Cars
No two cars on this page make sense together, and that’s the point. The intoxicating Bentley Continental GTC Speed sits next to the joyous little Hyundai INSTER; the BMW M3 Touring shares the page with a Jeep Gladiator on 33s. I’ve driven all of them - properly - and I write about what they’re actually like to live with, park, charge, load kids and dogs into, and push on a good road. Petrol, diesel, PHEV, EV. Track weapons, family haulers, and farm utes. If it’s interesting, it’s here.
What you won’t find is anything dressed up. I’ve got no allegiances to keep, so I’ll say what worked, what annoyed me, and whether I’d spend my own money on it. Some of these are full-blown reviews, some are quick takes, and some are just car news worth knowing.
If you like driving, as I do, I think you will enjoy my stories and experiences. Get in touch anytime - cars@mikeboyd.co
- Mike
Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Black Ink: The Big SUV Goes Full Noir
14 July 2026
Hyundai has announced a new Calligraphy Black Ink variant of its flagship Palisade seven-seater - and as the name suggests, the brief was simple: make it dark. It's the same top-spec Calligraphy underneath, just with the colour-delete treatment applied to pretty much everything.
The 5th Gen BMW X5
1 July 2026
A new X5 doesn't come along every day, and this one offers a choice of five powertrains from Petrol to Hydrogen, wrapped in the Neue Klasse styling. It's a deliberate hedge against an uncertain decade, and given the X5 is one of the cars that pay a lot of BMW's bills, it's worth paying attention to.
BMW M Concept Neue Klasse
16 June 2026
Unveiled at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse previews an all-electric performance future with four motors, 800-volt tech and clear nods to the legendary E30 M3 - but can an EV ever truly be an M car?
Audi's new Q7 - The Third Act
11 June 2026
The large luxury SUV that served my family well is back in third-generation form - and it's better in all the ways that matter.
Just Buy a Golf
16 April 2026
Ask me what car to buy, and nine times out of ten, I'll say the same thing: just buy a Volkswagen Golf. Here's why the ageing Mk7.5 is the smartest used-car money you can spend, and why it quietly beats all the versions that have followed.
Tags: Volkswagen, Golf
Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Review: Italian Flair Meets Hybrid Smarts
2 April 2026
The 2026 Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida blends sporty style, efficient hybrid power, and surprising practicality into a small SUV that's fun to drive and easy on fuel. But does it deliver real value for Aussie buyers?
Tags: alfa romeo, hybrid, suv
The MINI Aceman SE is a Crossover EV You Actually Want to Drive
17 March 2026
The MINI Aceman SE pairs punchy front-drive performance with genuinely premium build quality and real-world range - but can a 1.7 tonne EV still feel like a proper MINI?
GWM Tank 500 Ultra PHEV Review: Luxury Muscle Meets Unbeatable Value
23 February 2026
Is the GWM Tank 500 Ultra PHEV the Prado killer we've been waiting for? With 300kW, 120km electric range and luxury to rival a Bentayga - all for lass than $80k - it might just be.
MINI Countryman SE ALL4: Big, Bold, and Electric
9 February 2026
Forget everything you thought you knew about MINIs being pint-sized. The Countryman SE ALL4 is a vast, all-electric family hauler with go-kart handling and tech overload. So, is there anything wrong with that?
Tags: mini, ev, countryman
Hyundai Staria Highlander Review: The People Mover Lives On
12 January 2026
The Hyundai Staria Highlander is one of the last proper 8‑seat people movers on sale in Australia - and after more than 2,700km behind the wheel, it proved to be a superb long‑distance cruiser with family‑friendly practicality, frugal diesel economy, and a few annoying flaws.
Tags: hyundai, people-mover, diesel, awd
Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer: A Top-Spec Family Hauler That's Great Value
15 December 2025
The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer punches way above its sub-$65K price with luxury leather massagers, an orchestral Yamaha 12-speaker hi-fi, and sublime open-road comfort. But does it deliver real-world value for Aussie families?
Tags: mitsubishi, suv, outlander
Hyundai INSTER - The Micro EV Australia Needs
5 December 2025
Hyundai’s INSTER EV is modern, compact, practical, and a lot of fun. With real‑world range, useful tech and sub‑$40k pricing, it lands right in the EV sweet spot for Aussie buyers…with a few caveats.
Genesis G80 Black Review: V6 Muscle in a Tux
27 November 2025
The Genesis G80 Black takes the already-impressive G80 and cranks the attitude to eleven, with a gangster-spec blackout treatment, and a silky 3.5‑litre twin‑turbo V6. But is it the large luxury sedan you should actually buy with your own money?
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N: Australia’s Ultimate Electric Hot Hatch
21 November 2025
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is the most track-focused EV you can buy in Australia right now. A 640hp twin‑motor sledgehammer that somehow doubles as a comfortable, daily driver. But it’s not perfect, and it certainly isn’t cheap.
The 2025 BMW X3 30e xDrive: Where Performance Meets Efficiency
13 November 2025
The BMW X3 30e plug-in hybrid nails what most PHEVs get wrong. Refined around town on electric power, it transforms into a proper motorway cruiser, delivering real-world efficiency. It's the luxury mid-sized plug-in hybrid that makes a lot of sense.
Seven Seats, Zero Compromise: The Volvo EX90 Rewrites What an EV Can Be
5 November 2025
The Volvo EX90 is the electric seven-seater that rewrites the rulebook. Packed with LiDAR safety tech that's genuinely prescient, a luxurious Scandinavian interior that actually fits families, and 570km of real-world range, this is Swedish engineering at its finest. It's not cheap - but it's absolutely brilliant.
Nissan Qashqai e‑Power N-Design: Polished and Premium… But Missing One Big Thing
18 September 2025
The 2025 Nissan Qashqai N‑Design e‑Power is one of the most refined medium SUVs you can buy, with a luxe interior, clever hybrid tech and a seriously polished drive. But in Australia, at over fifty grand and still only front‑wheel drive, is it the right fit for your driveway?
Leapmotor C10 EV - A Budget Electric SUV with Big Space and Frustrating Foibles
8 August 2025
The Leapmotor C10 EV punches above its weight in space and comfort for under $55K in Australia, but a laggy touchscreen, missing staples, and overzealous safety nannies hold it back. Is this Chinese EV a smart buy for families?
Nissan Patrol Warrior - The Last of the Accessible V8 SUVs
18 July 2025
Premcar's Warrior treatment turns the already-imposing Nissan Patrol into Australia's most charismatic full-size SUV - a 5.6-litre V8 brute with serious off-road chops, a side-pipe soundtrack, and a fresh interior that finally feels worthy of the badge.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door: Great on The Road and Awesome Off It
21 March 2025
Can a vehicle truly be both a daily driver and a serious off-road machine? The new Rubicon proves it's possible - if you're willing to embrace a few quirks.
Jeep Gladiator Rubicon: The Ultimate Aussie Adventure Ute?
10 September 2024
Is the 2025 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon truly the ultimate Aussie adventure ute? With a streamlined lineup, a sharper price point, and a cabin loaded with new tec, the latest Gladiator is making a bold claim.
BMW M2: Find a Better Coupe under $150K
23 October 2023
This second-gen M2 delivers blistering performance and real-world thrills in a package that's more usable than ever. But is this 353kW rocket worth the premium price for Aussie drivers?
BMW M3 Touring - One of the all-time great BMW M cars
10 October 2023
The BMW M3 Touring is the most practical and persuasive car ever made. Its jaw-dropping performance makes it one of the all-time great BMW M cars.
Bentley Continental GTC Speed - The World’s Best Convertible GT Car
8 February 2023
The iconic convertible that combines exquisite craftsmanship with exhilarating driving dynamics.
Tags: bentley, gt, convertible