What might seem like a fun idea could end up in tragedy. Here’s why it might be better to dodge that puddle on the road.
Photo: iStock/LeManna
Every driver is guilty of giving in to the urge to drive through a puddle at least once on the road, and with all the rain that has been hitting Sydney lately, there are plenty to splash through.RELATED: What is aquaplaning, and how can you stop it?However, there are several reasons why it might be best to avoid them instead of splashing straight th
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Is it really that bad to drive through puddles?
via drive.com.au
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Fine driving: Australia’s ultimate foodie road trips
via drive.com.auAustralia has some of the most beautiful road-trip routes in the world, but which ones have the best – and coolest – food spots?
It’s no secret Australia is blessed with some of the most diverse scenic drives on Earth – no matter your climate preference. Whether you love rolling hills, wild waves, saffron-hued sand or rainforest canopies, there’s an Aussie road trip to inspire even the most nature-averse traveller. But there’s nothing quite like pair
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Australian new-car sales in 2025: Annual record broken for third VFACTS year running
via drive.com.auA strong December for new-car sales has powered the third annual record in a row – but the top-selling Ford Ranger, Toyota RAV4, and Toyota HiLux are all in negative territory year-on-year.Sales of new motor vehicles in Australia have defied warnings of a slowdown to – just barely – set an annual record for the third year in a row, at more than 1.24 million cars, SUVs, utes, vans, and trucks.And the Ford Ranger ute held off challenges from the Toyota HiLux and RAV4 to remain th
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LDV Terron 9 ute available with $3000 discount, starting from $47,990 for ABN holders
via drive.com.auABN holders are eligible for a $3000 discount the new LDV Terron 9 ute range, on top of already-available drive-away deals.A new pricing promotion for the LDV Terron 9 dual-cab ute sees it start from $47,990 drive-away for eligible ABN holders.The LDV Terron 9 Origin launched in Australia with a $49,990 drive-away deal for ABN Holders, before reverting to $50,990 drive-away.The new $3000 discount applies to the entry-level Terron 9 Origin, from $47,990 drive-way and the better-equipped Terron 9
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Volkswagen ID. Polo interior makes good on promise to restore physical controls
via drive.com.auVolkswagen refers to the ID. Polo EV as featuring “a new cockpit generation” as it begins to trickle out official information about its new electric city car.The 2026 Volkswagen ID. Polo is set to make its full-scale debut later this year, but Volkswagen has revealed the full, undisguised interior of the new city car.The design of the ID. Polo’s interior delivers on Volkswagen’s ongoing promise to restore physical controls in vehicle interiors, after a generation of produ
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Why Australians are still filling up with Russian-sourced petrol
via drive.com.auThe embargo on Russian oil products isn’t working. Here’s why.Every time you fill your car up at an Aussie fuel bowser, chances are that a percentage of the original source of the crude oil that makes up your petrol or diesel comes from Russia.That shouldn’t be the case. Since 2023, there’s been an embargo on Russian-sourced oil due to the invasion of Ukraine, but it seems that there are still ways for companies to sidestep these regulations.The key intermediary in this i
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Tesla sales in Australia 2025 revealed, with biggest annual decline on record
via drive.com.auTesla has reported another annual drop in Australian sales – despite launching a heavily-updated Model Y – but it is expected to remain the country’s top seller of battery-electric vehicles.Tesla annual sales in Australia have declined for the second consecutive year – as the brand’s largest year-on-year slump on record – despite a mid-year boost from the updated Model Y SUV.However, unlike its global tally, Tesla is expected to remain ahead of growing Chinese
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BYD overtakes Tesla as world’s top-selling electric vehicle maker in 2025
via drive.com.auThe growth of China’s BYD – and the biggest-ever annual decline in Tesla deliveries – has seen the title of the world’s top-selling electric vehicle maker change hands.Tesla has lost its spot as the world’s number-one seller of battery-electric vehicles to BYD, after a sharper-than-expected sales decline.It is despite Tesla’s top seller, the Model Y family SUV, undergoing a major update in 2025 that stimulated demand – and comes as the US brand prepares
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My First Car: Radio’s Patrina Jones’ 1985 Ford Laser
via drive.com.auThe car that started Gold 104.3 radio presenter and newsreader Patrina Jones’ love affair with Ford Lasers.Gold 104.3 radio’s Patrina Jones remembers buying her first car – a 1985 Ford Laser five-door hatchback – from a family in Shepparton, having spotted it parked on their front lawn with a ‘for sale’ sign on it. The presenter and newsreader on Melbourne’s The Christian O’Connell Show – which will launch nationally this month – s
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Chery sale makes Tiggo 7 Australia’s cheapest PHEV, undercutting BYD Sealion 5
via drive.com.auClearance deals on 2025-plated Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid give the medium plug-in hybrid SUV the title of Australia’s cheapest PHEV – temporarily.Chery has announced discounts of $5000 off the list price of the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid plug-in hybrid range.The move to clear 2025-built vehicles has seen the price of the entry-level Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid Urban reduced to $34,990, down from its regular list price of $39,990 drive-away.The move makes the plug-in hybrid SUV Austral
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Mitsubishi Pajero officially teased for first time in new Ralliart video
via drive.com.auMitsubishi has revealed it will rely on its rally pedigree as a marketing tool for the new Pajero.The 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero has made its first official Mitsubishi-sanctioned appearance.In a new marketing video for Mitsubishi’s Ralliart motorsport division, the Pajero is briefly teased.The new Pajero is shown alongside Mitsubishi’s past participants in Dakar and WRC, and the 2025 Asia Cross Country Rally-winning Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Triton.The teaser video also appears to suggest
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Chinese electric car brands could face closure amid a massive market realignment in 2026
via drive.com.auChina’s booming automotive industry growth looks set to change direction in 2026, which could trigger a massive shutdown of numerous unprofitable brands.A seismic shift in the way China’s new vehicle market operates could see sales drop for the first time since 2020.As the saturated Chinese market begins to slow down, electric vehicle deliveries are tipped to decline in 2026, according to analysts, sending a shockwave through the industry.According to a report by South China Morning
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Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid pricing could exceed $160,000 in Australia
via drive.com.auToyota’s new LandCruiser flagship will feature a ‘performance hybrid’ powertrain, but pricing for the Lexus version shows the hybrid technology won’t come cheap.The Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid could land in Australia with a $166,000 price tag before options and on-road costs, making it more expensive than an entry-level Lexus LX.The hypothetical price positioning comes after Lexus Australia revealed pricing for the LX700h, the Lexus-badged version of the LandCruiser Hybrid.
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2026 Kia Tasman S 4×2 review
via drive.com.auThe Kia Tasman S represents the business end, literally, of the Tasman range. While it may be focused on fleets, could the entry-level Tasman be good enough for private buyers?
Skip ahead:IntroductionInteriorPrice and cost to ownValue SafetyCompetitorsRunning costsSummary and verdictDriving comfort
2026 Kia Tasman S 4×2As with most utes, the 2026 Kia Tasman will first be seen around Australia in carefully curated, glossy lifestyle images of high-spec versions on billboards and in TV commer
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Subaru’s STI performance arm reveals three new JDM specials for Tokyo Auto Salon
via drive.com.auSubaru Technica International, Subaru’s performance division, will reveal three new special editions for Tokyo Auto Salon.
2026 Subaru Performance-E STI Concept
Subaru fans are sure to be heartened by the news that STI will feature three new models at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon.Subaru’s performance arm will show STI-enhanced versions of the WRX sedan, Levorg (sold here as the WRX Sportswagon) and Impreza.All three are set to become Japan-only specials, but unlike some of the legen
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BYD Atto 1 could shake up Australia’s light car market
via drive.com.auCan BYD’s clever price and positioning for the new Atto 1 electric light car breathe life back into a segment that’s in decline?Just four models made up Australia’s Light Car Under $30,000 vehicle sales category in 2025, and three of the four saw their sales go backwards.In 2025 The BYD Atto 1 will join the segment and stands a genuine chance of causing a serious shake-up.Sales figures are down in the mainstream Light Car class by over 25 per cent with the Mazda 2, MG 3, and Su
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2026 Honda Prelude exceeds 1000 expressions of interest in Australia
via drive.com.auDemand is seemingly high in Australia for Honda’s first new Prelude in 25 years, but will expressions of interest translate to sales?Anticipation for Honda’s incoming Prelude has amassed more than 1000 expressions of interest, according to the brand, but how many convert to sales is still unknown.Speaking to local media, Honda Australia General Manager of Automotive Robert Thorp said demand for the reborn coupe has given the brand “confidence” that the Prelude will be a s
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Nissan faces a defining year in Australia in 2026
via drive.com.auAn all-new dual-cab ute should be a recipe for success for Nissan in 2026, but as models like Pathfinder and Patrol are left to languish, and with X-Trail as the only volume seller, can a rebadged Triton in Nissan clothes carry the brand to success?
Nissan Navara
Nissan’s sales forecast for 2026 could head in any direction, as crucial new models arrive, and others are held back due to production timing.The new Navara ute is a crucial new model for Nissan, as utes so often are for mainstrea
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Honda Civic hybrid RS with faux gear shifts and a racing Prelude heading to Tokyo Auto Salon
via drive.com.auHonda wants to remind buyers that it is an enthusiast-oriented brand, with a heavy focus on racing and driver involvement at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.
2025 Honda Civic RS petrol
Honda appears to be re-inventing itself as a brand with genuine enthusiast appeal, while at the same time keeping a firm eye on its eco-conscious credentials.At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda is set to unveil a new version of the Civic hybrid, equipped with the simulated gear shift technology from the new Prelude, whi
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Money makers: The three most expensive cars you can buy right now on Drive have all appreciated in value
via drive.com.auThe big-dollar listings on Drive Marketplace show that savvy buyers have been able to cash-in on the right supercars.
Savvy new car buyers in Australia know that not every car is an investment opportunity, but the three most expensive listings on Drive Marketplace right now show the investment potential of the right car.While the two most expensive classifieds make sense as recent ultra-exotic, high-performance supercars, the third-highest listing might be a surprise for all but the most die-har
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Ram 1500 TRX returns as first ‘new’ model from revived SRT division, could come to Australia
via drive.com.auAfter axing the V8-powered TRX, Ram has reversed its decision and brought the TRX back to life with an even more powerful supercharged V8.The 2027 Ram 1500 TRX has returned with supercharged V8 power and is being billed as the “fastest and most powerful production gas pick-up truck in the world”, and it is in with a chance to come to Australia.Following the relaunch of the 5.7-litre V8 in regular Ram 1500 models in North America, the revived TRX offers 579kW and 922Nm from its 6.2-li
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2026 BYD Atto 3 electric car’s potential replacement spotted in disguise
via drive.com.auA new generation BYD electric SUV has been spied in production-ready form, pointing to a replacement for the four-year-old Atto 3.The second-generation 2026 BYD Atto 3 has been spied testing with minimal camouflage, suggesting it’s very close to launch.The car shown in these images is the Chinese market BYD Yuan Max, with the Yuan logo on the steering wheel that will be replaced by BYD badging in markets outside of China.The Yuan Max name will replace the Yuan Plus moniker used currently,
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Roof loads done right: Surfboards, kayaks and Aussie rules
via drive.com.auStrap gear safely with Australian rules made simple. Learn tie-down basics, weight limits and setups that stay secure on the road.Nothing beats a trip to the beach with a board or kayak along for the ride. But securing gear to your roof is not as straightforward as you may think and can easily catch you out if you’re unfamiliar with the rules. Tie-down laws and safe anglesAs outlined in the National Transport Commission’s load restraint guide, it is on the driver to ensure the r
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Honda Australia hoping for back-to-back-to-back sales growth
via drive.com.auNew and refreshed models in 2026 are expected to continue Honda Australia’s sales comeback after moving to fixed-price sales strategy.
Honda Australia is targeting its third consecutive year of sales growth in 2026, hoping to capture an additional 10 per cent of share off the back of an expected 10 per cent increase in 2025.Speaking to media, Honda Australia General Manager of Automotive Robert Thorp said the goal is for another year of expanding sales after the brand logged a record-low a
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Tesla electronic door releases could be responsible for 15 deaths – report
via drive.com.auAn investigation by Bloomberg attributes 15 deaths to entrapment caused by Tesla’s electronic door release system in crash situations.An ongoing investigation by news outlet Bloomberg reports that Tesla’s electronic door release system could be responsible for at least 15 deaths in the United States.The report filed by Bloomberg analysed crash data going back to 2012, following multiple reports by owners that Tesla’s electronically operated doors could fail to operate following
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Ford CEO says it couldn’t compete with Toyota, Hyundai and Kia – report
via drive.com.auFord’s global CEO Jim Farley says the Blue Oval made a ‘mistake’ in offering a full product line-up similar to Toyota, Hyundai and Kia.
Ford Focus
Ford wants to focus on specialised products, such as commercial vehicles, sports and electric cars, saying it was a “mistake” to be a full-line manufacturer similar to Toyota, Hyundai and Kia.In an interview with Argentina’s La Nacion, Jim Farley, the global CEO of Ford, said the brand’s “costs were not
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2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy review
via drive.com.auIf you’re looking for a stylish, fully-electric, seven-seat family car, look no further. Just make sure your pockets are deep, because as beautiful, powerful and practical as the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is, it is priced firmly at the pointy end.
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 CalligraphyFully-electric seven-seat SUVs are still relatively scarc
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2025 GWM Cannon Alpha, Tank 300 and Tank 500 hybrids recalled in Australia
via drive.com.auThe fault could cause reduced vehicle performance and affect the cooling operation of its hybrid system, according to the recall notice.Great Wall Motors Australia has recalled 1445 examples of its 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha, GWM Tank 300 and GWM Tank 500 hybrids, citing a potential fault with their high-voltage wiring harness. The affected vehicles are stamped 2025 models, affecting the Cannon Alpha Plug-In Hybrid, the Tank 300 Hybrid, and the Tank 500 Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid. The recall
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Ford Focus is dead, but here are five of the best models that lived
via drive.com.auAfter 27 years in production across four generations, the Ford Focus reached the end of the line in 2025. These are the five most memorable Focuses from Ford’s small car glory days.Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the life and legacy of the Ford Focus.It’s not uncommon to eulogise memorable, landmark, high-performance supercars, but what about affordable and accessible small cars?For Ford, the Focus represented a power play in Europe, a bold new model designed
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Honda’s ‘fun side’ signals the start of a new approach in 2026
via drive.com.auCars like the Prelude and Super-One may not be volume sellers for Honda, but they point to what’s to come from the Japanese brand.
Honda Super-One and Honda Prelude
Honda appears to be gearing up to entice enthusiasts to the brand in 2026, returning to its roots as an enthusiast brand.While the sales benefit of niche sports cars may not be immediate, behind the scenes, the new models coming in 2026 point to what the brand has in store in later years.The Honda Prelude returns to showrooms t
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