Studied Biomedical Science at university and a Diploma of Languages in French. A bit of a nerd by her own admission, which is why the EV and PHEV reviews tend to land in her lap.
News & RecallsThe MG S6 EV is now in Australian showrooms from $49,990 driveaway. With 530km WLTP range, a 77kWh battery, 581L boot, and a 7-year unlimited warranty, it undercuts the Model Y by nearly $19,000.
EOFY retailers are clearing 2025 stock, the FBT window closes June 30, and QLD laws start July 1. Four picks across $2,090 to $4,499 that cover every buyer.
Australian EVs hit a record 20 per cent market share in May 2026. Tesla had its best month ever, Jaecoo came second, and the diesel ute market is starting to feel the pressure.
Integrated 4G, GPS, remote kill switch, torque sensor, 733Wh battery: the Level 3 arrives in Australia at $2,799 with more tech than most bikes at twice the price.
Hyundai Australia is recalling 2,242 new Palisades over a folding seat that can crush an occupant. The fix is a software update. The reason is the death of a two year old in Ohio.
Toyota has slashed bZ4X pricing by up to $10,010, added a bigger battery and thrown in finance deposit contributions. The EV that launched overpriced finally adds up.
News & RecallsKia Australia is recalling 4,817 MY25 and MY26 K4 hatchbacks over a rear centre seat belt buckle that may not latch in a crash.
The BYD Sealion 5 PHEV is in Australian showrooms from $33,990 before on-road costs. With up to 100km of electric range and a 1,000km total combined range, it makes the case for plug-in hybrids better than any car in this price bracket.
The BYD Shark 6 Performance is in showrooms now at $62,900 before on-road costs: 350kW, 700Nm, 3,500kg towing, $19,000 cheaper than the Ford Ranger Raptor.
Three e-bikes you can ride out the showroom door for under $2,000 in Australia, ranked by who they actually suit. One we would pick, one we would consider, one we would watch.
News & RecallsThree of the most cross-shopped EVs in Australia all walked away with five stars in ANCAP's May round, including two of the cheapest EVs you can buy here.
E-Bikes9:14A mid-priced 26-inch city e-bike that actually rides like a bike, not a scooter. The META26 X2.0 might be the sweet-spot Aussie commuter.
Luxury5:10The XC60 has been the quiet best-seller of the premium mid-size SUV segment for years. Simone explains why the B5 Ultra is still the one to pick if you want the Volvo, not the Tesla.
Utes10:1437.1 kWh battery, up to 110 km EV-only, 3.5t towing and proper 4x4 with triple diff locks. Off-the-line lag and missing charge scheduling don't help - but the rest of the package is genuinely good.
EVs8:01Sweden's seven-seat answer to the family EV. Simone takes Volvo's flagship electric SUV through a real Australian week.
EVs12:18Is this the perfect first EV? The EV3 in EARTH spec finally answers what an everyday electric SUV should feel like in Australia.
EVs5:10Sun Yellow paint, dance-in-the-cabin lighting, and a Jeep badge running on electrons. Simone tests Jeep's first all-electric compact SUV in Australia.
EVs8:57Kia's mid-size EV steps into the ring with Tesla, BYD and Hyundai. The Earth spec is the value play; here is whether it actually delivers.
EVsKia's mid-size EV takes on South Australia's open roads. Simone runs the EV5 on a real range challenge to find out if the numbers stack up outside the city.
EVs11:45Three rows, real range, and an interior that makes the Tesla Model X look fussy. Simone tests the EV9 GT-Line on a real Sydney to Newcastle family run.
EVs6:11Toyota's first dedicated electric SUV, finally in Australia. Simone takes the bZ4X for a real-world look to see if the safe option has any teeth.
E-Bikes5:30A compact 14-inch folding e-bike built for apartment dwellers and multi-modal commuters. The T14 is one of the smallest e-bikes worth buying.
Hot Hatches4:36Italian charm, urban-only range, and a price tag with attitude. Simone tests the 500e to see if the styling carries the price.
4WD & SUV5:57Plug-in hybrid, Jeep's flagship trim, all-wheel drive with low range. Simone tests the most luxurious Grand Cherokee on sale.
Volvo's smallest, fastest-to-build, lowest-CO- car so far. Aussie pricing, real-world range and whether small EVs finally make sense here.
EVs2:00Four electric sedans worth a close look in 2024. Simone covers what Australia's expanding EV sedan market actually has on offer and who each one suits best.
EVs2:18Five EV hatchbacks that arrived in Australia by early 2024. Simone sorts through the segment and picks the ones that make sense for Australian buyers right now.
EVs2:40Vehicle-to-home charging explained with an actual system installed and running. Simone looks at what HOEM's V2H unit does and whether it changes the EV ownership equation.
EVs7:26Hyundai-group running gear, Genesis cabin and the kind of refinement most of the German rivals lost when they went electric. Simone tests the Electrified GV70.
E-Bikes8:00A folding e-bike with 20-inch fat tyres and a 750-watt motor. It is closer to a moped than a bicycle, and that is the point.
EVs7:44Compact luxury EV with seven seats and 4MATIC AWD. Simone tests the EQB 350 to see if Mercedes has built the family electric SUV the segment is missing.
4WD & SUV9:29Plug-in hybrid in a small SUV body. Simone tests the Eclipse Cross PHEV to see if it actually saves money at the pump.
EVs8:26E-GMP underpinnings, streamliner styling, properly efficient at highway speeds. Simone tests the IONIQ 6 to see if it earns the IONIQ 5 sister-car comparison.
EVs9:05430 kW, dual motors, electronic limited-slip differential, and a 3.5 second 0 to 100. Simone tests Kia's wildest EV.
EVs7:57MG's first volume EV, in the cheap Excite trim. Simone tests whether the value play actually holds up.
EVs7:13Twin-motor AWD, coupe roofline, Volvo's aggressive EV strategy in physical form. Simone tests the C40 Recharge Ultimate.
4WD & SUV8:01Big Hyundai SUV with eight seats and Bluelink. Simone tests the Elite Diesel before the Calligraphy update.
4WD & SUV4:33New TNGA-F platform, twin-turbo V6 diesel, and a year-long wait list. Simone gets the LC300 out of the carpark for a first drive.
4WD & SUV5:17Petrol hybrid family SUV in the top GT-Line trim. Simone tests Kia's most considered Sorento.
Utes8:16Aussie firm Premcar takes the Navara Pro-4X and turns it into a properly capable factory-backed beast. Simone tests it.
LuxuryKorea's sports sedan gets a closer look in its refreshed form. Simone takes a first look at the 2022 Genesis G70 and whether it needs a German badge to make sense as a driver's car.
4WD & SUVSmall car, big personality. Simone runs through the five features that make the Suzuki Ignis worth a look for anyone who spends more time in the city than the bush.
4WD & SUV10:22First-gen-new MU-X in the top LS-T spec. Australian-only trim from Isuzu Ute.
Hot Hatches10:36Compact luxury sedan from Genesis. V6 twin-turbo at the top of the range, properly luxurious cabin.
4WD & SUVToyota's sharp-edged compact hybrid SUV gets reviewed in its top specification. Simone finds out if the KOBA variant's added equipment justifies the step up from the base C-HR.
EVs10:40The A250e brings plug-in hybrid efficiency to Mercedes' entry-level sedan. Simone reviews whether the PHEV drivetrain makes a strong case for the price premium.
EVs2:48Mercedes-Benz's EQA was heading for Australia and Simone covers what the specs, range, and pricing looked like before it landed. What the premium compact electric SUV had to offer.
Luxury8:02The E300 is Mercedes at its most traditionally executive. Simone reviews the mid-size luxury sedan still making its case in a segment facing pressure from SUVs.
EVs10:48The EQC is Mercedes' first fully electric SUV in Australia. Simone reviews whether the three-pointed star works as well on a charging cable as it does on a badge.
4WD & SUV13:16The Kia Carnival drops the old van look for something sharper. Simone reviews whether an eight-seat people mover can pull off the lifestyle play in Australia.
LuxuryKorea's flagship luxury SUV arrives with serious intent. Simone reviews the Genesis GV80 to find out if it can back up its looks with the substance the price demands.
Luxury13:01The all-new Genesis G80 takes a direct run at the BMW 5 Series, E-Class and A6. Simone reviews whether Korea's executive sedan has the substance to match its ambition.
EVs9:12Hydrogen cars rarely turn up in Australian driveways. Simone takes Hyundai's fuel cell SUV for a look while most of the country is still wondering how they actually work.
Hot Hatches8:15The i30 hatch is still one of Australia's most popular small cars. Simone reviews the 2021 PD4 update and checks whether Hyundai's bread-and-butter still earns its keep.
4WD & SUV6:13The fourth-generation Tucson was a significant step up. Simone covers the new styling, the upgraded interior, and the hybrid and plug-in options Australia was expecting.
Hot Hatches6:57Say Impreza to most people and they think WRX. The standard sedan is a calmer proposition. Simone checks out the S trim and asks whether the regular Impreza can stand on its own.
4WD & SUV11:28The Forester has long been a benchmark for sensible family SUV buyers. Simone reviews the hybrid variant to see whether electrification improves the formula or just complicates it.
EVs8:01Hyundai's IONIQ family covers hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full electric in one lineup. Simone reviews the PHEV to check whether the middle option makes sense for Australian buyers.
Utes7:22The Navara Warrior pitches itself as the hardcore ute alternative. Simone reviews it against a tough brief, knowing the Hilux Rugged-X and Ranger Raptor are waiting in the same price bracket.
4WD & SUV10:01The Seltos arrived with serious intent for Kia in the subcompact SUV segment. Simone reviews the top GT-Line to see if the newcomer has the substance to back up the style.
EVs10:13Hyundai's dedicated EV got a meaningful range upgrade for 2020. Simone reviews the updated IONIQ Electric as the brand prepares for a fuller electric push ahead.
EVs13:53Porsche's Cayenne as a plug-in hybrid is an odd thing to love. Simone finds out if the E-Hybrid can square the performance circle with the reality of day-to-day Australian driving.
LuxuryThe 2020 Volvo S60 R-Design arrives in Australia as a fresh and Scandinavian-styled luxury sedan with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and a sophisticated interior that marks a genuine step forward for the nameplate.
EVs12:12Jaguar's I-PACE was the first serious electric SUV from a proper European performance house. Simone takes Australia's most aspirational EV of its era through its paces on local roads.
Hot HatchesThe 2020 Kia Cerato GT adds a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and sportier styling to the Cerato hatch lineup, making it the most performance-oriented variant in the range.
4WD & SUV8:26The Isuzu MU-X uses the D-MAX's bones to build a seven-seat family SUV. Simone finds out if the updated LS-T is the practical family hauler that its spec sheet promises.
Hot Hatches10:26The all-new 2019 Toyota Corolla arrives on the TNGA platform as a proper redesign. CarTell reviews both the ZR Hybrid and the SX petrol across a week of Australian driving.
4WD & SUV9:12Volvo's XC40 T4 Inscription brings the Swedish brand's compact SUV to Australia in AWD trim. Simone reviews the T4 after an earlier look at the higher-spec T5.
4WD & SUVThe Subaru Liberty has always been the sensible choice that never got the credit it deserved. Simone reviews the 2019 model to find out if that has changed.
Utes9:28Ford adds a performance variant to Australia's best-selling ute and calls it the Raptor. Simone reviews whether the price premium over the standard Ranger is actually justified.
LuxuryThe 2019 Kia Stinger 200S brings a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive and fastback styling to the entry point of what has become one of the segment's more credible sports sedans.
UtesSimone reviews the 2018 Toyota HiLux Rugged X, the most extreme variant in the expanded HiLux lineup. The Rugged X is only available with a 2.8-litre turbo diesel, and comes with factory off-road equipment that sets it apart from the standard range.
UtesSimone reviews the 2018 Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab in the XTR trim. A facelift freshens the exterior and the 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel continues to provide strong performance in the competitive ute segment.
4WD & SUVSimone reviews the 2018 Mazda CX-3 in the mid-tier Maxx trim. The CX-3 uses a 2-litre SkyActiv petrol producing 109 kW and 192 Nm, returning a combined consumption of 6.1 litres per 100 km.
4WD & SUVSimone reviews the 2018 Nissan Qashqai in ST-L trim. For 2018 the Qashqai drops its diesel option and moves to a single 2-litre petrol with 106 kW and 200 Nm, with a refreshed exterior to match.
4WD & SUVThe 2018 Subaru XV looks similar to the outgoing model but Simone finds it has raised the bar in ways that matter for the small SUV buyer.
LuxurySimone was at the 2017 Frankfurt IAA for the world reveal of the Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster. Not an Australian road test. Just the car, the stage, and the V12.
4WD & SUVSimone reviews the 2017 Nissan X-Trail in the TI petrol trim. The X-Trail receives minor enhancements for 2017 along with a price reduction on some AWD variants, defending its position as Nissan's top-selling car in Australia.
4WD & SUVThe Toyota Kluger Grande AWD is the seven-seater that Toyota's Australian buyers keep choosing. Simone reviews whether the top-spec Grande justifies the premium over the GX and GXL.
Hot HatchesThe Kia Cerato is the compact car that refuses to be boring. The 2017 model review covers what Kia's entry into the small car segment looks like when you actually drive it.
4WD & SUVSimone reviews the 2017 Kia Sportage Platinum Diesel, the top-spec model in the Sportage range. It brings impressive design, performance and a generous feature set to compete with the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson.
4WD & SUVThe Honda City is a small sedan that offers more boot space than most hatchbacks twice its price. Simone reviews the 2015 model and looks at who the City actually serves.
4WD & SUVThe Renault Captur is the French small SUV that arrived in Australia with a lot of style and a question mark over the French ownership experience. Simone reviews the 2015 model.
4WD & SUVThe Nissan Pathfinder moved from body-on-frame to unibody construction and divided its previous audience in the process. Simone reviews the 2015 model to find out what was gained and what was lost.
4WD & SUVThe 2014 Holden Trax is a sub-compact SUV that takes on the Suzuki SX4, Nissan Juke and Subaru XV. Known as the Chevrolet Trax in the US, it slots below the Holden Captiva in size and price.
sedan3m 14sThe Chrysler 300 SRT8 takes the already substantial 300 and fits a 6.4-litre HEMI V8. The result is a performance sedan that makes its own rules.
4WD & SUV2m 52sThe all-new Santa Fe arrives as a genuinely competitive large SUV. The diesel Elite makes a strong case for Korean engineering.
hatchback2m 38sThe Veloster gains a turbo and a sharper personality. This is the version the base car's looks always promised.
hatchback2m 27sThe fully loaded i30 Premium arrives with a panoramic roof, leather and push-button start. Hyundai is clearly done with being the budget option.
hatchback2m 59sThe smallest member of the Prius family arrives with city-focused credentials. It costs less, takes up less space and sips less fuel. But is it less car?
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