Choosing a new car can be quite a daunting task, as a lot of time and money and even a large portion of your mental health hinge on the decision you make. Whether you are just buying your first car or you are already a seasoned vehicle enthusiast, making an informed, smart decision requires you to carefully consider various factors. To make the process easier and smoother for you, we compiled some tips and tricks into one guide so you can get an overview of what you actually want and what brand will suit you best, from car detail to buying. With the introduction out of the way, let’s get right into it.
Durability and Reliability
The reliability of a car‘s brand can often be reflected in the brand’s track record. You have brands like Toyota, Subaru, and Hyundai that are renowned for how durable and reliable they are. As any insurgency group in the Middle East or Africa will be able to confidently tell you, for example, the Toyota Hilux has been put through the wringer of wringers and still runs like a dream, and the specialists at Top Gear even made a whole episode about it just trying to destroy it in various, hilariously escalating ways and failing each time. According to the team behind Country Hills Hyundai, if you are still at the start of the process, do some research into consumer reports and reliability ratings to get an overall idea of which brands and models have consistently performed well over time. Take a look at their warranty too, as a strong warranty indicates that the manufacturer and brand are confident in the product they have made. When you look for a car, also try to keep an eye out for comprehensive warranties and reliable service networks so you can count on support and help after just the purchase of the car too.
Performance
Next, we should take a look at the car’s performance and handling. The best brands offer a suite of engine options to cater to all kinds of driving preferences. Whether you prioritize power, fuel efficiency, or a sweet balance of both, brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, to name a few, provide an incredible range of engines to meet exactly your needs. This will affect your driving experience, of course, which should be as comfortable and satisfying as possible, which means if you can, try and test drive cars from the brand or brands you are looking at, especially when it is the big brands like BMW and so on that are universally praised for how they handle. Pay special attention to how you are feeling while driving it—whether you can easily reach everything, how sensitively the car responds to your touch, how the pedals feel underfoot, how the gears shift, and so on.
Comfort and Design
This one is the priority above all for some people. They will choose a car that may run like a corpse, but it looks good and will impress all their neighbors and that is all that matters. This is wrong, of course, but looks do matter, and aesthetic appeal has a role in your decision-making. Brands like Jaguar, Range Rover, and Lexus are known for their highly stylish designs and luxurious, almost royal interiors, so consider what design elements matter most to you, whether it is a comfortable, high-quality interior or a sleek, shiny exterior. Comfort is key, as you are not in the army driving a Humvee across the desert with just 4 wheels, a metal body, and a steering wheel. You want a brand that offers features like ample legroom to stretch out, high-quality seating materials that do not make your whole body ache after an hour of driving, user-friendly interfaces, and perhaps advanced infotainment systems, especially if you have children and go on road trips and such. Range Rover and Volvo, as well as the usual popular brands, can really excel here, and driving them can feel like you are almost floating across the road. The kind of car, even though it is big and roomy, you can almost drive with one finger and toe as the engine purrs quietly.
This all may sound rather romantic and dreamy, but that is what you should also consider when choosing a car, as your emotions and sensations play a huge role in what car you drive. Function and fashion both matter and what driving feels like for you, as you will likely be doing it for a long while, hopefully at least.
