The lead-up to the reveals of the new Toyota RAV4, HiLux and Mazda CX-5 were among the most-read news stories on Drive in 2025.
With 2025 drawing to a close, it’s time to take a look back at the year that was on Drive across our news, reviews, advice, social media and Marketplace content.
In this edition, we’ve compiled a list of the most-popular car news stories on Drive in 2025.
Over the last 12 months, new-generation versions of the Mazda CX-5, Toyota HiLux and Toyota RAV4 were unveiled, attracting attention ahead of their reveals for buyers eager to learn more about them.
In 2025, Drive readers were also interested in law-related stories, including Australia’s mandate for all new vehicles to be fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and new road rules.
The list below shows the Top 10 car news stories on Drive with the highest recorded views between January and December 2025.
10. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is the winner of Drive Car of the Year 2025
Date published: February 24, 2025
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid was crowned Drive Car of the Year 2025, as well as the winner of the Best Large SUV under $80K category.
Judges voted unanimously for the Santa Fe, which impressed them with its family-centric design, quality, and value for money.
Stay tuned to Drive for the announcement of the Drive Car of the Year 2026 winner in February.
MORE: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is the winner of Drive Car of the Year 2025
9. 2026 Mazda CX-5: Price, engines, release date and everything we know so far
Date published: March 28, 2025
With the current Mazda CX-5 now eight years old, attention has turned to the new-generation model, which was unveiled in July and is due in Australia next year.
Ahead of its reveal, Drive collated information about the new CX-5, including expected engines, design, size, technology and cost.
Australian pricing and specifications for the new CX-5 are yet to be confirmed, while a petrol-electric hybrid system is expected to follow in 2027.
MORE: 2026 Mazda CX-5 – Price, engines, release date and everything we know so far
8. Hyundai ute: Ford Ranger rival will be a rebadged Chevrolet – report
Date published: March 21, 2025
Hyundai and General Motors (GM) formed a partnership this year, and early reports suggested GM could share a version of its mid-size utes – the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon – with Hyundai in the US.
It was later confirmed the two companies will co-develop three small vehicles – an SUV, a passengercar and a ute – for Central and South America, along with a mid-size ute similar to a HiLux and Ranger.
In the US, Hyundai will instead go at it alone, with its own body-on-frame ute set to launch “before 2030”, potentially joined by an off-road SUV spin-off, while it will share an electric commercial van with GM.
MORE: Hyundai ute – Ford Ranger rival will be a rebadged Chevrolet – report
7. Australia’s tightening car safety regulations will force several major brands to axe popular models
Date published: January 20, 2025
The introduction of a new law – Australian Design Rule 98/00 – on March 1, 2025, required all new vehicles sold in Australia to be fitted with car-to-car autonomous emergency braking detection.
As a result, some car manufacturers were forced to discontinue existing models due to the new law, including the Mitsubishi ASX, Eclipse Cross, Pajero Sport and Mazda 6.
Other vehicles, such as the LDV T60 Max, G10 and Mahindra Scorpio, also required updates to meet the legislation.
MORE: Australia’s tightening car safety regulations will force several major brands to axe popular models
6. Latest mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera locations for Melbourne and Victoria: September 2025 mapped
Date published: September 14, 2025
In Victoria, authorities must submit the locations of mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras, though their exact positions may vary.
Readers found interest in the list of locations for September 2025, with the cameras detecting drivers who are using a mobile device illegally or failing to wear their seatbelt legally.
5. Popular new model revealed to use 35 per cent more fuel than advertised
Date published: February 12, 2025
Real-world fuel consumption testing by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) earlier this year found the Mazda 2 used 35 per cent more fuel than its official figure.
The small car averaged 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres, rather than its official 5.0L/100km rating, during real-world testing near Geelong, Victoria.
Other vehicles which performed below expectations included the Suzuki Swift, Mazda CX-5, MG 5, Hyundai i30, Kia Picanto, Kia Cerato and Toyota C-HR.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which represents car manufacturers in Australia, said in 2024 it has “reservations about real-world testing”, questioning whether it is a good indicator for consumers.
MORE: Popular new model revealed to use 35 per cent more fuel than advertised
4. Auto engine stop-start tech in new cars could be banned in the US
Date published: May 15, 2025
In May, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin, appointed under President Donald Trump, targeted engine stop-start technology fitted to many new cars.
“Start/stop technology: where your car dies at every red light so companies get a climate participation trophy. EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we’re fixing it,” he said on social media platform X.
MORE: Auto engine stop-start tech in new cars could be banned in the US
3. 2026 Toyota HiLux: Engines, platform, price, release date and everything we know so far
Date published: September 26, 2025
The ‘new’ generation Toyota HiLux is already in local showrooms, and ahead of its early November reveal, anticipation for the updated model was strong.
As Drive expected ahead of the new HiLux’s debut, the ‘mid-section’ of the vehicle has carried over, but there is revised front and rear styling, along with an updated cabin inspired by the new LandCruiser Prado.
The 2026 Toyota HiLux, on sale now, costs between $33,990 and $71,990 before on-road costs across five grades: WorkMate, SR, SR5, Rogue and Rugged X.
MORE: 2026 Toyota HiLux – Engines, platform, price, release date and everything we know so far
2. 2026 Toyota RAV4: Release date, price, engines, design and everything we know so far
Date published: May 13, 2025
The Toyota RAV4 is Australia’s second-highest-selling car behind the Ford Ranger, and the best-selling SUV.
Ahead of the new-generation model’s global debut in May, readers were eager to learn more about it.
We now know a lot more about the new RAV4 – including price and specs – which is due in Australia between April and June 2026 as a hybrid, or, for the first time, between July and September 2026 as a plug-in hybrid.
MORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 – Release date, price, engines, design and everything we know so far
1. Buckle up as new Australian road rules take effect starting July 1
Date published: June 24, 2025
From July 1, 2025, some Australian states introduced new road rules – or adjusted fine amounts – including New South Wales switching its two average speed cameras to enforcement mode for light and heavy vehicles.
Meanwhile, in Victoria, drivers are now required to slow down to 40km/h for roadside assistance vehicles, tow trucks and emergency incident response vehicles when their lights are flashing, in addition to the existing rule for stationary or slow-moving emergency service vehicles.
MORE: Buckle up as new Australian road rules take effect starting July 1
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