Tom Wiltshire

Tom Wiltshire has been deputy web reviews editor at Carwow since 2023, during which time he’s been responsible for making sure that every new car you can buy in the UK is represented on the Carwow website with an informative and in-depth review.

In addition, Tom keeps an eye on the ‘top 10’ pages to make sure that Carwow recommends only the best models, works behind-the-scenes to keep the specs and info as up-to-date as possible, and writes all of Carwow’s van and commercial vehicle reviews and advice.

Before joining Carwow, Tom worked across some of the biggest publications in the UK including Parkers.co.uk, evo Magazine, Auto Express, and the PA news agency. He specialises in deep-dive car reviews, commercial vehicles and new technology, and brings this expertise to the Carwow content team.

What’s your process when testing and reviewing a new car?

I think the most important thing when testing a car is to use it in the real world - there’s no point criticising a family SUV because it doesn’t handle itself well on a racetrack, for example. I’ll take it on roads and journeys I’m familiar with to check how it drives, and try out the boot and back seats with real-world scenarios.

What factors matter most when deciding whether a car is good to drive?

The most important thing for me - especially nowadays, when so many cars are electric and so engine performance is less of a variety - is the suspension. Almost every car manufacturer can make a car go, steer and stop properly, but it takes a bit more skill to make one that can ride over the lumps and bumps of a UK road without becoming all wayward and flobbery when you’re trying to take a corner with any speed.

How do you ensure Carwow’s reviews remain fair and useful for buyers?

It’s my job to ensure that Carwow’s reviews are as accurate and up-to-date as possible, so we’re giving buyers information that relates to the cars they’re actually looking to purchase. A car is usually the second-most expensive item people purchase (after a house!) and so it’s crazy to me that anyone would buy one without doing thorough research. Making sure our reviews contain the most insightful and useful information means that the start of your car-changing journey is as informative as possible, helping you make the right decision.

What are the most common things car manufacturers get right (or wrong) when launching a new model?

I think some car manufacturers are guilty of not listening to their buyers. Just look at Volkswagen - it went all-in on touchscreens and touch–sensitive buttons, but has since done a U-turn and introduced proper physical switchgear again after owners complained. It’s something that a lot of new car brands, particularly Chinese ones, should take a long hard look at - I don’t think any of the functions you use every single day should be more than one or two button presses away.

What’s your favourite car you've driven and why?

I drove my first Rolls-Royce in 2025 and have to admit it was an incredibly special experience, but some of my favourite cars are older ones - because it’s so interesting to see which things have changed and what’s stayed the same. Take my own Peugeot 106, for example. It might be a 30+ year old car, but there’s some clear DNA that remains on the modern Peugeot 208 if you look really hard for it.