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

Honda Prelude

Honda Prelude returns with an interesting hybrid system and Civic-based tech

Honda Prelude
Car review

Bugatti Mistral

Mistral is the final outing for Bugatti's mighty W16 quad-turbo engine. And what a way to bow out

Bugatti Mistral
Car review

Ferrari F80

Ferrari's once-a-decade hypercar enters the arena as a V6 hybrid

Ferrari F80
News

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N revealed as electric BMW M3 rival with 641bhp

Super-saloon said to be sharper, keener, and “more sophisticated and predictable” than Ioniq 5 N sibling

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N revealed as electric BMW M3 rival with 641bhp
Opinion

Why we need another era of affordable hot hatchbacks

The hot hatches still on sale today cost from £40k – but most are being taken off sale

Why we need another era of affordable hot hatchbacks
News

Best manufacturer 2025: MG proves volume players can still excite

In a sea of well-performing brands in 2025, few have a story quite as compelling as a revived MG

Best manufacturer 2025: MG proves volume players can still excite
Car review

Alpine A290

Alpine offers some old-fashioned charms in this otherwise high-tech, zero-emissions hatchback

Alpine A290
News

Britain's Best Driver’s Cars

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
News

BYD primes most intensive product launch blitz yet

Brand will use new factory in Hungary to engineer new models and re-engineer existing ones for European buyers

BYD primes most intensive product launch blitz yet
Opinion

Why I love tools (and not just for fixing my cars)

Tools are the gateway to mending and repairing all manner of things

Why I love tools (and not just for fixing my cars)
News

WATCH: 888bhp Ferrari F80 hypercar hits the track

Ferrari hypercars only come around once per decade. Can a V6 be a worthy enough powertrain?

WATCH: 888bhp Ferrari F80 hypercar hits the track

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