Autocar & Motor > Reviews > The Established Favourite

Author's product rating:   

Quality of content
Quality of photography

Advantages:	Well written authoritative
Disadvantages:	Expensive to buy every week

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

For much of the 20th century the buyer of a motoring magazine in the UK had a choice of just two weekly titles – Autocar and Motor. In the 1980s the two titles merged to become Autocar and Motor before the single word title – Autocar was chosen to be used again.

Whilst many things have changed and motoring magazines are now very plentiful and cater for many niches within the general motoring genre the Autocar is maintaining its appeal through these more competitive times.

The format has evolved without unnecessary revolutionary changes. Each edition has at least one usually two obligatory road tests. These tests cover every possible piece of testing and more a prospective buyer would wish to undertake. It is no accident that if you visit car showrooms they will often have reprinted complementary Autocar road test reports of their cars. This is certainly due to a wide motor industry view that Autocar test reports are thorough and authoritative.

Autocar is not however merely about road tests. The latest motoring industry and motor sport news is well covered and as new vehicles are launched there is a short preview of what is to be offered. The magazine is clearly intended for those who are likely to be active in the car market. There is therefore regular articles on the state of the car market and guides to the levels of pricing of some used vehicles.

My only criticism of Autocar is it sameyness. You could pick up a copy from any week in the last 5 or more years and its feel is exactly the same. In some circumstances this can be a benefit but in the car magazine market with 20 or more titles vying for your money you need a compelling reason to buy.
For me the Autocar does not do that week in week out.

Rather you may be best advised to dip into it on an occasional basis, peruse the cover in WH Smiths and if there is something on the cover which takes your fancy then go ahead. Many weeks may go by however with your £2 still in your pocket. When you do dip in there is some of the data printed at the back, you may find however that this is done better in the likes of What Car magazine.