Sam Phillips

Sam Phillips
Title: Staff Writer

Sam has been a regular Autocar contributor since 2021 and became a member of the team in summer 2024. He previoulsy worked for sister-title Move Electric, which covers the entire spectrum of electric vehicles, from cars to boats – and even trucks.

As Autocar's Staff Writer he is tasked with updating top 10s and evergreen content, as well as writing first drives and used reviews. 

Sam graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with a BA in Journalism. In his final year he produced an in-depth feature on the automotive industry’s transition to electric cars and interviewed a number of leading experts to assess our readiness for the impending ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.

Sam is an expert in:

  • Electric cars news and reviews
  • New car news
  • Micromobility
  • Classic cars Motorsport, from Formula 1 to Classic Trials
  • Porsche PTS colours

What is your biggest news story?

My most notable story would be my in-depth feature on the future of Alpine and its switch from a one-car manufacturer to an electric sports car brand with a new three-model line-up. For a brand that prides itself on lightweight sports cars to then announce its plans to become an EV only manufacturer is huge. In an interview with Alpine’s then CEO Laurent Rossi, he outlined his vision for the brand and revealed that it would be splitting its future range into lifestyle and sporting lines.

What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?

While I’m fortunate enough to have driven some brilliant cars in my first two years at Autocar – the Toyota GR Yaris and Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 to name a few – I’m always drawn back to my very own 1990 Rover Mini Cooper RSP. Simply put, it's one of the purest driving experiences anyone can have, and the Maniflow single-box exhaust delivers a rich soundtrack that leaves a smile on my face like no other.

What will the car industry look like in 20 years?

I imagine we’ll be using an EV from Monday to Sunday to get around, but I expect other micro-mobility solutions such as e-bikes and e-scooters to enter the fray on a much larger scale. Of course, electrification will become the norm, but I wouldn’t rule out hydrogen and indeed synthetic fuels – we’ve just got to allow the technology to evolve. Most importantly, I think that the car, as an entity, will be something that is celebrated. Whether it's a large-scale motorsport event or a show at local village green, cars will still attract enthusiasts in one way or another.

Car review

Used Land Rover Discovery 2004-2016 review

The Discovery has an unbeatable combination of practicality, off-road ability and on-road manners – and now you can have one for £3000

Used Land Rover Discovery 2004-2016 review
Car review

Used Volkswagen Polo 2009-2017 review

The fifth-generation Volkswagen Polo has junior Golf looks – but should you buy one over a used Fiesta?

Used Volkswagen Polo 2009-2017 review
Car review

Nissan Ariya

Where does Nissan's second bespoke EV rank in the electric crossover class?

Nissan Ariya
Car review

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53

Lower-rung AMG gains butch looks and big power. Can it stick it to the BMW M4?

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
Ferrari F80 front three quarter wide
The F80 is powered by a wild 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine which makes 1184bhp
News

Ferrari F80 succeeds LaFerrari with 1184bhp F1 V6 powertrain

F1 and Le Mans inspired hypercar is the most powerful road-going Ferrari ever made

Ferrari F80 succeeds LaFerrari with 1184bhp F1 V6 powertrain
Car review

Used Ford Ranger 2011-2022 review

The Ford Ranger neatly blends ruggedness with car-like refinement and usability - but is it still a sensible purchase second hand?

Used Ford Ranger 2011-2022 review
News

Dacia Bigster is brand's largest, most expensive model to date

Family-sized 4x4 will land in the UK next year in full-hybrid and mild-hybrid guises

Dacia Bigster is brand's largest, most expensive model to date
Car review

Used BMW M5 2005-2010 review

This was the last hot 5 Series to be powered by a normally aspirated engine – a manic 500bhp 5.0-litre V10

Used BMW M5 2005-2010 review
Car review

BYD Dolphin

Chinese giant’s second UK offering brings long range and impressive practicality to the small EV class at a very keen price

BYD Dolphin
Car review

Used Toyota Yaris 2011-2020 review

The third-gen Yaris was ahead of its time thanks to hybrid technology – but does it still appeal as a used buy?

Used Toyota Yaris 2011-2020 review
News

The best used hatchbacks - driven, ranked and rated

If you find the VW Golf a bit 'straight down the middle' these classy used hatchbacks offer a strong alternative

The best used hatchbacks - driven, ranked and rated

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