The CarsGuide Podcast

The 2024 Ram Dakota is coming to rattle the Ford Ranger and hammer the Toyota HiLux, the two best-selling mid-size pick-ups in Australia. That's right, the American brand best known for the larger-than-life Ram 1500 ute, is cooking up an all-new model that it hopes will dominate the sales charts. But just what does the new Dakota have up its proverbial sleeve? Well, it's looking good for potential buyers, as a battery-electric (EV) version is under study alongside internal-combustion (ICE) versions with either petrol or diesel power. Point being, there should be something for everyone. That said, in this podcast special, CarsGuide's Managing Editor Tim Nicholson, News Editor Tung Nguyen and Contributing Journalist Andrew Chesterton gather to discuss exactly what's in store for the new Dakota under the bonnet, plus everything else we know so far. Spoiler alert: There's plenty to be excited about!

The eagerly anticipated 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado large SUV is nearly upon us. Hot on the wheels of the all-new LC300 4WD, the related next-generation 4x4 is shaping up as another huge success for the leading Japanese brand. So, in this video, CarsGuide assembles Managing Editor Tim Nicholson, Deputy Editor James Cleary and Contributing Journalist Andrew Chesterton to unpack exactly what is on the horizon for the Prado series. Yep, there's been plenty of reports from all across the world and we've compiled them all, ours included, to deliver a Prado preview for the ages, engines, design, pricing, timing and more included! #Toyota #Prado #News

There's no denying Australians are in a seemingly never-ending love affair with the ute - just a glance at the top-10 best-selling models here and you will see no less than four different pick-ups. In 2022 we saw the launch of the new-generation Ford Ranger, while the Toyota HiLux was also updated, but that doesn't mean there aren't more exciting utes on the way for 2023. From big units like the Ford F-150 to Volkswagen's take on the Ford Ranger formula, here are the utes to look forward to in 2023. Plus, we cover ‘This Week in News’ - the breaking stories you need to know about (Tesla Model 2 will be Australia’s cheapest EV, affordable Aussie classics, and should new left-hand drive models be sold here?). Plus, we give you our thoughts on the cars we’ve been driving this week, in ‘Cars in the Garage’ - Cupra Formentor Vz (Richard), Aston Martin DBX 707 (Matt), and Land Rover Defender 110 V8 (JC). You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

It's been five years since the last Australian-made Commodore rolled off the production line. It wasn't just the last Aussie-made Holden however, it was the last Australian made car. Join Stephen Ottley, Thomas White and Richard Berry as they discuss what happened on that final day and what it meant for the future of cars in Australia. They'll also be discussing news of the week including the electric version of thje Ford Ranger, the upcoming Ineos Grenadier and GWM's bold move to launch 50 electric vehicles by 2025. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

Aussie new car buyers can’t get enough of SUVs, and local showrooms will be full of fresh offerings across the coming year. City-sized, family-friendly, or off-road capable, there’s a lot of interesting shiny metal headed our way. Join Mal, Tom, and JC as they look at eight significant 2023 SUV arrivals. Headline news on the latest from Europe, Japan and the USA, as well as a quick rundown on the EV SUVs that are also in the mix for next year. Plus, we cover ‘This Week in News’ - the breaking stories you need to know about (another Chinese EV brand on the way, a post-Bathurst look at the future of Supercars, and the lowdown on BMW’s new M2). Plus, we give you our thoughts on the cars we’ve been driving this week, in ‘Cars in the Garage’ (Mal’s been Roc-ing a compact VW R, Tom’s hooked up with an attractive Spaniard, and JC’s been in a Ford family truckster). You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

Think you know who owns the company that built your car? And you have no doubts where it was produced, right? Well, it might be time to think again because the worldwide web of car brand ownership and vehicle manufacturing has become even more tangled in recent years. Join Chesto, Matt, and JC as they uncover some surprising facts about who owns what, and what's built where. How about a British icon owned by an Indian powerhouse, or a luxury Merc screwed together in Alabama? Plus, we cover 'This Week in News' - the breaking stories you need to know about (Toyota's diesel hybrid, a potential EV battery breakthrough, and 'chilling out' about Chinese cars). Plus, we give you a rundown on the fresh metal we've been driving this week, in 'Cars in the Garage' (Chesto's been plugging in an MG, Matt's living with a Rex, and JC's been gliding around in a Genesis). You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

The combustion to electric vehicle tipping point is getting closer and 2023 is a pivotal year for the Australian new car market, with a slew of new zero emissions models due here in the next 12 months. Join Dave Morley, Tung, and JC as they discuss the significance of what appears to be an automotive moment in time. We reckon EVs will not only be more plentiful next year, but more affordable, and as the EV train adds extra carriages will you be getting on board? Plus, we cover ‘This Week in News' - the breaking stories you need to know about (the latest on Australia's own hydrogen-powered ute, the H2X Warrego, Ram's 1200 will be a HiLux/Ranger rival, and it looks like Toyota's building a sub-HiLux ute). Plus, we give you a rundown on the fresh metal we've been driving this week, in ‘Cars in the Garage' (Tung's bought a Rukus, Dave's been Variety Bashing in a Merc, and JC comes over all Gallic in a Citroen). You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au #MG4 #CupraBorn #podcast

Yes, it’s that time when the new year product pipeline starts to open up and details of what’s heading our way in the next 12 months become clearer. Join Crafty, Tom, and JC as they look at the most significant pieces of fresh metal scheduled to arrive in Australia sooner rather than later. Forget the chip shortage for a moment, there’s still a bunch of shiny new utes, EVs, SUVs, sedans and sports cars scheduled to land in local showrooms next year. Plus, we cover ‘This Week in News’ - the breaking stories you need to know about (the lowdown on VW’s ID.4, Ford thinks Everest can crush Prado, and the Detroit show’s full of Aussie-appropriate utes). And we look at recent road test visitors in ‘Cars in the Garage’ (Tom’s been in the MG ZS EV, Crafty’s been punishing a Navara Warrior, and JC marks the end of a Merc-AMG era). You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au #VolkswagenAmarok #MazdaCX60 #podcast

As the electric vehicle asteroid hurtles towards the internal combustion engine and global automotive players push even more enthusiastically towards an EV future, is now the time to pull the trigger on a Megane RS, Golf GTI or the upcoming Civic Type R? Join Richard Berry, Steve Ottley (direct from Detroit) and JC as they investigate what’s looking like an affordable hot hatch extinction event. The Ford Focus ST is already gawn, the Megane’s on the way out, and this is likely the last generation VW Golf GTI. Plus, we cover ‘This Week in News’ - the breaking stories you need to know about (Steve “has plenty to say” about the new Ford Mustang), and and we give you a rundown on the fresh metal we’ve been driving this week, in ‘Cars in the Garage’ (how about a ‘Virtual Maverick’ drive in the Blue Oval’s hi-tech simulator?). You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au #FordMustang #HavalJolionHybrid #podcast

The RAM 1500 has been a big sales success in Australia, as has the Chevy Silverado, with the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra to join them soon. But are these US super-utes just too big to operate safely here? Try parking one at Woolies! The already substantial HiLux is just under 5.3m long, a bit over 1.8m wide, and around 1.8m tall. But the Tundra crushes it at 5.9m long, 2.0m wide, and 2.0m tall. How big's your garage? Will it even fit comfortably on a typical Aussie road, or be able to turn on tighter suburban streets? Or are these monster trucks better as narrowly-focused, specialised vehicles, suited to heavy-duty highway towing, or off-road work? Join the discussion! We'll also cover 'This Week in News' - the breaking stories you need to know about (HiLux Rogue, Y62 Patrol, electric Triton), and we give you a rundown on the fresh metal we've been driving this week, in 'Cars in the Garage'. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au #RAM1500 #ToyotaTundra #podcast

We're currently swamped with so much electric car news, but in the next 12 months these old school, front-engine, rear-drive, manual-available, combustion engine cars will be fighting for best-selling sports model in the Aussie market. In this episode, the podcast panel looks at the impact of the new Nissan Z, next-gen Ford Mustang, still fresh Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR 86 twins, and others. Could this be your last chance to buy an affordable, traditional, fun-to-drive performance coupe that follows the pure, suck-squeeze-bang-blow principle? Join the investigation! We’ll also cover ‘This Week in News’ - the breaking stories you need to know about (Toyota from boring to bonkers, Wey Yuan Meng madness, and Walkinshaw world domination), plus we give you a rundown on the fresh metal we’ve been driving this week, in ‘Cars in the Garage’. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

New hybrid and 100 per cent EV models are arriving in the Aussie market by the bucket load. Great for city-dwellers, but if you're a rural driver you might be feeling as if this brave new world is passing you by. Could the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle offer the best of both worlds, with enough battery power to allow meaningful zero-emissions driving around town, as well as extended road-trip range, with easy, rapid refuelling and a combustion engine? Or is it an EV dead-end that looks good in theory but is a waste of time in reality? Join the debate! We'll also cover 'This Week in News' - the breaking stories you need to know about (Toyota Tundra for Oz, Audi ute, BYD under fire), and we give you a rundown on the fresh metal we've been driving this week, in 'Cars in the Garage'. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au #PHEV #PluginHybrid #podcast

Aussie-developed Triton-based super ute incoming! Mitsubishi’s legendary world rally and off-road division is reborn as the Ralliart performance and racing brand reignites with a tough, locally-produced Triton-based performance package that will surely take the fight up to Ford’s Ranger Raptor, Nissan’s Navara Warrior and Toyota’s soon-to-arrive HiLux Rogue update. Crafty, Chesto and JC share the inside scoop on who’s doing the work, when, where, why and how. Plus, there’s a competition version built to compete in the Asia Cross Country Rally this November. We’ll also cover 'This Week in News’ - the breaking stories you need to know about (GWM King Kong Cannon, a Kia ute update, plus MG4 & MG7), and we give you a rundown on the fresh metal we’ve been driving this week, in 'Cars in the Garage.’ World’s most powerful SUV, anyone? You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au #TritonRalliart #RangerRaptor #podcast

Mitsubishi, where are your EVs? Every couple of years over the last decade Mitsubishi has pulled the wraps off an EV concept but we’ve seen donut in terms of production models since the tiny, short-lived i-MiEV in 2011. What’s up with that? This week the CarsGuide Podcarst panel (Editor Mal Flynn, Senior Journalist Richard Berry, and Deputy Editor James Cleary) looks at what, on the face of it, appears to be Mitsubishi EV Fake News! Has the Japanese brand fallen off the back of the electric vehicle wave? We’ll also cover ‘This Week in News’ - the breaking news stories you need to know about (Ampol goes Electric, new-gen Mustang, and a ghostly little SUV from Hyundai), and give you a rundown on the fresh metal we’ve been driving this week, in ‘Cars in the Garage.’ You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, or reach out by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au #2023FordMustang #HyundaiCasper #podcast CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive Visit our website for News, Reviews, Advice and more: https://www.carsguide.com.au Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/carsguide Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carsguide.australia Follow our Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/carsguideaus Follow our TikTok profile: https://www.tiktok.com/@carsguide Follow our Twitter profile: https://www.twitter.com/CarsGuide Follow our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carsguide-com-au

Is Ford failing in Australia? The brand easily and successfully sells the Ranger pickup and Everest 4x4 SUV, but its other models are being overlooked. The Ranger ute is by far Ford’s top-selling model and it is Australia’s second favourite model behind HiLux, for sales. The Everest SUV is also a sales winner. So why can’t Ford seem to sell any other models, and what is the company doing about it? In this episode of the CarsGuide podcast, Tim Nicholson, Byron Mathioudakis and Stephen Ottley investigate whether Ford can broaden its appeal beyond its two hero cars. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter (#CGPodcast) and Instagram, or get in touch by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

We tell you our top 7 picks in the world of hybrid SUV models - is your next car on the list? Hybrid SUVs are what’s hot right now! Game-changing fuel efficiency with snappy performance and long-haul practicality. If you’re thinking about a family-friendly hybrid, you’ve come to the right place. In this episode of the CarsGuide podcast, Tom White, Steve Corby, and James Cleary list their top seven picks from the current crop of high-riding petrol-electric haulers. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter (#CGPodcast) and Instagram, and give us your top hybrid SUVs by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

They're the revolutionary vehicles no one knew they needed, or wanted, until they arrived. Game-changing cars, commercials, SUVs and 4x4s that altered the course of history! In this episode of the CarsGuide podcast, Dave Morley, Marcus Craft, and James Cleary discuss their picks of dramatically different icebreakers that raised eyebrows and dropped jaws around the world. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter (#CGPodcast) and Instagram, and give us your take on cars that broke the mould by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

We are just over halfway through 2022 and we have seen some seriously impressive models already launched. Despite the supply dramas impacting most carmakers, there is still plenty of new metal that’s scheduled to go on sale in the second half of the year. In this episode of the CarsGuide podcast, Tim Nicholson, Tung Nguyen and Byron Mathioudakis detail the biggest models that are yet to appear and look at when they are likely to arrive. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter (#CGPodcast) and Instagram, or get in touch by emailing comments@carsguide.com.aus

It’s an Aussie family and off-road favourite, but getting your hands on a new Toyota LandCruiser 70 or 300 Series has never been harder, with wait times blowing out to years not months. Toyota’s stopped taking orders in Japan, so should you wait or buy a Patrol instead? In this episode of the CarsGuide podcast, James Cleary, Matt Campbell, and Andrew Chesterton discuss the supply and demand nightmare currently facing Toyota in Japan and Australia when it comes to putting a new LandCruiser in your driveway. You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter (#CGPodcast) and Instagram, and give us your take on #LandCruiserGate by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au

What if General Motors had sold Holden in 2020 rather than axing it? In a package deal, with Opel and Vauxhall, to PSA. Then, in the PSA/FCA merger, it would have become a Stellantis brand. In this episode of the CarsGuide podcast, James Cleary, Mal Flynn, and Steve Ottley discuss the Commodore that could have been. The scenarios are almost endless? Dodge Challenger/Holden Commodore twins anyone? Maybe the Peugeot 508 as a base? You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter (#CGPodcast) and Instagram, and tell us about the next-gen Commodore you'd like to have seen by emailing comments@carsguide.com.au