Browsing: Automobiles

We all have that friend, the one who expects the world to stop for their birthday. The Mazda MX-5 is that friend.First launched in 1989, the world’s best-selling roadster rapidly became a source of immense pride for Mazda. So, in 1999, the Japanese manufacturer decided to celebrate the success of its little sports car by launching the 10th Anniversary Edition – a visually and mechanically enhanced version of the then-new NB MX-5. Fairy bread and a jumping castle, anyone?The party must’ve been a riot, because Mazda has followed up with a new Anniversary Edition every five years since. And this…

BMW’s Rosslyn factory in South Africa builds no fewer than 330 X3s every single day. Production of the “G45” started a little over a year ago when the first 30e xDrive rolled off the assembly line. It’s worth noting that the plug-in hybrid is made exclusively in SA for all global markets. A few months later, the electrified crossover was joined by the gas-powered X3 20 and diesel X3 20d.Much like the PHEV, the six-cylinder X3 40d is also built solely in South Africa. Of the four variants, the electrified model is by far the most popular, currently accounting for…

We’re pretty hyped about the return of the Nissan Xterra. This rugged SUV has been off the market since 2015, but Nissan has already confirmed its revival in the coming years. Even better, the company aims to keep its new Xterra affordable. In a recent interview with The Drive at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Nissan SVP Michael Soutter said the new Xterra “has got to start sub-$40,000.” That would put it in direct competition with other rugged SUVs, including the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota 4Runner. Perhaps most importantly for Xterra fans, though, is the color. Soutter added…

The base price of the Genesis GV80 has dropped for 2026 with the return of a four-cylinder engine.Dropped for 2024, the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine has now returned. Sadly, the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline six, discontinued in 2024, hasn’t returned as it’s no longer being produced.The GV80 lineup now opens at $120,000 before on-road costs, a reduction of $10,000. The twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6-powered variant that did open the range remains, but is $2000 more expensive for 2026.Elsewhere in the large luxury SUV lineup, prices are up by between $1500 and $1700.CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click…

When a car is this small, the world feels like an oversized playground. It’s even more fun on a twisty road like Japan’s winding mountain route in the Nikko region. MINI brought its latest gasoline hot hatch for a photo shoot on the famous Irohazaka Road, known for its often narrow, challenging corners.Why now? The “F66”-generation JCW recently attended the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. From there, the journey continued north for roughly 180 kilometers (112 miles) to Nikko National Park, where Irohazaka Road begins, offering drivers a chance to explore the beauty of the Oku-Nikko plateau. It’s especially…

Last year, when the Palisades Fire tore through Southern California, a white-over-blue Volkswagen T2 somehow (mostly) survived. It became a beacon of hope, and once the automaker learned about the bus, it pledged to fix it. Now, VW has restored it and is ready to show it off to the public.   According to the automaker, the T2 needed significant work, including mechanical fixes. The fire burnt the exterior, peeled the paint, and melted a turn signal cover. The restoration process required VW to replace or repair over 900 parts, and the project took more than 2,000 hours to complete.  Photos of the “magic bus” revealed a lot of its damage, but despite that, it was clearly worth saving.  Complicating…

In a bombshell claim delivered at the Genesis Magma launch in France, Hyundai Motor Company CEO Jose Muñoz has declared the Korean automotive giant has overtaken the Volkswagen Group to become the second-most profitable automaker in the world.While Toyota remains the undisputed king of global sales and profits, the battle for second place has been fierce.Speaking to media, Mr Muñoz didn’t mince words about the shifting hierarchy of the automotive world.“We have become, already, several years in a row, the number three global OEM [by sales]. And in fact, when you consider profits, we are number two,” Mr Muñoz said.“So…

BMW picked up a significant haul of awards in Germany this week, taking home two “Golden Steering Wheel” trophies from Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag, and earning a record nine class wins in Auto Zeitung’s Auto Trophy readers’ poll. The results span combustion, hybrid, and electric models, showing strong support for BMW’s current lineup across different segments.BMW iX3 Wins “Best Innovation”The new BMW iX3, the first production model of the Neue Klasse generation, won the Golden Steering Wheel for “Best Innovation.” The jury highlighted the iX3’s range of up to 805 km (WLTP), its 400 kW charging capability, and…

Hyundai wants to get serious about off-roading. Yes, the automaker already offers its XRT line, which adds a few rugged touches to models like the Ioniq 5, Palisade, and Santa Fe. But this new concept shows what serious off-roading within the Hyundai lineup could look like. Meet the Crater, an all-new SUV concept that previews a potential future off-roader for Hyundai. It looks badass, riding on 33-inch off-road tires with skid plates, tow hooks, and half a dozen auxiliary lights. It even wears the same digital pixel camouflage seen on the Ioniq 5 XRT, along with a handful of fun…

The Toyota RAV4 is, without a doubt, the most important SUV in Australia. It doesn’t just sell well; it completely dominates the segment, outselling its nearest rivals combined to become Australia’s most popular SUV bar none – and the Japanese brand’s top-seller – in 2024.But now there’s a new one. The sixth-generation model arrives in 2026 with a tough new look, a brand-new interior, and, for the first time in Australia, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain option.But it also comes with a significant price hike and, for the regular hybrid, a reduction in power. We went to Toyota’s proving ground…