Andrew Frankel: Biography, Career and Achievements

Andrew Frankel is a familiar name to readers who follow serious automotive journalism, road testing and performance cars. Over a career spanning decades, he has built a reputation not simply as a writer, but as an experienced driver and evaluator whose work combines technical understanding with a strong appreciation for what makes a car memorable.

Unlike automotive personalities whose fame comes primarily from television or social media, Andrew Frankel has made his name through journalism. His career has included senior writing roles, extensive road testing and contributions to several respected automotive publications. He has also remained involved in the wider enthusiast community through racing, judging and specialist automotive media.

For readers discovering Andrew Frankel for the first time, his career provides an interesting look at how motoring journalism has evolved. He has experienced an industry that moved from print magazines and newspapers toward digital publishing while retaining the fundamentals of good automotive writing: knowing cars, understanding readers and communicating what a vehicle is actually like to drive.

This article explores Andrew Frankel’s biography, professional journey, journalism career, writing philosophy, automotive expertise and achievements.

Key Takeaways

• Andrew Frankel is a veteran British motoring journalist, road tester and automotive writer.
• He served as The Sunday Times’ chief car tester for 17 years.
• He is a senior contributing writer for Autocar and Motor Sport and also writes for Goodwood and Magneto.
• Frankel is a co-founder of The Intercooler, an automotive publication focused on enthusiast-driven storytelling.
• His career has included testing everything from everyday cars to high-performance supercars and historic racing machinery.
• He remains active in automotive journalism, judging and motorsport-related activities.

Biography Table

Frankel himself has identified October 1, 1965, as his birthday in an Autocar feature, while professional profiles describe his long-running journalism career and current writing roles.

Andrew Frankel’s Early Interest in Cars

A defining feature of Andrew Frankel’s career is that his professional interest in cars appears to have grown from a genuine enthusiasm for them rather than simply from a desire to write about automobiles.

In an Autocar article reflecting on how he became interested in cars, Frankel described his passion as something that developed early in life. He also credited his father with helping pass on that enthusiasm and discussed the influence of a generation of automotive journalists who shaped his understanding of the subject.

That distinction matters in automotive journalism.

Writing about a car is relatively easy if the goal is to repeat specifications. Good road testing requires something more. A journalist needs to understand how a vehicle behaves, what its engineering means in practice and how those characteristics affect the driver.

Frankel’s long career demonstrates that approach. His work has consistently placed the driving experience alongside technical and historical context.

Andrew Frankel’s Career in Motoring Journalism

Building a Career Through Road Testing

Andrew Frankel has spent decades developing expertise in one of the most demanding areas of automotive journalism: road testing.

A road tester has to evaluate vehicles under real-world conditions while communicating the experience accurately to readers. That involves far more than describing acceleration figures or engine specifications.

A strong test considers questions such as:

• How does the car behave on different roads?
• Is the steering communicative?
• How does the suspension respond?
• Is the engine character appropriate for the vehicle?
• Does the car feel special at ordinary speeds?
• Is it comfortable enough for everyday use?
• What makes it different from its competitors?
• Who is the car actually for?

Frankel’s experience behind the wheel has allowed him to approach these questions from the perspective of an experienced driver as well as a journalist.

Autocar describes him as a senior contributing writer, with his work continuing to cover everything from exceptional modern performance cars to historically significant machinery.

The Sunday Times

One of the most significant positions in Andrew Frankel’s career was his role as chief car tester for The Sunday Times, a position he held for 17 years.

This period is important because The Sunday Times reaches a broad mainstream readership, meaning automotive journalism had to be accessible without becoming superficial.

For a writer in such a position, credibility depends on consistency. Readers need to trust that assessments are based on experience rather than marketing language.

Frankel’s long tenure reflects the depth of experience he brought to the role.

Andrew Frankel and Autocar

Autocar has been another major part of Andrew Frankel’s professional identity.

He is listed by Autocar as a senior contributing writer, and the publication continues to feature his work.

His contributions have covered a wide range of automotive subjects. One example is his 2023 article examining how people can enter the motoring journalism profession. Rather than simply romanticizing the job, Frankel discusses the realities of becoming a journalist who drives and writes about cars.

That perspective is particularly valuable because it comes from someone with decades of firsthand experience.

His Autocar work also demonstrates the breadth of his interests. He has written about modern supercars, historic vehicles, journalism itself and his personal relationship with cars.

Writing About Cars With Experience

The best automotive writing does not merely tell readers what a vehicle has.

It tells them what the vehicle feels like.

That distinction is central to understanding Andrew Frankel’s style.

A specification sheet can tell you that a sports car has a certain engine, power output, weight and acceleration time. A skilled road tester can explain what those numbers mean when a driver actually gets behind the wheel.

For example, two cars might have similar performance figures but feel completely different. One might prioritize precision and feedback, while another focuses on comfort and effortless speed.

Experienced journalists such as Frankel help readers understand those differences.

This is particularly useful for specialist cars where emotional and experiential qualities matter as much as measurable performance.

Andrew Frankel and The Intercooler

Another important chapter in Andrew Frankel’s career is his involvement with The Intercooler.

The publication identifies Frankel as a co-founder and describes him as a senior contributing writer. Its writer profile also notes his work with Autocar and Motor Sport, alongside contributions to Goodwood and Magneto.

The Intercooler represents an interesting development in automotive publishing because it places considerable emphasis on stories and experiences rather than simply conventional vehicle reviews.

That approach suits Frankel’s strengths.

His career has always involved the relationship between cars and the people who drive them. Whether discussing a supercar, an old racing machine or an ordinary road car, the story is often about the experience surrounding the vehicle.

His Work With Motor Sport, Goodwood and Magneto

Andrew Frankel’s automotive journalism extends beyond a single publication.

The Intercooler’s profile identifies him as a senior contributing writer for Motor Sport, while also noting his weekly writing for Goodwood and quarterly contributions to Magneto.

Each publication serves a somewhat different part of the automotive audience.

Motor Sport has a strong connection to competition and racing history. Goodwood encompasses contemporary automotive culture, motorsport and enthusiast events. Magneto focuses heavily on significant historic vehicles and collector-car culture.

Frankel’s ability to work across these areas illustrates the breadth of his automotive knowledge.

He is not restricted to new-car reviews. His interests encompass performance cars, classic automobiles, motorsport and automotive history.

Andrew Frankel and Motorsport

Driving has always been an important part of Frankel’s professional life.

The Intercooler’s profile notes that he races when he can, including GT cars and historic Edwardian machinery.

That hands-on involvement provides another dimension to his journalism.

There is a meaningful difference between watching a racing car and actually driving one. Motorsport exposes a driver to braking behaviour, weight transfer, grip, steering response and mechanical characteristics in ways that are difficult to understand from the outside.

For an automotive journalist, that experience can strengthen the ability to describe performance accurately.

Andrew Frankel as a Car Judge

Frankel’s experience has also extended into judging.

The Intercooler describes him as remaining a Car of the Year jury member.

Judging cars requires a different mindset from simply reviewing one.

A review asks whether a particular vehicle succeeds at its intended purpose. A jury process may require comparisons between very different vehicles and consideration of innovation, design, engineering, usability and overall significance.

Years of testing a wide range of cars can therefore be particularly valuable in this environment.

What Makes Andrew Frankel’s Career Stand Out?

Several factors help explain the longevity of Andrew Frankel’s career.

1. Extensive Driving Experience

Frankel’s work has involved thousands of miles behind the wheel of different types of cars. That experience creates a reference point that cannot be gained from reading specifications alone.

2. Editorial Experience

His work across newspapers, magazines and digital automotive publications demonstrates an ability to adapt his writing for different audiences.

3. Breadth of Automotive Knowledge

His portfolio extends from everyday road cars to supercars, classic vehicles and motorsport machinery.

4. Long-Term Industry Perspective

A career spanning several decades gives Frankel a valuable perspective on how automotive technology, publishing and consumer expectations have changed.

5. Continued Involvement

Rather than treating journalism as a completed chapter, he continues to contribute to publications and automotive media.

Andrew Frankel’s Approach to Cars

One of the most revealing aspects of Frankel’s writing is his focus on purpose.

In his profile for The Intercooler, he explains his preference for cars that know what they are designed to do, rather than vehicles that try to be average at everything.

That philosophy offers a useful way to understand his approach to automotive evaluation.

A successful car does not necessarily have to be the fastest, most luxurious or most technologically advanced. It needs to fulfill its intended role exceptionally well.

A lightweight sports car, for example, can be successful because it delivers communication and agility. A luxury sedan can succeed through refinement. A family crossover may be judged primarily on comfort, practicality and ease of use.

This way of thinking avoids reducing cars to simple rankings.

Andrew Frankel’s Influence on Automotive Journalism

The automotive media landscape has changed dramatically during Frankel’s career.

When he entered the profession, print publications and newspapers dominated automotive journalism. Today, readers consume car stories through websites, video platforms, podcasts, newsletters and social media.

Yet the fundamentals remain surprisingly consistent.

Good automotive journalism still depends on:

• Firsthand experience
• Accurate observation
• Technical understanding
• Clear writing
• Editorial independence
• Knowledge of automotive history
• An understanding of the audience

Frankel’s continued presence across established automotive publications illustrates how those fundamentals can remain relevant despite changes in technology and publishing.

Is Andrew Frankel Still Writing About Cars?

Yes. Andrew Frankel continues to contribute to automotive journalism.

Autocar currently lists him as a senior contributing writer, while The Intercooler identifies him as a co-founder and contributor. His work has also continued across Motor Sport, Goodwood and Magneto.

This ongoing activity is important for anyone researching Andrew Frankel today because his career is not simply a historical record. He remains involved in contemporary automotive media.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Andrew Frankel?

Andrew Frankel is a veteran motoring journalist, road tester and automotive writer known for extensive work across major British automotive publications.

What is Andrew Frankel best known for?

He is particularly known for his long career as a car tester, including 17 years as The Sunday Times’ chief car tester, as well as his continuing work with Autocar and other automotive publications.

How long has Andrew Frankel been a motoring journalist?

Frankel has been active in automotive journalism since the 1990s. Autocar has described his career in terms of three decades of motoring journalism.

Does Andrew Frankel still write for Autocar?

Yes. Autocar currently lists Andrew Frankel as a senior contributing writer.

Is Andrew Frankel involved with The Intercooler?

Yes. He is a co-founder of The Intercooler and remains a contributing writer for the publication.

What other publications does Andrew Frankel write for?

His professional profile lists work with Motor Sport, Goodwood and Magneto, in addition to Autocar and The Intercooler.

Does Andrew Frankel race cars?

Yes. His Intercooler profile says he races when he can, including GT cars and historic Edwardian machinery.

What makes Andrew Frankel an influential automotive journalist?

His combination of decades of road-testing experience, firsthand driving knowledge, editorial experience and involvement with both modern and historic automotive culture has helped establish his reputation in motoring journalism.

Conclusion

Andrew Frankel’s career is a useful example of what long-term expertise in automotive journalism can look like. Rather than building his reputation around a single television appearance or one famous review, he has developed it through decades of writing, testing, driving and engaging with the wider car community.

His 17 years as The Sunday Times’ chief car tester represent one of the most notable chapters of his career, while his continuing work with Autocar, Motor Sport, Goodwood and Magneto shows the breadth of his expertise. His role as a co-founder of The Intercooler further demonstrates his commitment to enthusiast-focused automotive storytelling.

What ultimately distinguishes Andrew Frankel is the combination of journalist and driver. He does not approach cars solely as products to be described. His work reflects an understanding that automobiles are machines to be experienced, compared and understood in context.

For readers interested in automotive journalism, road testing or the history of influential motoring writers, Andrew Frankel’s career offers a compelling example of how knowledge, firsthand experience and strong writing can remain valuable across generations of automotive media.