Articles by Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson
Senior Journalist

Racing video games, car-spotting on road trips, and helping wash the family VL Calais Turbo as a kid were all early indicators that an interest in cars would stay present in Chris’ life, but loading up his 1990 VW Golf GTI Mk2 and moving from hometown Brisbane to work in automotive publishing in Melbourne ensured cars would be a constant.

With a few years as MOTOR Magazine’s first digital journalist under his belt, followed by a stint as a staff journalist for Wheels Magazine, Chris’ career already speaks to a passion for anything with four wheels, especially the 1989 Mazda MX-5 he currently owns.

From spending entire weeks dissecting the dynamic abilities of sports cars to weighing up the practical options for car buyers from all walks of life, Chris’ love for writing and talking about cars means if you’ve got a motoring question, he can give you an answer.

New-gen electric sedan pricing revealed
By Chris Thompson · 28 Aug 2025
Volvo Australia has confirmed local pricing for its incoming segment-treading electric car, the ES90.
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GWM Haval H7 2026 review: Vanta HEV
By Chris Thompson · 26 Aug 2025
If you like the GWM Haval H6 but want something that at least looks like it can go off road, say hello to the Haval H7. A family mid-size hybrid SUV with boxy looks and a packed features list.
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Iconic brand confirms special SUV and hatchback! 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Onyx and Impreza S-Edition both add more kit, but numbers are limited
By Chris Thompson · 26 Aug 2025
Two new special editions from Subaru are now available in limited numbers, adding more kit to two of the iconic brand’s popular models.The Subaru Crosstrek Onyx and Impreza S-Edition have both joined the line-up, each based on the respective ‘2.0S’ variants in their model ranges but with extra features to entice customers in.They’re both listed on the Subaru Australia website, though pricing and exact specifications weren’t public at the time of writing. Subaru instead supplied a list of the changes for each.The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Onyx comes in at $43,890 and is available in 250 units across Australia. While it’s (like the Impreza S-Edition) mechanically unchanged in terms of its drivetrain (a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-four Boxer engine), it adds a series of extra styling elements.Black trim elements and a rear spoiler, a dark metallic set of 18-inch wheels, a bonnet decal, mud guards and Onyx badging all come with the limited-edition Crosstrek. For reference, the standard Crosstrek 2.0S is $42,490.For the Impreza S-Edition, which costs $42,490 (over the Impreza 2.0S at $38,990) and is even more limited to 100 units, looking sporty rather than rugged is the aim.To that goal, plenty of STI parts including a front lip spoiler and a rear spoiler, a sports grille, STI trim inside and a set of 18-inch Enkei alloy wheels in black are included as well as ‘S-Edition’ badging.
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Porsche 911 2026 review: Carrera Coupe
By Chris Thompson · 23 Aug 2025
For more than 60 years, the Porsche 911 has built a reputation as the ultimate in everyday sports car driving. We grab a 'base' model Carrera to find out if the 992.2 generation still lives up to the hype.
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Mahindra’s huge next-gen move! Indian car brand takes aim at Chinese brands like BYD and XPeng with new global platform
By Chris Thompson · 19 Aug 2025
Mahindra has revealed four concept models that point to mainstream global aspirations via a new platform to underpin its models.
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Hybrid SUV with 1500km range claim! 2026 MG IM6 updated in China almost immediately after the Tesla Model Y rival’s Australian launch
By Chris Thompson · 18 Aug 2025
Just as MG’s premium ‘IM’ brand has launched in Australia, the model it’s likely to sell in the greatest volume has been given a hefty update and a new hybrid range-extender (EREV) in its home market.
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'Hybrid is hybrid, it merits the badge': Suzuki Australia boss defends use of Hybrid badge for mild-hybrid models like the 2025 Swift Hybrid and Fronx Hybrid
By Chris Thompson · 15 Aug 2025
Suzuki came under a brief volley of fire for its use of the ‘hybrid’ badge when it launched the current Suzuki Swift, a car with only mild-hybrid capability.
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