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    Articles by Byron Mathioudakis

    Byron Mathioudakis
    Contributing Journalist

    Byron started his motoring journalism career when he joined John Mellor in 1997 before becoming a freelance motoring writer two years later.

    He wrote for several motoring publications and was ABC Youth radio Triple J's "all things automotive" correspondent from 2001 to 2003.

    He rejoined John Mellor in early 2003 and has been with GoAutoMedia as a senior product and industry journalist ever since.

    With an eye for detail and a vast knowledge base of both new and used cars Byron lives and breathes motoring.

    His encyclopedic knowledge of cars was acquired from childhood by reading just about every issue of every car magazine ever to hit a newsstand in Australia.

    The child Byron was the consummate car spotter, devoured and collected anything written about cars that he could lay his hands on and by nine had driven more imaginary miles at the wheel of the family Ford Falcon in the driveway at home than many people drive in a lifetime.

    The teenage Byron filled in the agonising years leading up to getting his driver's license by reading the words of the leading motoring editors of the country and learning what they look for in a car and how to write it.

    In short, Byron loves cars and knows pretty much all there is to know about every vehicle released during his lifetime as well as most of the ones that were around before then.

    Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive vs Kia EV5 GT-Line 2026 comparison review
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 04 Jul 2025
    Since its mid-2022 launch, the Tesla Model Y has dominated EV sales, driven by affordable prices, easy charging and dynamic performance. But increased competition and image issues have seen rivals muscling in, like the Kia EV5. This is the EV normalised, with user-friendly operation, packaging and ownership benefits. With the much-improved Model Y facelift now here, what is the better family SUV?
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    KGM Actyon 2026 review: K60
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 01 Jul 2025
    Formerly SsangYong, the newly-branded KGM hopes to make a splash with its ambitious Actyon - a Toyota RAV4 rival offering standout styling, larger-than-average packaging, value pricing and - quite unexpectedly - impressive refinement, quality presentation and sporty dynamics. It has flaws, but, drawing on 70 years of experience, the South Korean medium SUV is also likely better than you think.
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    2026 Mahindra Scorpio evolves at last: Affordable 4WD SUV steps up against Toyota Prado, GWM Tank 500 and BYD Denza B5 as Mahindra tailors safety for Australia
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 01 Jul 2025
    Mahindra has modified its crash-testing procedures as well as safety specifications of all future models coming to Australia, to factor in regional requirements, essentially “doubling up” on the processes and expense.
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    Look out Kia Tasman, Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger! 2026 Mahindra Pik-Up ute shapes up as value ute champion to beat Chinese rivals such as MG U9, LDV Terron 9 and GWM Cannon
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 23 Jun 2025
    Mahindra has announced that the next-generation Pik-Up is being prepared for an all-out assault on the lucrative Australian ute market. Dubbed Project Z121 and based on the Global Pik Up concept revealed in 2023, the all-new dual-cab one-tonne utility is pencilled in for an Australian launch sometime later next year, following a production debut in its native India later on this year.
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    BMW 540d xDrive 2025 review: Sedan
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 18 Jun 2025
    The BMW 5 Series has long set standards. But in a world of SUVs, an albeit beautiful sedan powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine seems wilfully defiant. Yet the latest 540d xDrive leans into its BMW-ness with intoxicating relish. As a stylish, low-slung grand tourer with an exquisite cabin, crisp handling, a comfy ride and effortless muscle, it is much cooler than any crossover.
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    Mahindra XUV 3XO 2026 review: International first drive
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 16 Jun 2025
    The Mahindra XUV 3X0 is the Indian brand's first small SUV in Australia, taking on the Chery Tiggo 4 and co. Though modern and well equipped, with a punchy 1.2-litre turbo, the front-drive crossover boasts chunky styling and high ground clearance to make it stand out. There's plenty for buyers to like, as our first drive in India reveals, but the pricing also needs to be right for it to succeed.
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    Like a modern-day Toyota FJ Cruiser: Why the iconic 2025 Mahindra Thar has been barred from Australia to take on the BYD Denza B5, Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Nissan Patrol and Jeep Wrangler
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 15 Jun 2025
    Mahindra has confirmed that the long-awaited Thar will not be sold in Australia in its current form. The rugged, body-on-frame wagon was expected to arrive sometime this year in traditional three-door and extended-body five-door wagon guises.
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    Didn't see this coming: Mahindra's wild new Thar Sport hybrid targeting the BYD 2026 Denza B5, Toyota Prado, Jeep Wrangler and GWM Tank 300 confirmed for Australia
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 10 Jun 2025
    Mahindra has finally confirmed that the Jeep Wrangler-style body-on-frame Thar as we know it will not be imported to Australia.
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    Mazda CX-60 Azami 2025 review: snapshot
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 08 Jun 2025
    The CX-60 Azami is the flagship model in Mazda’s medium-to-large-sized five-seater SUV.
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    Mazda CX-60 GT 2025 review: snapshot
    By Byron Mathioudakis · 06 Jun 2025
    The CX-60 GT is the overtly sporty version of the Hiroshima brand’s big mid-sized SUV.
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