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.

Shock hybrid small SUV bargain! Sexy electrified Euro crossover is set to rattle Lexus LBX, BMW iX2 and Volvo EX30
By Byron Mathioudakis · 02 Apr 2025
Australia’s premium small SUV hybrid class is about to experience a shake-up with the arrival of the Alfa Romeo Junior.
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Cupra Tavascan VZ 2025 review: snapshot
By Byron Mathioudakis · 30 Mar 2025
Available in two grades from launch, the intriguing Cupra Tavascan comes in base Endurance and a sporty VZ flagship.
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Cupra Tavascan Endurance 2025 review: snapshot
By Byron Mathioudakis · 28 Mar 2025
The Cupra Tavascan is available in two grades for Australia – the aptly named Endurance and racier VZ flagship.
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Cupra Tavascan 2025 review - Australian first drive
By Byron Mathioudakis · 26 Mar 2025
With the Cupra Tavascan, the fledgling VW Group brand really steps up as a Tesla Model Y alternative. Designed in Spain, underpinned by German engineering and sourced from China for sharper pricing, the medium-sized EV SUV promises standout styling, sporty dynamics and stirring performance, within a comfortable and sophisticated family friendly package. Does it deliver? The answer may shock you.
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Farewell to one of Ford's finest cars | Opinion
By Byron Mathioudakis · 18 Mar 2025
Seven reasons why the Ford Focus is one of the Blue Oval's most respected models ever - and one reason why it's time to say goodbye.
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This cost Holden dearly and what the next Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and others need to heed as Holden's 'AU Falcon' turns 60
By Byron Mathioudakis · 15 Mar 2025
Holden’s first big blunder, launched 60 years ago, was serious enough to reverberate right through to the very end in 2020. And beyond.
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Australia has best Nissan warranty in the entire world - but why and how did the Aussies manage it?
By Byron Mathioudakis · 14 Mar 2025
Nissan’s unexpected announcement of a dealer-servicing-activated 10-year/300,000km new-vehicle warranty with capped pricing scheme that is both conditionally retroactively applicable and transferable has stunned the industry and observers.
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Mercedes-AMG CLE53 2025 review - Australian first drive
By Byron Mathioudakis · 12 Mar 2025
The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+, for now, serves as the CLE flagship. That means no V8, but a 'double charge' turbo and electric compressor enhanced 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine that nearly matches the Audi RS5 and BMW M4's outputs. All-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and adaptive dampers provide further grand-touring credentials – but does it drive like an AMG should?
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