# What are my options for a comfortable car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 12, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898 "2025-10-12T17:07:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Saffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saffer/32/6440_2.png) [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/1 "2025-10-12T17:07:05Z")
I need a new car. I want something that is comfortable to drive. I once drove a car with gas suspension and I liked it. It felt like I was gliding on the road. I don’t know if gas suspension is required for that level of comfort though. I also want something with good sound insulation so I can have a conversation while driving. I don’t need tvs in the back or anything like that, but I do need Apple car play. Adaptive cruise control is nice too. Finally I need to have enough power to accelerate to overtake every now and then. I am not interested in racing around. Where does that leave me? I suspect a Mercedes would fit the requirements but I also suspect it would not be the most cost efficient. I don’t know much about American cars but they are available where I live (UAE). Which of them are considered to be “affordable luxury”? ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/2 "2025-10-12T17:15:35Z")
So many questions: 1. Budget? 2. New or used? 3. Style: sedan, van, SUV, etc.? 4. Where do you live (which may determine which makes/models are more available and easily maintained and repaired)? 5. What cars have you previously owned/driven, and which did you like or dislike and why? 6. What colors do you like? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/3 "2025-10-12T17:16:32Z")
Do you have a price range to help us narrow the choices? (If you can, use US dollars but I can convert Emirati Dirhams if that’s what you want to use.) Because if there is no limit then a Rolls Royce or Bentley would be nice 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Saffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saffer/32/6440_2.png) [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/4 "2025-10-12T17:26:40Z")
1. around 150k aed 2. Used but not too used 3. Sedan 4. United Arab Emirates 5. So many. I currently own a Toyota Tacoma which I have done up to be a desert dune bashing thing. By necessity it has very stiff suspension so it is very uncomfortable on the road. A while ago I had a Hyundai genesis (before genesis became its own brand) and it was very nice to drive. I see a lot of American cars on the road though. I am thinking of giving USA a try this time. 6. Not too picky about colors. ---
**Author:** ![Saffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saffer/32/6440_2.png) [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/5 "2025-10-12T17:27:23Z")
lol yeah those are beyond my means unfortunately. I am looking at around 150k aed used. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/6 "2025-10-12T17:33:15Z")
I am not going to check the used market in UAE. New I would look at: - Lexus ES - Kia Telluride - Hyundai Palisade - Mazda CX-90 PHEV (getting a bit out of price range on this one though) They all have the things you require. Most cars these days have Apple Car play. It would be weird to find one that doesn’t. These all have the power and features you listed (again…these are new prices and current features…older models might differ so be sure to check). ---
**Author:** ![Saffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saffer/32/6440_2.png) [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/7 "2025-10-12T17:42:11Z")
Wow, those are very reasonably priced. I like the Lexus idea. Definitely something to chew on. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/8 "2025-10-12T17:43:15Z")
FYI: 150K AED = about US$41, 000. If you were in the US, I’d have little hesitation in making several recommendations, but I have no idea about the used car scene in the UAE, or what service options are like. Presumably, you’ll have many European options that I, and many other US-based dopers, wouldn’t be familiar with. That said, any top-line sedan from the three Japanese luxury marques (Acura, Infiniti, Lexus) would probably meet all your requirements, assuming parts and service are easily available. I can’t speak to @Whack-a-Mole’s last three suggestions, but I’ve owned a 2010 ES-350 from about 10 years, and it’s been great. A 3-5 year old model would have everything you want and be reasonably priced. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/9 "2025-10-12T18:00:03Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Mazda CX-90 I rented a CX-30 to drive the 4 hours to SFO last week and it was the most quiet, smooth ride I have ever taken up the 101. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/10 "2025-10-12T18:14:52Z")
> [@Saffer](#): > > I like the Lexus idea. Since you mention you want a smooth ride you should give your preferred model of Lexus a test drive. The particular one I drove once had an absolutely amazing suspension. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/11 "2025-10-12T18:16:12Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > I rented a CX-30 to drive the 4 hours to SFO last week and it was the most quiet, smooth ride I have ever taken up the 101. I’ve mentioned before that I have a 2016 CX-5 Grand Touring. A perfect size for us, lots of pep on the highway and probably the best snow car I’ve owned. I’m sure the 2025 version is even better. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/12 "2025-10-12T18:20:27Z")
Cadillac Optiq? Quiet, quick, although I imagine gas prices in the UAE don’t prod anyone toward EVs. We love out Lyriq and the instant torque is addictive. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-comfortable-car/1023898/13 "2025-10-12T21:45:40Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Presumably, you’ll have many European options that I, and many other US-based dopers, wouldn’t be familiar with. On that note, do you have Citroën in the UAE? We don’t have them here in the US, but I have heard they are famous for their comfort. Or they were, I don’t know if that’s changed now that they’re part of Stellantis.