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 new RAV4-based ute rendered
By Andrew Chesterton · 08 Jun 2022
Toyota is reportedly exploring a new sub-HiLux ute built on the same TNGA underpinnings as the top-selling RAV4 Hybrid and which would rival models like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.TNGA is the platform that underpins the brand's passenger-bia
Read the article
Tesla Model Y touches down at last
By Andrew Chesterton · 08 Jun 2022
A truck moving several examples of the Tesla Model Y has been spotted in Australia in the surest sign yet that an Australian launch is imminent for one of the country's most hotly anticipated EVs.It means the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and even the Tesla Mo
Read the article
2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid powers up
By Andrew Chesterton · 06 Jun 2022
Toyota has unveiled a new and more powerful update to its Corolla Hybrid, with the top-selling small car getting a significant power boost and the promise of a more refined drive experience.Revealed in Europe, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid facelift pairs
Read the article
New VW Amarok details confirmed
By Andrew Chesterton · 05 Jun 2022
The incoming Volkswagen Amarok has been designed as a load-lugging powerhouse, with the Ford Ranger sibling to carry up to 1.2 tonnes in its tray - and support heavy loads when off-roading, too.The latest in the drip feed of product news from Volkswagen -
Read the article
Australian new-car market crunched by delays
By Andrew Chesterton · 03 Jun 2022
The Australian new-car market is still feeling the impacts of the coronavirus and supply chain chaos, with vehicle sales falling 6.4 per cent compared to the same month last year.Toyota (with the HiLux and RAV4) continue to dominate a falling market, with
Read the article
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid toughens up
By Andrew Chesterton · 01 Jun 2022
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is many things to many people, but an off-road-ready rugged SUV is probably not one of them.And while the new Woodland special edition - just revealed in the USA - is unlikely to entirely change that, the new and more capable RAV4 H
Read the article
Bad news for Toyota GR HiLux
By Andrew Chesterton · 01 Jun 2022
It's bad news for the Toyota GR HiLux, with the Japanese giant's UK exectuives essentially ruling out a hi-po Ford Ranger Raptor rival - at least for this generation - citing a lack of demand for more performance from its ute customers.
Read the article
Nissan Patrol Warrior takes shape!
By Andrew Chesterton · 29 May 2022
Nissan's Patrol Warrior is reportedtly almost ready to bring the fight to the Toyota LandCruiser GR Sport, upping the big unit's off-road capability and dialling up the tough-guy appearance in its efforts to be crowned the new off-road king.
Read the article
Toyota production halted again in Japan
By Andrew Chesterton · 26 May 2022
New-car wait times could be about to get even worse in Australia, with automotive giant Toyota again halting production across some of its most popular models as the impacts of the coronavirus and supply shortages continue to wreak havocToyota has today a
Read the article
Finally a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid conquerer?
By Andrew Chesterton · 26 May 2022
Nissan's X-Trail will adopt an e-Power engine generating 140kW and 330Nm, while sipping a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid-equalling 5.0L/100km on the combined cycle, according to new media reports.Japan's Best Car Web is reporting a scoop on an incoming electrified X-
Read the article