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.

Mahindra XUV 3XO 2026 review: International first drive
By Byron Mathioudakis · 16 Jun 2025
The Mahindra XUV 3X0 is the Indian brand's first small SUV in Australia, taking on the Chery Tiggo 4 and co. Though modern and well equipped, with a punchy 1.2-litre turbo, the front-drive crossover boasts chunky styling and high ground clearance to make it stand out. There's plenty for buyers to like, as our first drive in India reveals, but the pricing also needs to be right for it to succeed.
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Like a modern-day Toyota FJ Cruiser: Why the iconic 2025 Mahindra Thar has been barred from Australia to take on the BYD Denza B5, Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Nissan Patrol and Jeep Wrangler
By Byron Mathioudakis · 15 Jun 2025
Mahindra has confirmed that the long-awaited Thar will not be sold in Australia in its current form. The rugged, body-on-frame wagon was expected to arrive sometime this year in traditional three-door and extended-body five-door wagon guises.
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Didn't see this coming: Mahindra's wild new Thar Sport hybrid targeting the BYD 2026 Denza B5, Toyota Prado, Jeep Wrangler and GWM Tank 300 confirmed for Australia
By Byron Mathioudakis · 10 Jun 2025
Mahindra has finally confirmed that the Jeep Wrangler-style body-on-frame Thar as we know it will not be imported to Australia.
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Mazda CX-60 Azami 2025 review: snapshot
By Byron Mathioudakis · 08 Jun 2025
The CX-60 Azami is the flagship model in Mazda’s medium-to-large-sized five-seater SUV.
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Mazda CX-60 GT 2025 review: snapshot
By Byron Mathioudakis · 06 Jun 2025
The CX-60 GT is the overtly sporty version of the Hiroshima brand’s big mid-sized SUV.
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Family SUV faces the chop: Rival to the 2026 Toyota Kluger, Ford Everest, Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe could be axed in Australia
By Byron Mathioudakis · 06 Jun 2025
It now seems inevitable that one of world’s longest-running family SUV badges may soon be retired in Australia. With low sales and high pricing pressures due to unfavourable exchange rates and ongoing geo-political uncertainties, the Nissan Pathfinder is facing an uncertain future, as it continues to stumble against popular alternatives in the large, seven-seater SUV segment like the Ford Everest,
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Say hello to the Mazda CX-20! 2026 Mazda CX-3 replacement emerges to take on Toyota Yaris Cross, Haval Jolion, Hyundai Venue and Chery Tiggo 4
By Byron Mathioudakis · 03 Jun 2025
A bold successor for the Mazda CX-3 is in the wings at last. Believed to be badged the CX-20, the company’s smallest SUV and second best-selling model after the evergreen CX-5 mid-sizer is set to surface sometime before the end of next year, as a 2027 model.
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Mazda CX-60 Touring 2025 review: snapshot
By Byron Mathioudakis · 02 Jun 2025
The CX-60 Touring is another new version of the largish, medium-sized SUV from Japan.
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Mazda CX-60 Evolve 2025 review: snapshot
By Byron Mathioudakis · 31 May 2025
The CX-60 Evolve is the mid-spec version of the longitudinal-engined, rear-drive-biased Mazda all-wheel-drive SUV, which is a bit larger than other most mainstream mid-sized SUVs.
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Mazda CX-60 Pure 2025 review: snapshot
By Byron Mathioudakis · 29 May 2025
The CX-60 Pure is the entry-level version of the larger-than-normal mid-sized Mazda SUV. It is a new addition to a range that has been upgraded to be more comfortable and smoother to drive thanks to extensive suspension and transmission calibration work.
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