Articles by Laura Berry

Laura Berry
Senior Journalist

Laura Berry is a best-selling Australian author and journalist who has been reviewing cars for more than 15 years.

Much more of a Hot Wheels girl than a Matchbox one, she grew up in a family that would spend every Friday night sitting on a hill at the Speedway watching sprint cars slide in the mud. The best part of this was being given money to buy stickers. She loved stickers… which then turned into a love of tattoos.

Out of boredom, she learnt to drive at 14 on her parents’ bush property in what can only be described as a heavily modified Toyota LandCruiser.  

At the age of 17 she was told she couldn’t have a V8 Holden ute by her mother, which led to Laura and her father laying in the driveway for three months building a six-cylinder ute with more horsepower than a V8.  

Since then she’s only ever owned V8s, with a Ford Falcon XW and a Holden Monaro CV8 part of her collection over the years.

Laura began her career as a journalist in the entertainment industry writing about music for The South China Morning Post; television for tvChoice; fashion and celebrities for The Mirror before combining her passion for cars with her profession and moved into motoring.

In 2008 she joined News Custom Publishing as Managing Editor of its motoring titles, including Australia’s Best Cars and the official programs for V8 Supercars, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

In 2011 she joined CarsGuide (for the first time), back when it was part of a newspaper, and learnt to test and review cars.

This followed a move to Motor as Production Editor, then Wheels as News Editor while also writing for Street Machine and Top Gear Australia.

As the media landscape shifted she left print journalism and joined online motoring publication GoAuto as a senior writer.

A brief stint in automotive public relations then followed before she joined CarsGuide in 2015 (for the second time) as Senior Journalist where she remains to this day.

A wife and mother, and author of two books, her current daily driver is a chopped 1951 Ford Tudor with a V8, of course.

You can find Laura on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.

Expertise

  • Performance and custom cars
  • Family cars and SUVs

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts | Macquarie University

Featured Publications

  • The Mirror (UK) | 2002-2006
  • South China Morning Post | 2004-2006
  • tvChoice (UK) | 2004-2006
  • TVQuick (UK) | 2004-2006
  • Mercedes-Benz Magazine | 2005-2006
  • Australia’s Best Cars | 2008-2010
  • V8 Supercars Official Program | 2008-2010
  • Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Official Program | 2008-2010
  • Australian MotoGP Official Program | 2008-2010
  • Motor | 2012-2013
  • Street Machine | 2012-2015
  • Wheels | 2013
  • Top Gear | 2013-2014
  • GoAuto | 2014-2015
  • CarsGuide | 2015-present
Santa Fe XRT gets rugged good looks
By Laura Berry · 03 Aug 2021
A Hyundai dual-cab 4x4 ute and an off-road large SUV to rival Toyota’s LandCruiser Prado would always be high on the wish list, and it seems the water is being tested for these more adventurous times by the rugged-looking 2022 Santa Fe XRT, which has just broken cover.
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Skoda Octavia now more convenient
By Laura Berry · 03 Aug 2021
Skoda Australia has increased the pricing of its Octavia mid-size sedan and wagon, but buyers will be getting some extra equipment in return.
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Nissan increases Patrol SUV pricing
By Laura Berry · 03 Aug 2021
Nissan Australia has increased the pricing of the Patrol just months out from the launch of its direct rival, the new-generation Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series
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New car no wait
By Laura Berry · 01 Aug 2021
You’ve probably heard that customers are waiting months for their cars to arrive after they’ve bought them due to the disruption caused by COVID-19, but CarsGuide has tracked down dealerships in Sydney and Melbourne where you can buy a new car and drive it away with waiting. That’s right, even during a lockdown, Sydneysiders.
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Australia's unmarked police cars uncovered!
By Laura Berry · 01 Aug 2021
There was a time when the sight of a white Holden Commodore SS or Ford Falcon XR6 in your rearview mirror made you clench and glance down at your speedo just in case it was a disguised police car, but what unmarked pursuit and patrols vehicles are the boys and girls in blue driving now?
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Toyota releases updated HiAce and Granvia
By Laura Berry · 30 Jul 2021
Toyota Australia has updated its HiAce van and bus and Granvia people-mover ranges with the addition of new technology and comfort features, with a small hike in price
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Has Tesla backed the wrong battery?
By Laura Berry · 30 Jul 2021
Tesla and Elon Musk may have the electric blanket pulled out from underneath them after a breakthrough in battery technology was announced overnight by Chinese tech company CATL, which could see car makers give lithium-ion batteries the flick in favour of advanced sodium-ion ones.
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The future of car ownership? Volkswagen goes low rent with $4.6b takeover bid for rental car company Europcar, as part of 'mobility solutions' transition
By Laura Berry · 30 Jul 2021
The Volkswagen Group is set to make a takeover bid for one of the world’s largest vehicle hire companies Europcar, signalling its intention to join other major car makers in the car rental and subscription market.
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MG HS 2021 review: Essence AWD
By Laura Berry · 30 Jul 2021
The MG HS Essence thinks it can take on the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 as the perfect car for your family. Well, we found out if it's worthy.
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Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD vs Toyota Kluger GXL hybrid AWD 2021 review - Which is the better 7-seat SUV?
By Laura Berry · 28 Jul 2021
The difference in looks between the Toyota Kluger GXL Hybrid and Mazda CX-9 GT SP is like chalk and cheese, day and night, Morrison and Keating... but which is better for your family in terms of practicality, safety, efficiency and daily driving?
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