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

Geely Starray EM-i gains bigger battery and longer EV range for soon-to-arrive model
Updated plug-in hybrid SUV adds larger 29.8kWh battery, faster charging and nearly 1000km claimed driving range.

Nissan X-Trail v Mazda CX-5: Medium-size SUVs go head-to-head in hard-fought segment
Upgraded for 2026, the Nissan X-Trail is primed to take the fight to one of the segment favourites, the Mazda CX-5, which is nearing the end of its life as a new model looms on the horizon

Ford plans fightback with Fiesta return and new SUVs
Five new models due by 2029 as Ford rebuilds its shrinking European line-up with electric and hybrid vehicles.

Electric BMW 1 Series will target next generation of buyers
BMW wants to appeal to a younger demographic, with both internal combustion and electric power available for the fourth generation of the popular 1 Series.

Jaguar tests Type 01 prototype on Monaco Formula E circuit
Electric four-door GT draws on Formula E technology as Jaguar prepares to unveil its first model in a new era later this year.

Aussie state closes mobile phone fine loophole after thousands challenge penalties
New laws now explicitly ban drivers from resting phones on their bodies, ending legal uncertainty around camera-issued fines.

AI integration is coming to cars and could change the way you do everything
The stilted voice commands for car control could be replaced by fluid conversations, adaptable interactions, and smarter problem-solving to help you get around.

Boot sizes of Australia’s favourite SUVs
Not all SUV models are created equal when it comes to the cargo department, so how big is the boot on each of our best-selling SUV models in each category?

GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T vs Denza B5: Spec Battle
Large SUVs with off-road capability are moving quickly into the era of electrification. Two of the plug-in hybrid frontrunners are the Tank 300 PHEV and Denza B5 – so which wins on spec?

BMW revives Alpina as luxury performance brand with dramatic V8 concept
New Vision BMW Alpina previews a more exclusive future positioned between BMW and Rolls-Royce.

Ferrari unveils exclusive HC25 one-off roadster for serious collectors
Special Projects division creates bespoke V8-powered supercar inspired by the F80 hypercar and classic coachbuilt Ferraris.

Volkswagen’s first electric ID. Polo GTI takes aim at hot hatch purists
New ID. Polo GTI combines front-wheel-drive dynamics, adaptive suspension and fast charging as Volkswagen prepares its electric performance future.

Cars that won’t make it to 2027
Some heavy-hitters among driving enthusiasts will be pulled from the market during this year.

From the Wheels archive: Escort RS2000 – Ford’s mini muscle car
When Ford crammed a punchy 2.0-litre into just 916kg of Escort, it created a mini muscle car legend.

Top 10 cheapest medium SUVs you can buy in Australia right now
If you’re in the market for a new SUV to serve the family, but want to keep a lid on expenses, here are the 10 cheapest medium SUVs you can buy in Australia.

BYD aiming to topple Kia Carnival with new M9 people mover in Australia
Government approval has been given for BYD to tackle the Kia Carnival with its new M9 people mover that features a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

Mercedes-Benz adds black-pack special editions to E-Class range
The E300 Night Edition and AMG E53 Dark Carbon Edition bring popular ‘black edition’ styling touches for a limited time.

Ram 1500 Express Black Edition: New entry-level grade joins best-selling truck range
The new entry-level version of the Ram 1500, dubbed the Black Express, lowers the price of entry into the 1500 range significantly.

Honda previews new hybrid sedan and Acura SUV as part of major electrified push
Japanese brand confirms 15 new hybrid models by 2030 as it doubles down on petrol-electric technology alongside next-generation driver assistance systems.

Next-generation GWM Haval H6 revealed ahead of early 2027 Australian release
The covers have been lifted off the next-generation GWM Haval H6, which is due in Australia in early 2027 with a larger body and more in-car tech.

European luxury cars leapfrogged in sales by Chinese upstart
A landslide in sales sees a brand that’s not even one year old outsell luxury sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series.

Second ‘House of Denza’ opens in Sydney exclusively for customers of the brand
The House of Denza premium spaces have added a second location, with a new Sydney space opened exclusively for the use of Denza owners.

Subaru slashes pricing of Solterra and Trailseeker electric SUVs
Subaru has taken the scalpel to Australian pricing for its Solterra and Trailseeker electric SUVs, with lower price tags than before of up to $4000.

What does it cost to get a licence in every state of Australia?
The cost of getting your driver’s licence varies greatly depending on your location, according to new research from a professional driving instructor finder, as does the time required to become fully licensed.
