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The rise of luxury SUVs has driven the increasing amount of luxury family cars, whereas previously it was five-seat sedans like the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class, nowadays you can choose from the likes of the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Land Rover Defender 130 and more.

There is no average car allowance Australia that's widely recognised but a few factors can help you work one out for your employment position.

This might seem controversial, but really it’s just logical. If the idea of switching to electric vehicles instead of using combustion-engined cars was entirely about reducing the amount of CO2 produced, it stands to reason car companies would design EVs to be as small, and light, as possible, which, at first, they did (witness the Nissan Leaf, which was, for some time, the world’s biggest-selling

Electric cars are seen as sensible, serious and streamlined vehicles; the thinking person’s choice. Convertibles, on the other hand, are for fun, flamboyance and feeling the wind in your hair, somewhat at the expense of aerodynamic efficiency.These two concepts would seem to be at odds, which suggests, unhappily for lovers of drop-top motoring, that the age of electric cars will mean less convertibles for everyone. Wrong.As I’m sure Marie Antoinette would agree, you should be able to you have your cake and eat it too, while driving with the sun on your skin and the wind in your icing, which is why you’ll soon be able to choose a convertible electric car in a variety of shapes and sizes.While slipping through the air as cleanly as possible is a priority for EV, in order to maximise range, car companies know that not everyone buys a car for purely practical reasons. Indeed, the existence of most sports cars and all supercars proves this.Which is why there are a variety of electric convertible cars that Australia and the rest of the world will soon have access to from the likes of Mini, Fiat, Porsche, Maserati and more.At the moment, though, this is still a relatively new part of the EV market, so there are limited models currently available in Australia - and, indeed, globally. The current market for convertibles is relatively small, with drop-top models typically a spin-off of already niche sporty models, like coupes and sports cars.The initial wave of electric convertibles certainly fits that bill, with a combination of sports models and some premium products from Mini and Fiat.However, the market is likely to quickly evolve as EVs become adopted by a more mainstream audience and carmakers look for new ways to make their products appealing to customers.And the idea of driving with the roof down, wind in the hair and just the sound of nature (and not a revving petrol engine) should certainly be appealing to many.Here is a list of the already confirmed or expected electric convertible cars.While it may now be Chinese owned and build SUVs and small cars, the original version of MG was famous for building compact convertibles, like the iconic MGA and MGB.The Cyberster, a portmanteau of cyber and roadster, which combines the present and past, has been created to celebrate the brand’s centenary in 2024. And when you look at it, it’s clearly the most old MG the new MG has come up with.However, the powertrain is all about the future, with the Cyberster expected to be offered in two variants - a 231kW rear-wheel drive version and a 400kW all-wheel drive option.Expect the Cyberster to go on sale in Australia before the end of 2024 with prices to be confirmed, but likely to start north of $100,000. Looks like it might be worth it, for the looks alone.The Italian brand has taken an inclusive approach with its latest generation of GranCabrio sports cars, offering both internal-combustion engines and the all-electric Folgore version.While the petrol-powered cabriolet has a 410kW 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, the Folgore (which is Italian for lightning), has a tri-motor powertrain good for up to 610kW.Technically, that figure is only available for a short period of ‘MaxBoost’ but the ‘regular’ output of 560kW/1350Nm from the one front and two rear mounted electric motors is still very impressive.Despite having space for four, the GranCabrio can launch from 0-100km/h in just 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 290km/h - so you and your friends can get wherever you’re going in a hurry. Yes, really, 2.8 seconds.Maserati also claims the GranCabrio Folgore will have a respectable range of up to 447km on a single charge.This is another Italian electric convertible but a very different proposition to the Maserati. The Fiat 500e is not a sports car and it has a very different roof compared to the other models on this list.Like the petrol-powered 500 convertible, this one has a canvas roof that retracts but leaves the side panels in place, so it’s not quite a true convertible but it does allow for an open-top driving experience and that’s what many people really want.\Naturally, it shares the same underpinnings as the hardtop 500e, which means an 87kW/200Nm single electric motor that drives the front wheels.Stellantis Australia hasn’t officially confirmed when (or even if) the 500e Convertible will be offered locally, but it’s a likely addition to the range in the next year or two.This is an unusual scenario because Mini has already discontinued its original electric cabriolet. The brand offered just 999 examples of the Electric Convertible back in 2023 and, as of publication, had yet to officially commit to reintroducing it with the new-generation Mini Cooper.There are a few reasons to be optimistic, however, with the Mini Convertible (the petrol one) the best-selling drop-top in the world and the limited-edition version from last year was (assuming you discount the Targa-top original Tesla Roadster) the first electric convertible offered by any brand.So, don’t be surprised if the this one re-enters the market in the near-future.Who else would build an electric sports car? The German brand has confirmed its next-generation 718 range, both Cayman coupe and Boxster convertible, will be all-electric.While likely to be (yet another) dagger to the heart of Porsche purists, the electric Boxster is crucial for the brand’s sustained success in the Chinese market.Due to arrive in 2026, Porsche has already previewed what we can expect with the Mission R Concept giving an insight into the styling of the new model, while the track-tested, Cayman-based GT4 e-Performance is serving as a rolling test lab for the powertrain technology.Putting the battery behind the seats rather than beneath the car, for mid-engine-like balance, is just one of the clever ideas Porsche will unveil here.It won’t be for sale in Australia for a few years yet, likely in 2026 or 2027, but those looking for an alternative to the Porsche should look to the production version of the Polestar O2 Concept.Make no mistake, this Volvo spin-off will take direct aim at the German sports car. Power is tipped to be in the range of 650kW, with up to 900Nm of torque, so it will be an extremely quick convertible.Not only will this be the high-performance hero model for Polestar, it’s expected to debut a new-generation 800-volt architecture.It will undoubtedly look the part, too, with Polestar indicating the final production design will stay as close as possible to the striking O2 Concept, which was revealed at the 2021 Los Angeles Motor Show.What’s less likely is the “autonomous cinematic drone” that was featured on the concept, which could be deployed on the move to take photos and videos of you enjoying your drive. Although, in our social-media-obsessed world, perhaps we shouldn’t count it out.

Electric cars come in all shapes and sizes these days, but arguably the most logical shape is the hatchback. Why? Well, as much as Australians love SUVs and bigger luxury cars, the humble hatch makes the most efficient use of space. And if you’re going to buy an electric car, it makes sense to be concerned about efficiency.Thankfully, in contrast with an overall decline in the small-car market, there is an increasingly diverse range of battery-powered hatchbacks to choose from. The list of hatchback electric cars is getting longer each month with new brands jumping into the fray.And while space and size are key attractions of the electric hatch, there is another element that makes them popular - price. At the time of publication the most affordable electric car you can buy is an EV hatchback, opening up the nascent market for more people.One excellent example is the much-praised MG4, which has emerged not only as one of the better selling EVs in the country but is on track to be one of the most popular small cars over all. In 2023, it out sold the likes of the Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic and is trending upwards in 2024.Yet another reason why electric hatches are gaining popularity in Australia is availability, with those willing to look beyond an SUV discovering a good supply of electric hatchbacks in Australia.This is because of the volume of choice and diversity of models, with at least eight examples already in showrooms and more planned to follow in the near future.The biggest questions are what is the future of electric hatchbacks expected to look like in Australia?The answer to the question is more choice for smaller, more affordable EVs, but there is also likely to be more crossover between a true hatchback and a modern crossover. Models like the Renault Megane E-Tech and Volvo EX30 blur the lines between a hatch and an SUV but that appears to be a future trend.One key element missing from the market is a Tesla hatchback, and that would be a potential game changer. The American brand has repeatedly hinted at adding a hatch, likely to be known as the Model 2, as a cheaper offering to sit beneath the Model 3 sedan.In the shorter-term there are several new EV hatches likely to be hitting Australian roads in the not-too-distant future, including the Volkswagen ID.3, Peugeot e-208 and Renault 5 E-Tech.Not that we need to gaze longingly into a crystal ball to look for the next small EV. Below is a list of the best electric hatchbacks on the Australian market at the time of publication.Ranking the list of available electric hatchbacks by price is no easy task thanks to the highly competitive nature of the market at this moment in time.MG announced its small car would be the cheapest EV at $39,990, only for BYD to undercut it within days, and then GWM joined the party. It only gets more confusing thanks to a series of drive-away deals, such as the one GWM is currently (at time of publication) offering on its (not-at-all-a-Mini-why-do-you-ask) Ora small car.Its original asking price of $39,990 drive-away has been slashed to $35,990, making it the cheapest EV you can buy. For the money, you get up to 310km of driving range on a single charge and 126kW of performance.If you’re looking to Build Your Dreams of an electric car on a budget, then the Dolphin is for you. It arrived with a bang, sporting the lowest sticker price of any EV in Australia by starting at $38,890, which undercut the Ora and MG4 by $100 - at least on paper, at the time. However, the Chinese brand is offering a drive-away price of $41,490, which makes it more expensive than the GWM and MG in this current price war.For that money you get a Dolphin Dynamic, a small car with space for five, a 70kW/180Nm electric motor and a battery good for 340km of driving range. There’s a Dolphin Premium, with a 150kW/310Nm motor and 427km of range (plus bigger wheels, two-tone paint and other extras) but that’s an additional $6000.The price of the MG4 is another moving target in the battle for affordability being fought out amongst the three Chinese carmakers. It has floated up and down, reaching as low as $39,990 drive-away for the run-out sale of 2023 examples, but was sitting at $43,131 drive-away for the 2024 model at the time of publication.It’s a spacious and practical small car, with 350km range from its 51kWh battery and a 125kW motor for the entry-level Excite 51 model that has the sharpest price.There are three more variants in the range, the 64kWh and 77kWh standard models and the MG4 XPower electric hot hatch. The latter boasts impressive performance credentials, with 320kW/600Nm and 400km of range for $63,973 drive-away.The fully electric hatchback that arguably started it all, the Leaf was the first mainstream small EV hatchback that was broadly accepted in the local market (with apologies to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV) way back in 2012, when the Tesla Cybertruck wasn’t even a glint in Elon Musk’s mad eyes.Even though a second-generation model was introduced in 2018 (which was largely a makeover) the Leaf is starting to show its age in terms of both design and technology.The standard model is equipped with a 39kWh battery that’s only enough for 270km of range and it powers a 110kW motor. There’s a more powerful Leaf+ available, which gains a 58kWh battery to boost range to 385km.Its official list price is $50,990, but in a bid to keep up with its newer competition, Nissan Australia is offering it for $39,990 drive-away for the standard model and $49,990 drive-away for the Leaf+.If you’re looking for a truly compact electric car then look no further than this pint-sized city runabout. Fiat has managed to keep the tiny dimensions of the petrol-powered 500 and package up an all-electric powertrain inside a stylish small car.It’s not a cheap proposition at $52,500 plus on-road costs, which makes it a premium EV by many standards, but it is well-equipped for the price and does give you a more upmarket feel than most of the cars on this list.It doesn’t have a particularly powerful motor, just 87kW/220Nm, but it certainly feels zippy on the road. Being so small it can’t fit lots of batteries, so the range is limited to just 311km, which does limit it to being more of an urban EV rather than something for long-distance drives.If you like the Fiat but want something sportier, you can consider the Abarth 500e. The Italian brand’s performance division has wound up the power to 113.7kW/235Nm and added a sound generator for a more exciting driving experience.It carries a price premium, too, starting at $58,990 (plus on-road costs) for the Turismo and $60,500 for the Scorpionissima variant.The British brand may not be thought of in the same sentence as Tesla and Polestar, but it is surprisingly ahead of the curve when it comes to EVs. It has just launched its second-generation electric Cooper hatch with an electric Countryman and Aceman to follow soon.It’s arrived with a sharp $59,830 drive-away price for the Cooper E and $65,040 for the more potent Cooper SE, no doubt helped by the brand’s decision to share development and production with GWM.The Cooper E boasts 135kW and a 305km range, with the Cooper SE boosting those numbers to 160kW and 402km.While Volkswagen awaits its first EVs, its Spanish off-shoot is already leading the way with its electric hot hatch. While it’s significantly more expensive than the first cars on this list, it comes with more features, equipment, performance and range to help justify the extra ask.Key amongst its performance credentials is the fact it’s rear-wheel drive, something few other hatches can claim. It’s powered by a 170kW/310Nm motor to provide hot-hatch levels of speed and has a 82kWh battery that provides an impressive 511km of claimed driving range.

What is luxury car tax? Luxury Car Tax (LCT) is a tariff on new cars (those less than two years old) sold at a price that’s above a value threshold set by the Australian Tax Office (ATO), and it’s called a Luxury tax because theoretically it only applies to expensive cars at the luxurious end of the market. 

Maybe you’ve heard the expression “There’s no such thing as a cheap luxury car”.The fact is, there’s at least some truth to it, because by their very definition, a luxury car costs more than its more prosaic counterpart.Maybe affordable luxury cars is a better description. Or even low-priced luxury cars or budget luxury cars.And if that’s the case, what else makes a car a luxury car? And, by default, what is a cheap luxury car?A lot of people start with the badge the thing wears. Just as there are luxury clothing brands and luxury furniture manufacturers, so too does the automotive industry contain luxury or prestige brands.But even a more mass-market carmaker can include a luxury line-up at the top of its range, so clearly that’s not the only criterion.Typically, luxury cars are the first to market with the latest tech and safety features. That’s purely because they have a higher profit margin for their manufacturers, so they can still be sold profitably even though they cost a lot more to make.Luxury cars, traditionally, have also stood apart form the sports car tag although, lately, those lines are becoming increasingly blurred as powertrain technology (EVs, mainly) offer up mind-blowing performance even in a big, heavy luxury car.Certainly, though, having ample performance has always been important for any luxury car.So, having made the leap that your next wheels will be a prestige make or model (or both), what’s the best way to get luxury cars for cheap?Without a doubt, the answer is to shop second-hand. There are several really sound reasons for this.The first is that cars get cheaper as they age and rack up kilometres. And it doesn’t matter how luxurious a model once was, if it’s now an older car with 200,000km on its odometer, we can guarantee it will change hands for a fraction of its new cost.Yes, there are the odd exceptions, but those surround cars that are, for whatever reason, considered collectible or super rare.The second reason is that luxury cars just tend to be better built in the first place, and, therefore, better equipped to handle those years and kilometres.So they’ll often age a bit more gracefully than their cheaper counterparts which were originally built down to a price.Thirdly, there’s what’s called the funnel effect. This is when there are enough high-fliers and executives to buy a batch of high-end cars brand-new, but not enough private buyers willing to shell out when those cars hit the market at the end of their lease term.That’s when you’ll see the laws of supply and demand in action. Less demand means lower prices, and suddenly, you’re buying a car that was super-expensive just three years ago, at a bargain price.Okay, so why not a luxury car for your next ride?This is another reason luxury cars are often second-hand bargains; people are scared of them. They’re frightened of the price of parts and repairs for high-tech, often imported cars where there’s a lot more to go wrong in the first place. The luxury car price tag could just be the beginning of the spending if you get the wrong one.This is a real concern, too, and anybody who has received a repair estimate that’s more than the car is worth will know the feeling.Fortunately, there are plenty of independent repairers out there who specialise in one luxury brand or another and will usually be a cheaper option than dealership servicing and repairs.You might also find insurance will cost more on a luxury car as the underwriter hedges their bets a little.And as with anything imported right now, supply chain hassles might mean a wait on parts from overseas.So how about a list of the cars we reckon are going to make the best budget-beating luxos?We’ll stick to best luxury car under $50K. but we’ll also throw in a couple of real speculators that represent the best cheap luxury cars under $10K, which, if nothing else, should start a few debates.As for where to search, well, the online classifieds like Autotrader or CarsGuide are a great place to find cheap luxury cars for sale.Price: From $19,000This model 7 Series was a victim of its own controversial styling. The odd bootline and upside-down face kept some buyers away and while that didn’t matter too much to captains of industry buying them brand-new, it meant they sat around as used cars.There were six-, eight- and 12-cylinder engines offered, but the V8 is probably the nicest. The V12 is glorious but will bankrupt you if it goes wrong. But this is a great example of one of those cheap cars that looks expensive.Watch out for: Cars with broken adjustable suspension, high-miles (some were hotel limos) tatty interiors and worn transmissions.Price: From $12,000When it comes to the best cheap luxury cars Australia is often overlooked as a source. But the later Caprice models were proper luxos with loads of equipment and good (if not brilliant) build quality. And as one of the cheapest luxury cars to maintain, Australia does it again.The best buy is the V8 which better suited the role of hauling a big car across a big country in style. The V6 was definitely the poor relation and often saw taxi duty thanks to the availability of an LPG option from the factory.Watch out for: Really tired mechanicals, worn camshafts and lifters, sagging headlining, glitchy electronics.Price: From $25,000The original Lexus LS400 rewrote the book on luxury cars and gave the established players a huge fright. But those still around have often been to the moon and back (because they will) so a newer LS model looks like good buying.There was a great V8 petrol engine and even a hybrid version, but which ever way you go, you’ll be buying a superbly quiet cabin and impeccable build quality. Not the sportiest cars ever made, these are nevertheless 100 per cent Quality Street.Don’t be worried about the Toyota connection, either. Many Japanese and Korean brands have tried an upper-shelf luxury branding exercise (Mazda, Nissan and Hyundai to name just three) but Toyota pulled it off best with Lexus.Watch out for: High miles, sticky dashboards, incomplete service record.Price: From $4000No discussion of classy cheap cars can ignore the W124 Mercedes. When new, they cost about the same as a house, but now – thanks to age and fear of repair costs – they’re almost free to a good home.Not many people associate Mercedes-Benz with the cheap luxury car brands, but in this case, it’s entirely justified.Grab a six-cylinder version as performance and refinement are better than the four-cylinder, and be amazed at how well something this old drives and how brilliantly the interior has held up. This could be the best value luxury car ever.Watch out for: Blown head gaskets, insane mileages, glitchy ABS.Price: From $9000At a time when Volvo was casting off the bowls-hat image and getting semi sexy, the C70 arrived in hardtop and soft-top form.Power came from a five-cylinder turbocharged engine with a hot-rod version if you wanted to go faster. A four-speed automatic was most commonly fitted, but that was replaced by a five-speed auto in 2001, so that later car is the one to find now.Solidly built and decent to drive, they also somehow exude a bit of classiness that isn’t evident in all Volvos. There’s plenty of leather and standard equipment and the looks have aged pretty well. The ride is slightly firm, though, which was a Volvo thing at that time.Watch out for: Trashed gearboxes, rattly suspension, split cylinder bores (on the hotter, T5 model).

So, how many cars in Australia? More than 21 million, according to the latest publicly available federal government figures … but for even more interesting facts around this topic, read on.

Turning on your headlights makes your vehicle more easily seen by other drivers and for you, the driver, it makes the task of being able to see the road or track more clearly ahead of you in those same conditions easier.

Overdrive in a vehicle is "an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed”.