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

From the Wheels archive: Illegal? Yes. Dangerous? No! Sydney to Perth in 29 hours
How we smashed our previous across-Australia record run by three-and-a-half-hours in an Alfa Romeo Alfetta.

2026 Nissan Qashqai goes all-in on e-POWER with Australian-made tech and sharper efficiency
Hybrid-only Qashqai range arrives in early 2026 with lower emissions and improved refinement.

Hyundai confirms ELEXIO electric SUV for Australia with Q1 2026 launch
New mid-size EV slots between KONA Electric and IONIQ 5, offering 546km range and a $59,990 drive-away price.

VFACTS December 2025: Australian new-car sales hold firm over the year, as hybrids grow and SUVs dominate
Total vehicle sales topped 1.2 million last year, with plug-in hybrids posting record growth and China strengthening its role in the local market.

EV sales show sharp Tesla drop in Australia – as Polestar rises
New Electric Vehicle Council data shows strong growth for Polestar, softer year for Tesla, and Model Y finishing 2025 on top.

Mercedes-Benz confirms electric S-Class to replace EQS in years to come
Next-generation S-Class will offer electric and combustion versions on separate platforms as Mercedes resets its EV strategy.

Subaru teases return of WRX STI ahead of imminent reveal
Snowy teaser clips hint at turbo power, sharper styling and an STI comeback likely bound for Australia.

Volkswagen ID. Polo interior revealed as electric supermini edges closer
Physical controls return, classic design cues resurface and GTI power is confirmed for VW’s next-generation electric Polo.

BYD overtakes Tesla as global EV sales leader after latter’s second annual slump
Surging Chinese competition and slowing demand see BYD claim the top spot in battery-electric vehicle sales worldwide.

BMW Alpina officially begins a new era as standalone brand within BMW
The famed performance-luxury marque enters 2026 fully integrated, with its identity, philosophy and future now shaped from within Munich.

From the Wheels archives: We find the fastest Australian car
In September 1977, Wheels settled the argument about what is the fastest Australian car once and for all.

The Wheels interview: Roland Dane, V8 Supercars pioneer with Triple Eight Racing
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MG delivers world-first solid-state battery EV with new MG4 Anxin Edition
China-market MG4 Anxin Edition pioneers liquid–solid battery tech, boasting fast charging and long range at a budget-friendly price point.

Federal Government to name and shame car makers failing to meet CO2 targets
The federal government is set to reveal ‘interim emissions’ results under the new stringent NVES targets.

The Wheels Interview: Dr Stuart Newstead, safety expert, on why Australia’s road toll remains so high
Dr Stuart Newstead is one of Australia’s foremost experts on road safety, who has some pointed things to say about a country where car-related deaths are going up, not down, despite public safety campaigns and crash avoidance technology.

KGM Musso: Korean ute challenger takes aim at Ranger and HiLux with new dual cab
KG Mobility reveals rugged midsize truck blending familiar styling cues with diesel and hybrid power ahead of a 2026 debut.

2026 Toyota HiLux in-depth review: New, or just improved?
Toyota’s ninth-gen HiLux sticks closely to a proven formula, mixing modest structural tweaks, mild-hybrid tech and cabin updates with familiar underpinnings to keep Australia’s top-selling ute on track.

Lexus RZ 600e F Sport Performance turns the dial up to 11
With more power, aggressive aero and next-gen steer-by-wire tech, Lexus’s new electric flagship shows how serious the brand is about performance EVs.

Cars we wish were sold here: Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac transformed its image from 1980s’ Florida special to modern luxury with one car: the Escalade luxury SUV.

2026 Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Elegance review: Improved offering in third generation medium SUV
Tiguan’s third generation chases a more premium feel, adding features and polish – but questions remain over engine efficiency and hybrid options.

Kia set to reveal trio of high-performance electric GT models at Euro motor show
EV5 GT, EV3 GT and EV4 GT to debut on January 9 as Kia accelerates its push into performance-focused electric vehicles.

From the Wheels archives: The famous ‘lemon’ cover for Wheels Car of the Year in 1979
A shock result in Wheels’ Car of the Year award in 1979 got automotive tongues wagging.

Major road rule changes coming in 2026: What Australian drivers need to know
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The Wheels Interview: Mick Doohan, on life after MotoGP glory
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