10 Automotive Podcasts That Don’t Suck Tailpipe

Podcasts are a great way to keep up with the topics you love in a convenient and accessible way. If what you love is anything automotive, then we have you covered. Easily find out what’s trending, tune into an interview with industry professionals, or just enjoy entertaining banter about how the VW Beetle is actually an important car. So, check out the acclaimed list of automotive podcasts below (as well as a few honorable mentions), because we bet there’s a little something for everyone.

The Best of Car Talk

Self-described as a “one-hour weekly laugh fest,” NPR’s Car Talk is a must-listen. Hosts take calls from car owners across America asking questions about suspicious squeaks and relaying funny stories like “that one time a sock got sucked into the engine.” Check out this podcast if you’re looking for an excellent wholesome laugh on your next commute with knowledgeable and endearing hosts who offer friendly advice.

Note: Apple recently revamped the release schedule with this show. Starting in October 2021, podcasts began replaying entire original episodes going back to the beginning. Since the show initially ran from 1977-2012, plenty of gems are probably still to come!

Click and Clack of Car Talk automotive podcast fame

The Smoking Tire

This weekly, 90-minute car show began as a video series back in ’09 on YouTube. It consisted of the main host, Matt Farah, and his buddies making videos they felt TV just couldn’t offer. Now, with more than 600 episodes and a damn-near perfect rating on iTunes, The Smoking Tire serves to supplement its sister video channel with knowledgeable and exciting reviews, stories, and interviews.

Come for the content, stay for the “no Hollywood, no bosses, no bullshit” style that we absolutely love. Part camera nerds, part car junkies, these guys will draw you in with their years of experience and brutal honesty. Recommended with a cold beer.

Past Gas by Donut Media

It wouldn’t be an auto show without some goofy wordplay, right? Past Gas serves up wild stories throughout automotive history, so if you’re into trivia-worthy tales from the gearhead world, then this is the podcast for you. Hosts James Pumphrey, Nolan Sykes, and Joe Weber — who you might recognize from Donut Media’s uber-popular YouTube series — cover everything from underground Japanese racing clubs and 9,000-mile Norton bike trips to scammers selling three-wheeled cars and legendary F1 rivalries.

The TrailChasers Podcast

Maybe you prefer your automotive podcasts with a more traditional American bent… Something that touches base with the people on the ground, not on the pedestals… Something that puts a little hard-earned mud on the tires!

Then, look no further than the TrailChasers Podcast.

TrailChasers’ weekly content unpacks the stories and adventures of its own fans on social media. Ordinary people who lead average lives but share an unquenchable thirst for all things off-road and outdoor. Great for beginner and expert trail riders, the show covers everything from technical tips to inspirational chase-your-adventure stories. Fans of off-roading, overlanding, and the almighty Jeep will love this podcast and its entertaining hosts.

TrailChasers Podcast makes The Engine Block's list of Top Automotive Podcasts

Highside / Lowside

For the two-wheeled fanatics out there, this podcast centers on big topics in the motorcycle world. Fans flock to this one for its casual vibe and the fun nature of the show, which feels like sitting down with a couple of riding buddies over a cold one. There’s plenty of shop talk, but the show also takes fun detours to explore things like the best movie motorcycle scenes and notable Guinness World Records.

Spike’s Car Radio

Billed as “Cars, Coffee, and Comedy,” this show features more upper-level celebrity appearances like host and comedian Spike Feresten and comedian-in-car himself, Jerry Seinfeld. Fersten talks with vets from the automotive industry, comedians, and celebrities. Smoking Tire fans will also delight that Matt Farah is a regular on the show.

Hooniverse

Derived from the Australian word “hoon” for a reckless driver, the guys over at Hooniverse have added their own spin to the term to celebrate all things gearhead. The hosts prefer to focus on obscure gems and the stuff you won’t find in your monthly auto magazine subscription. In fact, listeners even have their own nickname: “vehicular omnivores.” Check in if you’re looking for informative car talk with a familiar-feeling vibe, and you’re cool with a bit of swearing.

The Diesel Podcast

Friends and family having trouble accepting your diesel lifestyle? Feel like no one understands your need to geek out over nasty Duramax builds? Don’t worry fam, The Diesel Podcast’s got your back. Enthusiast-driven and enthusiast-hosted, this diesel-lovin’ podcast serves up interviews, updates, reviews, events, and more. With hundreds of episodes and a stellar rating on iTunes, you can’t afford to miss this one.

The Scene Vault Podcast

If what you crave is more NASCAR, check out The Scene Vault Podcast. Host Rick Houston, the author of seven books on NASCAR, unpacks the sport’s greatest moments by deep-diving the famous stories that have defined it. He and co-host, legendary motorsports reporter Steve Waid, interview NASCAR veterans like Junior Johnson, Rusty Wallace, Ned Jarrett, and Bobby Allison, discussing their successes and hardships through candid conversations.

Anyone interested in the history of NASCAR, who loved the NASCAR Scene weekly magazine, or is just itching for a well-planned trip down memory lane needs to add this automotive podcast to their weekly lineup.

The MuscleCar Place

If you’re a fan of muscle cars, hot rods, and performance tuning, you might just find a home at the MuscleCar Place. Weekly episodes break down news, trends, listener questions, and aftermarket product recommendations with insight from industry leaders. Topics range from “Are classic car history reports worth it?” to “Where can I find the best places to buy affordable parts?”

Host Rob Kibbe started the show in 2009, and his good-natured and authentic passion has allowed it to grow into the leading muscle car podcast on the web. And, if 300+ episodes of inspirational and educational automotive content won’t satisfy you, check out the network’s website for links to its other bi-monthly shows, including the Kibbe and Friends Show featuring Justin “Corndog” Cornette and (sometimes) Mike Finnegan of Roadkill fame.

Honorable Mentions

It goes without saying that the podcast-verse is jampacked now with shows. Trying to pick just 10 solid auto-related shows was impossible. Here are a few more automotive podcasts worth your time, if you need more listening material for the drive ahead.

Driving While Awesome

Established in 2006 as a 24 Hours of LeMons team, Driving While Awesome evolved into a podcast to keep the good times rollin’. Hosts and friends dish up a fun, diverse, and informative twice-weekly podcast for car lovers everywhere. There’s plenty of content to keep you laughing and learning (and laughing some more).

Car Pro

This award-winning automotive podcast is the most popular auto advice show in the country, serving up weekly episodes of no-nonsense insight on the car buying process. With honest, straightforward insight on everything from financing to salesman lingo, you’ll gain a very useful peek behind the dealership curtain.

CarCastAdam Carolla's CarCast makes The Engine Block's list of automotive podcasts.

Fans of Adam Carolla and his no-holds-barred comedy will enjoy CarCast. As entertaining as it is informative, this podcast offers technical reviews, guest interviews, and witty banter. The best part? It’s all peppered with Carolla’s signature unforgiving and delightfully vulgar sense of humor.

B Squad Hotrod

“Everyday enthusiast seeks charming amateurs to break down the nuts and bolts of hot rod building, repair, and restoration.”

If that classified speaks to your soul, hit up the B Squad Hotrod podcast. Follow true enthusiasts as they navigate the mechanical world of hot rod enthusiasm. A funny and enlightening show for noobs and veterans alike. Fire up this pod with a cold beer and your closest wrenching buddy.

Everyday Driver Car Debate

“Everyday” is the key word, as this podcast focuses on regular cars driven by ordinary people. Hosts Paul and Todd take questions, offer honest advice and provide unbiased reviews on various topics. Episodes complement their YouTube channel without being repetitive. Plus, at an average running time of 45 minutes, they are perfect for your next commute or workout.

Autoblog Podcast

Not to be outdone by the competition, the guys over at Autoblog are putting out consistently well-informed auto news on their weekly podcast. Episodes are hosted by your favorite car-loving journalists. And, they offer helpful advice, insightful reviews, and up-to-date industry news with a level of “enthusiasm” that they’re not always allowed to put in print.

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