I don’t claim to be a car expert, but I am definitely a car enthusiast.

I see many people commenting on how Chinese car manufacturers are going to challenge the German brands and how they have stepped up their game by producing beautiful, modern cars loaded with bells and whistles. I agree with that. Some Chinese brands have outperformed some of the world’s most famous car manufacturers by producing beautiful looking vehicles. That’s a good thing, as they have given buyers a wider range of choices at highly competitive prices.

However, as the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover.

As a car enthusiast, I value the driving experience over looks. Yes, comfort is equally important, but a vehicle also needs to be engaging. The steering should be agile and responsive, the ride should be smooth yet planted, and the driver should feel connected to the road. There should also be that satisfying engine thrust when the car accelerates. Above all, all these elements need to work in harmony.

I also understand that, for many people, a vehicle is simply a means of getting from point A to point B, and that’s perfectly fine. For those people, almost any car will do the job. But for those who drive purely for the enjoyment of driving, they are willing to pay a premium to get what they expect from their vehicle.

As the saying goes, there are horses for courses.

I have been driving BMWs for the last decade, and even today, every time I get behind the wheel, it brings back the excitement and feeling I had as an 18-year-old driver.

Cheers.

The ix40 is the better buy.  The 50 will predominantly be rear wheel drive anyway until heavy accelerating.

Bmw (all german cars) are not the same anymore. The chinese are going to crush them. Ugly thing, i was a bmw driver, untill last year.