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.

LinkedIn

Muck Rack

Morgan Super 3 USA Media 13 scaled
Morgan announced that its three-wheeled vehicle is to make a return to sale in the US
Opinion

Matt Prior: Morgan back in the states, and protecting working SUVs

In this week's column, Prior admires volume manufacturers that stick to their roots, and sticks up for big cars

Matt Prior: Morgan back in the states, and protecting working SUVs
News

Electric Caterham Seven: 322bhp track car weighs just 700kg

Two prototypes of reinvented icon shown at Goodwood preview production car being primed

Electric Caterham Seven: 322bhp track car weighs just 700kg
Car review

Lotus Eletre

Sacrilegious to some but inviting to many more, this stonking great electric SUV from China heralds a new dawn at Lotus

Lotus Eletre
hyunda ioniq 5 n review front tracking
Ioniq 5 N's rev counter runs to an arbitrary 8000rpm
News

Matt Prior: Should electric sports cars have engine notes?

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N simulates engine revs and gearchanges in 'Ignition' mode

Matt Prior: Should electric sports cars have engine notes?
Car review

Rolls-Royce Spectre

We drive Rolls-Royce's first electric car, the sleek, bold and expensive Spectre coupe

Rolls-Royce Spectre
Long-Term Review

Alpina D3 S 2023 long-term test

Want a fast 3 Series estate with a straight-six diesel? We did too, of course, so here it is

Alpina D3 S 2023 long-term test
Car review

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N prototype

Can Hyundai take its fun, exciting hot hatch recipe into the electric era?

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N prototype
Car review

Bentley Batur

Bentley looks to continue its success with another ultra-exclusive Mulliner Coachbuilt car

Bentley Batur
Coryton biofuels
Coryton's new Sustain Classic range blends petrol and biofuel made from agricultural waste
News

UK firm launches plant-based biofuel for classic cars

Coryton says new biofuels are suitable for any petrol vehicle but low bioethanol content makes them perfect for oldies

UK firm launches plant-based biofuel for classic cars
First Drive

Renault Austral 2023 UK first drive

Unusually motivated new family SUV gets more sophisticated chassis in its top form

Renault Austral 2023 UK first drive
Land Rover Range Rover Sport SV front three quarter
The new Sport SV promises to be “the most dynamic and technologically advanced” version yet
News

New Range Rover Sport SV: mild-hybrid super-SUV gets 626bhp

Most powerful production Range Rover introduces game-changing tech and will be sold by invitation only

New Range Rover Sport SV: mild-hybrid super-SUV gets 626bhp

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