3 Things to Consider When Comparing Vehicles

You’ll see hundreds of articles across the media telling you all the things you need to think about when looking for your next car. But in fact, it comes down to three things – the type of vehicle, your needs as a driver, and cost. All of the other elements are just variations of these three essential considerations. So let’s have a look at these three basics, and how Al-Futtaim Lexus can help you come to the right decision.

Type – Coupe or Crossover?

The first consideration is what type of vehicle you want. They can be broken down into groups based on body type. So you can choose from sedans, SUVs, coupes and, in this greener, more eco-friendly world, Hybrids and EVs.

Sedans – these are great ‘all-rounders’, providing a great driving experience combined with plenty of practicality. A sedan can be a weekly commuter that turns into a long-legged highway explorer at the weekends. It’s big enough to be family-friendly, while nimble and responsive enough to satisfy your quest for that exhilarating ‘driver experience’.

Coupe – They may not be as family-friendly as a sedan, but a coupe or performance sports car will certainly satisfy that need for exhilaration and power. These are the cars that will get your heart racing as you wind your way through the mountain curves. They have enough luggage room for some weekend bags, and the interiors are luxurious and refined. But the emphasis is on the experience of driving. These are cars that you buy with your heart.

SUVs – these fall into two distinct categories, Compact or Crossover and full-size SUVs. Compacts are also often called crossovers as they combine elements from both SUVs and sedans. They’re smaller and more urban-friendly, rather than being wadi-ready, fully functioning dune bashers. Compacts are great family-friendly cars with plenty of room that can tackle mild terrain challenges. They’ll cope with a dusty trail, but are more at home nipping in and out of the traffic in the city.

Full-size SUVs such as the Lexus LX or the GX are designed with far more in the way of off-road capabilities. If you spend your week working in an office and your weekends heading off into the desert for an adventure, a vehicle that has full off-road abilities such as crawler functions for steep inclines is a must-have.  

Hybrids and EVs – As we move towards a greener, more sustainable future, hybrid and EV cars need to be included in your considerations. Designed to give you the best of both worlds, hybrids combine both petrol and electric powertrains. EVs are purely electric.

Your driving habits and needs – which vehicle will suit you best?

It is important to consider exactly what kind of driving you want to do before you buy a new car in the UAE. If you have a family then practicality and safety will be your two main considerations. A sedan or crossover that gives you all the space you need and is versatile is the ideal choice. If you spend most of your time commuting or city driving then it’s worth looking at hybrids too, which can help to keep your running costs down.

If you want all-round driveability that includes plenty of off-roading, your choice has to have decent off-road capabilities such as 4WD and all-terrain functionality.

And if you want to experience the exhilaration of the open road with faster cornering, better handling and greater power delivery, it has to be a coupe.

Cost – new or pre-owned?

The last of our top three considerations when buying a car is cost. You can either buy new or go for a pre-owned option. In the vast majority of cases, you will need to arrange finance for your car, especially if you are buying a new model. Look for deals that include things like servicing packages to keep running costs down.

Selling your car in the UAE can also help to keep the overall cost down. At Al-Futtaim Lexus, our online valuation tool will tell you how much your car is worth in line with current market value. You can also find out if you’re eligible for finance that can help spread the cost of your purchase.

The best way to make that final decision is to test drive different vehicles until you find the one that ticks all the boxes. At Al-Futtaim Lexus, we can arrange for you to test drive both our new and pre-owned cars in the UAE. Get behind the wheel and Experience Amazing for yourself.