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.

Big, tough and full of tech: Best pics yet of 2024 BYD ute as plug-in hybrid Ford Ranger rival nears

15 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Cheap Chinese electric car incoming! BYD and MG on notice as Chery confirms 2024 Chery Omoda E5 EV with 400km-plus driving range

15 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Chery has today confirmed its 2024 Omoda E5 for a mid-year launch in...Read more

Forget the Tesla Model Y: 2024 BYD Seal U locked in for launch with the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Nissan X-Trail e-Power and Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid in its sights

14 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

BYD has confirmed what we have long suspected – that the plug-in hybrid...Read more

More power, more torque, more towing: Forget the Ford Everest, the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado's biggest threat is actually the epic Lexus GX | Opinion

11 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

When news of the incoming 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado broke, all eyes...Read more

Lexus to take on AMG and M? Lexus unveils performance plans for Australia, and the epic GR Yaris-powered LBX Morizo RR could be next

9 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Lexus has bold plans to punch up its performance credentials in...Read more

Access denied: Meet the 2024 Ford Puma that has been locked out of Australia, leaving the Blue Oval without a Kia Stonic, Mazda CX-3 rival

8 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Ford has revealed a facelifted Puma SUV overnight – at exactly the same...Read more

Lexus GX 2024 review

8 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Is Lexus the new off-road hero in Australia? Believe it or not, the all-new GX could make it so, with the five - or seven-seat SUV taking all the best tough stuff from the incoming Toyota LandCruiser Prado – meaning off-road tracks are yours to command – and adding a splash of premium opulence for...Read more

Ford abandons petrol SUVs in Australia: Ford Puma ICE axed, to be replaced by all-electric Puma Gen-E as US giant doubles-down on Ranger, Transit and Mustang

7 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Ford has today confirmed the axing of its petrol-powered Puma, with the...Read more

Australia's new electric car king? BYD outsells Tesla as cheap Chinese EVs soar in the first month of 2024

6 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

BYD appears to be making good on some of its bold sales promises in...Read more

New year, same dual-cab king: Ford Ranger rampage continues as it outshines Toyota HiLux in monster January

6 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

The Ford Ranger has started 2024 in the same way it concluded 2023,...Read more

"Toyota is not anti EV": Japanese giant claps back at haters in Australia, but says it won't be dumping diesels anytime soon

3 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

Toyota says it has been unfairly tagged as 'anti EV', insisting...Read more

Hyundai Kona 2024 review: Long-term | Part 1

2 February 2024 by Andrew Chesterton

It's possible a long-term dispatch has never been quite so important as this one. Okay, that might be slightly over-egging the small-SUV-shaped pudding, but it is mighty important if you're considering a new Hyundai Kona. Why? Because Kona choice now abounds. You can have an all-electric Kona, a...Read more