Autocar magazine continues to set the benchmark for automotive journalism as the world's oldest continuously published car weekly. Established on November 2, 1895, by Henry Sturmey when only a handful of vehicles existed in the United Kingdom, the publication has evolved from an early advocate of mechanical road carriages into a global media powerhouse under the Haymarket Media Group.
Throughout its illustrious history, the publication pioneered numerous industry standards, most notably claiming to invent the modern road test in 1928 with its analysis of the Austin 7 Gordon England Sunshine Saloon. Over the decades, Autocar has delivered independent performance figures and groundbreaking first tests for iconic supercars including the Jaguar XJ220, McLaren F1, Porsche 911 GT1, and the Bugatti Veyron.
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SubscribeLed by current editor Mark Tisshaw alongside veteran journalists like Steve Cropley and Matt Prior, the magazine maintains a strong editorial voice while expanding its footprint digitally. In 2023, the publication digitized its complete archive dating back to its inaugural 1895 edition, making decades of motoring history accessible online to enthusiasts and researchers worldwide.
Beyond its home market in the United Kingdom, Autocar has grown into an international brand with licensed editions published in sixteen countries across the globe, including China, India, and Malaysia. Despite weathering historical challenges such as 1970s strikes and evolving media landscapes, the publication remains a cornerstone of trusted automotive insight.