Articles by Justin Hilliard

Justin Hilliard
Head of Editorial

Justin’s dad chose to miss his birth because he wanted to watch Peter Brock hopefully win Bathurst, so it figures Justin grew up to have a car obsession, too – and don’t worry, his dad did turn up in time after some stern words from his mum.

That said, despite loving cars and writing, Justin chose to pursue career paths that didn’t lend themselves to automotive journalism, before eventually ending up working as a computer technician. But that car itch just couldn’t be scratched by his chipped Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7), so he finally decided to give into the inevitable and study a Master of Journalism at the same time.

And even with the long odds, Justin was lucky enough to land a full-time job as a motoring journalist soon after graduating and the rest, as they say, is history. These days, Justin happily finds himself working at CarsGuide during the biggest period of change yet for the automotive industry, which is perhaps the most exciting part of all.

In case you’re wondering, Justin begrudgingly sold the Golf R (sans chip) and still has plans to buy his dream car, an E46 BMW M3 coupe (manual, of course), but he is in desperate need of a second car space – or maybe a third.

Renault adds Black Edition to Koleos range
By Justin Hilliard · 08 Mar 2022
Renault Australia has expanded its mid-size SUV range, as the Koleos is now available in limited Black Edition guise, with 400 examples up for grabs
Read the article
Nissan fully details new Qashqai ePower SUV
By Justin Hilliard · 08 Mar 2022
Nissan has fully detailed its first series-hybrid small SUV, the Qashqai ePower, which is due in Australian showrooms by the end of this year. But just how fuel efficient is it?
Read the article
Sony teams with Honda for EV joint venture
By Justin Hilliard · 07 Mar 2022
The PlayStation is about to get four wheels, as tech giant Sony and fellow Japanese juggernaut Honda have signed a memorandum of understanding for a new joint venture that will produce all-electric vehicles (EVs) from 2025
Read the article
Toyota updates Kluger large SUV for 2022
By Justin Hilliard · 04 Mar 2022
Toyota Australia has updated the fourth-generation Kluger large SUV for MY22, ushering in improved standard equipment and higher pricing for most variants
Read the article
Tesla increases entry-level Model 3 pricing
By Justin Hilliard · 04 Mar 2022
Tesla Australia has bid farewell to the $59,900 (plus on-road costs) Model 3, with the starting price of the all-electric mid-size sedan having increased by four figures
Read the article
Patrol overtakes LandCruiser in sales race
By Justin Hilliard · 03 Mar 2022
Toyota’s new LandCruiser 300 Series might only be months old, but it and the LandCruiser 76 Series were overtaken by Nissan’s 12-year-old Y62 Patrol in February 2022’s new-vehicle sales race in Australia
Read the article
Toyota launches national Kinto rental service
By Justin Hilliard · 03 Mar 2022
The automotive industry is facing several unprecedented challenges at the moment, with new-vehicle stock shortages affecting buyers in Australia and abroad. But local market leader Toyota has come up with a solution for some customers
Read the article
Mazda MX-5 2022 review
By Justin Hilliard · 02 Mar 2022
The Mazda MX-5 is a bit of a legend in the automotive world, but the fourth-generation, 'ND' model has been around for nearly seven years now. So, the Japanese brand has used its electronic smarts to try and make it even better. Have the changes worked?
Read the article
MG releases expanded HS Plus EV line-up
By Justin Hilliard · 01 Mar 2022
MG Australia has added a second grade to the HS Plus EV line-up, with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV now available in entry-level Excite form
Read the article
Australia’s cheapest new electric car is here
By Justin Hilliard · 28 Feb 2022
BYD made waves last week, when it announced Australian pricing and specification for the Atto 3 small SUV, its first high-volume all-electric model sold locally. But now we know even more about the zero-emissions upstart that’s due in July
Read the article