Articles by Byron Mathioudakis

Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist

Byron started his motoring journalism career when he joined John Mellor in 1997 before becoming a freelance motoring writer two years later.

He wrote for several motoring publications and was ABC Youth radio Triple J's "all things automotive" correspondent from 2001 to 2003.

He rejoined John Mellor in early 2003 and has been with GoAutoMedia as a senior product and industry journalist ever since.

With an eye for detail and a vast knowledge base of both new and used cars Byron lives and breathes motoring.

His encyclopedic knowledge of cars was acquired from childhood by reading just about every issue of every car magazine ever to hit a newsstand in Australia.

The child Byron was the consummate car spotter, devoured and collected anything written about cars that he could lay his hands on and by nine had driven more imaginary miles at the wheel of the family Ford Falcon in the driveway at home than many people drive in a lifetime.

The teenage Byron filled in the agonising years leading up to getting his driver's license by reading the words of the leading motoring editors of the country and learning what they look for in a car and how to write it.

In short, Byron loves cars and knows pretty much all there is to know about every vehicle released during his lifetime as well as most of the ones that were around before then.

Isuzu D-Max Blade priced to rumble 4x4 utes
By Byron Mathioudakis · 25 Oct 2024
The most expensive yet capable Isuzu D-Max ute ever sold in Australia has landed, targeting the likes of the Nissan Navara Warrior, Ford Ranger Tremor and Toyota HiLux Rogue. Developed, modified and tuned in Melbourne by the Walkinshaw Automotive Groupe for Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA), the D-Max Blade 4x4 goes on sale in Australia on November 1, priced from $76,990 driveaway.
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Ford XF Falcon: bestseller, but not the best
By Byron Mathioudakis · 20 Oct 2024
Forty years ago, in October, 1984, the bestselling Ford Falcon in the nameplate’s 56-year history in Australia was launched. The XF series held the top spot every year until production ceased in February, 1988, ahead of the handsome but flawed EA’s debut. This success was nothing short of astonishing.
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BYD Leopard 5 is the Toyota Prado's nightmare
By Byron Mathioudakis · 19 Oct 2024
The much-anticipated Toyota LandCruiser FJ ‘baby’ four-wheel-drive wagon hasn’t even been revealed yet, but its biggest threat is already looming for Australia. Expected sometime next year, and said to be called the Leopard 5 (or maybe Leopard Seal 5 if the brand’s fascination with sea animal names continues), it is BYD’s international version of the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5.
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Hyundai Santa Cruz 2025 review: Ultimate - International first drive
By Byron Mathioudakis · 18 Oct 2024
Australia is ready for car-based utes, and Hyundai is set to deliver in around 2026 with the Santa Cruz. Based on the Tucson mid-size SUV, this is an American-designed and made five-seater dual-cab, with monocoque (not body-on-frame) construction that cuts weight yet boosts power, efficiency, comfort and dynamics compared to, say, a Toyota HiLux. It should beat the similar Ford Maverick to market.
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BYD Shark 9 full-sized ute shapes up
By Byron Mathioudakis · 17 Oct 2024
Is the BYD Shark 6 going to be joined by a big brother? A full-sized ute might be in the pipeline for the near future, targeting American pick-ups like the Ford F-Series, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra in Australia.
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BYD Shark 6 2025 review - Australian first drive
By Byron Mathioudakis · 15 Oct 2024
The BYD Shark 6 is Australia's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, slotting in between the GWM Cannon Alpha hybrid and full-electric LDV eT60 on the electrification scale. But the Shark 6 PHEV is cheaper than both so should make big waves. With a petrol engine and two electric motors on each axle providing 4WD, the BYD offers some - if not all - of its rivals' abilities, and is roomy to boot.
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2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
By Byron Mathioudakis · 14 Oct 2024
Hyundai is set to be the first with the return of the car-based ute in Australia, with an evolution of its popular North American Santa Cruz series. As revealed by CarsGuide back in May, the company informed its local dealer network at a conference of plans for a future version to launch in Australia. Timing is vague, but we hear from around 2026. And Ford won't be too far behind with the Maverick
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Why the 2025 Toyota bZ4X is not a flop in Aus
By Byron Mathioudakis · 13 Oct 2024
Is the Toyota bZ4X a sales disaster in Australia? Is Toyota failing at electric vehicles (EVs) generally? And why does senior management reckon there is a stink in the air for all the naysayers?
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The best Ford Ranger might not be sold in Aus
By Byron Mathioudakis · 08 Oct 2024
Even though this country's bestselling vehicle is not made here, Australia is the home to the last two generations of the Ford Ranger ute as well as its Everest SUV offshoot, having been designed and engineered here.
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Toyota's cheap alternative to new Yaris is...
By Byron Mathioudakis · 07 Oct 2024
Can't afford a new Toyota nowadays? Too bad, as the company has reiterated that it will not return to the sub-$25,000 market in Australia. However, Toyota Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, reckons the best solution for consumers is to buy a used Toyota, but only from a Toyota dealer that is participating in a particular scheme.
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