Coupes under $50k
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- Best coupes under $50k
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

Michael Stahl: The incredible story of how Kerry Packer came to own his first Audi Quattro
A rally-bred Audi and a billionaire’s singlemindedness – how Kerry Packer set his sights on a right-hook Quattro performance coupe in the 1980s.

Chery QQ3 small electric hatchback launches in China; ‘strong interest’ from Australia
Chery Australia says it has ‘strong interest’ in Corolla-sized electric hatchback that could rival BYD, MG and GWM in the small EV segment.

Hyundai adds Palisade Elite as new entry point to its hybrid SUV range
Eight-seat Elite variant undercuts Calligraphy by $13,400 while retaining hybrid power and local suspension tuning.

IM’s game-changing digital chassis explained
Rewriting the automotive rule book is no easy task. There’s a reason things have been done the same way for so long – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. After impressing the judges at Wheels COTY testing, Trent Nikolic has taken a closer look at the potentially revolutionary technology powering the chassis beneath the IM range

TAG Heuer launches Formula 1 edition of its Connected Calibre E5 smartwatch
New 45mm titanium model integrates official F1 timing data, race-themed watch faces and season-long updates.

Toyota open to deepening alliance with Walkinshaw
Toyota signals potential expansion of Walkinshaw partnership beyond Tundra remanufacturing and GR Supra Supercars program, as both companies flag interest in future performance-focused projects.

Reach of mobile phone and seatbelt cameras to double on single-lane roads in days
Bi-directional enforcement begins in NSW on March 1, expanding detection capacity without adding new camera units.

MINI marks 1965 Monte Carlo win with limited Victory Edition
Thirty John Cooper Works variants for Australia, including 10 electric models, due in showrooms in Q2 2026.

Sales of petrol cars drop sharply in the EU as hybrid, PHEV and electric surge
The rise in popularity of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles has seen petrol and diesel new car sales plummet in the EU

Rare right-hand-drive Ferrari F40 up for auction in Australia
The 1990 F40 was converted locally and is one of an estimated six in Australia, with bidding over $2.5 million ahead of February 25 close.

MG HS Super Hybrid review: Mid-sized SUV is fuel efficient in just the way you want it to be
Plug-in hybrids are starting to find favour – and for good reason, given their inherent practicality, with more than a hint of EV sensibility

Mercedes-Benz adds limited C 300 AMG Line Plus Edition to Australian range
Limited-run C-Class adds black exterior detailing, 19-inch AMG wheels and upgraded trim, while retaining the C 300’s standard technology, safety systems and pricing incentives.

Tesla begins Australian rollout of Grok AI assistant
Software update adds xAI-powered system to eligible Model S, 3, X and Y vehicles, starting with HW3 cars.

Chery Tiggo 9 review: Plug-in hybrid seven-seater aims to take market share from established rivals
Chery’s bargain seven-seater Tiggo 9 looks highly capable on paper with stats like a claimed 146km electric range and 315kW, but how does it fare against its main rivals?

Limited run Lotus Emira Turbo Bathurst Edition unveiled
Track-focused Lotus was presented to fans of the brand by Simply Sports Cars at Mount Panorama.

Tesla Model Y L six-seater one step closer to Australia
Australia’s best-selling electric vehicle is set to expand with local approval for a three-row, six-seat Tesla Model Y.

Lexus IS sedan: Reports suggest it could return as an EV
It has been suggested Lexus is preparing an electric IS revival for 2027, with single and dual-motor variants, LF-ZC-inspired styling and focus on key North American market.

Hyundai Elexio arrives as new mid-size EV SUV, cheaper variant also due in 2026
Five-seat electric SUV launches at $59,990 drive-away, with second, more affordable model confirmed for second quarter of 2026.

2026 BMW M3 CS Touring first drive review: The best wagon in the world?
Lighter, faster and more powerful, what was BMW’s already formidable M3 Touring gets the Competition Sport treatment.

Lamborghini shelves EV supercar plans as hybrids become long-term focus
Italian marque says customers favour plug-in technology over battery-only models, with EV demand described as limited.

Minimum age for e-bike riders looms
Proposal follows rising safety concerns, with decision due by June and European standards slated for 2029.

Chery ute with diesel PHEV power set for 2026 Australian launch
A new Chery ute will launch locally later this year with a unique powertrain in Australia: a diesel plug-in hybrid.

Tesla slashes price of Cybertruck with new entry-level model
A new entry level model slashes Cybertruck price by U$S10,000 but will it be enough to halt the model’s sales slide?

2026 Denza B5 Leopard first drive review: Tech-rich off-roader breaks new ground for BYD
Another brand new to the market, Denza looks to make its mark as BYD’s upscale luxury arm, with a focus on standard equipment and luxury. Should Toyota Prado and Ford Everest be looking over their sheetmetal shoulders?
