Cars are more than just a mode of transportation—they're powerful statements about who we are, what we do, and where we come from. In Dubai, a city known for its luxury lifestyle and vibrant business scene, the car you drive often reveals key insights about your profession, status, and personality. From government officials cruising in Nissan Patrols to crypto millionaires flaunting ultra-rare collectors’ cars, each vehicle tells a unique story.
Let’s take a fascinating journey through some of the most iconic cars on Dubai’s streets, decode what they say about their owners’ businesses, and explore the striking price differences between Dubai and Turkey in 2025.
Nissan Patrol: The Emirati Local’s Family Car
The Nissan Patrol is a beloved classic among Emirati locals. Whether millionaire or billionaire, it’s a common family vehicle and a symbol of government affiliation. This rugged yet reliable SUV is deeply embedded in the UAE’s culture, favored for its practicality and heritage rather than luxury or showmanship.
Mercedes S-Class: The Businessman’s Choice
The Mercedes S-Class is a comfortable, prestigious car that demands confidence from its driver. It’s rarely seen behind the wheel of ladies in Dubai and is mostly a daily car for businessmen. While it costs around $220,000 in Dubai, the price skyrockets to about 35 million Turkish Lira in Turkey due to heavy taxes—220% private expenditure tax plus 20% VAT. In Turkey, it’s a status symbol preferred by CEOs and high-ranking politicians who typically employ drivers rather than self-drive.
Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta: The Collector’s Trophy
This hyper-rare supercar is never anyone’s first or second car. Owners of a Pagani usually have a fleet of at least ten other luxury vehicles. It’s a collector’s item, often passed down through generations like a treasured watch. Owners tend to be crypto millionaires, oil billionaires, or deep finance professionals—those who make their money watching numbers on screens.
Range Rover SVR: The Tech Mogul’s Stealth Power
Unlike a standard Range Rover, the SVR is an aggressive, high-performance variant with a roaring engine. It’s favored by tech entrepreneurs who appreciate power but prefer to keep a low profile. Priced around $297,000 in Dubai, it’s a rare sight in Turkey where the standard Range Rover is more common. SVR drivers in Turkey are usually influential figures because the model’s exclusivity is less understood there.
Porsche Cayenne: The Reliable Luxury SUV
The Porsche Cayenne is a practical yet prestigious car, popular among gym trainers, new salespeople, and salaried professionals in Dubai. Its reliability and brand appeal make it a sensible luxury choice, often purchased via financing options with manageable monthly installments. Costing around $135,000 in Dubai, it’s accessible to anyone earning above $5,000 monthly. In Turkey, however, it’s priced at a hefty 19 million Turkish Lira.
Bentley Bentayga: The Luxury “Boat”
The Bentley Bentayga is like owning a luxury boat—expensive to buy and costly to maintain. With an initial price around $300,000, owners must prepare for rapid depreciation and annual upkeep costs exceeding $10,000. Despite this, the Bentayga appeals to wealthy individuals who prefer understated luxury with exceptional interior quality. It’s a car for geeks who avoid flashy show-offs but appreciate craftsmanship and comfort.
Ferrari Purosangue: The SUV for the Ferrari Brand Loyalist
True Ferrari enthusiasts rarely buy the Purosangue SUV, favoring low-profile sports cars with V8 or V12 engines. However, the Purosangue serves as an entry point for those who want the Ferrari badge and sound without the traditional two-seat coupe experience. Priced around $650,000 in Dubai, it’s a rare but special choice, especially in Turkey where it costs nearly 98 million Turkish Lira due to taxes.
Aston Martin DB11: The British Classic
The Aston Martin DB11 is a unique, elegant car often linked with British culture and James Bond fans. It’s a luxury sports car that balances style and performance, preferred by car collectors and enthusiasts. In Dubai, it’s priced around $150,000, making it a more affordable yet classy alternative to other high-end sports cars.
Maserati Levante: The Realtor’s Luxurious Choice
The Maserati Levante is a luxurious but less common SUV, favored by realtors and sales professionals in Dubai. It offers the distinctive Maserati sound and comfort without the exorbitant price tag of Ferrari or Bentley. Costing about $150,000 in Dubai, it strikes a balance between exclusivity and practicality.
Mercedes G-Class: The Icon of Dubai’s Elite
The Mercedes G-Class, famously favored by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is an unmistakable symbol of power and prestige. Its unique boxy design and robust performance make it a favorite among businessmen and high-profile individuals. Prices hover around $220,000 in Dubai but skyrocket to 25 million Turkish Lira in Turkey, where it is also popular among businessmen who prefer self-driving over being chauffeured.
Audi RS Q8: The Affordable Lamborghini Alternative
The Audi RS Q8 offers a taste of Lamborghini Urus performance without the hefty price tag or flashy branding. It’s a favorite among realtors and those wanting a spacious, high-performance family car. Priced around $170,000 in Dubai, it’s a sensible yet sporty option for those who want to feel the thrill without the full extravagance.
Tesla Model Y: The Tech-Savvy Everyman’s Car
The Tesla Model Y is the world’s best-selling electric SUV, much like the iPhone in the smartphone world—functional, tech-forward, and widely used. It appeals to a broad spectrum of owners from teachers to millionaires who value technology, software, and performance over flashy design. At around $48,000 in Dubai and just over 3 million Turkish Lira in Turkey, it’s the most affordable luxury car on this list and a favorite for everyday use.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan: The Ultimate Luxury Statement
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the pinnacle of bespoke automotive luxury. Buyers can customize nearly every detail, from wood finishes to leather colors, creating a tailor-made masterpiece. With base prices starting around $350,000 in Dubai and easily escalating past $500,000 with options, it’s a car for those with over $100 million in net worth who can afford to "burn" money without concern. Often chosen by football players and ultra-wealthy individuals, it’s a symbol of ultimate status and exclusivity.
Cadillac Escalade: The Entrepreneur’s Monster SUV
The Cadillac Escalade is a favorite among Dubai’s entrepreneurs, including myself. It’s a large, powerful SUV with six seats, a fridge, 400 horsepower, and premium technology, priced around $160,000 when new. The size can be a challenge in narrow streets but perfect for Dubai’s wide highways. In Turkey, Escalades are rare and expensive, often imported individually, costing upwards of 30 million Turkish Lira.
Choosing the Right Car: Personal Preferences and Business Identity
Each car discussed reflects not just wealth, but personality, business background, and lifestyle choices. For example, a tech entrepreneur might prefer the stealthy Range Rover SVR, while a real estate mogul might lean toward the Porsche Cayenne or Audi RS Q8. Government officials and traditional businessmen often choose Mercedes models or Nissan Patrols for their reliability and status.
My personal favorite? The Tesla Model Y. It’s practical, technologically advanced, and surprisingly luxurious for its price—a perfect example of how innovation can meet everyday needs. Yet, my dream car remains a classic Ferrari from the 1990s, embodying timeless style and sophistication rather than flashy modern trends.
Final Thoughts
Cars in Dubai are much more than transportation; they are reflections of success, culture, and personal identity. Whether you drive a Nissan Patrol or a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, your vehicle sends a message about who you are and what you do. The stark price differences between Dubai and Turkey also highlight how taxes and market conditions shape luxury car ownership in different countries.
So, what’s your car in Dubai, and what does it say about your business? What’s your dream car? Share your thoughts and let’s keep this conversation rolling!
