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.

Suzuki Swift now Australia's cheapest hybrid!
By Byron Mathioudakis · 14 Jun 2024
Suzuki has priced and specified its new-generation Swift Hybrid to please, as our brief comparison against the all-new MG 3 Hybrid+ and Toyota Yaris hybrid shows. But there is a catch...
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Suzuki Swift 2024 review: Hybrid
By Byron Mathioudakis · 14 Jun 2024
The Suzuki Swift is, by far, Australia's longest-serving supermini nameplate, and widely regarded as amongst the best. For its sixth generation, a complete redesign inside and out brings a mild-hybrid powertrain, matched to the carryover architecture. The result is exceptional fuel economy and better safety, without compromising traditional virtues like great packaging and sporty performance.
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Ford Tourneo 2025 review
By Byron Mathioudakis · 12 Jun 2024
Remember the Ford Spectron of the 1980s? It's back, in the Germanic shape of the Ford Tourneo Custom, an eight-seater people mover based on the latest-generation Transit Custom mid-sized van. Engineered and built in Europe, the newcomer is powered by a diesel engine, and is aimed at larger families needing a large and versatile interior. Rivals include the Toyota Granvia and Hyundai Staria.
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Polestar 3 2025 review
By Byron Mathioudakis · 10 Jun 2024
The true Polestar story starts with the 3. Based on the Volvo EX90 but sharing no visible panels inside or out, this big mid-sized SUV EV is the Chinese-owned Swedish brand's tilt at sportier alternatives like the BMW iX and Porsche Cayenne, and is priced accordingly. Key goals included striking design, leading comfort and driver-focused dynamics, in a safe, family-focused SUV. Does the 3 succeed?
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Ford E-Transit Custom 2025 review
By Byron Mathioudakis · 03 Jun 2024
Over four generations since 1965, the Ford Transit has been a van pioneer, being the first to infuse car-based performance and comfort with workhorse practicality. The E-Transit Custom, coming late in 2024, builds on both thanks to a smoother and stiffer body, effortless EV muscle, agile handling and a class-redefining ride. The Tesla of medium vans? Maybe, as our first drive in Europe suggests.
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BYD Sealion 7 EV rockets up CEO's Oz wishlist
By Byron Mathioudakis · 29 May 2024
BYD has announced that it will cap off a busy 2024 with the release of yet another all-new model, and this time it might even wear a familiar prefix. However, unlike the just-launched Sealion 6, the Sealion 7 – also stylised as the Sea Lion 07 in some markets – is an altogether different technological flagship proposition.
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GWM Cannon Alpha Hybrid 2024 review
By Byron Mathioudakis · 28 May 2024
GWM is going for the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux jugular with the Cannon Alpha, a larger, roomier and highly specified mid-sized dual-cab ute with an ace up its sleeve besides sharp pricing: a petrol-electric hybrid option. This is a proper hybrid choice, in lieu of the standard 2.4-litre turbo-diesel. But while equipment and safety boxes have all been ticked, problems do arise on the move.
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Australia's greatest turns 20: Ford Territory
By Byron Mathioudakis · 26 May 2024
Australia's greatest car - and our only-ever SUV - turns 20. Here are the life and times of the Ford Territory.
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Breakthrough Polestar 7: What we know so far
By Byron Mathioudakis · 25 May 2024
Ever since it was flagged earlier this year as an ‘indirect replacement’ for the company’s original EV model, the Polestar 2, by CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, widespread speculation has kicked off over whether the Polestar 7 will even again be a Tesla Model 3-style sedan-esque liftback competitor.
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Ram 1500 2024 review: Big Horn
By Byron Mathioudakis · 24 May 2024
The Ram DT 1500 is one of the world's greatest utes. From the considered design and sophisticated engineering to its comfy and user-friendly cabin, we're frankly hooked. The Australian-remanufactured right-hand drive conversion is first class. And the big Hemi V8 shines. But the base Big Horn that's under $20K less than our favoured Laramie grade is just too compromised in the name of price.
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