Articles by Andrew Chesterton

Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold.

But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul.

And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard.

When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House.

But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others.

More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.

And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard.

More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.

New car bargains finally coming back? Why buying a vehicle in Australia could be about to get cheaper and easier

5 July 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

Target Toyota: Japanese giant on notice as Hyundai vows to go hard on hybrids in Australia

4 July 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

Hyundai in Australia is plotting a hybrid takeover, with the brand to...Read more

What's Toyota up to now? Mystery HiLux filing seemingly explains new weapon in war with Ford Ranger

3 July 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

A new and mysterious Toyota filing has appeared in Australia, seemingly...Read more

Mazda moves up, BYD moves in: Japanese brand's premium push creates massive opportunity for Chinese affordable electric vehicle maker - and just wait until the ute gets here | Opinion

2 July 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

I'll admit it, I was one of those who considered the arrival of the BYD...Read more

Who needs a V8? New 335kW twin-turbo V6 firms for Nissan Y63 Patrol as Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series rival nears

28 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

An all-new Infiniti QX80 will reportedly launch in America in the first...Read more

Volkswagen Amarok 2023 review: Core & Life

27 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

Flagship utes have gotten both very good, and very expensive, haven't they? The new Amarok, for example, tops out at just under $80k for the top-spec Aventura. But what if your still waters don't run deep with cash? Well, there's good news, because the cheapest Amarok options – the Core and Life –...Read more

Advantage Toyota? HiLux goes hybrid with new 48-volt tech to take on the Ford Ranger - but does it go far enough?

27 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

The Toyota HiLux is finally going hybrid, with the brand adding a fuel-...Read more

Petrol power locked in for Y63 Patrol? Nissan says no hybrid for off-road icon as brand leaves that to Toyota Prado and Lexus GX

24 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

Nissan says the Patrol will skip the e-POWER step and jump to full...Read more

Still think cheap EVs are boring? "Tuned" BYD Dolphin Sport will be faster than most hot hatches as full electric vehicle range detailed

22 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

The BYD Dolphin will arrive in Australia in three trim levels, with one...Read more

Australia's cheapest electric vehicle! Game-changing BYD Dolphin pricing confirmed - and it's cheaper than the MG4!

22 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

The BYD Dolphin will arrive in Australia wearing a pice tag of just $38...Read more

Tougher looking than the LC300? This 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado GR Sport would reset the off-road SUV bar

21 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

With the Lexus GX just revealed, we've now received what could be our...Read more

Range Rover Sport 2023 review: P510e Dynamic HSE

20 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

Welcome to electrification, Range Rover Sport style. The P510e plug-in hybrid is a full-size, luxury-soaked SUV, and one that now pairs a six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a powerful electric motor and a big battery, all of which should mean a typically silky drive experience, and the ability...Read more

How low can BYD go? Forget Tesla, Chinese electric car prices are tumbling as 2023 BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and MG4 battle for title of Australia's cheapest EV

20 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

The days of sky-high prices for electric vehicles seem finally behind...Read more

Giving LandCruiser nightmares: The Australian-developed 400kW supercharged V8 Nissan Patrol Warrior that was almost a reality

18 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

A thundering supercharged V8 engine was almost a reality for the...Read more

Sorry Ford Falcon fans! The Nissan Patrol Warrior's V8 NASCAR roar is 'better than any FPV ever'

16 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

Sorry, Ford fans, but the company responsible for the Ford Falcon GT...Read more

Nissan Patrol Warrior detailed: Off-road monster wants to out punch the LC300 and LandCruiser Prado with V8 petrol grunt

15 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

The long-awaited Nissan Patrol Warrior will launch in Australia before...Read more

Nissan Ariya confirmed for Australia: New electric SUV coming to take on the Tesla Model Y - and it could be cheaper!

15 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

The Nissan Ariya has at last been confirmed for an Australian launch,...Read more

Criminal intent! Kia Tasman to target police duties as new diesel ute looks to steal the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max's cop car thunder

15 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

The incoming Kia Tasman ute appears to have set its sights on official...Read more

Kia Seltos 2023 review: GT-Line long-term | Part 2

10 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

To paraphrase a (traditionally pretty naughty) saying, it's not so much the size that matters in the new-car world, but more what you can do with it. It doesn't matter if you're rolling in a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series or a pint-sized Kia Picanto , it's how well your vehicle is packaged that will...Read more

Silence, hybrid haters: The electrified Prado Hybrid will be the best thing to ever happen to the LandCruiser badge | Opinion

10 June 2023 by Andrew Chesterton

You could almost see the diesel tears rolling down the faces of the...Read more

Articles by Andrew Chesterton

Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

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