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's massive LandCruiser Prado mistake?
By Andrew Chesterton · 20 Aug 2021
Just as we're all starting to grow accustomed to the mountain of change that the LandCruiser 300 Series ushered in, it's already time to turn our attention to its smaller sibling, the Prado.
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Your LC300 wait time is about to get longer
By Andrew Chesterton · 20 Aug 2021
Global deliveries for the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series have been thrown into chaos with the off-road icon's Japanese production facility shuttered for almost three weeks owing to semi-conductor and parts supply issues.The company-wide issue impacts a
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Get ready to wait for your RAV4 Hybrid
By Andrew Chesterton · 20 Aug 2021
A serious supply shortage has forced Toyota to paused production at almost every factory it has, with deliveries expected to hit everything from the GR Yaris and Corolla to the C-HR, RAV4, HiAce, as well as the LandCruiser 300 Series and LandCruiser Prado
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First LC300s arrive in Australia
By Andrew Chesterton · 17 Aug 2021
The first of many examples of a production-ready Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series has touched down in Australia, sparking suggestions the iconic off-roader could be about to get an early mark.
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This Honda Integra Type R would be a beast
By Andrew Chesterton · 16 Aug 2021
Honda has only just confirmed the iconic Integra nameplate is making a comeback, and already the internet is alight with the possibilities for the brand's upcoming GR Corolla-fighting beast.
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LC300 prices show LC200 was too expensive
By Andrew Chesterton · 12 Aug 2021
Australia is Toyota country. LandCruiser country. A land of harsh terrain and endless deserts, where the only thing tougher than the vehicles required are the sun-battered people behind the wheel.Or something like that.
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New Mazda CX-5 detailed
By Andrew Chesterton · 12 Aug 2021
Mazda is reportedly preparing to unveil a new CX-5 in 2023, and Japanese media has begun detailing how one of Australia's most popular mid-size SUVs will take the fight to the popular Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.Expected to arrive the year after next, the new CX-5
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Mazda eyes race-car rivalling RX
By Andrew Chesterton · 12 Aug 2021
Mazda just keeps teasing us with talk of a rotary revival, with fresh reports out of Japan suggesting the brand could revive the technology in the shape of a hardcore hydrogen performance car that would essentially reestablish the famed "RX" badge.The new
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Toyota toughens up
By Andrew Chesterton · 11 Aug 2021
Toyota's HiLux family is being given the toughen-up treatment, with the unveiling of the Fortuner GR Sport and a hardcore HiLux to reportedly follow in October.
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Skoda Octavia 2022 review: 110TSI sedan
By Andrew Chesterton · 11 Aug 2021
While the fire-breathing RS attracts plenty of attention, the lesser Skoda Octavia models tend to go a little unnoticed in Australia's crowded new-car market. But the new Skoda Octavia Style sets out to prove less really can be more. Does it succeed? We put it to the test to find out.
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