/45 R17) wheels and tires. On the inside the seats are comfortable but not supportive. They aren't power-adjustable either, which is not so good because everyone else does have power seats. However if you're the only one who will drive this car, then how often do you want to adjust your seating positions anyway? Finding a good driving position isn't hard at all – everything is manually adjustable. The gear lever both manual and automatic are placed perfectly to reach without an effort. Two dials and a 3.5” monochrome screen form the instrument cluster. A bigger 5” touchscreen controls audio and helps you reverse. At the bottom lie two 12-Volt outlets, a USB port and an auxiliary jack. Storage cubbies are right where you would expect, and very useful too. Despite a high loading lip and narrow opening, the trunk is very usable and very large – with a 387-liter capacity which can be expanded by folding the 60-40 split rear seats. Speaking of rear seats, three can sit here comfortably for shorter journeys. Legroom is merely adequate and head room is at a premium, but thigh and lumbar support is good. It feels nice and airy inside the cabin with the large windows, light-colored materials and a sunroof. You can have the 2019 Hyundai Accent with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine or with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine. The former produces 99 hp and 13.5 kgm (136 Nm) of torque, while the latter makes 121 hp and 15.4 kgm (156 Nm) of torque. However the 1.6 liter engine is smoother and responsive. By no means does it make this a fast car (0-100 kmph in 10.3 seconds, compared with 11.3 for the base model) but it makes city driving a breeze definitely. Fuel economy is 6.28 L/100 (15.9 kmpl) for the base 1.4 liter model and 6.41 L/100 (15.6kmpl) for the 1.6 liter engine. Transmissions are available in 6-speed manual, and a 6-speed automatic whichever best suits your driving style. Driven sensibly, the 2019 Hyundai Accent is quiet and composed and looks like a fresh business suit. It drives well, too. The chassis (monocoque frame) is rigid and the car feels composed and predictable in the corners. The steering feedback is not much but it doesn't lack in accuracy. The suspension swallows small bumps gives the car a flat ride over bad surfaces but produces a lot of squat and dive. Even as the Hyundai Accent never had sporting aspirations, this new 2019 model is a good car to drive. Hyundai has worked hard to improve the weight and damping of the clutch, gear lever, brakes, and steering, and the results are tremendous. There is a tightness to this Hyundai that puts it right up there with the Japanese car models. UAE prices for the 2019 Hyundai Accent start at AED 50,500. To get the bigger engine you'd have to spend AED 52,500. The top-of-the-line trim level demands AED 59,500. At these rates the Accent is cheaper than similar Japanese vehicles. This makes Hyundai Accent a very good value for money car. We recommend the 1.6-liter Accent which is better, safer, and has a known record of reliability. Hyundai Accent Features Hill start assist Keyless entry and push button start Automatic climate control 5” touchscreen Engines: 1.4 L MPi (99 hp, 13.5 kgm) and 1.6 L MPi (121 hp,15.4 kgm) 387 liters of trunk space 6 airbags Rear camera Steering mounted controls Hyundai Accent Price in UAE Hyundai Accent 11-GL (1.4 Liter) - 50,500 AED Hyundai Accent 13-GL (1.6 Liter) - 52,500 AED Hyundai Accent 16A-GL (1.6 Liter) - 59,500 AED Hyundai Accent Exterior Hyundai Accent Interior Hyundai Accent Review

Toyota Avanza The all new Toyota Avanza is a highly regarded MPV that can seat 7 passengers comfortably for any drive with friends, family or work. The name "Avanza" in Spanish means "get moving" and in Italian it means "advance". The Avanza is mainly developed as an entry-level MPV and very famous choice of MPV in Asian countries. 2019 Toyota Avanza comes with a larger front grill for elegant looks, but interior still stays very basic and bland. Some of the hard plastic used inside mighty crack after few years in UAE hot weather. Exterior has been design with lot of style with beautiful headlamps, flared arches, body wide lines that can make this entry level MPV stand out from the competition. Avanza is powered with 1.5L 4 cylinder engine in UAE, matted to 4-speed auto tranny for greater fuel economy and features an electric power steering that maximize the fuel savings even more with precise handling. 1.5L Petrol RWD - 105 hp & 136 Nm Torque pushing 0-100 in 11.9 Secs with 13 Km/L Fuel Economy Toyota Avanza Features Manual Air Conditioning Fabric Seats Tilt Steering Column (Manual) Central Locking Power Windows Multi Information Display Cargo Barrier Window Protectors Cargo Base Liner Audio AM/FM/CD/AUX/USB Bluetooth Kit (Optional) 4 Speakers Steering Wheel Audio Control Toyota Avanza price in UAE Avanza GLS (Commercial) - 65,900 AED Avanza SE - 62,500 AED Avanza GLX - 66,900 AED Toyota Avanza Exterior Toyota Avanza Interior Toyota Avanza Review