The Hook Turn Podcast

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Australian pricing and specs for Kia's oddball EV4. Can it successfully take on the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal? We also look at autonomous driving specialist Waymo making a local entrance, and cover BMW's latest drip-feed of info about its mighty new electric M3. Show notes - Kia EV4 pricing & specs: https://www.drive.com....

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss some of the winners and losers in our recap of Australian new car sales in 2025. We also talk about two new Chinese electric SUVs from non-Chinese brands, namely the Hyundai Elexio and the Mazda CX-6e. Show notes: -2025 Australian new car sales: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/big-auto-brands-are-losing-share-as-australias-new-c...

Happy New Year everyone! In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Tesla once again having an annual decline in sales. We also chat about what to look out for if you want to buy an ex-police car (very good value for money!) and our pick of brand new cars under $25,000. Show notes: - Tesla sales decline: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/01/tesla-sales-fell-by-9-percent-in-202...

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Kia's new Tasman ute failing to meet its lofty sales expectations. We also chat about what the atrocious 1 star ANCAP safety rating means for the future of the Suzuki Fronx in Australia. Finally, we wrap up the year by discussing the cars that impressed us the most. Show notes: - Kia Tasman sales: https://www.drive.com.au/news/kia...

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss why the EU has broken its commitment to ban tailpipe emissions from new vehicles entirely by 2035, and what this could mean for consumers. We also talk about BYD bringing some (very) cheap dreams to market with the new Sealion 5, Australia's cheapest new PHEV. Finally, we undertake another iteration of the Carsales challenge - thi...

Not content with the original Lexus LFA, in this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Toyota's attempt to again prove that it has supercar chops with the new GR GT and (electric) LFA concept. We also discuss Sanbib's favourite car, the new Kia Seltos. Finally, we conclude with news that MG, perhaps the most established Chinese brand in Australia, has decided to take the...

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss the latest plot arc in the Jaguar Land Rover drama. This time, the shocking departure of Gerry McGovern, JLR's ostensibly autocratic Chief Creative Officer, and responsible for hits like the new Defender, and (what we think) will be misses such as the Type 00 concept. We also discuss new updates to Australian vehicle safety rating...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss a one-two punch from Korea. Not only has Genesis launched a new performance sub-brand to take on BMW M, Audi RS and Mercedes AMG head-on, but the broader Hyundai Group reveals that it's now more profitable than VW. Speaking of the VW group, we also discuss Porsche's new Cayenne Electric and what it might mean for the luxury SU...

The HiLux is a longstanding success story for Toyota in Australia, but has recently been eclipsed by the Ford Ranger. In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss whether a makeover finally means that the HiLux can live up to its 'High Luxury' nameplate. Renault has been on fire recently with a series of stylish, award-winning EVs, including the new Renault 4 and 5. Whil...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Toyota hinting at the return of the (shock horror) sexy new Prius in Australia. Meanwhile, Mazda claims it has developed a carbon capture device for its cars that can help recycle tailpipe emissions. Finally, we do another iteration of the Carsales challenge. This time, heavy-duty off-roaders under $20k. Show notes: - Toyota Prius: ht...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Toyota's retro-tastic, baby LandCruiser FJ, and whether it can successfully take on rivals such as the Suzuki Jimny. We then talk about Honda, and question their product planning nous in importing the tiny new Super-One EV but (still) not selling the funky new hybrid Honda Jazz in Australia. Finally, we move on to what you need to...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss BYD's latest attempt to bring EVs to the masses, with the $25k Atto 1 and its slightly larger sibling, the Atto 2. For the same price, however, you can also park a large luxury SUV in your driveway, and we take our pick from used options available on Carsales. We also talk about Mazda relying on Chinese expertise to finally launch...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss the best time to sell your car. We also talk about centuries, namely Mercedes looking back about a century for for design inspiration, and Toyota finally deciding to break out its Century model into a brand ready for the 21st Century. Show notes: - Mercedes Vision Iconic: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/design/concept-cars/vision-ico...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Mitsubishi's sudden Francophile turn in sourcing the all-new ASX. We also cover rumours of a potential tie-up regarding two of the most iconic cars that Toyota and Mazda currently sell, before Vivek goes on a bit of a rant about his first experience sitting inside a Rolls-Royce. Show notes: - New Mitsubishi ASX: https://goauto.com...

Is it a ute? An SUV? A luxury EV? In this week's episode of the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Deepal's claim to have a vehicle that can be all three at once - the E07 Multitruck. We also discuss Porsche's EV about-face, and take a literal trip down memory lane to choose our pick of (relatively) affordable classic cars under $30k.

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, special guest Shana Zlotin joins the show to chat about her new website, Drive Thru Media. Confused by jargon? Shana talks about how she's making it easy to choose your next car, one green (and red) flag at a time. Show notes - Check out Drive Thru Media at https://drivethrumedia.com.au - Instagram: @drivethru_media - TikTok: @drivethru_medi...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we breathe a huge sigh of relief as Audi returns to its senses with the Concept C. We also discuss some forbidden fruit, Renault's new Clio, and go back down memory lane to have a look at our favourite driving roads. Show notes: - Audi Concept C: https://www.audi.com/en/innovation/design/striveforclarity/ - Renault Clio: https://www.drive.co...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss the production reveal of BMW's (new) Neue Klasse model, the iX3. We then turn our minds to Honda's sexy new Prelude, before rounding off with stories of our first cars. Show notes: - BMW iX3 (Neue Klasse): https://www.goauto.com.au/future-models/bmw/ix3/ix3-is-bmw-rsquo-s-first-neue-klasse-model/2025-09-08/97353.html - Honda Prelude: http...

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn Podcast, we take a look at whether the crucial new Volkswagen T-Roc marks a return to (some) form in the hotly contested small SUV segment, and Sanbib decides whether he will swipe right on an upgrade from his current model. We also take a look at Volvo's new flagship, the stunning new ES90, and how a lack of piano black might turn out to be a compet...

Suzuki is an enigmatic company. How can a brand that produces the Hayabusa superbike also produce such pedestrian, tinny cars? In this week's episode we discuss whether the new Fronx SUV has enough to change the equation for the Japanese brand. We also discuss GAC, another new Chinese brand and take our pick of genuine performance bargains under $40k. Show notes: - Suzuki Fronx: https://www.su...

This week on the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Mercedes-Benz's latest desperate attempt to move stock of its EQ lineup of electric vehicles and Lexus' sexy new successor to the legendary LFA supercar. Finally, we place our bets in another iteration of the Carsales challenge - this time, our pick for an SUV under $15k. Show notes: -Mercedes cuts EQ prices: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-n...

This week on the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss the plight of one of the newest Chinese brands to enter the Australian market, Zeekr. We also predict whether Cupra's sexy new Terramar will be a hit locally (especially compared to the staid Tiguan) and then discuss our picks in the used EV market below $30k. Show notes: - Zeekr revises sales downwards: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/zeekr...

This week on the Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss one of the biggest launches of the year - Kia's new Tasman ute. Can it overtake the Ranger and the HiLux? Can it propel Kia to new heights on the sales charts? And what about that rhino styling and small engine? We unpack all of this and more. We also take our chances on what *interesting* car we'd buy given a $5k budget on Carsales, and discu...

Controversial to say the least, we discuss the new Outback and E-Outback and whether they can lead to further growth for the adventure focused Japanese brand. Concerns about long-term durability and battery longevity remain a reason for high depreciation with EVs, but that doesn't stop us from taking our picks on the used EV market. Finally, we discuss Porsche's admission that their busine...

We take a look at Hyundai's latest N car, the Ioniq 6 N, and discuss whether Mercedes' focus on efficiency with the new CLA will be enough to attract sales in a cutthroat segment of the market. The car rental space might be one of the last areas you'd think would be upended by the AI revolution, so has Hertz shot itself in the foot or is it a pioneer? Show notes: - Hyundai Ioniq 6 N: h...