MotorTrend Reviews

MotorTrend doesn’t cast from my iPhone XS Max to my Samsung TV. It plays for a second, then cuts out. I tried requesting a refund, as I’d shelled out the $24 for the annual subscription, and this app Support refused to issue a refund, insisting I spend the time to video the issue on my phone and the TV after already providing a detailed step-by-step walkthrough of the behavior in my support request (the ask to video the issue, I’m afraid, would take some time to understand how to video both screens simultaneously, and I barely have time to write this review let alone compile videos for them). After the support ticket was constantly being put back on me and Support REFUSED after multiple clear requests to issue a refund, I ended up giving up. So now, I’m stuck with an app that DOES NOT WORK from a company who REFUSES to refund after clear documentation of my issue. Had they simply issued a refund, I would have been happy to pick this back up and resubscribe to a working app, but now, I’m paying them and they’re stalling by requesting time and effort from me before they will give me my money back for an app that I CANNOT USE 😡😢😞. I would love for you to fix MotorTrend , but I don’t have time to help you beyond the documentation I’ve already provided! So terribly disappointed. 😕💸💸💸💸

App is useless on my Sony smart tv you cannot use the up or down arrows in app to select log in, the tv recognizes that I am pushing the button but MotorTrend will not move left right or up and down so you cannot select anything to use MotorTrend . I am canceling my subscription since I cannot select login to watch anything. This issue has been going on for several months and does not work after the last patch on MotorTrend , pretty lame since every other app works just fine

That’s a terrible response from the developer, instead of offering a solution you tell me I wrote my review in the wrong place....... an app should work on all platforms not just iOS if you only offer iOS support for technical issues then it should only be available on iOS if you can offer me a solution then I will change my review I pay the subscription through my phone so I don’t see how it is any different but I guess I will also leave my review in the google play store as well

What the actual (*&%^ have you done to the AppleTV version of MotorTrend?!?!?! The last update completely hosed everything. It is slow as molasses. And When the show you want to watch finally does load the seasons are in random order and if you were watching them in order you have to figure out which season you were on, find it in the scrambled order of seasons at the top, then scroll thru episodes trying to find where you were (Extras are a prime example where you 40ish seasons for Roadkill or DED - it’s impossible to find where you were in the watching order so you can see the latest episode) Bottom line you need to fix this now or I may walk and take my money back.

edit**I tried the suggested fix and it’s like whomever wrote that has never seen an AppleTV. I will try to uninstall/reinstall, but I’m not hopeful

Edit again*** nope still ^*^&%ed up.

I’m revising my previous 3 star review. I LOVE the content. But the management in charge of MotorTrend and the scheduling is doing EVERYTHING they can to lose subscribers.

First off MotorTrend is an absolute disaster. This was the main complaint of my last review and they’ve done absolutely nothing to try and fix it. They put out an update saying you can now stream, still can’t stream. You search specific shows like Roadkill Garage, it doesn’t show up. It’s genuinely so bad you have to laugh.

Honestly though, the content was so good I just dealt with it. But now, they’ve totally changed how the content is published. Before every major show was published monthly. This meant every week I had some new episode of my favorite shows I could watch.

Now they are trying to be clever and only publish one show at a time in specific batches... then it’s gone for 40 WEEKS! It’s infuriating. I’m done paying a premium for the silly games these guys play. They’re clearly amateurs in the world of running a streaming app and it shows. Every good thing they had going seemed to be a failure.

Myself and many other subscribers (just check reddit and other online forums) are cancelling and plan to just binge watch when our favorite shows get published. Before I had to stay subscribed year round. Now I get to choose when I pay them money. So I guess I should thank them for saving me some cash.

Can not scroll down, makes the noise like it’s doing something but can only go left and right. - Update, still doesn’t work. I have gotten emails from MT suggesting some workarounds like using my phone as a remote (didn’t work) and today’s, and this is the best yet. Changing my AppleTV 4K and TV settings to 1080 as suggested by other users, and apparently this app thought they’d pass that info along. Yep, downgrade the quality when watching MT. Of course I’d have to go back and redo everything when watching streaming apps that actually work. Basically if MT was Chevy, they would take your perfectly running Camaro, change some stuff for like no reason, give you your Camaro back.. and when you find out it no longer goes into gear, they will suggest you just push it down a hill. Absolutely ridiculous.

MT wouldnt refund me for me missing the deadline. I cancelled immediately after i got the 60$ charge. The havent ised this service for almost a whole year because 1. i wasnt happy with MotorTrend or the lack of content at the time. and 2. when i went to cancel the first time ( a month into my subscription ) it had said my account was no longer holding a subscription. I though nothing of it and forgot about it. THE PROBLEM is that by default it was set to automatic renewal which is BS. They sent one email that i overlooked because i get “Motor Trend Newsletter” several times a day on top of other emails. no second notice email the day before or anything like that. They seemed pretty set on not refunding me and faulting me becaise i missed it. i also requested the cancellation an hour or so after i was charged (3am my time ) i could understand if it was a week or a month but no, a few hours ( because i was sleeping at the time it charged me ) they wont refund me. not worth it. ive never had a company act like this of refunding. seems like they want all the money they can get. Great job Motor Trend!

The luxury of MotorTrend and the content is fantastic, only issue I have is the media player is close to garbage. Does not matter if I’m using the phone app, or the website at on my PC. It always crashes on both MotorTrend and the website, the PC player’s detection blocks for the volume and controls at the bottom are so small if you have want to turn up the player you have to hover perfectly over the red line in the middle which is virtually impossible. Try to exit the full screen without using escape will inevitably scrub to the end of the show rather than click the full screen button. It’s clunky and terrible, but other than that love the applications.

Updated - original post remains following the update. After three days and literally multiple dozens of emails I was able to get it somewhat resolved. Very long story short, you cannot subscribe through Apple if you have canceled in the past. You must subscribe directly through this app. While they didn’t directly say it, it was intimated that MT is trying to avoid the commission Apple charges them through MotorTrend Store. It is unreal the number of emails it took to get to the bottom of this. The install instructions could be rewritten to address this, or a menu option on MotorTrend with instructions on how to deal with it. I really hope Overhaulin’ is worth it as it’s really the only show that has my interest.

STAY AWAY!! I subscribed to MotorTrend through the Apple App Store. MotorTrend will not let me access programming unless I ALSO subscribe through this app. I don’t think their programming is worth paying twice. I’ve exchanged nearly a dozen emails with this app with no resolution. Apple is refunding my subscription. I won’t give my payment info to this app. After this epic failure in their support service I don’t trust them with my info. If this app wishes to fix this, they have my email address.

I love the content, do not get me wrong. But I use MotorTrend on my phone, and the recent update just eliminated my chance of streaming it to a device. That was qualm #3.
Moving in reverse order, #2 is that there is no way to set up a “playlist” or even play the next episode of the series (if available).
#1 is that all episodes are in reverse order. That is good to promote the most recent episode, but if that series is interesting, I would want to start at the beginning. Instead, now you have to work you way backwards as if you are in a time machine that magically ages the hosts in reverse.

Please don’t think that I am just being over the top for no reason, but I have been a full this app on Demand subscriber for close to a year. These are my biggest issues since I started. The content is above approach, but MotorTrend lacks that sense.

this app is putting out amazing, quality content. Even my engine builder watches every episode of engine masters. If you have the time to watch regularly, then a subscription is no biggie. I don't have time to watch more than a handful of episodes a month, so I just browse occasionally. I hadn't been on MotorTrend for a few months and when I came back, almost everything is locked. Some shows don't even have a single free episodes to persuade you to sign up. I know beggars can't be choosers, but I can't even watch anything to see if I'd be interested in it. it use to be "watch 12 weeks ahead of time" when you signed up for a subscription, but even those shows were never free to watch on MotorTrend .
Again, the content is incredible. But there's no use in having MotorTrend if I can't watch an episode or two.
Maybe the commercials and sponsors of each show - there seem to be plenty - aren't paying to create the content and they need subscribers to stay alive.

Why must a receive notification for shows I don’t watch? We should be able to set what shows we get notifications about. I only watch about 5 shows on MotorTrend and the rest of them I have zero interest in. I love MotorTrend and the shows I enjoy, but it drives me crazy that I keep getting notifications for things I couldn’t care less about. Give us a “my favorites” section and allow us to control what we receive notifications about. Also why do notifications about shows I do watch always get sent out after I’ve already watched them!? With all this technology isn’t there a way of MotorTrend seeing I’ve already watched or at the very least send the notifications when the show is available to watch.

App is cool and love the programming but I’m limited to only being able to have 12 programs on my list. I watch several shows and there’s more then 12 things I like watching, would be easier to keep track of my preferences if I could have more then 12 shows on my list. Also I’m not sure why but even after you watch your episode it still keeps saying new episodes on the things you have already watched. Love the programming but there’s some work we can do to make MotorTrend more specific to every user. Also no profile options as well only 1 user profile if my son wants to watch MotorTrend it doesn’t let is separate our lists and have our own profile. Would be awesome to feel like we have some user specific options when we watch our shows. Thank you.

Pros: the content is pretty nuts. It’s a wide range of shows both new and old and it’s super cheap. Even old shows like American Chopper and Biker Buildoff are on here. Plus you can watch live events like the 24 Heuers de LeMans for the price of an app subscription. Definite plus.

Cons: the mobile app doesn’t allow you to minimise a screen to peruse other shows or episodes. When you finish an episode, or close to it, and leave the episode doesn’t reset in case you wish to watch it again. You can’t add shows to a watch list or add favourite episodes to a personal playlist. And the Xbox app is pure trash, which is unfortunate, and a lot of the mobile app shows don’t play on Xbox live or past the show (like the 24hr LeMans race).

Doing well. Needs more work.

“Don’t make it perfect, make it work”. Has motivated me to get my 75 scout back on the road and the trail. I have seen everything episodes of roadkill and RK garage (glad finnigan is back in more he has the best stories in the daily’s) hot rod, And DeD. I used to check Back at watch new material but now with all
The additional, wheeler dealer, overhaul, ect there is something almost every day (excited for Top Gear) To Bring me back. Only recommendation from me not that it matters to anyone but me flip the archives from newest to oldest, have to scroll all the way Down to see if I missed one in the last month or so.

The latest version of MotorTrend makes it sooooooooo much harder to find content. Not sure why they made it so user unfriendly now. They keep answering questions no one is asking, like, how can I make MotorTrend more difficult to navigate.
Also, notifications are awesome. But when you open MotorTrend , there is absolutely no indication of what you are being notified of. Just, everything looks the same. Weird.
I would like to point out that I am an application developer, coder, and systems analyst and engineer, not some jacktard that gets off slamming apps.
Great content! Lousy, lousy app development.

Ok I’ve read some of the reviews online and all for if you ever have an issue that MT doesn’t have much of team to help you through or if they do they treat you like crap..Don’t believe all you hear or read bc I was over the moon with my customer service rep Matt and Sandra a Sr. Manger for motor trend and they both were exceptionally great to have had working on my issue and went above and beyond to help reconcile my issue..I was really being a jerk and they held there composure and were professional and very very helpful. I give them an A+++++ rating and this app should be proud to have them on there team. Thanks

The absolute best about motor trend is that my sons who love anything and everything car, bike and engine related. They can turn any of the shows on and I never have to worry about them seeing something they shouldn’t and they get to learn so much about how things work, get entertaining shows and gain some knowledge at the same time. I’m not aware of too many other shows where everything is family friendly as well as great watching material for adults. If you like anything with wheels then MotorTrend and these are shows are for you, and the quality that it is produced is top notch

Ahhh, the first time you realize what your mind is focusing on and the bite of true design, your are on the road to make what you think, how a car should look and perform. These episodes show you can build your dream, your’s is going to take, longer and what you can afford and learn skills, you need to build a car. Ant has deep pockets, yes he skilled, yes he subs work out, but in the end, his high end car can be realized. Yours can be a daily driver, a project someone who gets over whelmed with, you can take it to your final dream/design and it is your finished thought. So, here is a race going on with his hair on fire, and a time line. Slow this show down to a walk, is about what this can be for the regular person.

What an awesome experience for this American, to finally be able to view the 24 hours of Le Mans in it’s entirety. You already sold me, but this feed is commercial free. Cheers to the WEC crew, the commentary here in the US varied from apparently drunk and irreverent, to highly keyed in and informative. I enjoy both. I’m using a 14 day trial and MT also covers other European and Japanese racing that is unknown in the US, it’s all good in GT! My subscription is probably going to stay permanent. I’m loving MT, keep it up lads, it is a dream come true for this racing fan. Holding my breath for factory Chip Ford GT’s, it’s so great to see it!

I’m watching from hour 2 through 12 hours and 29 minutes remaining, the feed has not dropped, skipped, or hiccuped one frame all day, hour after hour.
Please hear that *cough* NBC Sports

I don’t really watch tv much anymore… but when I do it’s “Roadkill”! I used to watch a lot of these shows on Velocity, but I knew I wasn’t watching the most recent episodes. It’s nice to be up-to-date with the current episodes as well as having better access to watching “Roadkill Garage”, “Hot Rod Garage”, “Engine Masters”, etc… as these shows give a better understanding on how some of the project cars got to where they are. I’ve even started watching some “Donk Master” as I’ve passed by some of the raceways driving through S. Carolina. And as much as my family may hate it, I can easily go back and watch my favorite episodes as many times as I want. So in the end, the Motor Trend App is just like Gas Monkey Garage…

because it’s all about fun with cars and Aaron’s not there…

(See what I did there)

Got MotorTrend because of the fantastic Top Gear Collection, and will keep it for that reason. However, it’s obvious that Motor Trend is years behind in Streaming, specially for long TV series.

MotorTrend will not remember what season, what episode, what minute, or what second you left your watching on after you’ve left MotorTrend for a few minutes. I’m already in season 5 of Top Gear and every time I get back, it prompts me to “Keep Watching S02, Episode 1”. I have to manually scroll to the season I am, then find the episode, and then scroll to where I left off if I’m lucky enough to remember.

These episodes are an hour or so long, so it’s very unlikely that I’m always going to finish each of them in one sitting.

I love the fact that there is a Ruku TV app for this and I can watch Top Gear in a huge TV, it’s truly nostalgic and beautiful. Hence, Motor Trend, please fix the continuity, let me watch something on my TV and then pick up at the same place in my phone and then continue while I’m at my lunch break at work and then when I’m back home. I love Top Gear and MotorTrend is nicely built, but please fix that.

Sincerely,

Stig’s Angry Cousin

Update: decided to cancel my Moto Trend app. They canceled/ended Throttle Out show. There’s not enough motorcycle content to keep me Interested.

I had an issue with billing a while back. They had updated there app and booted me off with no clear way too sign back on. I was upset considering I paid for a year subscription and this was barely 3 weeks into it. However, when I contacted them they were really nice and even called me truly wanting to resolve the issue which they did. I was happy. The channel/app it’s self is great. Pretty easy to navigate, lots of moto content. Personal note, I wish the had more motorcycle stuff but Throttle Out is great. I’d love to see a type of sports center for all Motorsports and I think they could pull it off!

Pros: the content is pretty nuts. It’s a wide range of shows both new and old and it’s super cheap. Even old shows like American Chopper and Biker Buildoff are on here. Plus you can watch live events like the 24 Heuers de LeMans for the price of an app subscription. Definite plus.

Cons: the mobile app doesn’t allow you to minimise a screen to peruse other shows or episodes. When you finish an episode, or close to it, and leave the episode doesn’t reset in case you wish to watch it again. You can’t add shows to a watch list or add favourite episodes to a personal playlist. And the Xbox app is pure trash, which is unfortunate, and a lot of the mobile app shows don’t play on Xbox live or past the show (like the 24hr LeMans race).

Doing well. Needs more work.

What an awesome experience for this American, to finally be able to view the 24 hours of Le Mans in it’s entirety. You already sold me, but this feed is commercial free. Cheers to the WEC crew, the commentary here in the US varied from apparently drunk and irreverent, to highly keyed in and informative. I enjoy both. I’m using a 14 day trial and MT also covers other European and Japanese racing that is unknown in the US, it’s all good in GT! My subscription is probably going to stay permanent. I’m loving MT, keep it up lads, it is a dream come true for this racing fan. Holding my breath for factory Chip Ford GT’s, it’s so great to see it!

I’m watching from hour 2 through 12 hours and 29 minutes remaining, the feed has not dropped, skipped, or hiccuped one frame all day, hour after hour.
Please hear that *cough* NBC Sports

I’m not tech savvy or internet/tv watching guy . Im more of a if it has an engine I’m interested kind of guy .. I’m mechanically minded . I have Never been into car shows in the past ,with most having Big dollar builds way to outrageous for me to relate ..” Motor trend has opened my mind” !!! “ Roadkill , hot rod garage ,junk yard gold” I can go on and on about the amount of shows/ content I love on here ... I like the new alerts to see what’s new . The price is great and the reliability of the website is impressive . I have nothing bad to say about motor trend .. thanks a loyal customer .

Rizzo