The May 2026 issue of Wheels arrives with one of the year’s biggest stories front and centre: the all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4. As the world’s best-selling SUV evolves once more, we dive deep into what’s changed, what hasn’t, and whether this latest iteration justifies the hype in our comprehensive First Drive. We also explore its remarkable journey in our RAV4 Now and Then feature story, tracing its transformation from quirky soft-roader to global phenomenon.

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This month’s Wheels Interview features none other than Jeremy Clarkson. The famously sardonic presenter, writer and farmer reflects on a lifetime immersed in cars, from his eclectic personal collection to life on Diddly Squat Farm, as featured in his latest show Clarkson’s Farm. In a revealing conversation, Clarkson explains why he’s fallen out of love with modern car reviews and what still excites him about motoring today.

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Our Fuel Busters special tackles the realities of rising fuel costs, rounding up the most efficient vehicles for an increasingly oil-conscious world. If performance and practicality are more your speed, don’t miss our hatchback showdown, where the Kia K4, Volkswagen Golf and Mazda 3 go head-to-head in a fiercely contested segment.

SUV buyers are also well served, with a detailed comparison between the Nissan X-Trail and Mazda CX-5, questioning whether the family favourites can still hold their ground. Meanwhile, our always popular Modern Classic section sees Rob Margeit in Germany revisiting the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126), Bruno Sacco’s timeless masterpiece that defined luxury for a generation.

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In our regular First Drives section, Wheels takes the wheel of the sharply priced MG4 Urban EV, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric, plus Chery’s long-range Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid and the Volvo-related Zeekr X.

Up front, Dashboard brings you highlights from the Melbourne Motor Show and examines why Toyota is holding back on a fully electric RAV4. Our columnists weigh in on politics, science and culture, while Marketplace tracks the surge in EV sales amid the fuel crisis.

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Rounding out the issue, Garage, Buyer’s Guide, and Wayback Machine ensure there’s something for every enthusiast – past, present and future.

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