You wake up and the sun hits your driveway. You see your car and you wonder if there is something better out there. Maybe you want more speed. Perhaps you need more space for the kids. You might even want to save money on gas.
This is a common feeling for every car lover. You want the latest news. You need honest reviews. You look for experts who live and breathe engines. This is where Motortrend enters your life.
First of all, you should know that this is not just some new website. It has a deep history. The first issue of motortrend magazine arrived in September 1949. That was 76 years ago. At that time, it was the first of its kind in America.
It even had a cool tagline: “The Magazine for a Motoring World”. You can trust a name that has been around for seven decades. They have seen every trend come and go. They saw the rise of the V8 engine and now they see the rise of the electric vehicle (EV).
A History of Excellence and Change
The world of cars changes fast. Therefore, the way you get your news must change too. For a long time, Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles owned the brand. Later, it moved through several different owners like EMAP and Primedia. In 2024, a big move happened.
Hearst Communications bought the Motor Trend Group. This is the same company that owns other famous names like Car and Driver and Road & Track.
The physical magazine used to come out every month. However, it changed to a quarterly schedule in 2024. This means you get a thick, high-quality book four times a year instead of a thin one every month. Plus, the digital version still comes out every month so you do not miss a beat. You get the best of both worlds.
The Prestigious Golden Calipers
You probably recognize the name because of the awards. The motortrend car of the year award is a massive deal. It started in 1949. The very first winner was the 1949 Cadillac. That car had a brand-new overhead valve V8 engine. At first, Cadillac did not even want the award! They changed their mind quickly. Now, every car company in the world wants to win those “Golden Calipers”.
The judges do not just pick their favorite car. They use six strict rules. First, they look at advancement in design. Second, they check engineering excellence. Third, they see if the car does what it is supposed to do. Fourth, they look at value. Fifth, they test safety. Finally, they measure efficiency. These rules make sure the winner is truly special.
The 2026 motortrend car of the year is the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R. This is the third time the Golf family has won the top prize. The GTI starts at about $34,590. On the contrary, the faster Golf R starts at $49,455. The editors loved these cars because they are fun to drive but also very practical. They called them the “enthusiast heartbeat” of the brand. Pure joy on wheels.
The King of the Road: Trucks and SUVs
You might not want a small car. You might need a truck for work or a big SUV for the family. Motortrend has you covered there too. They added the motortrend suv of the year and Truck of the Year awards to their lineup. These awards are just as important as the car award.
The 2025 SUV of the year is the Lincoln Nautilus. This vehicle is like a “spa on wheels”. It has a base price of $52,000. When you sit inside, you see a massive 48-inch customizable screen that goes across the whole dashboard. It even has aromatherapy. You can choose from three different scents to make your cabin smell amazing. It is luxury at its finest.
The 2026 Truck of the Year is the Ford Maverick. This is a compact truck that fits perfectly in a normal garage. It is not too big. It is not too small. The base model starts under $29,000. Additionally, it gets incredible gas mileage. The front-wheel drive version can get up to 42 miles per gallon in the city. That is better than many small cars! It proves that you can have a truck and still save money at the pump.
How the Testing Happens
You might wonder how these experts know so much. They do more than just drive around the block. They have a special place called the MotorTrend Garage in Los Angeles. They keep a whole fleet of cars there for long-term testing.
Each editor gets a car to drive every single day for about one calendar year. They take the kids to school. They go grocery shopping. They take long road trips. This helps them find out if a car is actually good to live with.
They also do something called “Real MPG” testing. The government gives gas mileage estimates. However, those numbers are not always right in the real world. The experts at the magazine measure the fuel economy in different conditions. They tell you what the car actually gets when you drive it. This is very helpful for your wallet.
On top of that, they do “Big Test” comparisons. They take five to seven similar vehicles and put them against each other. It is like a giant battle for the top spot. If you want to know if a Toyota is better than a Honda, this is where you look.
They also have a YouTube series called “Head 2 Head”. In this show, editors compare two great cars to see which one is the winner. High stakes. Great action.
Watching the Action on Screen
You do not just have to read about cars. You can watch them too. For a long time, motortrend tv was the place to go. It started as a channel called Velocity. Later, it became the Motor Trend Network. They even have a channel in Italy that started in 2018.
The way you stream these shows changed recently. There used to be a service called MotorTrend+. It was known as “The Netflix for Gearheads”. However, Warner Bros. Discovery decided to shut it down in March 2024. Do not worry though. All the great shows like “Top Gear America” and “Roadkill” moved to Max and Discovery+.
If you were a subscriber to the old service, you got a special deal. You can get an ad-free plan on Discovery+ for $5.99 per month. That is a good price for thousands of hours of car content. You can see David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan build crazy cars in “Roadkill”. You can watch Bill Carlton create custom metal art in “Texas Metal”. You can even see Kevin Hart and his friends learn about muscle cars. There is something for everyone.
Insights into the Future: EVs and Beyond
The automotive world is moving toward electricity. You see more electric vehicles on the road every day. Motortrend provides deep insights into this future mobility. They do not just look at pure EVs though. An emerging trend for 2025 is the EREV. This stands for Extended Range Electric Vehicle.
These vehicles have an electric motor to drive the wheels. Plus, they have a small gas generator on board. This generator keeps the battery charged so you never have to worry about running out of power. You get the quiet ride of an electric car but the long range of a gas car. Expect to see these in more pickups and SUVs soon.
The 2011 Car of the Year was actually the Chevrolet Volt, which was an early example of this tech. They have been tracking this for a long time. Whether it is a Tesla Cybertruck or a hybrid Toyota, they test them all. They want to know if these new technologies actually make your life better.
Buying Guides and Expert Advice
You might be ready to buy a new vehicle right now. If so, you should check out the special new car guides. Every September, the magazine releases a guide for the latest sedans and coupes. In October, they release a guide for off-roaders and SUVs. These guides tell you everything about the models coming out in the next year.
A great tip for shoppers is to look at the end of the year. Dealers want to clear out the old inventory from the current year to make room for the new models. This is the perfect time to find a deal. You should do your research first. Figure out which features you really want. Then, go to the dealer and do as many test drives as you can. You must make sure you fit in the car and that the car fits your lifestyle. It is a big investment. Take your time.
Motorsport News and Highlights
If you love racing, you are in the right place. Motortrend has a strong heritage in motorsports and high-performance engineering. They cover everything from local racing to global events. Their digital platforms give you technical details that other sites miss. They explain how the engines work and why certain designs are faster.
They even have a flagship award called the “World’s Greatest Driver’s Car“. This award is all about how a car feels when you are behind the wheel on a twisty road. It is not just about being fast. It is about the connection between you and the machine. If a car wins this, you know it is something special to drive.
The Global Reach of the Brand
This is not just an American story. The brand has reached all over the world. There are versions of the TV channel in other countries like the United Kingdom and Italy. People everywhere love cars. They want the same high-quality reviews and news that you do.
Gradually, the company became a part of a massive media family. Before Hearst bought it, it was part of Warner Bros. Discovery. This gave it access to huge platforms like Max. Even though the owners change, the mission stays the same. They want to be the top source for anyone who loves things with wheels.
Summary of Key Data and Statistics
- Founded: 1949.
- Total Circulation (2022): 553,838.
- 2026 Car of the Year: Volkswagen Golf GTI ($34,590) and Golf R ($49,455).
- 2025 SUV of the Year: Lincoln Nautilus ($52,000 base).
- 2026 Truck of the Year: Ford Maverick (Starts under $29,000, 42 MPG city).
- Streaming Transition: Over 1,000 hours moved to Max and Discovery+.
Thoughts on Your Journey
You love cars because they represent freedom. They take you to work. They take you on vacation. They are a part of your daily life. You deserve to have the best information possible. Whether you are looking for a fuel-efficient truck like the Maverick or a luxury “spa” like the Nautilus, Motortrend provides the insights you need.
Stay curious. Keep reading. Watch the shows. The world of automotive technology is moving faster than ever. Do not get left behind. Use the tools and reviews available to make the best choice for your hard-earned dollar. After all, the right car can make every day a little bit better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Motortrend and what type of content does it offer?
It is a famous automotive media brand that started as a magazine in 1949. It offers car reviews, news about new vehicle launches, and deep technical insights. You can also find buying guides and high-quality video shows about car building and racing.
How reliable are Motortrend car reviews and ratings?
The reviews are very reliable because the editors drive the cars for long periods. They use a special fleet at their headquarters to test vehicles for a full year. They also use six strict criteria for their awards to ensure every winner is truly excellent.
Does Motortrend cover new car and bike launch news?
Yes, they have a section called The Trend specifically for the latest industry news. They cover new models, redesigned vehicles, and even manufacturer recalls. They also release special guides every autumn for the upcoming year’s models.
How can I watch shows on the Motortrend platform?
The old MotorTrend+ service shut down in early 2024. Now, you can find your favorite shows on Max and Discovery+. If you want to watch on YouTube, the “MotorTrend Channel” features great series like “Head 2 Head”.
What are the latest car reviews published by Motortrend?
Some of the most recent and important reviews are for the 2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R, which won Car of the Year. They also recently reviewed the Lincoln Nautilus and the Ford Maverick as part of their “Of The Year” programs.
Is Motortrend useful for automotive buying decisions?
Absolutely. Their “Big Test” comparisons and “Real MPG” data help you see how cars actually perform compared to what companies claim. Their advice on when to shop and how to test drive is also very valuable for saving money.
Does Motortrend provide insights on EVs and future mobility?
Yes, they track all the latest trends in electric vehicles and hybrids. They have been covering EVs since winners like the Chevy Volt in 2011. They also provide updates on new tech like Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) for trucks and SUVs.
Concluding Words
This article explored the rich history and modern offerings of Motortrend, from its start in 1949 to its current role as a digital and streaming powerhouse. You learned about the prestigious Car, Truck, and SUV of the
Year awards and the strict criteria used to pick winners like the VW Golf and Ford Maverick. By using their expert reviews, long-term tests, and buying guides, you can make smart decisions about your next vehicle while staying updated on the exciting future of EVs and automotive tech.
