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.

What you'll REALLY pay for your LC300
By Andrew Chesterton · 10 Aug 2021
Top-spec Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series' models will cost Australian buyers more than $150,000, with local dealers confirming drive-away prices for the new LC300.
Read the article
We were wrong about Mazda's premium push
By Andrew Chesterton · 09 Aug 2021
Mazda copped some flack a couple of years back - about the same time as the new Mazda3 was unveiled - about its well-publicised push into premium territory, along with the increased prices that invariably go along with such a move.And for a while there, i
Read the article
The most popular Land Cruiser ever?
By Andrew Chesterton · 05 Aug 2021
Fears the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series would be less popular with die-hard fans of the nameplate seem pretty wide of the mark, with the brand reporting huge interest in the new model ahead of its official on-sale date.
Read the article
LC300 Australian pricing confirmed
By Andrew Chesterton · 04 Aug 2021
Toyota has confirmed LandCruiser 300 Series pricing for Australia, with the expected price hikes arriving right across the LC300 range.
Read the article
Toyota drops biggest GR HiLux hint yet
By Andrew Chesterton · 03 Aug 2021
The LandCruiser 300 Series 3.3-litre turbo-diesel V6 appears headed for the brand's ute and truck portfolio, after the brand in the USA dropped a diesel explainer video at about the same it previewed its upcoming Tundra pick-up truck.What has set tongues
Read the article
How long will you be waiting for your LC300?
By Andrew Chesterton · 02 Aug 2021
The booming popularity of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series around the world is already wreaking havoc on delivery timings, with early shoppers in Japans facing delays of "more than a year" on the LC200 replacement.
Read the article
Toyota Land Cruiser and HiLux going hybrid
By Andrew Chesterton · 02 Aug 2021
Toyota's HiLux, LandCruiser Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series will begin to be equipped with diesel hybrid engines from as early as 2023, with the Japanese giant keen to roll-out its electrification strategy to its diesel-powered line-up, according to new
Read the article
Special-edition Land Cruiser 70 Series!
By Andrew Chesterton · 01 Aug 2021
Toyota is celebrating the LandCruiser 70 Series' big b'day with style, unveiling a new special edition designed to commemorate the iconic off-roader's 70th birthday.While it can sometime feel like the 70 Series we drive today is around 70 years old, the m
Read the article
Strict resale ban not ruled out for LC300
By Andrew Chesterton · 01 Aug 2021
Toyota in Australia is yet to rule out attempting to enforce a similar LC300 pledge to then one currently being rolled out in Japan, with the unique "pledge" designed to stop you reselling your LandCruiser 300 Series, and threatening a brand-wide ban if y
Read the article
Toyota confirms bizarre LC300 pledge!
By Andrew Chesterton · 28 Jul 2021
Toyota has confirmed the bizarre pledge it will ask its customers to sign is in effect in Japan, while the brand's Australian arm is yet to rule out attempting to establish a similar agreement with its local customers.
Read the article