Coupes under $50k
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Whether you’re just starting to drive or heading into a mid-life crisis, coupes appeal to all of us. Luckily, these days you don’t need to spend big money to enjoy the thrills of the swept-back driving experience.
While you are able to buy a Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86 for less than $40,000, choices start to expand once you’re shopping under the $50,000 so let’s start there.

Toyota 86
It is getting a little long in the tooth, but the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ combo still offers sports car thrills for an affordable price. Available in manual or automatic with a choice of specification levels, the Toyota 86 has stood the test of time despite external pressure to fill it with extra power.

Mazda MX-5
With the nameplate just celebrating its 30th birthday, there’s small wonder why so many flock to the Mazda MX-5 for an engaging top-down drive. Even if you’re more of a hard-top fan, Mazda now offers the RF version which includes a folding metal roof.

Hyundai i30 Fastback N
A relatively new player to the coupe game, Hyundai’s i30 N was transformed into a four-door coupe following the success of the hatchback. Sleeker styling marries with everything that made Hyundai’s first true hot hatch great

The Wheels Interview: Mark Reuss, the American ‘car guy’ who once ran Holden
Mark Reuss might currently be the global president of General Motors but underneath the tailored suit, the one-time Holden head honcho is a genuine ‘car guy’ at heart.

BYD Ti7 large SUV gets 315km long-range plug-in hybrid version
A larger 50kWh battery pushes BYD’s boxy Ti7 SUV beyond 300km of claimed electric range, but its prospects for an Australian launch remain unclear.

The newest Chery SUV came from a former Ferrari designer – and it shows
Chinese car makers have been accused of copycat design, but the new Chery’s resemblance to a Purosangue is down to some real Prancing Horse DNA.

Man behind the Ferrari Enzo thumbs his nose at modern supercars with all-analog manual V12 throwback
With a focus on purists, the Kode89 supercar features that last bastion of driver engagement, a manual transmission.

The 2027 Hyundai Tucson is unveiled with dramatic styling and new tech
Hyundai has moved away from the curvy current-model Tucson in dramatic fashion, while also making the new model larger.

Alarming recall trend hits millions of vehicles that could catch fire when they’re not running
Recall notices are on the rise as new technologies add to the potential fire risk in some models.

Australian safety study finds deactivated driver assist tech could be behind one in five road deaths
A study has found that frustrated Aussies who turn off safety-focussed advanced driver assist tech could be pushing up the country’s road toll.

Denza Z9GT review: Early international verdict hails startling power and tech – but luxury grand tourer falls short on polish
Our friends at Auto Express love the Denza Z9GT’s performance and EV stats as it fires a shot across the bows of competitors like Porsche and Audi.

Toyota to launch next-generation battery to slash the cost of cars and boost their performance
Toyota is aiming to change production lines to fit the new tech to 600,000 vehicles, with customers the big winners.

GAC EMZOOM Premium small SUV joins Australian range with sub-$25K price tag
New entry-level small SUV undercuts the existing EMZOOM Luxury, combining a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Founder of fast-growing brand in Australia steps down as the auto giant reshuffles leadership
Eric Li will hand control of Geely Automobile to long-time executive Andy An, but the billionaire founder remains chairman of parent Zhejiang Geely Holding and the company’s controlling shareholder.

Solar car built for BMW is claimed to make more power than it uses – thanks partly to its pug-ugly looks
Sixteen American university students have delivered the Deep Orange 17 solar car after a challenge from BMW.

CUPRA lifts the lid on exclusive additions to its Terramar SUV range
The CUPRA Terramar VZ Tribe Edition comes in Black and Green versions with just a handful of each to go on sale in Australia.

Music is tied to 15 per cent spike in fatal car crashes, new study finds
The authors of the study used albums by music stars like Taylor Swift in the study as they sent a warning about modern cars and distracted drivers.

Aussie says driving Tesla Model Y for 40,000km cost him just $713 in electricity
The Tesla went on regular highway trips and DC fast-charging sessions as it clocked up the amazing numbers over three years.

Toyota to contact nearly 17,000 HiLux Rogue owners to fix overheating issue
Owners of HiLux Rogue utes built between May 2020 and April 2024 are being contacted for inspections and repairs after Toyota identified a problem that can cause the powered tub cover motor to overheat.

Chinese EV maker Voyah stuns by driving new model on tunnel roof – but not everything went according to plan
Mercedes fooled people into thinking Michael Schumacher drove a car on the roof of a tunnel in 2010. Now Dongfeng’s luxury arm Voyah has done it for real.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets major tech and hybrid overhaul for 2027
Updated petrol-powered C-Class gains fresh styling, AI-driven infotainment and plug-in hybrid range of up to 100km, with an Australian arrival expected in 2027 alongside the new electric model.

Honda Super-One review: Proving small EVs can still be big on character
Honda’s tiny electric hatch combines clever packaging, impressive efficiency and an entertaining virtual gearbox, although its modest range and highway refinement underline its city-car focus.

GWM prices new 3.0-litre diesel Cannon Alpha and Tank 500
New 170kW/620Nm diesel arrives next month as GWM bucks the Chinese-brand trend towards electrification and continues its push for a top-three Australian sales position.

Ferrari Luce sells for a staggering $56 million at auction after becoming the Prancing Horse’s most controversial car
The stupendous price tag for the very special example of the first EV ever made by Ferrari could make it the most expensive new car in the world.

Leak reveals first clean images of GWM’s Ora 5 Touring SUV with extended range
The GWM Ora 5 Touring is significantly bigger than the current Ora 5, with a longer range – and that should be reflected in the price.

Lamborghini sets a new benchmark with 738kW V12 Revuelto SV
The famous SV initials have been used by Lamborghini since 1971, but none of those cars can compete with the Revuelto when it comes to outright power.

Nissan vows Australian comeback as new boss plots product-led recovery
New CEO Steve Milette says fresh Patrol, X-Trail and e-Power models will underpin Nissan’s recovery as it battles a 30 per cent sales decline and growing competition from Chinese brands.
