Hyundai Accent 2024
28 January 2026
Short version. Wanted a new car straight from the dealer, but without all the premium-status-overpay-for-the-badge nonsense. Had a Solaris before, drove it to the end, and honestly it just got old. Prices on it now are ridiculous, like it's not budget anymore, almost business class. The 2024 Accent came out cheaper, looked fresher, and most importantly — was available right away. No waiting lists, no «call us in a month». Dropped in, looked, thought for about 20 minutes and said — done, let's sign the papers. First days after driving it out felt like I'd bought a new toy. Sitting inside, enjoying the new-plastic smell, driving slowly and thinking «damn, it's actually brand new». Compared to my 2018 Solaris this one felt quieter, softer, steering lighter — less effort overall. The digital instrument cluster annoyed me at first — I'm used to needles, kept looking in the wrong place a couple times, misreading the speed. But you adapt quickly. Overall not a massive «wow», more like a calm, sensible upgrade — like getting a new phone, no shock, just pleasant. In the city it feels completely at home. Small, nimble, doesn't stress in traffic jams, slips through gaps, parking is effortless. Fuel consumption really impressed — normal driving, no aggressive stuff, 5.8–6.2 l/100 km easily. Even in winter never went above 7.5, which is great for a new car. On the highway up to 120 km/h it's fine, steady, relaxed. Beyond that it's the usual — tire noise, wind — but if you don't push autobahn speeds, it's bearable. Some fun everyday moments. For New Year's we hauled a huge Christmas tree, like 2.5 meters tall. Was ready to tie it on the roof, but folded the rear seats and it fit inside. Branches were sticking out, had to vacuum the interior afterward, but the kids were laughing and saying the car had become «Christmas mode». Later drove my mother-in-law to the airport — bags, suitcase, packages everywhere — crammed it all in. She was genuinely surprised: «I thought there was no space at all in here». Turns out there is. Of course, not without flaws. Cold start — first couple of minutes the engine runs rough, almost like a slight misfire, then warms up and smooths out. AC isn't perfect — when it's +35°C outside, rear passengers barely feel the cool air and start complaining. Door plastics sometimes creak, especially below -10°C — you really feel the budget nature. Rear seat space is tight — knees almost touching the front seatbacks, tall people complain right away. Overall, without hype — it's a perfectly normal car for the money. No show-off factor, no wow moments, but also no constant headaches. Starts every day, drives, nothing broken yet (knock on wood), saves on fuel, looks modern. For city, work, dacha — spot on. Not a dream car, but definitely not a regret purchase. For now I'm driving calmly and happy — time will tell what comes next.
Hyundai Accent 2020
28 January 2026
I bought this Accent pretty much without overthinking it — just needed something cheap, reliable, and not embarrassing to drive to work every morning. I looked at tons of options: Logan, Rio, Polo, even some ancient Corolla. But in the end I went with the Accent — 2020 model, one previous owner, really good condition, and the price had dropped nicely after the whole COVID thing. Decided to just go for it instead of waiting for some dream car. For the first two weeks I was driving around grinning like an idiot. The car is small, agile, steering is light, parking is effortless — you don’t even have to think. Coming from my old VAZ-2109, this felt like another planet: there the steering was heavy as a rock, here it’s soft, almost numb, but very pleasant. The only downside at first was the flat seats — my back got tired quickly. But after a while I got used to them and stopped noticing. In the city it’s pure joy. You weave through traffic easily, at lights you can pull away first if you want, fuel consumption around 6–6.5 l/100 km if you’re not flooring it. On the highway it’s less fun. Above 120 km/h the noise kicks in — wheel arches, mirrors, everything humming, you turn the music up and still can barely hear it. Overtaking trucks feels sketchy, you need to plan ahead and build speed early. But cruising at 100–110 km/h is perfectly fine, livable. In the summer I drove my mother-in-law back from the dacha — loaded the trunk with potatoes, tomatoes, jars, threw some bags on top — everything fit. She was like: “I thought nothing would fit in such a small car.” We laughed. Then a friend asked to help move a sofa from his grandma’s place. I said I wasn’t sure, but we’d try. Folded the rear seats, one end of the sofa inside, the other sticking out the trunk — made it, though I was praying on every corner that nothing would fall out. Honestly, it annoys me that when cold it hesitates for a couple of minutes, like it’s deciding whether to go or not. In winter consumption jumps to 8–8.5 l/100 km even with the same driving style. Rear doors sometimes need a solid slam to close properly. And the plastic creaks a bit, especially when it’s cold outside. Overall impression — just a solid workhorse. Not “wow”, not something to brag about, but also not “why did I buy this junk”. It runs, hasn’t broken yet (knock on wood), sips fuel, taxes are laughable. For city driving, dacha trips and just getting around for the next 5–7 years — perfectly decent choice. After that we’ll see, maybe I’ll want something more serious, but for now I’m happy and not stressing.
Hyundai i30 Sedan 2025
27 January 2026
Picked up the i30 in early 2025 because my old 2013 Focus was already driving me nuts — eating oil, glitching, creaking, and with petrol at 58–60 hryvnia per liter, it stopped being fun and turned into punishment. Wanted something fresher that wouldn't drain the wallet, with warranty and no surprises. Didn't consider Chinese cars on principle (though they're getting decent now), and I'd read that Hyundais just keep going without complaining. Low fuel use, looks decent, nothing to be embarrassed about. Checked the interior — wife immediately said: “Well, at least it doesn't look like a taxi.” That sealed the deal. First few days I was driving around with a silly grin. The car is quiet, soft, nothing rattles, you press go and it just moves smoothly, no jerks or drama. You sit there thinking: where's the petrol smell, the vibrations, the feeling that something's about to fall off? Compared to the Focus the difference is huge: that one was harsh, noisy, the gearbox jerked like it was nervous, while here this “CVT or whatever they've got” works smoothly and never stresses you out. Sure, at first it felt a bit toy-like, lots of plastic, but you get used to it fast. Feels like buying a new jacket: not the dream, but comfortable and practical. In the city the i30 is a joy. Small, nimble, you slip through Lviv or Odesa traffic jams without swearing or extra maneuvers. Fuel consumption is great — 5.8–6.5 liters if you're not pretending to be a racer. On the highway it holds 140 km/h easily, but overtaking sometimes requires flooring it, especially with the A/C on full. Suspension isn't super plush, it thumps over potholes — especially on our “roads” — but so far nothing has broken or started squeaking. For everyday life it's perfect: work, kids, shopping, everything quick, simple, no headaches. Recently we went as a family — me, wife, two boys — to my mother-in-law near Kharkiv. Trunk stuffed with cakes, bags and gifts to the brim. Kids sat fine in the back, though the youngest complained his legs were cramped — classic story. We got there calmly, no drama. And a couple weeks ago after heavy rain I got stuck in a puddle in a mall parking lot — thought we'd have to push. But no, gentle throttle and I was out. Everyone else spinning wheels, me driving away — we laughed about it with friends for ages: “So much for front-wheel drive.” Of course, there are downsides. Tire roar on the highway is really annoying — after 110 km/h the hum gets so loud you have to turn the radio way up. Interior plastic scratches if you look at it wrong — wife's keys already marked the doors, and as usual she says: “Your fault.” Suspension bangs hard over big bumps, sometimes you think something's definitely going to break. Rear-view camera in rain is useless, gets covered in dirt in a minute, you park by memory and feel. Overall, I've been driving it almost a year now, and so far the pros outweigh the cursing moments. The car is simple, economical, reliable and doesn't drive you crazy. No lifelong love affair, but for the money it's a really solid choice, especially if you don't want to pour fuel by the bucket. If I had to choose again — I'd probably go for the same one, maybe with a turbo and a slightly richer spec.
Honda CR‑V 2022
27 January 2026
I bought a CR-V in 2023, when it became clear that my previous car — a 2016 Sportage — was starting to drain money: one thing after another. Plus the family grew, two kids, constant trips out of town and into the mountains. I needed something more spacious and without reliability surprises. I immediately looked toward the Japanese — I just wanted to drive, not live at the service center. After several viewings and test drives, it was obvious: spacious interior, solid feel, and with the discount the price was quite reasonable. In the end, I decided it was better to pay more upfront for a Honda than to keep patching up a Korean car forever. The first few days felt unusual. High seating position, soft ride, good cabin quietness — after the Sportage it felt like stepping into a higher-class vehicle. That one was stiff and noisy, while this is calm and smooth, as if you're driving leisurely even at normal speeds. A couple of times I thought the engine had stalled because it was so quiet, but no — just smooth, relaxing driving. No wild excitement, no "wow", but also no irritating little annoyances — and that's probably the most important thing. In the city the CR-V behaves confidently: light steering, reasonable dimensions, parking is no issue. Fuel consumption in traffic jams stays around 9–10 liters per 100 km (roughly 23–26 mpg). On the highway it's stable, overtakes are predictable, and the all-wheel drive really helps — especially in rain and winter. The suspension handles bad asphalt and potholes well, without thumps or bottoming out, though of course it doesn't pretend to be an off-roader. In daily use everything is well thought out: plenty of rear space, kids don't elbow each other, my wife particularly notes that trips have become noticeably more comfortable. In summer we went to the Carpathians as a family: the trunk was fully loaded, some things went on the roof — there was enough space, and the road was handled calmly. And recently near Kyiv I hit severe black ice: on an uphill everyone around was spinning wheels, I engaged all-wheel drive and climbed up without drama. A friend called later, incredulous how I even made it through. A small thing, but nice. There are downsides too. Above 110 km/h (about 68 mph) noticeable tire noise appears, especially on old pavement. During sharp overtakes there's sometimes not enough pull — the CVT whines, and acceleration doesn't always match expectations. The rearview camera gets filthy instantly in rain, the trunk lacks proper organizers — small items roll around. Maintenance isn't cheap, though it's not needed very often. Overall I've been driving it for three years now and I'm generally pleased. The car is calm, reliable, with no nasty surprises. It's not perfect, but in terms of comfort and lack of headaches — one of the best I've owned. If I had to decide on selling it now, I'd probably keep it for a few more years.
Dacia Sandero 2025
27 January 2026
I got the Sandero in early 2025 because my old 2014 Logan was falling apart bit by bit, and fuel at 60 UAH/L finally broke me. Wanted something new without overpaying for «premium», read that the new generation is more economical, the design is more modern, and the price stayed reasonable. Bought it from the dealership on a 5-year loan — my wife said «well, at least it's not a Lada», and off we went. The first few days I was driving around grinning like an idiot — the car is silent at idle, no smells, pulls smoothly right away with no hesitation. Compared it to the Logan — that one rattled the gearbox, but here everything feels softer, the steering is lighter, seating position more comfortable. At first I thought «what if this is some rebadged Chinese thing», but no, it drives confidently, nothing falls off. The feeling is like you upgraded your life for not much money, even if it's not mind-blowing. In the city it's pure joy — in Lviv or Kyiv traffic jams you squeeze through anywhere, park wherever, consumption 5.5-6.5 if you don't floor it. On the highway it's fine up to 130 km/h, beyond that tire and wind noise makes conversation difficult. Highway summer 5.2-5.5, winter 7-7.5 — for petrol that's a fairy tale after the old Logan that guzzled 9-10. Everyday life is convenient — groceries, kindergarten drop-off, work, everything quick and stress-free. Recently we went four-up with wife and two kids for the weekend to my parents near Vinnytsia. Loaded the trunk with stroller and bags, kids sat in the back fine, only the older one complained «my legs are cramped», but we arrived without drama. A couple of weeks ago I hit a downpour on the bypass — water up to the doors, everyone else stuck, but I crept through quietly — ground clearance and short overhangs saved the day, nothing even got wet inside. The noise really gets on my nerves — after 90 km/h you're shouting into the phone, have to blast the music. Plastic everywhere is rock-hard, already scratched from kids' toys. Heater takes forever to warm up in winter, first 10 minutes you're sitting in a hat. And those steering wheel buttons — you accidentally hit volume or switch off cruise control all the time, it annoys me sometimes. Trunk is smallish, stroller only fits if you fold the rear seatback. Overall half a year passed, I'm driving and generally satisfied. The car is simple, no extras, doesn't drink fuel, hasn't broken yet. Won't say I'm head over heels, but for the money — one of the most sensible choices right now. If I had to buy again — probably the same, maybe just with a stronger air conditioner from the start.
Dacia Duster 2020
26 January 2026
I bought the Duster in 2020 because I needed a car for everything — city driving, trips to the country house, winter snow, and without breaking the bank on repairs. My previous sedan (Lacetti) had worn out its welcome — too low, scraping the belly in winter, and parts were getting expensive. I looked at options, crunched the numbers — for that money, a new Duster with 4WD and manual looked like the most sensible choice. I didn't want something flashy or expensive to maintain. When I first got in and drove off — honestly, I was a bit disappointed. The interior is basic like a tractor, everything creaks, plastic feels hard, steering is light like a toy car. But after a couple of days I got used to it and started appreciating it — it rides high, swallows potholes without issue, my old car would have wrecked its suspension on those bumps. It feels like switching from a bicycle to a tractor — solid and straightforward. In the city it's fine, not a rocket — I let everyone go at traffic lights, but I can park anywhere, curbs are no problem. On the highway it holds 130 km/h easily, but past 140 the wind howls and you have to grip the wheel tighter. In winter, the all-wheel drive really saves the day — a couple of times I headed to the dacha when everyone else was stuck spinning, and I just drove through calmly. Fuel consumption 8-9 l/100 km on the highway, 10-11 in town — pretty decent for such a tall crossover. In summer we went four-up with my wife, kid, and mother-in-law to the sea. Trunk packed to the brim, mother-in-law sat in the back and at first complained it was "cramped and stiff", but after an hour she calmed down and even praised it saying "it doesn't make you nauseous like in a regular car". And last year I got stuck in mud on a dirt road after rain — friends in their Priora were spinning beside me, but I switched to 4x4, hit the gas, and pulled out like nothing happened; they joked for ages that I'm a tractor driver. The noise is annoying — over 100 km/h you have to shout to hear each other, so you turn the radio up louder. The heater takes 10-15 minutes to warm the cabin in winter, you sit in your jacket until it thaws. And those little quirks — cup holders awkward, buttons scattered illogically, sometimes you think "how could they design it like that". Plus the paint has already chipped on the hood from stones, chips are slowly rusting. All in all, four years on — I drive it and don't really regret it. The car is simple as a crowbar, rarely breaks, repairs are cheap. I won't say it's wow and I love it to bits, but for our roads and budget — one of the best options. If I had to choose again, I'd probably take the same one, maybe with an automatic for extra cash. So we just keep going, and that's fine.
Chery Tiggo 5 2018
25 January 2026
I bought this car in 2020 because I needed a big family vehicle, and my budget was tight after selling my old Hyundai Tucson. I read reviews, saw that for the money it was almost a crossover — high, roomy — and decided to take the risk: the Chinese aren't what they used to be. Plus, there are plenty of them in Ukraine, service centers exist, and parts are readily available. First impressions — I won't say wow, but I was pleasantly surprised. Got in — tons of space, you sit high like in a proper SUV, my previous car felt cramped afterwards. The dynamics seemed nice at first, pulls decently until you really get going. But after a week I realized that on the highway it hesitates before every overtake, the CVT whines, and there's not much gain. Compared it to the Tucson — that one felt livelier, but here the cabin is bigger and it doesn't shake as much over speed bumps. In the city it's fine, parking is convenient despite the size, and the ground clearance saves you often on our roads. On the highway I keep 110-120 km/h, beyond that it gets scary — wind noise picks up, steering feels too light. Everyday use is convenient — my wife, two kids, and we drive to the sea every year, everything fits without issues, even the dog comes along. City fuel consumption is 12-14 liters, highway 9-10 if you don't push it, but I add oil every 3-4 thousand km, which is starting to annoy me. Recently my mother-in-law came, sat in the back and immediately said "oh, it's like a bus in here, so much space", the kids rule back there, watching cartoons. But a couple of months ago we hit a pothole on the highway near Odesa — the suspension banged so hard we thought a ball joint had gone, but it was just the strut rattling, replaced for pennies. This CVT really drives me nuts — it hesitates terribly on climbs, I have to manually switch to sport mode, and it still screams like crazy. Plus it steadily consumes oil, I've gotten used to carrying a liter with me. Paint is peeling on the arches, rust is slowly appearing, even though I wash the car regularly. Road and wind noise — you sit there thinking you're driving an old Lada. I'm still driving it because replacing it is expensive right now, but if I were choosing today — I'd go for something Japanese or Korean, used but older and more reliable. For the dacha and family it's acceptable for the money, but it does get on your nerves quite a bit sometimes. Oh well, at least nothing major has broken yet.
Dacia Spring 2023
25 January 2026
I bought this little car because petrol prices were already driving me mad, and I mostly drive around Kyiv to work and to pick up the kids from school, plus occasionally to the dacha near Bila Tserkva. I was thinking of getting a used small petrol car, but then I read about EVs and thought — why not, the Spring is the cheapest new one, and it even comes with a warranty. We took it on credit, to be honest — at first my wife snorted that "it's some kind of Chinese stool", but she got used to it later. The first few days felt really weird. You sit there, and it's completely silent, as if the engine stalled, only beeping when you pull away. I kept comparing it to my old Logan — that one rattled and stank, but here it's quiet and pulls immediately without any gear changes. At first it was even funny — you're driving and thinking, what if it suddenly dies? But no, it just keeps going. The feeling is like wow, the future has arrived, but at the same time "well, it's not exactly space-age magic". In the city it's brilliant — parking is a pleasure, it squeezes into narrow courtyards without any issue. In winter the battery sags, real-world range drops to 140-160 km instead of 220-230, but it's enough for me since I charge at home overnight on the cheap tariff. On the highway it's not so great — after 110 km/h the wind starts howling, overtaking trucks feels scary, so I keep it at 90-100 and it's fine. Consumption is 11-12 kWh/100 km in summer, up to 18 in winter, but still way cheaper than petrol used to be. Recently my father-in-law came from the village, we loaded four of us plus bags — he was grumbling in the back that there was no room for his legs, but we got there fine, and the kids fell asleep straight away from the silence. Another time I got caught in a downpour on the Boryspil highway, puddles up to the knees, but it drove calmly, didn't stall like an old car, just spray flying everywhere. Nice to know it didn't let me down. What annoys me is the road and wind noise — sometimes it feels like driving a tin can. The plastic everywhere is hard and already scratched from my wife's keys. And this slow charging from a regular socket — it hangs there half the night to be full by morning. I've used fast charging a couple of times — it's okay, but expensive if you do it often. Overall I've been driving it for two years now, no regrets about buying it, but if I were choosing today I might look at something with more power for the same money. For city driving and short trips it's perfect, but long distances are better avoided. Oh well, at least my wallet doesn't get empty at petrol stations anymore.
Nissan Leaf 2023
10 November 2025
When I decided to switch to an electric vehicle, the 2023 Nissan Leaf felt like a natural choice—a compact hatchback with a fully electric powertrain, reasonably priced, and without a flashy persona. The options were the base S with a 40 kWh battery and 147 hp, or the slightly higher-end SV Plus with a 60 kWh battery and 214 hp. I went with the base model. The first thing that struck me was how quiet and smooth the ride is. No engine noise, no vibrations—just pure driving. It’s especially pleasant in the morning or around town: the Leaf pulls away confidently from a stop, thanks to the electric motor’s instant torque. It’s perfect for city driving: comfortable seating, good visibility, and a cabin spacious enough for two adults and a child. I charge at home on a 240V outlet—plug it in at night, and it’s ready by morning. The range, though, isn’t exactly cutting-edge by today’s standards: about 149 miles in the base version. Heavy use of the AC or driving in winter noticeably cuts into that. For out-of-town trips, you need to plan carefully. The SV Plus promises around 212 miles. Fast charging at stations is available but not the most impressive: reviews note that DC charging to ~80% can take significantly longer than with newer top-tier EVs. Handling is decent—not a sports car, but comfortable for everyday driving. The suspension does its job without fanfare, though road noise becomes a bit more noticeable above ~62 mph compared to premium EVs. Maintenance and running costs are a pleasant surprise: fewer moving parts mean fewer headaches. For me, this was a practical step into the electric future without unnecessary hassle. If you’re after an affordable, simple, and comfortable city EV, the 2023 Nissan Leaf is well worth considering. But if you want long highway trips without frequent charging or a more thrilling drive, you might want to look at higher-range versions or competitors.
Nissan Leaf 2020
9 November 2025
When I first got behind the wheel of the 2020 Leaf, I felt like an astronaut: no engine jolts, no rumble – just smooth acceleration, and off you go. But here’s a story. One of my first days, still getting used to the electric motor’s ‘did I move or not’ feel, I was playing the parking-lot hammock game (you know, trying to perfectly slot between two cars). I turned the wheel, lightly pressed the gas, and the car silently glided forward. I was expecting a vroom-vroom, but nothing. Then, out of nowhere: ping! – from the multimedia touchscreen I accidentally tapped, cranking the radio louder. Neighbors stared. I blushed. The Leaf was quiet, but I was loud. In the city, the Leaf performs great: good visibility, comfortable seating, and the electric motor is peppier than it seems. Per the specs, the base version has about 147 horsepower and a range of around 149 miles. The Plus version with a bigger battery goes up to 226 miles in ideal conditions. But there’s a flip side: on the highway or in rain and ice, you realize this isn’t a supercar. The suspension is soft but not sporty, and noise insulation is average. And when the car didn’t deliver that zip I was hoping for on a fast stretch, I had to accept the reality of a quiet, city-oriented electric vehicle. The 2020 Nissan Leaf is a solid choice if you want to switch to an electric car with minimal compromises. But if you’re dreaming of thrills or long highway trips without recharging, you might need to brace for some cringe-worthy moments, like my parking-lot ping-radio fiasco.
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