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.

New 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor details drop
By Andrew Chesterton · 10 Feb 2022
The wait to see the new Ford Ranger Raptor is almost over, with the brand today confirming the official unveil date - as well as releasing some tasty footage of a prototype barging its way through - and over - the Aussie bush.
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How much to rent a Porsche?
By Andrew Chesterton · 09 Feb 2022
From the iconic 911 to the mean and green Taycan, Porsche is offering some of its most famous nameplates for rent in Melbourne.
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Kia has beaten the Holden Commodore curse!
By Andrew Chesterton · 06 Feb 2022
The Kia Stinger looks destined to break the Commodore (and Ford Falcon) curse, with the Korean brand's performance halo set to live on - at least for now.Even as the brand shifts its focus to its new EV6 halo, and the wave of electric vehicles that will f
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Mazda goes even BIGGER on SUVs
By Andrew Chesterton · 03 Feb 2022
Mazda's incoming CX-80 SUV cuts a fine figure in new renders from Japan, acting as a preview of sorts to the new and premium-focused SUV that is firming for an Australian launch.Using the US-revealed CX-50 as a guide, designers at Japanese scoop site Spyd
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New RZ might be best looking Lexus ever
By Andrew Chesterton · 02 Feb 2022
Lexus appears to have used its annual sales briefing to confirm its new RZ will hit the production line unchanged from the previously released "design" images, with the electric SUV arriving as a sleek and sporty-looking offering that might end up shading
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Haval Jolion 2022 review: Lux long-term
By Andrew Chesterton · 02 Feb 2022
The Haval Jolion is making waves in the small-SUV segment, with the Chinese SUV now nipping at the heels of some of the traditional mainstream players.But is it more than just a value proposition? Is there substance to match its blinged-out style? Our very own Andrew 'Chesto' puts the mid-tier Lux model to the long-term family test to find out. Warning: Corgi ahead.
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Why you should buy that new Kia Picanto NOW
By Andrew Chesterton · 02 Feb 2022
Kia says the rise of EVs in Australia will effectively spell the end of the sub-$20k car flagging that brand-wide electrification could push its cheapest models - like the Picanto and Cerato - to around $40k.
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Volkswagen wants a hardcore Amarok
By Andrew Chesterton · 01 Feb 2022
Volkswagen has confirmed it's investigating a partnership with Walkinshaw to deliver a hardcore Amarok that would take the fight to the Ford Ranger Raptor.One of the lingering questions over VW and Ford's partnership on the Ranger/Amarok program is whethe
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Want to know your odds of seeing the Kia ute
By Andrew Chesterton · 30 Jan 2022
Kia Australia says its essentially now or never for its long-awaited ute, with the brand's answer to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux now butting-up against the company's broader shift to an EV-focused business - a move which executives say is happening f
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Kia EV6 pricing and specification revealed
By Andrew Chesterton · 28 Jan 2022
The Kia EV6 will land in Australia with a new cheaper variant when it touches down next month.The new Air trim joins the GT-Line in the two-trim Australian launch line-up, and is designed to give Kia a more affordable entry point to its all-electric EV6.M
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