Car Opinions

Car of the Year is not just the numbers

Ranking the Car of the Year with cold, hard math has been the practice in the past, but this year it was a far more collaborative process between the judges.

Tesla Killers, take two: The Empire Strikes Back

Legacy carmakers are investing billions on cars and trucks that will steal sales from the EV pioneer

What to do if a bug flies in your ear

An unexpected visitor leaves Ron bug-eared

Opinion: Is diesel doomed?

It’s a hybrid future in the automotive world

Opinion: Towing cross country? Learn the basics first

If you plan on towing cross country, then it’s best to learn the basics first

Opinion: Manual gearboxes for 4x4s are on the endangered list

It has become an automatic choice for nearly all new-car buyers

Wheels inbox: Letters to the Editor, February 2023

Need the soapbox? Keep it under 200 words, and include your suburb if via email: wheels@wheelsmag.com.au – you can also have your say on Facebook and Instagram (search for Wheels Australia)

Opinion: Go out and seek a river source

Seeking the source of a river is an enthralling 4x4 hobby.

Opinion: Trickle charge could slow EV progress

Slow charging is a big issue facing the rollout of electric vehicles

OPINION: All the gear and no idea

Having a sat-phone doesn’t automatically make you prepared for remote-area travel

OPINION: Diesel fuel will be available in Australia for a long time

Change is coming, but diesel fuel will remain for the foreseeable future

OPINION: Don’t pollute in the scrub … or anywhere for that matter

Lucky lizard lives another day, but many aren't as lucky

Opinion: Utes are the new SUV

Any time someone mentions a particularly impressive dual-cab attribute it is always immediately followed by the caveat “...for a ute”.

Opinion: Do all electric cars drive the same? Kind of...

A car's engine, and its sound, used to be how brands set themselves apart. Is that still possible in the EV age? Or are we approaching a sea of sameness?

OPINION: Tundra could be a sales winner in Australia

There’s nothing cold about the Tundra

Australia's driver training and licensing is lacking

When it comes to the quality of Australia's drivers, and the rules for obtaining a licence to drive... Things aren't really getting any better, are they?

Aehra: Startup of note, or vapourware?

Is EV startup Aehra the real deal? We should know for sure, by 2025

OPINION: Always improve your first-aid skills

First-aid equipment and treatment is constantly evolving, and it pays to stay up to date

OPINION: Part-time 4x4 doesn’t cut the mustard anymore

Part-time 4x4 doesn’t cut it these days if you want the best

OPINION: That time, too recently, I locked the keys in the car

"I simply assumed modern cars must be harder to break into than a bank vault"

ENRIGHT: The trouble with buying and selling used cars in 2022

"There are people buying used cars right now who are about to take an enormous bath."

FERLAZZO: You can have any colour you want, as long as it's...

Betcha didn't know: The precursor to metallic paint was an expensive process that actually contained crushed fish scales to create an iridescent effect

Should Toyota bring the petrol-powered 300 Series to Australia?

The petrol-powered 300 sold overseas makes a compelling argument for performance-oriented buyers

Australia’s permit system needs an overhaul

Have you applied for a permit in Australia recently? Ron reckons it's bureaucracy gone mad