Thanks to you, 2024 was another booming year for CarExpert on YouTube. While numbers don’t tell the whole story, the following figures were enough to find more than a few of us emitting a low, appreciative whistle through tubed lips.
In October we raced to over 500,000 subscribers, a gain of 108.7K subscribers from 2023.
Cumulatively, our 161 videos for the year earned 41.1 million views, and logged 3,372,473.9 streaming hours, which, if you laid them end to end would take you back to the time of the Mayflower, or Charles I’s beheading, or, conversely, ping you forward four centuries, to Muskville on Mars or whatever future Elon has in mind for us all.
But you get the picture. The numbers were BIG. We thank you, and 2025 will be even better, and even bigger.
Before we get there, however, we’re going to revisit the five most-watched CarExpert videos of 2024. Let’s kick off with our best-performing video posted in 2024, which logged 715,000 views.
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LandCruiser 70 Series v Mahindra Pik-Up ultimate torture test
This cracker of a video also contained a bit of a surprise.
As befitting an ultimate torture test, Paul Maric tested the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series and Mahindra Pik-Up (workhorse legends of outback and subcontinent respectively) under heavy load on challenging road conditions (think hills, think cobblestones, think furnace-hot dampers).
Despite the LandCruiser costing twice as much, it’s fair to say Paul was surprised the Mahindra performed quite as well as it did. While the LandCruiser was more effortless and stable, the Mahindra handled the tests competently, especially considering it was at its maximum gross vehicle mass.
And this led to the key standout for Paul (and that surprise we mentioned above). Not only does the Mahindra offer excellent value and performance for a significantly lower price point, it was so much lower you could even buy a spare Pik-Up just for parts and still come in under the cost of the LandCruiser.
“I know this isn’t the answer many were expecting but, while the 70 Series is slightly better, it definitely doesn’t feel worth double the price,” said Paul.
MORE: Everything Mahindra Pik-up
MORE: Everything Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series
2024 drag race – Hyundai vs Lamborghini vs Ferrari vs Porsche vs Brabus
In an epic set of drag races, CarExpert Co-founders Paul Maric and Alborz Fallah put the remarkable Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV up against against some seriously credentialed high-end performers: the Porsche 911 GT3, Brabus G63, Lamborghini Huracán STO, and Ferrari 812 Competizione.
The tests included drag races from a standstill, rolling starts at 50 km/h (revealing the Ioniq 5 N’s impressive acceleration), and the standard 1/4 mile.
Although the manual 911 GT3 struggled to keep up and the Brabus G63 put up a good fight, the Ioniq 5 N consistently performed strongly.
In the 0-100km/h sprint the Ioniq 5 N blitzed it in 3.22 seconds, while over the 1/4 mile, the Ferrari 812’s V12 engine got it home by two car lengths to the sound of Alborz shouting: “Glory to the V12! Glory to the V12! I have slayed the dragon.”
Paul offered an alternative view: “It won by a bee’s d*** “
Highlight/most replayed [12:16]
A few very competitive races sees the Huracan just nick the Ioniq 5 N over the 1/4 mile.
Paul’s verdict
For $110,000, the Ioniq 5 N can compete, at least in these terms, with cars worth 10 times its price.
MORE: Everything Hyundai Ioniq 5
MORE: Everything Porsche 911
MORE: Everything Lamborghini Huracán
MORE: Everything Ferrari 812 Competizione
Nissan Patrol Y63 revealed: EVERYTHING you need to know for 2025!
This very keenly awaited reveal gave us Paul’s first look at the Y63 Patrol, and a run-through of all the key changes, including a new engine, air suspension, and infotainment system, while also discussing its off-road capabilities and expected Australian release date.
Not only did it garner close to 5000 views it was also an absolute reaction magnet, with 638 comments, and over 200 applauding the lead comment from @Hammerocks3:
“I’m a LandCruiser owner, and I have to say, I really like this new Patrol. It now looks modern and premium – both inside and out. Shame the price has gone up. but I think it will still give the LC300 a real run for its money. IMO, it is now a true alternative to the LC300. This could bring back the old days when LandCruiser & Patrol where dicing it not only on the sales charts, but also on the track”
MORE: Everything Nissan Patrol
Google Maps v Waze v speedo – Which best avoids a speeding fine?
Well – what’s your guess? Google Maps or Waze?
Paul kicked off by saying he uses Waze ‘religiously’ but clearly it was time to let faith take a backseat and let evidence do the talking.
He compared Waze and Google Maps accuracy using a calibrated laser speed detector. At 80km/h, the car’s speedometer read 76km/h (4km/h under), and at 100km/h, it showed 95km/h (5km/h under). Waze was dead accurate, matching the laser speed readings perfectly at both 80km/h and 100km/h.
However, Google Maps fluctuated significantly, showing speeds between 74–82km/h at 80km/h and even 96–102km/h at 100km/h. This inaccuracy could lead to speeding fines, particularly in strict areas like Victoria.
Paul’s verdict
Avoid relying on Google Maps for speed monitoring. Waze is far more accurate, ensuring you stay within the speed limit and avoid fines.
2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado (inc. 0-100 & off-road) DETAILED review: Best new SUV on the market?
When it finally lobbed Paul was there to get behind the wheel of the all-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado in five-seat Altitude trim. However he was, well, a trifle underwhelmed, viewing it it as a capable off-roader but also something of a missed opportunity.
Priced at $92,700 for the Altitude trim, it shares its platform with the LandCruiser 300 Series. But powered by a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid tech, it’s slower and heavier than its predecessor, which Paul said is disappointing for a new generation.
Off-road, the Prado shines with a front sway bar disconnect and rear diff lock (Altitude only), but the slow traction control and delayed diff engagement Paul found frustrating.
Inside, he found it well-equipped, but the elevated boot floor housing hampered practicality. In his view, for the price, Toyota could – and should – have done better.
Paul’s verdict
“Come on, Toyota – you could have just done a little bit more than that. It is slower than the old one and you can’t release a new generation of a car and have it worse in terms of its performance.
I just think that’s a bit of a copout.”
MORE: Everything Toyota Landcruiser Prado
