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
2026 BYD Sealion 5 first drive review: Bringing plug-in hybrid tech to a wider audience
The Sealion 5 is BYD’s latest arrival in Australia. With plug-in hybrid technology and sharp pricing, this is the vehicle that is set to take even more market share for the surging brand.
CUPRA expands Leon VZe Sportstourer range with new Extreme Package option
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BYD’s Aussie boss on its battle with Tesla: ‘It’s about value as much as range and battery smarts’
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Which cars priced under $50k have the biggest boot?
Practicality is a major consideration when we buy the cars we buy, so with a budget of $50,000, which cars on the market have the the largest boots?
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2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year, contender: Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana
Volkswagen’s new Amarok is a Ranger under the skin, with vastly improved safety and second row comfort compared with the original.
2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year, contender: MG U9
MG has no intention of missing out on the dual-cab fever currently running wild in Australia. Enter the new U9, which has more than a few party tricks to reveal.
2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year, contender: Mazda BT-50 GT
The Mazda BT-50 hits a lot of the right notes in the dual-cab segment, but there are some crucial areas where it falls a little short.
2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year, contender: KGM Musso Ultimate Luxury XLV
The ‘other’ challenger brand in this segment is one that some of you might not immediately think of – South Korea’s first dual-cab entrant, the KGM Musso.
2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year, contender: Kia Tasman X-Line
It might have a face only a mother could love but underneath that Ugly Duckling exterior lives a refined and well-sorted dual-cab.
2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year, contender: Isuzu D-Max Terrain
Updated and tweaked recently, the D-Max continues to appeal to buyers looking for rugged reliability and all-round capability.
2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year, 3rd: Ford Ranger V6 Sport
The Ford Ranger redefined the segment when the latest-gen launched in 2022, establishing itself as the best-selling vehicle of any kind over the last two years.
2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year, 2nd: GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is disrupting the dual-cab universe with larger overall dimensions and its fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Wheels crowns its first-ever Ute of the Year in new February 2026 issue
Nine of Australia’s best-selling dual-cab utes face Car of the Year-style testing as Wheels launches a landmark new award.
2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year Winner: BYD Shark 6
In a first for Wheels, dual cabs get their own segment and new yearly award – with a razor sharp focus. And it’s one of the newer brands taking out our first-ever Ute of the Year award, the BYD Shark 6.
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Mercedes-AMG confirms three-model electric future focused on performance SUVs
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From the Wheels archive: The 250km/h test – Holden Group A v BMW M5 – One of them is the world’s best sedan!
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The Grand Tour set to return… but without Clarkson, Hammond and May
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Confirmed: AMG to axe four-cylinder hybrid from C 63 in favour of new turbo-six
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