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.

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By Andrew Chesterton · 12 Aug 2021
Mazda just keeps teasing us with talk of a rotary revival, with fresh reports out of Japan suggesting the brand could revive the technology in the shape of a hardcore hydrogen performance car that would essentially reestablish the famed "RX" badge.The new
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Toyota toughens up: Fortuner GR Sport revealed, hardcore HiLux to follow in October - reports
By Andrew Chesterton · 11 Aug 2021
Toyota's HiLux family is being given the toughen-up treatment, with the unveiling of the Fortuner GR Sport and a hardcore HiLux to reportedly follow in October.
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Skoda Octavia 2022 review: 110TSI sedan
By Andrew Chesterton · 11 Aug 2021
While the fire-breathing RS attracts plenty of attention, the lesser Skoda Octavia models tend to go a little unnoticed in Australia's crowded new-car market. But the new Skoda Octavia Style sets out to prove less really can be more. Does it succeed? We put it to the test to find out.
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What you'll REALLY pay for your LC300: Drive-away pricing revealed for Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series as real-world costs soar beyond $150,000
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.
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Still think Mazda is too expensive? It's time to admit we were wrong about brand's premium push as Mazda 3, CX-5, CX-9 and BT-50 shine | Opinion
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
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Will this be the most popular Land Cruiser ever? Toyota Australia has confirmed the registered interest in the new LC300. And it's big...
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.
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Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series Australian pricing confirmed! Big increases for GX, GXL, VX, Sahara, Sahara ZX and GR Sport
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.
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Has Toyota just dropped a big GR HiLux hint? LC300's booming V6 diesel seems headed to the ute range
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
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How long will you be waiting for your LC300? International deliveries blow out by "more than a year" amidst soaring interest in the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series - reports
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.
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Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and HiLux going hybrid! Electrified diesels are locked in - reports
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
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