What you get with a car magazine subscription
A car magazine subscription delivers print or digital issues to your home or device on a regular schedule — usually monthly, sometimes weekly or quarterly depending on the publication. You pay a flat rate upfront (often less than buying single issues at a newsstand), and the magazine arrives automatically until you cancel. Most subscriptions include access to the publication's website and archives, though some digital-only subscriptions cost less than print.
The main appeal is cost savings and convenience. A single issue of a major car magazine typically costs $5 to $8 at a newsstand. A yearly subscription to the same magazine often costs $20 to $40, which works out to roughly half the per-issue price. You also avoid the trip to find a newsstand or the risk of missing an issue.
Key Takeaways
- Print subscriptions usually cost $20 to $50 per year and arrive monthly, while digital subscriptions run $10 to $30 yearly with when ready access to new issues.
- Most subscriptions auto-renew on your billing date unless you cancel beforehand, so check your renewal terms before you sign up.
- You can pause or cancel a subscription at any time, though some publishers require you to contact customer service rather than doing it online.
- Many subscriptions include a digital version alongside the print edition at no extra cost, giving you access on your phone or tablet the day the issue releases.
Print versus digital subscriptions
Print subscriptions arrive in your mailbox on a set schedule, usually the first or middle of each month. You own the physical copy and can keep it on a shelf or pass it along. Print typically costs more — usually $30 to $50 per year — because the publisher pays for printing and postage. Delivery takes a few days after the issue ships, so you receive it slightly after the digital version goes live.
Digital subscriptions give you when ready access to new issues on your phone, tablet, or computer, often the same day they release. They cost less, usually $10 to $30 per year, because there is no printing or shipping cost. You read through an app or website, and you lose access if your subscription lapses. Many publishers now bundle both: you get the print magazine plus digital access at the print price, which is the better deal if you want both formats.
How to find and start a subscription
Most car magazines sell subscriptions directly through their own websites. Go to the magazine's home page and look for a "Subscribe" link, usually in the footer or top navigation. You will enter your mailing address (for print) or email (for digital), choose your subscription length (usually one year, sometimes three years at a discount), and pay by credit card or debit card.
You can also subscribe through third-party retailers like Amazon, Magazines.com, or Zinio. These sites sometimes offer introductory rates lower than the publisher's direct price, but read the terms carefully — some lock you into auto-renewal on their platform rather than the publisher's, which can make cancellation harder. Subscribing directly through the publisher's website is usually simpler if the introductory discount is similar.
Some subscriptions start when ready (digital issues), while others take one to two weeks for the first print issue to arrive. Check the confirmation email for your start date and first issue details.
Understanding auto-renewal and cancellation
Nearly all magazine subscriptions auto-renew on your billing date unless you cancel beforehand. This means your credit card will be charged again for another year (or month, depending on your plan) without a reminder. The publisher is required to send you a cancellation notice before the renewal date, but it often arrives as an email you might miss.
To avoid unwanted charges, mark your renewal date on a calendar and cancel at least a week before it arrives. Most publishers let you cancel online through your account page, but some require you to call customer service or email a cancellation request. Check the terms when you sign up to see which method applies to your subscription. If you are charged after cancellation, contact the publisher's customer service — they can usually refund the charge if you cancelled in time.
Comparing popular car magazines
| Magazine | Print Price (1 year) | Digital Price (1 year) | Release Schedule | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car and Driver | $30–$40 | $15–$20 | Monthly | Performance, new models, road tests |
| Motor Trend | $30–$40 | $15–$20 | Monthly | Trucks, SUVs, performance builds |
| Road & Track | $35–$45 | $15–$25 | Monthly | Sports cars, racing, luxury vehicles |
| Edmunds | Digital only | $10–$15 | Monthly | Buying guides, reliability data, reviews |
| Hemmings Motor News | $40–$50 | $20–$25 | Monthly | Classic cars, restoration, collector vehicles |
Prices and availability vary by retailer and change seasonally. Many publishers offer discounted introductory rates for first-time subscribers — sometimes 50% off the first year — so check for current offers before paying full price.
Each magazine targets a different reader. Car and Driver and Motor Trend focus on new vehicles and performance testing. Road & Track emphasizes sports cars and racing. Edmunds publishes buying guides and reliability data for people researching a purchase. Hemmings Motor News serves collectors and restoration enthusiasts. Read a few sample issues (many publishers offer free digital access to one or two issues) to see which editorial voice matches what you want to read.
What happens if you want to pause or change your subscription
Most publishers allow you to pause a subscription for a set period (usually one to three months) rather than cancelling outright. This holds your renewal date in place while you take a break, which is useful if you are traveling or temporarily short on funds. You can usually pause through your account page or by contacting customer service.
You can also change your subscription type — switching from print to digital, for example, or upgrading to a bundle that includes both. Contact customer service with your account number to make these changes. Some publishers will prorate the difference if you switch mid-subscription, while others may ask you to wait until your next renewal date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I gift a magazine subscription to someone?
Yes. Most publishers have a gift subscription option on their website where you enter the recipient's address and choose the subscription length. You pay upfront, and the publisher sends a gift notice to the recipient. The subscription usually starts with the next available issue. Check whether the gift subscription auto-renews after the first year or ends automatically.
What if I move and need to change my mailing address?
Log into your account on the publisher's website and update your address in the profile section. If you cannot do it online, email or call customer service with your account number and new address. Changes usually take effect within one to two billing cycles.
Is there a difference between subscribing through the magazine's website versus Amazon or Magazines.com?
The main difference is price and cancellation ease. Third-party sites sometimes offer lower introductory rates, but you manage the subscription through their platform rather than the publisher's, which can make cancellation slower. Subscribing directly through the publisher's website gives you direct control and often the same introductory discount.
Can I read back issues if I subscribe?
Most digital subscriptions include access to a back-issue archive, though how far back varies — some go five years, others only one year. Print subscriptions do not include back issues unless the publisher specifically offers them. Check the subscription details before you sign up if access to older content matters to you.
What should I do if my subscription does not arrive?
For print subscriptions, wait one week past the expected delivery date, then contact customer service with your account number and the issue number you are missing. They can resend it or credit your account. For digital subscriptions, check that you are logged into the correct account and that your subscription has not expired. If the issue still does not appear, contact customer service.