Daniel Gardner

Contributor

Daniel Gardner is a former staff writer and contributor for Wheels, WhichCar and 4x4 Australia.

With a degree in mechanical design, Daniel has enjoyed tenures as a mechanic and engineer – but he eventually realised writing about cars is far better than a real job.

Many cars have passed through his garage over the years. All of them produced more power than the manufacturer intended, and most of them ended up in a hedge.

Ten years on the spanners in both the UK and Australia has given Daniel a unique perspective of the constantly changing automotive landscape and a genuine insight into what customers want and need.

If you’re after a new set of wheels, he’s all ears. Just don’t ask to borrow his socket set.

The SUV craze is improving performance cars
Opinion

Opinion: The SUV craze is improving the performance car landscape

SUVs are often seen as the antichrist for dynamic driving, but Dan reckons the performance car world is all the better for it

Opinion: next-generation car lovers
Opinion

Opinion: The future of the car lover

Dan can vividly remember the exact moment he became a car lover, but are the kids of today robbed of the same evocative experiences?

2021 Mazda MX-30 E35 Astina
Reviews

Australian first drive: Mazda MX-30 E35 electric SUV

Mazda charges a premium to charge with its first pure-electric production model

Ford F-150 electric prototype
News

Electric utes are coming

Booming global truck sales, increasing EV demand and fading fossil fuel sales mean only one thing

2021 Finke desert race
News

The day I realised I could never be a racing driver

Dan decides to try his hand at motorsport before proceeding into an instant retirement

Honda sign
News

Honda details fixed-price model coming Down Under

Customers will pay the same drive-away price wherever they are in the country and some dealerships will get the chop

Advice

FWD vs RWD vs AWD – which is the safest kind of car?

With so many drivetrains in the market to choose from, powering either the front wheels, the rear wheels, or both ends... which setup is right for you?

2022 Kia Sportage previewed for Australia
News

New Sportage officially previewed – and spied!

We've seen the new-generation 2022 Kia Sportage spied in heavy camouflage, and now the Korean carmaker has released a handful of official teaser images.

Opinion: Don't keep your first car
Opinion

Opinion: Why you shouldn't keep your first car

An old car may make zero economic sense but, to Dan, it makes perfect emotional sense

2021 Haval H6
Reviews

2021 Haval H6 Lux 2WD review

In a fearsomely competitive SUV arena, the Haval H6 is a shining beacon of adequacy

Why everyone should drive a convertible with the top down
News

Opinion: The indulgent joy of driving a top-down convertible

Dan explains why driving with the top down is like going fishing with hand grenades

Nissan Leaf e+ review Australia
Reviews

Nissan Leaf e+ review: Australian first drive

Nissan’s Leaf is starting to feel its age, but the new e+ has turned back the clock – for a hefty price

Nissan Leaf e+ charging
News

Nissan Leaf e+ pricing and features

Nissan’s updated Leaf has grown up with a more powerful battery but the e+ comes at a hefty price

Features

Opinion: Driving standards would improve if more people cared about it

When people don’t care about something, like driving a car, they are usually not very good at it

Mazda CX-3 v Kia Stonic v Hyundai Venue comparison
Comparisons

Mazda CX-3 v Kia Stonic v Hyundai Venue comparison

There’s a big battle raging in the little SUV arena

2022 Nissan Ariya
News

Nissan Ariya electric SUV coming to Australia

Nissan’s second electric vehicle chalked for local launch behind biggest global EV markets

2007 Mazda Taiki concept
News

Sky’s the limit for Mazda rotary power

Mazda mulling more rotary engine applications outside automotive realm

2021 Mazda MX-30 G20e Evolve review feature
Reviews

2021 Mazda MX-30 G20e Evolve review

MX-30 hybrid experiment brings a little Mazda magic but lacks an EV’s spark

2021 Mazda MX-30 G20e
News

Mazda MX-30 Hybrid pricing and features

Mazda’s comprehensively equipped MX-30 hybrid paves the way for its first fully electric vehicle

News

Honda switching to fixed prices in Australia, will drop slow sellers

National one-price and hub-and-spoke dealer network leads sweeping Honda reform from July 1 2021

2021 Nissan Navara Pro-4X
News

Navara Warrior coming, more could follow

Nissan’s new Navara, Patrol and Titan all on Premcar’s Warrior conversion cards

2021 Nissan Navara ST-X dual cab
Reviews

2021 Nissan Navara ST-X review

With tried and tested mechanicals and a handsome updated exterior, it’s okay to judge the 2021 Nissan Navara by its cover

2021 Toyota GR Yaris Rallye
News

Toyota advert complaint thrown out

Ad Standards rules in Toyota’s favour following GR Yaris TV advert complaint

Reviews

First drive: 2021 Hyundai Tucson N Line 1.6 petrol review

N-light Hyundai Tucson N Line arrives in N-ticipation of more sporty machinery