Matt Prior

Matt Prior
Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car. 

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes. 

Matt is an expert in:

  • Engineering and technology
  • Road testing
  • Vehicle dynamics

Matt Prior Q&A

What was your biggest news story?

Matt is consistently among the first journalists to drive the world’s most important new cars. Nearly 2m people have watched his thoughts on the McLaren F1, P1, and Senna specials. Was first to break the news that Mitsubishi was cancelling the Evo and pivoting to electrification, a story picked-up (and initially disbelieved) worldwide.

What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?

Arguably not a McLaren F1, nor a Bugatti Chiron or Bentley Batur, but a 2009 Ford Fiesta Zetec S. So much fun on the road, in a compact package with a superb ride and handling mix, brilliant steering, and all for under £15,000 at the time.

What will the car industry look like in 20 years?

For most of us, the car will still be the quickest, easiest and most cost-efficient way to get around.

Car review

Great British Sports Cars Zero

GBS Zero is a minimalist roadster on a Caterham-like theme

Great British Sports Cars Zero
Car review

Dacia Sandero

Britain’s cheapest car suddenly looks a whole lot more appealing – but is it?

Dacia Sandero
Car review

BMW M3 Competition

Does the introduction of four-wheel-drive and an estate bodystyle dilute the lineage? And which really makes the M3 more usable?

BMW M3 Competition
Opinion

How aerodynamics have moved cars forward in the past 25 years

The Audi A2 had a particularly low drag coefficient but EVs are changing the game

How aerodynamics have moved cars forward in the past 25 years
News

Britain's Best Driver’s Cars 2025

There has rarely been a more diverse bunch of contenders for Britain’s Best Driver’s Car, but which is best?

Britain's Best Driver’s Cars 2025
Defender LT STU 011
Our editor-at-large loves ploughing through mud in his Defender
News

Byway not the highway: why you should take your 4x4 off-road

Ever taken a 4x4 or off road or green-laning? Its about time you did...

Byway not the highway: why you should take your 4x4 off-road
Opinion

Why are car makers displaying ads on the touchscreen?

Jeep played a blinder with its Harrison Ford Super Bowl commercial – but not with its in-car ads

Why are car makers displaying ads on the touchscreen?
Car review

Porsche Macan Electric

Can the highly popular SUV retain traditional Porsche qualities as it enters the age of EVs?

Porsche Macan Electric
Car review

Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider

Ferrari fits a folding hard top to its V12-engined grand tourer

Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider
Opinion

Off-roading enthusiasts should be screaming for lighter batteries

A motor at each wheel enables super-heavyweight 4x4s like the Hummer to do amazing things off road

Off-roading enthusiasts should be screaming for lighter batteries
Long-Term Review

12,000 miles with a BMW i5: is this the ultimate electric estate?

Time is up with our bells-and-whistles electric exec. How did it fare?

12,000 miles with a BMW i5: is this the ultimate electric estate?

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