The updated Mazda 3 hatch and sedan range has been detailed ahead of its local launch in July. The 2023 Mazda 3 range is between $1610 and $2310 more expensive depending on the variant, while all manual and mild-hybrid options have been axed. The Mazda 3 range now starts at $30,320 before on-roads for the G20 Pure hatch and sedan, and extends to $42,320 before on-roads for the G25 Astina hatch and sedan. Despite the price rise, the flagship Mazda 3 G25 Astina is still cheaper than the now-defunct X20 Astina, which was priced from $43,310 before on-roads ..read more

Not to brag, but we motoring journalists have a great gig. We get to drive all the latest vehicles, which means we get to experience the latest in technology and then tell you what we think works and what we think doesn’t. There is one downside to this, however. With so much seat time in new vehicles, we can quickly get accustomed to modern convenience features. That means stepping into an older or low-tech vehicle can sometimes feel like a bit of a chore. So, what are the new car features we just can’t seem to live without? Anthony Crawford: Apple CarPlay Let me put it this way. There’s no ..read more

Buying a new car can be stressful. Between the overwhelming range of options in Australia – there are more than 50 brands here – and the sudden influx of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric alternatives to traditional petrol or diesel engines, it can be hard to know where to start looking. Every week, we’re sent hundreds of questions by new car buyers trying to find their way to the ideal new car. Here are a few of the best, answered by Paul Gover. Q: I wanted to ask your advice about buying a Ssangyong Musso ute. It looks OK to me, but understand it’s about the price.James Shone A: It’s d ..read more

The Volkswagen Touareg has always offered a largely unique alternative to more ‘premium’ luxury European SUVs, undercutting them on price but using much of their engineering. WATCH: Paul’s video review of the MY20 Touareg 190TDI R-Line The current iteration competes on price with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Prado and even the Ford Everest, yet shares core components and DNA with the more expensive Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne – other VW Group brands, after all. Here we drive the entry level version which you can drive away for under $100,000, yet still blend in at the private school drop-o ..read more

The Australian Government’s recently published National Electric Vehicle Strategy focuses on big-ticket issues like increasing EV supply and fleet uptake, while plugging charging infrastructure gaps. But other issues are covered as well, based on hundreds of submissions from companies and research bodies: for example the risk of an EV-related fire involving lithium-ion batteries. The government subsequently floated a plan to fund “world-leading guidance, EV road rescue demonstrations, and fire safety training to address safety and risk knowledge gaps around EVs, chargers and battery technology ..read more

Nestled in the mountainous area overlapping the cities of Toyota and Okazaki stands the Toyota Technical Centre Shimoyama, covering a total area of 6.508 kilometres and encompassing three separate test circuits.   Interestingly, the so-called Third Circuit or Country Road, which measures 5.3km in total and is modelled after Germany’s famed Nürburgring Nordschleife (20.8km excluding GP track), was completed ahead of the First and Second circuits back in 2019. The other two are due for completion this year. The facility itself was commissioned by Toyota Motor Corporation chairman Akio Toyod ..read more

If you want to relive the late 1990s, there is still a performance car that offers the same sort of thrills and decent value for money as it did two-and-a-half decades ago. That car, obviously, is the Subaru WRX. This review is of the RS mid-spec sedan, fitted with a six-speed manual instead of the “Sport Lineartronic” CVT auto proposition; and still ticks all the boxes that you’d expect a Rex to. But is that good enough, in 2023? With powered-up rivals coming in close to, or cheaper, than the WRX, and others charging more but also offering considerably more grunt, is it really still an aff ..read more

The stretched version of Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz retro EV has been revealed ahead of its in-the-metal world premiere at Huntington Beach near Los Angeles.  The company calls it “perfectly primed for its launch in North America” where it plans to celebrate “Volkswagen Bus Day”, but it’ll also be rolled out across Europe.  The stretched ID. Buzz adds 250mm to the wheelbase and overall length (4962mm), making room for a third row of seats – making seven in total, up on the shorter model’s five.  The longer wheelbase also frees up space for a larger 85kWh battery pack, up from 77kW ..read more

The updated Mazda 2 range has been detailed as orders open for the little hatch and sedan, ahead of first deliveries in July. In addition to having a fresh new look, the Mazda 2 is also more efficient for 2023. All automatic models use 5.0L/100km on the combined cycle, although they’ve lost 1kW of power and 2Nm of torque. The manual G15 Pure’s outputs are unchanged. Overseas model shown All models get a redesigned front bumper and a new black or body-colour grille, with hatchback models getting a refreshed rear bumper, too. There’s also a colour accent on the front grille and rear bumper, si ..read more

Let’s-a-go! A Tesla Model Y with a Mario Kart body wrap has been snapped, parked at Orlando International Airport. The airport’s Facebook account posted a series of photos of the vehicle. It’s unknown who owns the vehicle or where they were headed – perhaps the Mushroom Kingdom? This Model Y comes with a bright red roof, door handles, mirrors and bonnet, a blue front bumper and side skirts as well as yellow wheels just like the popular plumber’s signature go-kart livery. The mirrors and bonnet also have the letter M on them, in case there was any doubt what the owner was going for here ..read more