Hatchback Reviews

Audi RS3 2026 review: Australian first drive

By Jack Quick · 27 Aug 2025

Five-cylinder fury is still kicking as Audi has just launched a new update for its fire-breathing RS3 hot hatch and sedan. Does it still slay the Mercedes-AMG A45 S?

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Hyundai Ioniq 6 2026 review: N - International preview drive

By Chris Thompson · 03 Jul 2025

The next car to come out of Hyundai's N division promises to step up the philosophy and capability of the already-loved Ioniq 5 N. We've been invited to the brand's R&D facility to drive the Ioniq 6 N before the car is even revealed.

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BYD Seagull 2026 review: International first drive

By Tim Nicholson · 28 Jun 2025

There are not too many tiny EVs on sale in Australia, but that could change if BYD launches the Seagull. It would have to come in at about $25,000 to help it snatch sales, but it could be an exciting addition to the line-up. How does this perky bird handle a makeshift racetrack in China? Read on to find out.

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Audi S3 2025 review: Sportback

By Emily Agar · 21 Jun 2025

The updated Audi S3 Sportback delivers serious power, sharp handling, and premium technology but how does it stand up against its rivals?

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Volkswagen Golf R 2025 review: Australian first drive

By James Cleary · 03 Jun 2025

The Golf R swings with the heavy-hitters of the hot hatch world and Volkswagen has given it an '8.5' series boost in terms of performance, tech and spec. Are these upgrades enough to take it to the top of the compact hot rod class? CarsGuide attended its local launch to find out.

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Suzuki Swift 2025 review: Hybrid GLX long-term | Part 3

By Tom White · 16 May 2025

After three months living with the Suzuki Swift GLX Hybrid, is this the pick of the light hatch segment, or should you look at the Toyota Yaris or MG3 instead?

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Volkswagen Golf GTI 2025 review: snapshot

By David Morley · 16 May 2025

The GTI is the Golf line-up’s fastest, most sporty variant to use front-wheel drive. It also builds on a rich tradition as the make and model that arguably invented the whole hot-hatch genre decades ago.

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Volkswagen Golf R-Line 2025 review: snapshot

By David Morley · 14 May 2025

At the very top of the 1.4-litre Golf line-up sits the R-Line.

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Mini JCW 2025 review: Countryman, Aceman, Hatch & Convertible

By Chris Thompson · 13 May 2025

There's a new generation of Mini models here in Australia, and now the JCW performance variants have arrived to join them.To test out the new JCW range, we headed to a not-so-secret test facility in Queensland to do some silly driving in a bunch of cars that fortunately don't take themselves too seriously.

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Volkswagen Golf Style 2025 review: snapshot

By David Morley · 12 May 2025

The mid-rung of the non-performance Golf ladder, the Style is most closely aligned with the previous Highline trim level. At $43,690, it’s quite a price step up from the Life entry-level car. But you do get extra gear like the tri-zone climate control, 18-inch alloys and a bigger multimedia screen.

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