Wheels

Wheels is Australia’s original motoring magazine. Launched in 1953, we’ve been trusted by generations of Australians to provide entertaining and forthright opinions on the good, the bad and the ugly of new and used cars. A world-class car mag with a formidable international reputation, Wheels covers the full gamut of cars – from sports cars to four-wheel-drives, economy to family cars – but it also covers the people, personalities and the power plays behind one of the world’s most dynamic industries.

Wheels

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INBOX • Got something to say? wheels@wheelsmedia.com.au

MICHAEL STAHL • There’s more to being a COTY judge than my mates would have you believe…

PAUL GOVER • The late Allan Moffat didn’t much look like a race car driver… but he worked harder at the craft than all others

What Mick did next • Paul Gover catches up with Mick Doohan who at 60, brings the same single-minded determination to his business interests as he did claiming five MotoGP world titles.

Old dog, new tricks • A pioneer among medium SUVs, the ever-popular RAV4 now gets an all-new version arriving early 2026, adding hybrid efficiency to its winning formula.

Six shooter • Mazda goes back to the future with the return of a popular model – but this time with electric power and RWD.

Heavy metal • Ford’s Ranger has dominated sales charts as objectively the best dual-cab ute available. Now, in an appeal to fleet and rural buyers looking for the ultimate work truck, there’s a new big dog in town…

CAR OF THE YEAR • Victoria’s historic Lang Lang proving ground once again served up its famous ‘four seasons in one day’ weather across a busy week of testing, playing its part in delivering another hard-fought, and certainly surprising 62nd edition of Wheels COTY – the world’s longest continuous annual car award.

This year’s judging panel • Some of the most seasoned writers about motoring in Australia assessed this year’s COTY field.

What’s involved in judging Wheels Car of the Year?

The criteria

Lang Lang Proving Ground • It’s the ultimate Australian location for putting COTY contenders through their paces

Contenders • From pint-sized EVs and hybrids to sports sedans, mid-size SUVs and rugged off-roaders, 20 contenders across six segments vie for Australia’s most prestigious car award.

The data • Thanks to Karl Reindler, the key timings of the field for 0-100km/h, braking from 100-0km/h, and the swerve and avoid.

ROUND ONE • Every entrant starts as a chance of the COTY title, but a first round of driving soon determines the cars that won’t progress to the business end in this year’s award.

Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida • Alfa Romeo’s new Junior hybrid SUV trades the brand’s famous flair for economy and practicality – but left our judges unimpressed by its modest performance and lack of emotional spark.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe • BMW’s 2 Series Gran Coupe delivers comfort, polish and familiar driving pleasure, but its somewhat conventional approach failed to truly excite the judges.

Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid Urban • Chery’s Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid surprises with strong performance, long electric range and generous safety kit, though its firm ride reminds you it’s built to a price.

GWM Haval H6 Ultra Hi4 AWD • GWM’s mid-sized hybrid blends huge power, sharp value and family practicality, but its firm ride and hefty weight temper an otherwise standout performance SUV.

Hyundai Inster • Hyundai’s pint-sized Inster EV delivers charm, solid engineering and urban range, but faces fierce price competition from cheaper Chinese rivals in Australia’s fast-moving electric city-car market.

Isuzu MU-X • Isuzu’s MU-X SUV delivers rugged, old-school diesel durability and true...