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.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Toyota HiLux 2026 review: Australian preview drive
By Andrew Chesterton · 13 Nov 2025
Finally, a new HiLux! A vehicle Toyota has been plotting and planning for a decade. And I know what you must be thinking: what the hell were they doing with the other nine-and-a-half years?
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Price shock for new HiLux as costs blow out
By Andrew Chesterton · 12 Nov 2025
There are major price rises right across the board for the new Toyota HiLux, with some grades of the all-important Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and BYD Shark 6 rival increasing by thousands of dollars.
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New Toyota RAV4 price warning
By Andrew Chesterton · 11 Nov 2025
The new Toyota RAV4 range will introduce the brand's first plug-in hybrid model as well as a high-performance GR Sport trim level in a radical shake-up for the country's best-selling SUV.
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"Most Aussie HiLux ever": 2026 Toyota HiLux detailed
By Andrew Chesterton · 10 Nov 2025
Toyota has whipped the covers off a vehicle some 10 years in the making, with the brand's new-generation workhorse described as "the most Australian Toyota HiLux ever".
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Family friendly Toyota SUV axed in Australia!
By Andrew Chesterton · 10 Nov 2025
A family friendly Toyota SUV has been axed in Australia, just as an update to the ageing model looms.
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Nissan's plug-in hybrid ute bargain!
By Andrew Chesterton · 03 Nov 2025
Nissan's first global plug-in hybrid ute, the China-built Frontier Pro, has been priced in its home country, with the electrified workhorse shaping as something of a bargain. 
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Another Chinese ute steps up
By Andrew Chesterton · 02 Nov 2025
Chinese brand Leapmotor says it is studying a dual-cab ute to drive sales in international markets, with Australia, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil all expected to join forces in fuelling the pickup truck's development.
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Alfa Romeo says its reliability better than rivals
By Andrew Chesterton · 31 Oct 2025
Alfa Romeo says its quality and reliabilty on the Tonale small SUV is "far ahead" of its German rivals in BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
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Alfa Romeo Tonale 2026 review: International first drive
By Andrew Chesterton · 30 Oct 2025
The Alfa Romeo Tonale has come in for its first facelift, with the brand promising a car that feels like a car, and not a "computer with four wheels", with driver engagement coming first, and computing power coming second. But can this small SUV finally rise above the premium pack in Australia? We put it to the test to find out.
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Made in China better than Made in Europe: Carmaker
By Andrew Chesterton · 28 Oct 2025
Leapmotor says its advanced manufacturing processes mean that Made in China is better than Made in Europe when it comes to new vehicle production.
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