Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Articles by Richard Blackburn

Richard Blackburn
Motoring Editor

Richard Blackburn is a former CarsGuide contributor who has decades of experience in the motoring journalism industry. He now works as Motoring Editor for News Corp Australia, where he uses his automotive expertise to specialise in industry news.

Car leasing now likely to get you more metal for your money
By Richard Blackburn · 19 Mar 2020
If you financed a car a couple of years ago and are coming to the end of your lease term, you're in for a pleasant surprise.
Read the article
Look up and down when shopping for a small SUV
By Richard Blackburn · 01 Dec 2016
Without doubt, mini-SUVs are the next big thing.
Read the article
Suzuki S-Cross Turbo 2016 review
By Richard Blackburn · 25 Nov 2016
Richard Blackburn road tests and reviews the 2016 Suzuki S-Cross Turbo with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
Read the article
Mazda MX-5 vs Abarth 124
By Richard Blackburn · 11 Nov 2016
Can the Italians improve on an iconic Japanese sports car? Richard Blackburn gives a verdict.
Read the article
Range Rover Evoque convertible 2016 review
By Richard Blackburn · 04 Nov 2016
Richard Blackburn road tests and reviews the 2016 Range Rover Evoque Convertible with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
Read the article
Holden Trailblazer, Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2016 review
By Richard Blackburn · 21 Oct 2016
Richard Blackburn road tests and reviews the Holden Trailblazer, Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
Read the article
Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan 2016 review: comparison
By Richard Blackburn · 14 Oct 2016
Richard Blackburn road tests and reviews the Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
Read the article
2018 Audi A8 to feature stage three autonomous tech
By Richard Blackburn · 05 Oct 2016
A car capable of being driven hands-free will arrive in Australia in 2018 but the maker is yet to convince local authorities to rubber stamp the technology for our roads.
Read the article
Volkswagen links with ride-sharing in preparation for ownerless future
By Richard Blackburn · 05 Oct 2016
Global car giant Volkswagen has become the latest manufacturer to partner with a ride-sharing company.
Read the article
Hyundai to expand Genesis brand in Australia
By Richard Blackburn · 02 Sep 2016
Australia's newest luxury brand is taking shape.Hyundai has appointed former Toyota and Lexus executive Peter Evans as general manager, Genesis, ahead of the official launch of the brand here next March.The company has drastically cut the number of dealers authorised to sell the Genesis brand — from 165 to just 30.Hyundai boss Scott Grant says the streamlining took into account which dealers had been most successful in selling the Genesis large car, as well as the quality of their existing showrooms and sales processes."We have chosen dealers that have the opportunity to sell the car in sufficient volume to make it work and have the capability in their people and their processes to be able to look after a luxury customer in the right way," he says.About a third of the franchisees chosen already operate a dealership for a luxury brand. Those dealers met for the first time as a group last week.Unlike Toyota and Nissan, which operate their respective luxury arms Lexus and Infiniti as standalone operations, Hyundai will sell Genesis in existing Hyundai dealerships, in the same way Mini is integrated into BMW dealerships.First to launch will be an update of the current Genesis sedan, to be renamed the G80. It will be followed in about 12 months by a smaller sedan designed to rival the BMW 3 Series. An SUV is likely to follow later as the range expands to half a dozen vehicles.Grant, a former boss of Lexus Australia, is under no illusions as to the size of Hyundai's task but says the potential for profit is strong."We think that commercially it's a direction that makes sense and we've proved that we can build a high-quality vehicle," he says.He cites establishing the new name and getting customers to consider the brand as the main challenges. He accepts some luxury buyers will never consider a Genesis."We fully recognise there are some people who won't think the Hyundai brand or the Genesis brand is appropriate for them and that's OK," he says."But we also think there's a new wave of people coming through that are open to different options and alternatives and if our product is good enough and our service delivery and customer experience is good enough, there are people who will consider it."He says Lexus and Infiniti face the same challenges. "It's essential but not enough to build great products. You've got to have the X-factor that builds over time and there's no question that Mercedes-Benz and BMW in particular — and more recently Audi — have done a really good job of building a brand halo," he says.
Read the article