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.

Toyota has spoken: Diesel is done for in Australia as new petrol-powered Prado and HiLux loom

10 March 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Toyota bZ4X 2024 review

7 March 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Toyota has finally – finally – taken a seat at the EV table with the new bZ4X, which is the twin-under-the-skin to the Subaru Solterra, given the models were co-developed by the two Japanese heavyweights. It’s bigger inside than a Toyota RAV4, it’s about the same price as a Tesla Model Y, and —...Read more

The Prado punisher! 2024 Lexus GX detailed for Australia including launch timing, towing, off-road capability and monster twin-turbo V6

5 March 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

The all-new Lexus GX will arrive in Australia in June, bringing with it...Read more

Kia Tasman name confirmed? Aussie-inspired name appears in first TV commercial for Kia's most Australian vehicle ever

4 March 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Kia has seemingly confirmed the Tasman name for its new Ford Ranger and...Read more

Toyota's mini monster! LandCruiser FJ name secured for Australia as RAV4 Hybrid-powered Suzuki Jimny rival prepares for launch

4 March 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Toyota has applied to trademark the name "LandCruiser FJ" in Australia...Read more

2025 Kia Tasman ute: Powertrains, towing, launch timing and everything else we know so far about crucial Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger rival

2 March 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

We are now steaming towards out first sneak peek of the Kia Tasman ute...Read more

Mitsubishi Triton 2024 review

1 March 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Mitsubishi reckons the Triton deserves to be the third best-selling ute in the Australian market. In fact, it thinks it deserves to be challenging the Ranger and HiLux for out-and-out dual-cab supremacy, but how about we start with third place and see where we go from there, hey? Third place, of...Read more

"Sooner rather than later": Now the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado Hybrid is coming to Australia, and it could be here this year!

29 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Toyota will almost certainly launch the LandCruiser Prado Hybrid in...Read more

Electric shock! 2024 Toyota bZ4X cheaper than expected in Australia with a price that will rattle the Tesla Model Y!

27 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

The Toyota bZ4X will launch in Australia with two powertrain options,...Read more

Big BYD mystery solved? Chinese brand registers TWO new models for Australia including its cheapest electric car yet and a plug-in rival for the Toyota LandCruiser Prado

26 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Just weeks after announcing a raft of mystery launches for Australia...Read more

New off-road hybrid heroes inbound: 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Lexus GX look set to share petrol-hybrid i-Force Max powertrain

24 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Lexus in Australia says it has its hand in the air for a hybrid-petrol...Read more

Plug-in powerhouse! 2024 Mitsubishi Triton ute could spawn tough flagship Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota HiLux GR Sport rival - just don't expect it to be diesel...

23 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

A new Mitsubishi Triton Ralliart would likely ditch diesel in favour of...Read more

2025 BYD Dolphin: More tech AND a lower price on the cards for Australia's cheapest electric car as MG4 and GWM Ora put on notice

22 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

The 2025 BYD Dolphin is about to be revealed in China, with analysts...Read more

"In the near future": Mazda's performance car revival could be coming soon with mega RX to give brand a rotary-powered boost to take on Toyota's GR Supra

22 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Mazda's long-awaited performance revival could arrive "in the near...Read more

"We are working on a large SUV": All-new plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Pajero powers into frame as Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Lexus GX gear up for hybrids of their own

20 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Mitsubishi is currently working on a new large SUV that could at last...Read more

Beating the best: Kia promised big things from the Tasman ute - these pictures prove it is about to deliver

20 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

It's going to be Australia's best-selling ute versus Kia's all-new...Read more

Size matters: TWO new Hyundai utes coming, but neither will be the same size as a Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger - reports

18 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Hyundai appears set to double-down on its ute ambitions in Australia,...Read more

Hyundai Kona 2024 review: Long-term | Part 2

17 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Okay, so if you’ve been following these dispatches — and, frankly, you’d be mad not have been — you’ll know my long-term chariot isn’t just any Hyundai Kona, but the cheapest, petrol-powered variant. And as we’ve touched on, there’s so much bang for your buck on offer here it’s hard to see how you...Read more

Attention Toyota LandCruiser Prado: Hyundai readying for off-road battle with new XRT Pro registered for Australia

16 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Hyundai's plan to take on Australia's off-road adventure market appears...Read more

Sick of using an app to charge your MG4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 electric car? The most annoying thing about owning and charging an EV in Australia is about to be solved

16 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

One of the most annoying aspects about charging an electric vehicle via...Read more

Articles by Andrew Chesterton

Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

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