Cars news - NewsLocker

My First Car: Henry Wagons’ 1992 Ford Laser Ghia

28-12-2025 01:55 via drive.com.au

Australian alt-country singer/songwriter Henry Wagons’ first car was a ruby red coloured 1992 Ford Laser Ghia; it’s the one he learned to drive in as an L-plater. Growing up in the outer Melbourne suburb of Glen Waverley, Henry Wagons drove the trusted Laser down the Burwood Highway often; but eventually moved to Carlton to be closer to study philosophy at Melbourne University in the late 90s. The car came with him. “I drove my Ford Laser Ghia until the sun turned it

Kia Tasman SUV plans on the sidelines until ute succeeds

28-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

The uphill battle facing the Kia Tasman ute has pushed any intention to develop an SUV version onto the backburner.Illustration by Theottle.A five-door Kia Tasman SUV to rival the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest won’t come to showrooms until the ute hits its targets on the sales charts in Australia and overseas.Kia executives have previously expressed interest in a Tasman SUV, with a top engineer behind the ute’s development confirming such a vehicle is now under consideration.The firs

New cars in 2025 the Drive team would buy

27-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

There is no one-size-fits-all car for everyone, but if we had to buy a new vehicle from 2025, here is what Drive would pick.Being across all new-model launches in Australia means Drive gets to sample the bevy of fresh metal in local showrooms, but our reviews are all through the lens of what a prospective buyer would look for in market.However, with each of our own personal circumstances taken into consideration, there are a few new cars we’ve thought long and hard about buying ourselves.H

Beach day with your car: Salt, sand and staying damage-free

27-12-2025 02:46 via drive.com.au

Summer is here and with it comes the call of the sand-n-surf courtesy of your 4X4. Here’s how to safely drive on the beach without damaging your car.Yep, it’s beach driving season, folks. Any stock 4WD can do it, and all you really need is a means of tyre deflation and re-inflation and some basic recovery gear. RELATED: The Australian off-road road rules you don’t know aboutEven so, it’s not a risk-free undertaking but with a little awareness and knowledge you can sa

New cars with the most power per dollar – 2025 edition

27-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

Chinese electric cars now offer as much power for the price as the last Australian-made V8 sedans. Here’s what tops the list for 2025 – and it’s even faster than this BYD.Chinese electric cars now offer more power per dollar than the last of the Australian-made, V8-powered Holden muscle sedans.The first-placed finisher on Drive‘s ‘Cheap Speed’ list for 2025 – which ranks the 10 new cars that charge buyers the least for each kilowatt they produce –

Best looking cars of 2025, according to Drive

26-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

There has been a lot of fresh metal hit Australian showrooms this year, but from a purely aesthetic point of view, these are our favourites.Every year sees dozens of new models arrive in Australia, and while a ‘good’ car is measured on various factors like price, features, and how well it drives, the first judgement call is styling.Cars need to make an immediate impression, and looks will be subjective, but it is important that a potential buyers’ attention is captured and held

2026 Hyundai i30 N Premium DCT review

26-12-2025 02:00 via drive.com.au

There are newer, cheaper, faster, roomier and more advanced hot hatchbacks than the Hyundai i30 N, but few are more fun. Here’s why we’d still recommend one in a heartbeat.
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Hyundai i30 N Premium DCT hatchThe car in these photos should’ve been an all-new Hyundai i30 N, had things gone differently.Once mooted f

Japanese car brands refuse to back down against threats from China

26-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

Chinese automakers with seemingly endless budgets and quick engineering turnaround times, are playing the same game Japanese brands used to rise to prominence in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but Japan isn’t going to sit idle.
Toyota Corolla concept, Tokyo Motor Show
Chinese automotive brands in Australia have stamped their authority on just about every market segment in Australia’s new car market.The intention is clear, from established brands to newcomers, every carmaker from Chin

Australia’s love of plus-sized US pick-up trucks is waning

25-12-2025 23:00 via drive.com.au

The once-lucrative battleground for full-size pick-up trucks from the USA now has more brands officially represented than ever before – but sales are on the way down, not up.
Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Landcruiser 70, Ford f-150, Ram 1500
The appetite for big American utes has already started to slow as Aussie buyers ease up on full-size pick-up trucks.In what has become a vanity battle between brands, Chevrolet, Ford, Ram, and Toyota have all launched OEM-quality right-han

Sydney resident tries to claim street parking with homemade sign

25-12-2025 22:10 via drive.com.au

A Sydney resident has taken matters into their own hands after another motorist continued to park in front of their house, but is there any legal standing to this?Seeing an unknown car parked in front of your house can create a bit of unease for a homeowner.RELATED: The parking sign that could ruin your Christmas breakIn fact, Instagram star Luke Donkin recently posted a comedy skit to his Instagram about the thoughts most people go through when there is a random car parked out front.However, a

2026 could be a make-or-break year for Ford Australia

25-12-2025 22:00 via drive.com.au

Ford Australia has almost all its eggs in one basket, but regulatory changes and a refreshed rival could prove problematic for the Blue Oval.
Ford Ranger PlatinumToyota may be Australia’s biggest-selling brand, but to get there, it offers 20 different models.Number-two placed Ford offers just eight models to get where it is, and rather incredibly, two of those eight make up over 85 per cent of the brand’s sales volume.The Ford Ranger and Ford Everest are huge contributors to Ford&rsq

Game-changing cars of 2025 according to Drive

25-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

Whether its affordable pricing, lifting the bar with capability, or just another solid option, these are the models that have the potential to change the automotive landscape the most.Every new car that arrives in Australian showrooms has the potential to change the game for an individual, but not all of them can affect the wider automotive landscape.There are a few, however, that could be deemed as true game-changers – ones that will impact the landscape and have their ramifications felt

‘A whole lot of circling’: The car park personas you’re likely to see during Christmas and Boxing Day

25-12-2025 20:00 via drive.com.au

Finding a free car park during the holidays can be frustrating for everyone, but did you know there are five types of holiday car parkers?You know the feeling. Inching your car closer as you trail another driver on their way to their parking spot at your local shopping centre.
You try not to look too eager, but after trailing for a minute or two, you see the person reverse out of the highly coveted free spot, the only one available on the lot.RELATED: ‘A battleground’: The shopping c

2026 Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina FWD review

25-12-2025 14:00 via drive.com.au

The Mazda CX-30 is no longer the freshest small SUV in town, but for singles or couples who value style and luxury over space and practicality, there’s a lot to like.
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Mazda CX-30 G25 AstinaThe Mazda CX-30 has been in Australian showrooms for close to six years, but it has still attracted more than 9000 sales so far this

Airline commemorates Aussie Formula One driver’s unbeatable record

25-12-2025 07:00 via drive.com.au

Very few times in the history of aviation has a person been commemorated on the side of a commercial aircraft. So you have to do something seriously important to end up on the side of one, and that’s what Jack Brabham did.Photo: Brisbane Airport
Alliance Airlines, based in Brisbane, Australia, has taken it upon itself to commemorate the late and great Sir John ‘Jack’ Arthur Brabham on the side of an Embraer 190 (a commercial e-jet slightly smaller than an Airbus 737).RELAT

Top 10 most-searched cars for sale on Drive Marketplace in 2025

25-12-2025 02:00 via drive.com.au

SUVs, utes and small cars dominate the list of most-searched vehicles on Drive Marketplace in 2025, along with a two-door V8 sports car.With 2025 drawing to a close, it’s time to take a look back at the year that was on Drive across our news, reviews, advice, social media and Marketplace content.In this edition, we’ve compiled a list of the most-searched cars for sale on our Drive Marketplace classifieds service in 2025.Our most-searched car for sale on Drive Marketplace was the Toyo

Small car sales are on the way down, but Australians love small SUVs

25-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

Despite fresh metal in the segment, the writing is on the wall for Australia’s small car class.Australia’s small car segment, as defined by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), has suffered a rocky year in 2025.Sales are down across both the mainstream and premium small car segments.The slide is significant too. More than just a result of held-up deliveries or model cycle changeovers.To the end of November 2025, the Small Cars Under $40,000 sales class was down 23.6 p

Mazda success in 2026 could come down to one key model

24-12-2025 23:00 via drive.com.au

Mazda has one key model coming that will set the tone for the rest of the brand, but it won’t be alone with a range of supporting models to incrementally boost sales volumes.Mazda’s firm hold as the second-biggest selling brand in Australia has started to slip, threatened by Ford and its success with the Ranger, but in 2026, Mazda will be looking to push itself ahead with a vital new model.With a new CX-5 on the way, Mazda will have a fresh take on its top-selling model, but it won&r

Mitsubishi says a four-star car is a very safe car

24-12-2025 22:00 via drive.com.au

Mitsubishi believes cars that do not meet ANCAP’s five-star safety rating, like its new ASX, can still be safe.
2026 Mitsubishi ASX Exceed
Mitsubishi Australia believes delivering a car with a four-star safety rating, according to ANCAP’s latest criteria, is still safe for customers.The comments come from Mitsubishi Australia General Manager of Product Strategy Bruce Hampel after confirmation the second-generation ASX would likely carryover its four-star rating from Europe.“In

Favourite cars of 2025, according to Drive

24-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

Dozens of new cars have arrived in Australian showrooms this year, and while Drive has reviewed them all, some hold a closer place in our hearts than others.While Drive reviews all new-models launched in Australia, we do so within the context and confines of where new vehicles sit within their respective segments and what they offer compared to others.For prospective buyers, that is a good way to determine whether the car they are interested in is worth their time, but there are also some models

Lexus RX450h+ plug-in hybrid range expanded with new entry-level variant

24-12-2025 03:06 via drive.com.au

The Lexus RX large SUV line-up takes a cue from the smaller NX range by adding an entry-level Luxury-spec plug-in hybrid.The 2026 Lexus RX450h+ plug-in hybrid will add a second model with the introduction of a cheaper RX450h+ Luxury trim level.Slotting in below the existing RX450h+ Sports Luxury, the Luxury grade adds an entry-level alternative to the previously hybrid-only Luxury grade.Priced from $105,350 plus on-road costs, the RX450h+ Luxury commands an $11,800 premium over the cheapest two-

Top 10 most-popular car reviews on Drive in 2025

24-12-2025 02:00 via drive.com.au

The most-read reviews on Drive in 2025 demonstrate an ever-increasing interest in SUVs and utes in Australia, as well as BYD electric cars.
With 2025 drawing to a close, it’s time to take a look back at the year that was on Drive across our news, reviews, advice, social media and Marketplace content.In this edition, we’ve compiled a list of the most-popular car reviews published on Drive in 2025.SUVs and utes are Australia’s best-selling vehicle types, and mid-size SUVs are the

The Australian off-road road rules you don’t know about

24-12-2025 01:55 via drive.com.au

Think road rules don’t apply off-road? Think again. We uncover the specific laws and etiquette for 4WDing on beaches, in national parks and on dirt tracks.4WDing in Australia has grown at an almost exponential rate in Australia since the 1990s. Put simply: it’s fun, it’s rewarding and it allows us usually urban-bound folk to enjoy the great outdoors. However, as more of us come into the off-roading fold, there is a corresponding upswing in the rules being ignored, which is

New family SUVs you need to keep an eye on in 2026

24-12-2025 01:00 via drive.com.au

If you’re ready to start shopping for a new family SUV in 2026, here are the models to watch out for.The medium SUV segment in Australia is one of the highest-volume and most hotly contested new car segments. Some of the biggest names in the segment, like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, are due for renewal in 2026.Beyond the most popular models, a range of other significant new medium SUVs are on the way. Here’s what to look out for if you’re looking for your next family S

HSV GTSR W1 Maloo ute sells for $1.2 million, sets new Holden road-car auction record

24-12-2025 00:16 via drive.com.au

One of four Holden Special Vehicles GTSR W1 Maloo utes – built in secret for HSV collectors and VIPs – has broken the auction record for a road-going Holden.The $1.2 million sale of one of four HSV GTSR W1 Maloo supercharged V8 utes is claimed to have set an auction record for a road-going Holden.It eclipses the $1.057 million paid at auction – excluding buyer fees – in 2021 for a 1985 Holden Commodore VK SS Group A road car driven day-to-day by Peter Brock.The Holden Spe

2026 could be make or break for Mitsubishi

24-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

Mitsubishi’s model line-up is changing, but it may not be for the better, with a lot more pressure put on key models, previous volume sellers put out to pasture, and new threats from competitors.Mitsubishi’s position as a top-ten telling brand in Australia could be in jeopardy.Models like the Eclipse Cross and Pajero Sport have reached the end of the road.At the same time, one of the brand’s top-three sellers, the ASX, has switched from cheap and accessible to premium and relat

Kia K4 hybrid inching closer to Australia as Corolla competitor

23-12-2025 23:00 via drive.com.au

Kia’s answer to the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 Sedan hybrids is still on the wish list for local showrooms, but may still be some time away.Petrol-electric power is creeping closer to the 2026 Kia K4 small-car range in Australia as a competitor to the top-selling Toyota Corolla Hybrid, as well as the Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid.Kia has already confirmed it will introduce a ‘full hybrid‘ version of its new K4 – sold as a hatch and sedan in Australia, replacing the Cerato

Toyota to sell US-built Camry in Japan, despite making a version in Japan

23-12-2025 22:00 via drive.com.au

Japan’s automotive landscape is vastly different to that of the USA, but now Toyota is set to introduce a range of plus-sized American-made models to Japanese showrooms.
Toyota Camry
Toyota Japan is set to introduce a range of made-in-USA models to Japanese showrooms for the first time in over 20 years.Despite Japanese consumers favouring compact cars, Toyota Japan will offer one of its biggest global models, the Tundra pickup, alongside the Highlander three-row SUV, which Australians know

Biggest automotive hits and misses of 2025, according to Drive

23-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

The ever-changing automotive landscape has hit many highs and lows this year, but here is what stood out the most for the Drive team.With another 12-month automotive chapter soon to close, there have been numerous car-related highs and lows over the last year.And Drive has been front and centre to see it all unfold as the biggest automotive publisher in the country, utilising various streams across web, print, and television.Here are our takes on the best and worst of 2025.MORE: The biggest auto

2025 Cupra Tavascan Endurance review

23-12-2025 14:00 via drive.com.au

As more and more brands enter the medium SUV market with new-generation EVs, can Cupra hold its own in the ultra-competitive segment?
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2025 Cupra Tavascan EnduranceThe 2025 Cupra Tavascan medium SUV promises to deliver engaging dynamics, with room for young families in a smooth and silent electric car package.Blending swoopy hatchba

My First Car: The Go-Betweens’ Lindy Morrison’s 1965 Ford Cortina

23-12-2025 06:00 via drive.com.au

Lindy Morrison, best known as the drummer of Australian band The Go-Betweens in the 1980s, bought her first car in 1973. It was a 1965 Ford Cortina. Long before rock’n’roll would win her over as a day job, Lindy Morrison was working as a social worker for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service in Brisbane and needed a car to get around town. “I wasn’t earning enough money back then, so the car was purchased on a high-finance arrangement. It cost

When do you need to use a differential lock?

23-12-2025 05:01 via drive.com.au

It has become the must-have inclusion for every serious four-wheel drive, but when and why do you need to use your differential lock?It’s the little button marked with an ‘X’ and an axle, usually positioned near the gear shifter that most suburban drivers will never use in the life of their car – still, we all love to know that we have that buttonRELATED: I took a 2025 Isuzu MU-X off-roading, and it blew my mindBut why do you need a differential lock? And when should you

2025 Suzuki Fronx recalled to fix ‘serious’ seatbelt failure in crash test

23-12-2025 04:41 via drive.com.au

An urgent recall to address a “manufacturing defect” that caused the seatbelt of a Suzuki Fronx to fail in a crash test has been issued, after sales of new vehicles were halted.A batch of Suzuki Fronx city SUVs have been recalled to fix a “manufacturing defect” that caused the seatbelt retractor to fail in a shock ANCAP crash test announced earlier this week.Fronx owners have been urged to “immediately cease using the rear seats” until the seatbelt fault can b

Ford Everest scores 265kW twin-turbo petrol V6, but Australia to miss out

23-12-2025 04:35 via drive.com.au

Want a Ford Everest Raptor? This 2.7-litre twin-turbo Tremor due to launch in the United Arab Emirates may be the next best thing… with a catch.
2026 Everest Tremor petrol V6.
The closest thing the world has seen to a twin-turbo petrol Ford Everest Raptor has been revealed in the Middle East, with more than twice the power of Australia’s new base model diesel.However, the twin-turbo petrol V6 fitted to the Everest is not the Ranger Raptor’s 3.0-litre, but rather a 2.7-litre &n

2026 Jaecoo J5 EV price and specs: New electric car rivals BYD Atto 2 with launch offer

23-12-2025 04:32 via drive.com.au

The Jaecoo J5 EV will be one of the country’s cheapest electric SUVs when it arrives in showrooms next month, from $36,990 drive-away for the first 1000 cars.
2026 Jaecoo J5 EV pricing and specificationsOne high-grade electric variant arrives first, cheaper hybrid and turbo-petrol models due in MarchAimed at BYD, Geely, MG, Kia and other small electric SUV makersPriced from $36,990 drive-away for the first 1000 units, then $35,990 plus on-road costs
The first electric car from Chery’

Subaru’s doing just fine without STI, suggesting its future lacks relevance

23-12-2025 02:00 via drive.com.au

Enthusiasts love Subaru’s STI performance icons, but enthusiasts traditionally aren’t volume buyers. Has Subaru survived long enough without an STI model to prove it doesn’t need them?
Subaru STI Concept, Tokyo motor show
Motoring enthusiasts love performance heroes. From AMG to TRD and every brand in between, halo cars that transform mainstream motors into poster-worthy heroes have long resonated with their target audience.For a time, through the 1990s and 2000s, it seemed eve

2025 Volkswagen ID.5 review

23-12-2025 02:00 via drive.com.au

An electric Volkswagen on sale in Australia is finally a reality, but was it worth the wait? I’ve tested the sporty, coupe-style Volkswagen ID.5 GTX to find out.
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2025 Volkswagen ID.5 GTXVolkswagen’s first electric cars in Australia have been a long time coming – almost five years in fact. That’s how lon

Kia EV3 GT electric sports SUV could skip Australia, alongside EV4 GT, EV5 GT

23-12-2025 01:00 via drive.com.au

All-wheel drive may not come to Kia’s smallest electric car in Australia after all – nor its top-selling EV – amid concerns over a lack of demand, and where the latter is built.The Kia GT range of high-performance, all-wheel-drive electric cars may be limited to just two models in Australia – both priced in excess of $100,000 drive-away – cutting the small EV3 GT off from local showrooms.The flagship EV3 GT was previously all but confirmed for Australia – alon

2026 Mitsubishi Pajero spied testing in Australia

23-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

The replacement for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has arrived Down Under ahead of its global debut.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport spy shot
The 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero has arrived in Australia for local testing ahead of the new-generation car’s official international reveal.The new Pajero is set to adopt a body-on-frame platform related to the new Triton, and is expected to revive the Pajero name, rather than continuing the Pajero Sport moniker.As with overseas spy shots, the Pajero spotted in Austr

BYD teases flagship Seal 08 sedan and Sealion 08 SUV models ahead of official reveal

22-12-2025 23:00 via drive.com.au

Ahead of an official reveal in early 2026, BYD has locked in two new range-topping models for its ‘Ocean Series’ of models.
BYD teased the Seal 08 and Sealion 08 at its 2025 Ocean Day event. Image credit: CarNewsChina
BYD has offered shadowy teasers for production versions of what will become the Seal 08 sedan and Sealion 08 SUV.Poised to become the flagship models of their respective ranges, the ‘08’ versions of the Seal sedan line-up and Sealion SUV range, will enter th

The sneakiest way P-platers could lose their licence these holidays

22-12-2025 22:00 via drive.com.au

Provisional and learner drivers will need to be extra careful during the Christmas break with this ‘little-known’ fine, which could lead to a licence suspension.Double demerit periods will commence for one of the longest periods of the year for those states that enforce the scheme.RELATED: How long do demerit points last in Australia?New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory will see a period of 12 days running from the 24th of December 2025 until the 4th of January 2026,

GWM Haval H7 recalled in Australia to achieve five-star safety rating

22-12-2025 22:00 via drive.com.au

A recall has been issued for 571 GWM Haval H7 vehicles to be eligible for a five-star ANCAP safety rating, following concerns the driver’s head restraint could dislodge.
Great Wall Motors (GWM) has launched a voluntary safety recall for 571 examples of its 2025 GWM Haval H7 SUV after ANCAP testing caused its head restraint to dislodge from the driver’s seat back in a collision.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has issued a five-star rating to Haval H7 vehicles buil

Australia swamped with cheap and poor quality tyres due to lax rules, experts say

22-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

Budget tyres that can cost more in the long run because they need changing more often, and emit dangerous toxins when they break down, are apparently flooding into Australia as a result of the EU clamping down on poor-quality rubber.Australia is becoming a dumping ground for millions of “poor-quality” tyres that are banned overseas where laws are being tightened, industry experts claim, with fresh calls now being made for higher standards to be introduced here.It’s said these t

The best Australian streets for Christmas lights in 2025

22-12-2025 06:00 via drive.com.au

Where are the best streets to find Christmas lights in your city? We’ve got the definitive list for 2025…There’s nothing like taking a stroll around the block on a warm summer evening to see twinkling lights adorning the homes of your neighbours. RELATED: We ask the Drive team: What’s on your Christmas wish list?But what if you’re looking for more – more light, more colour, more Santa? Well, unless you live in one of the streets below, the only way might

Suzuki Fronx hit with one-star safety rating after seatbelt fails in crash test

22-12-2025 04:46 via drive.com.au

Sales of the Suzuki Fronx have been halted after a “poor” one-star safety rating that saw one of the seatbelts fail in a crash test.
Suzuki Fronx ANCAP crash test.
The Suzuki Fronx city SUV has been slammed with a one-star ANCAP safety rating after recording “low levels” of occupant protection – and a “rare and serious” rear seatbelt failure that has been referred to government regulators.The Fronx’s crash performance was so poor that the seatbelt

2026 Lexus LX700h hybrid price and specs: Near-$20K step-up over diesel

22-12-2025 04:09 via drive.com.au

Lexus is adding a ‘performance hybrid’ powertrain to the range-topping LX line-up in 2026, with a serious price premium.
2026 LexusLX700h pricing and specificationsMost powerful Lexus hybrid yet3500g towing capacity retainedPriced from $196,000 before on-road costs
Lexus Australia has announced the price for its new range-topping LX hybrid SUV.Available across three variants in the LX range, the new LX700h skips the entry-level Luxury and off-road oriented Overtrail grades, instead l

Large SUVs you need to keep an eye on in 2026

22-12-2025 03:00 via drive.com.au

Australian families looking for up-sized family accommodation in a new SUV may want to keep an eye on what’s new for 2026.Australia’s large SUV class offer a broad scope of models – everything from car-based three-row family haulers, to efficient EVs and plug-in hybrids, alongside capable off-road warriors, can be found here.With so many new models – and new brands – in the Australian market, it can be hard to know where to start.We’ve put together a list of t