If you love cars, chances are you’ve read a lot of car reviews, whether online, in magazines, or in the newspaper. car reviews are so much fun to read as they tell you a lot about a car and help you figure out its strengths and weaknesses and if it might be a car you should consider.
As fun as it is to read car reviews, they can be just as fun to write. You don’t need to be a professional automotive journalist to write a car review; You just need to have a computer, a car to check out, and the enthusiasm to tell the world about that car. however, to write a strong, credible, and fun-to-read review, there are a few things you need to make sure you do.
Reading: How to do a car review
part 1 of 3: preparing to write a car review
step 1: choose the vehicle you want to review. There are a few things to consider when selecting a car or truck that you would like to review.
first, you need to find a car you’re a little excited about. You don’t want to be judgmental about the vehicle, but if, say, you despise trucks, you probably shouldn’t be reviewing a Ford F-150. the best reviews are written by people who are excited about the opportunity to drive the car and then either impressed or disappointed when they get a chance to drive it.
Second, you want to make sure you’re driving a car you can actually get your hands on. It’s tempting to write a review of the newest Ferrari, but chances are you have no way of driving one. instead, pick a car that a friend has or that a nearby dealership or rental agency will let you take out for a few hours.
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tip: If you really want to write a stellar review, you need to find a car whose competitors you’ve driven. that way you really have a solid perspective on how the model stacks up against the competition.
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tip: To objectively check a vehicle, it must always be in perfect working order. If you’re checking out your own vehicle or a friend’s, have a certified mechanic, like one of your mechanics, come in and do an inspection.
Step 2: Read some great car reviews. One of the best ways to learn to write is to read good writing. this is certainly the case with car reviews.
Before you write your car review, choose a number of roads and tracks or motoring trends, or go online and read the reviews there. this will be inspiring and informative and will surely help you write a great review.
part 2 of 3: vehicle test drive
See also: How Do Automotive Journalists Get Press Cars?
step 1: drive the car as much as you can. The purpose of a car review is to let readers know what life would be like if they bought that car.
However, you may only have the car for a few hours, so it’s hard to get a perspective on what it would be like to own it. As such, the best thing to do is to drive the car in as many different situations and conditions as possible.
find an open back road where you can really test the throttle, brakes, steering and suspension. hit the highway and see how the car does at high speeds. drive around town to see how the engine idles and how the interior feels when you’re stuck in traffic. the more experiences you have in the car, the more accurate your review will be.
Step 2: Test as many features as you can. To get the most accurate feel for the car, you’ll want to try out as many of the included options as you can.
tests the navigation system, the rear camera, and the various safety sensors. adjust the seats, open the sunroof and use the sound system. the more you use the car, the better informed your review will be.
step 3: write notes whenever you can. When driving, take a notepad with you and stop occasionally to take notes.
You may think you’ll remember every last detail, but when you sit down at your computer, chances are you’ll be left with a lot of blank spaces. if you write down all the things you like and don’t like, the review will pretty much write itself.
part 3 of 3: writing the review
See also: Car reviewers have an import bias! (Or do they?) – Concept Car Credit
Step 1: Take an objective stance. You should always have a strong opinion when writing a car review, but don’t let your bias cloud the review. instead, try to see things objectively.
Sometimes this means admitting that your position on an aspect of the car may not be the same as the public’s position. For example, if a popular new car isn’t to your liking, don’t say “the styling is too modern”; Instead, say, “The styling is more modern than I prefer, but this is something a lot of younger drivers seem to really like.” Combining your subjective views with objective truths is a key part of writing a great review.
Step 2: Use real life examples. Your car review will be very boring if you just list a bunch of facts because the reader will have a hard time applying them to real life scenarios.
To prevent this from happening, use examples to put parts of the car in context. For example, instead of saying “the cabin is very quiet,” you could say “the cabin was so quiet that I could hold a conversation with my passenger comfortably without raising my voice, even when traveling at 80 mph on the freeway.” ”
step 3: cover the entire vehicle. you don’t want to bog the reader down, but you do want to make sure they get a feel for the whole car.
don’t just focus on the things you loved or hated. the review should cover driving experience, comfort, ergonomics, performance, aesthetics, mileage and practicality, and price. Be sure to mention all of these things in your review, so the reader isn’t left wondering.
step 4: have fun! a reader can always tell when the writer had fun writing an article. Even if he didn’t like the car he’s reviewing, he can still find a way to have fun with the review.
make sure the writing process is enjoyable for you, and the reading process is sure to be enjoyable for anyone who reads your review.
- tip: It’s a great idea to end your car review with some kind of rating. readers always love ratings and they help tie the article together.
Whether you’re a novice at writing reviews or a seasoned pro, by following these steps you’ll write a great review and be eager to get your hands on another vehicle to write about.
See also: 5 Ways to Get Paid to Test Drive New Cars – MoneyPantry
