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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DASHBOARD • The important bits you need to know

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

MICHAEL STAHL • Kerry Packer had an undying passion for sports, gambling and… fast cars

PAUL GOVER • That time a fine meal at a top restaurant was spoiled when I realised Australia’s car industry was doomed

Nip and tuck • Kia’s oldest compact SUV was due for a glow-up. Now a new version arrives with redesigned cabin and fuel-saving mild-hybrid tech

Keeping it fresh • Roma successor brings vital updates for Maranello’s entry car

Plug and play • Plug-in hybrids are starting to find favour – and for good reason, given their inherent practicality, with more than a hint of EV sensibility

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Honorary Aussie • Ford exec Jim Baumbick found his feet at Victoria’s Broadmeadows HQ before his rise through the ranks, from Ranger mastermind to European boss, testament to Australia’s influence on global strategy and future Blue Oval trucks…

2025 | 26 UTE OF THE YEAR • Once a simple workhorse, the dual-cab ute has evolved into Australia’s ultimate do-everything vehicle, blending versatility and capability, reflected in the contenders for the 2025–26 Wheels Ute of the Year

Contenders • As we did for our recent COTY awards, we put these nine dual-cabs to the test at the Lang Lang Proving Ground to determine our winner.

The criteria • Judging a vehicle isn’t simply reflective of what the manufacturer claims it can do, either. Judges need to take into account how Australian new car buyers are likely to use that vehicle, and how effectively it can do what the buyer will expect. Each of the judging criteria are given equal weighting.

Isuzu D-Max • Updated and tweaked recently, the D-Max continues to appeal to buyers looking for rugged reliability and all-round capability

Kia Tasman X-Line • It might have a face only a mother could love but underneath that Ugly Duckling exterior lives a refined and well-sorted dual-cab

KGM Musso Ultimate Luxury XLV • The ‘other’ challenger brand in this segment is one that some of you might not immediately think of – South Korea’s first dual-cab entrant, the KGM Musso

Mazda BT-50 GT • The Mazda BT-50 hits a lot of the right notes in the dual-cab segment, but there are some crucial areas where it falls a little short

MG U9 • MG has no intention of missing out on the dual-cab fever currently running wild in Australia. Enter the new U9, which has more than a few party tricks to reveal

Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana • Volkswagen’s new Amarok is a Ranger under the skin, with vastly improved safety and second row comfort compared with the original

Ford Ranger V6 Sport • The Ford Ranger redefined the segment when the latest-gen launched in 2022, establishing itself as the best-selling vehicle of any kind over the last two years

GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV • The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is disrupting the dual-cab universe with larger overall dimensions and its fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid drivetrain

BYD Shark 6 • In a first for Wheels, dual cabs get their own segment and new yearly award – with a razor sharp focus. And in a strong result for a challenger brand, the 2026 BYD Shark 6 takes out...