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.

Volvo EX90 2025 review - Australian first drive
By Andrew Chesterton · 27 Mar 2025
The 2025 Volvo EX90 is the Swedish premium car brand's new flagship. It's a fully electric alternative to the long-running XC90 seven-seater. So, is the luxurious upper-large SUV that you should buy? We put it to test to find out.
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Porsche 911 2025 review: Carrera GTS T-Hybrid - Australian first drive
By Andrew Chesterton · 26 Mar 2025
Yes, this new 911 is technically a midlife update, but the changes here go beyond skin deep. Leading the charge, so to speak, is the introduction of a hybrid option for first time, with the 911 Carrera GTS debuting a new t-hybrid powertrain that dials up the performance. But it also fundamentally alters everything we’ve come to know, and love, about the 911. But is it a change for the better?
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Better than the Y63 Nissan Patrol? Updated Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series scores tech overhaul and will be in Australia within months
By Andrew Chesterton · 25 Mar 2025
Not that you can tell by looking at it, but the face-lifted Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series has debuted before its launch in Australia, with the tough 4WD's exterior unchanged, but its cabin tech overhauled.
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'A proliferation of product': BYD bets big on Australia as Chinese brand details new-model tsunami that will take the fight to Toyota, Mazda and Kia
By Andrew Chesterton · 24 Mar 2025
BYD says it's just getting warmed up in Australia, promising a "proliferation of product" with a focus on "utes and SUVs" as it seeks to make good on its promise to dethrone Toyota at the top of the new-car sales charts. The brand currently has six models in Australia – the Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 6, Sealion 7 and Shark 6 ute – but says it will launch two new models this year, with the roll
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Can China save the wagon? New BYD Seal Travel Edition is a plug-in hybrid with punch that aims to take on models like the Skoda Octavia and Peugeot 5008
By Andrew Chesterton · 20 Mar 2025
Having already turned its hand to passenger cars, SUVs and utes in Australia, Chinese brand BYD appears poised to conquer the wagon segment, with details of the incoming BYD Seal Travel Edition leaking in China.
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Honda Civic 2025 review: e:HEV L
By Andrew Chesterton · 19 Mar 2025
The Honda Civic is an all-hybrid affair in Australia - and it might be one of our absolute favourites. But there is one sizeable sticking point - its price.So, is the Civic e:HEV L worthy of its more-premium price tag? We put it to the test to find out.
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Toyota thinks you want an electric ute more than a hardcore HiLux that can take the fight to the Ford Ranger Raptor, but are they right? | Opinion
By Andrew Chesterton · 19 Mar 2025
Toyota has at last sped up its EV rollout, confirming this week that it will have six new electric vehicles on sale by next year, including a battery-powered ute.
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Faster than fuelling! BYD's game-changing EV charging breakthrough on Australia-bound SUV delivers 400km range in five minutes as China dominates Tesla on tech
By Andrew Chesterton · 18 Mar 2025
BYD might have just changed the EV game around the world, revealing a charging breakthrough that can deliver 400kms in driving range in just five minutes.
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Desperate times for Tesla? Price range revealed for cut-price Model Y that could reshape its electric car fight against XPeng G6, Leapmotor C10 and Geely EX5
By Andrew Chesterton · 17 Mar 2025
Tesla will attempt to arrest or reverse sliding sales in Australia and across the globe by unveiling a new and cheaper Tesla Model Y that will bring Elon Musk's best selling vehicle closer to its Chinese competitors than ever before, according to new reports.
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Toyota Tundra and Ram 1500 owners can leave our parking spaces alone | Opinion
By Andrew Chesterton · 15 Mar 2025
News this week broke that Standards Australia have begun a push to have our parking spaces enlarged to better fit the giant, mostly American vehicles now crowding our roads.
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