A drive through Karachi in a rare Suzuki XBee becomes a fascinating insight into Pakistan’s evolving car market, automotive culture and the rise of PakWheels
There’s no better way to understand a country’s automotive culture than from the passenger seat of an interesting car while navigating its busiest streets. During my visit to Karachi, I had the opportunity to do exactly that with Intikhab Khan of PakWheels.com, Pakistan’s largest automotive marketplace and media platform.
Our transport for the day was something rather unusual. Not a Toyota Corolla, not a Suzuki Cultus, and certainly not one of the countless Mehrans that have transported generations of Pakistanis. Instead, Intikhab arrived in a quirky little Japanese import called the Suzuki XBee. At first glance, it looks like somebody crossed a Suzuki Jimny with a city car and then inflated it slightly.
The Curious Case of the Suzuki XBee
The XBee immediately surprised me. Despite its compact dimensions, it offers remarkable interior space. The roofline is tall, the seating position is upright, and visibility is excellent in every direction.
The first thing that struck me was just how practical it felt. Large doors make entry and exit effortless, while the elevated driving position gives occupants a commanding view of the road. It’s exactly the sort of vehicle that makes sense in crowded urban environments.
According to Intikhab, the XBee shares some of its DNA with the Jimny and Sierra family, although its character is very different. Where the Jimny feels rugged and agricultural, the XBee feels refined, comfortable and surprisingly sophisticated.
Inside, it features a modern infotainment system, automatic transmission, climate control, heated seats and a comprehensive suite of safety technology including radar braking, lane departure assistance and six airbags.
In many ways, it feels like the sort of practical, intelligently packaged vehicle that could be hugely successful in Pakistan. There’s just one problem. You can’t officially buy one there.
Pakistan’s Love Affair with Suzuki
Suzuki has long been the dominant force in Pakistan’s automotive landscape. For decades, models such as the Mehran, Cultus and Alto have provided affordable transport for millions of motorists.
The XBee, however, is a Japanese Domestic Market import. It was never officially offered by Pak Suzuki and arrived through the used import route.
That creates an interesting contradiction. Here was a vehicle that seemed almost perfectly suited to Pakistan’s roads and driving conditions, yet it remained unavailable through official channels.
It also highlighted the importance of imported Japanese vehicles within Pakistan’s automotive ecosystem, providing consumers with access to technologies, safety equipment and vehicle types not always available from locally assembled products.
Driving in Karachi: Controlled Chaos
As we made our way through Karachi’s traffic, another topic quickly emerged. How do advanced driver assistance systems cope in one of the world’s most energetic traffic environments?
The answer, according to Intikhab, is not particularly well. Features such as lane assist and automated emergency braking often need to be switched off because Karachi’s traffic patterns can confuse systems designed for more structured road environments. Anyone who has driven in South Asia will understand exactly what he means.
Cars frequently operate with inches separating bumpers. Lane markings are treated more as suggestions than instructions. Traffic flows continuously in every available space. And yet somehow, it all functions.
The XBee’s comfort, quietness and elevated seating position proved particularly valuable in these conditions. Intikhab regularly drives over 120 kilometres a day and regards the little Suzuki as an ideal companion for long commutes.
How PakWheels Became Pakistan’s Automotive Giant
What many people outside Pakistan may not realise is just how influential PakWheels has become. The company didn’t begin as a business at all.
According to Intikhab, founder Hanif Bhatti originally created an online discussion group to stay connected with fellow enthusiasts. Members discussed cars, shared experiences and helped each other solve technical issues.
Eventually someone advertised a car for sale. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today PakWheels has evolved into a comprehensive automotive ecosystem encompassing classifieds, vehicle inspections, insurance services, valuations, reviews, editorial content and major live events. It’s often compared with Auto Trader in the UK, although its scope arguably extends much further.
Why Vehicle Inspections Matter
One of the most fascinating aspects of our conversation centred on vehicle inspections. Unlike some developed markets, Pakistan lacks a centralised database that allows buyers to easily verify whether a vehicle has previously been written off or suffered major accident damage. That creates obvious risks for consumers.
PakWheels’ inspection service was developed to fill that gap. Detailed reports include hundreds of photographs and identify issues ranging from accident repairs to oil leaks and cosmetic damage. For buyers, it’s effectively a form of insurance against expensive mistakes.
As Pakistan’s used car market continues to expand, services like these become increasingly important in creating transparency and trust.
A Market in Transition
For many years Pakistan’s automotive industry was dominated by three familiar names: Suzuki, Toyota and Honda. By the time of our conversation, that was beginning to change.
New manufacturers were entering the market. Kia and Hyundai had returned with renewed ambition. MG was attracting attention. Chinese brands were beginning to establish a presence. Consumers suddenly had more choice than ever before.
While traditional favourites such as the Suzuki Cultus and Alto remained among the country’s most popular vehicles, the market was becoming noticeably more diverse. For enthusiasts, that represented one of the most exciting periods in Pakistan’s automotive history.
What About Electric Cars?
Back in 2021, electric vehicles remained largely a niche proposition in Pakistan. The biggest challenge wasn’t consumer interest. It was infrastructure.
Charging networks were limited, public charging locations were scarce and vehicle prices remained far beyond the reach of average buyers. Teslas had arrived through private imports, but ownership remained restricted to a tiny group of affluent enthusiasts.
As Intikhab pointed out at the time, widespread EV adoption would require significant investment in charging infrastructure before it could become a realistic option for mainstream motorists.
More Than Just Cars
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of my conversation with Intikhab wasn’t about cars at all. It was about community.
PakWheels has helped create a thriving automotive culture in Pakistan through reviews, events, forums, inspections, buying advice and enthusiast gatherings. Their annual auto shows attract everything from modified cars and classic vehicles to superbikes and family visitors.
In many ways, PakWheels has become the central meeting place for Pakistan’s car community. And riding through Karachi in a Suzuki XBee with one of its key figures provided a fascinating snapshot of a market balancing tradition, rapid growth and technological change.
The cars may differ from those in Britain, the roads may be considerably more adventurous, and the traffic may occasionally resemble organised chaos, but the passion for motoring is exactly the same. That’s something every petrolhead can appreciate.
Intikhab A. Khan played a pivotal role in shaping PakWheels into Pakistan’s leading automotive platform, transforming how people buy and sell vehicles through technology, transparency, and trust.
What started as a simple online marketplace evolved into a complete automotive ecosystem featuring:
- Car buying & selling
- Market price insights
- Expert reviews
- Vehicle inspections
- Automotive forums & content
- A trusted marketplace used by millions
As PakWheels expanded, many dedicated professionals contributed to turning this vision into reality. Intikhab has been part of that journey since 2015, helping establish and scale Pakistan’s digital vehicle inspection and evaluation services from the ground up.
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