Our convoy of black Chevrolet Equinoxes cuts quite a sight cruising down the quiet highway from Samarkand to Bukhara, slicing through the Kyzylkum desert. Speed limits are strictly enforced in Uzbekistan, so I set the adaptive cruise control to 90 kmph to keep a steady pace and engage the Lane Keep Assist function, letting it handle the steering with a gentle touch. It feels like having a co-pilot, freeing me to marvel at the stark, endless landscape.
My thoughts drift back to my last road trip in Uzbekistan in 1994 on this very road, in the hardy but crude Mahindra Armada. It was noisy, underpowered, had no power steering or any creature comforts to speak off, which made it very tiring to drive. It's hard to believe that the Armada was the plushest SUV then. Now, sitting smug in the happy embrace of the Equinox's eight-way adjustable powered seat, I marvel at the progress cars have made in 30 years.
This story is from the June 08, 2024 edition of Brunch.
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This story is from the June 08, 2024 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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