Martin Padgett, Editorial Director

Martin Padgett is Internet Brands Automotive Group’s Editorial Director. He ensures the quality of content across the Group’s portfolio of automotive destinations, which include The Car Connection, Motor Authority, and Green Car Reports. Padgett oversees the editorial development of each site, as well as vehicle reviews and evaluations that are unique to The Car Connection, including its numeric TCC Rating scoring system. He also guides deeply sourced industry reporting at each site, from first drive reviews of the latest supercars and electric vehicles, to in-depth analysis of topics that range from EV charging to the future of gas-powered trucks and SUVs. With a career that spans more than 30 years, Padgett has reported on the automotive industry since he joined Car and Driver magazine in 1991. Prior to joining the startup site that would become The Car Connection, he wrote for other prominent automotive outlets including AutoTrader, Edmunds, Automobile Magazine, Stuff, Outside, and BusinessWeek. As a juror for the prestigious North American Car and Truck of the Year awards, his insights and evaluations play a vital role in recognizing excellence within the automotive industry. Padgett is a native of Washington, D.C. He graduated with a BA in history with honors from Duke University. He earned an MFA in narrative nonfiction writing from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2018. In 2023, he completed his PhD in U.S. Constitutional history at Georgia State University.

Articles

Hyundai Elantra vs. Toyota Corolla | The Car Connection
Hyundai Elantra vs. Toyota Corolla | The Car Connection

Hyundai Elantra or Toyota Corolla? These two popular, compelling compact cars both offer inexpensive entry-level sedans, fuel-sipping hybrid versions, and spicy performance editions. The 2025 Toyota Corolla plugs in a familiar hybrid system—it’s on loan from the Prius hatchback—in...Read More»

2025 Toyota Camry
2025 Toyota Camry

With the Camry, Toyota has rarely veered from a winning midsize sedan recipe. Again for 2025 the Camry’s automotive comfort food. Not deconstructed, not capped with gold flake and caviar, it’s just mac and cheese out of a box—a nice box, but a box nevertheless. What...Read More»

2024 Porsche Panamera
2024 Porsche Panamera

What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Porsche Panamera? What does it compare to? The Porsche Panamera rivals cars like the Tesla Model S, Lucid Air, and Mercedes S-Class, with its blend of hatchback space, sizzling performance, stratospheric prices, and scalding performance. Is the 2024...Read More»

Give a shift? Jeep makes Wrangler's V-6 manual-only
Give a shift? Jeep makes Wrangler's V-6 manual-only

The 2025 model year signals the end of a longtime union: the one between the Jeep Wrangler's V-6 engine and its automatic transmission. For the new model year, Jeep will sell the 6-cylinder Wrangler only with a 6-speed manual transmission, the brand disclosed Wednesday. At the same time, Jeep only...Read More»

Infiniti trims the 2025 QX50 family, ups price to $44,350
Infiniti trims the 2025 QX50 family, ups price to $44,350

The QX50 now comes with standard all-wheel drive The former QX50 Sensory and Autograph models have been axed Prices for 2025 start at $44,350 for the QX50, $51,500 for the QX55 Infiniti has shrunk the midsize QX50 family of crossovers for the 2025 model year, but it's made one major feature...Read More»

2025.5 Volvo XC90 kicks off renewed plug-in hybrid push
2025.5 Volvo XC90 kicks off renewed plug-in hybrid push

Volvo's XC90 SUV will get fresh styling, an interface like that on the EX90 electric SUV, and OTA updates The XC90 PHEV's EV range will remain around 33 miles Prices start at $59,745 in the U.S., with deliveries early next year Volvo hasn't backed off its plans for electric vehicles—but it...Read More»

The death list: These cars have been discontinued for 2025
The death list: These cars have been discontinued for 2025

We're already deeply into the discovery phase of the 2025 model year. With it, as usual, have come a stellar crop of new vehicles—everything from the high and mighty Chevy Corvette ZR1 to the cheeky, efficient Honda Civic Hybrid. But on the sadder end of the spectrum, we're tallying the list...Read More»

Ford backpedals on EVs: Cancels 3-row SUV, adds EV trucks
Ford backpedals on EVs: Cancels 3-row SUV, adds EV trucks

Ford drops plans for a battery-powered, three-row SUV A new midsize EV truck will be introduced in 2027, with other body styles to come A new battery-powered full-size truck also will be introduced in 2027 The Mustang Mach-E will get U.S.-sourced batteries More hybrid SUVs are on the way Ford says...Read More»

Missed connection: Bad plug leads to big BMW recall
Missed connection: Bad plug leads to big BMW recall

A defect in as many as 720,796 BMW vehicles from the 2010s has led to an extensive recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last week recalled BMWs fitted with a certain water pump and plug connector. In affected vehicles, the pump's electrical connector may not have been...Read More»

2025 Nissan Altima drops turbo-4, adds SV edition
2025 Nissan Altima drops turbo-4, adds SV edition

Nissan may be planning to discontinue the Altima midsize four-door sedan in 2026, but in the meantime it's slimmed down the complexity of the lineup—at least in its powertrain offerings. This year Nissan has dropped the former turbo-4 option that once promised to boost performance and...Read More»

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