MotorTrend's Beloved 'Roadkill' Series Comes to an Abrupt End

The automotive enthusiast community is mourning the loss of another iconic show as MotorTrend’s 'Roadkill' has been officially discontinued. Following in the footsteps of renowned automotive programs like 'Top Gear' and 'The Grand Tour', 'Roadkill' will no longer air after completing its 13th season.

Mike Finnegan, one of the show’s beloved hosts, recently took to Reddit to break the news, revealing that he just learned the fate of the series. "I just learned that it’s over. After the end of season 13, which we just finished filming a few weeks ago, there will be no new episodes of 'Roadkill' filmed," he stated, although no specific reason was provided for the show's cancellation. He expressed pride in the team's work over the years and voiced uncertainty about the future of the 'Roadkill' intellectual property.

The very first episode of 'Roadkill' premiered on YouTube back in 2012, a time when the landscape of automotive media was vastly different, and the concept of a YouTuber was only beginning to take shape. Rather than simply reviewing the latest cars, hosts Finnegan and David Freiburger channeled their shared passion for motoring into a series that resonated deeply with car enthusiasts. Their debut episode took viewers on an adventure to El Paso, Texas, where they purchased a $1,500 vehicle, prepped it for the road, and then sold it on eBay Motors—an exhilarating premise that set the tone for the show.

Throughout its run, 'Roadkill' became known for its unconventional approach to automotive challenges, often featuring classics and project cars that others deemed beyond saving. Notable episodes included a 1971 Datsun 240Z fitted with a Chevrolet V6 engine, a creatively modified 1978 Lincoln Continental, and a daring ride in a 1980 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with a hydraulic suspension that made a wild trip to Las Vegas on three wheels.

The show's popularity skyrocketed during the 2010s, leading to the creation of a spin-off series, a magazine launched in 2016, and an annual drag-racing event known as 'Roadkill Nights,' sponsored by Dodge. The series transitioned from YouTube to MotorTrend On Demand and became accessible via Discovery+ after Discovery acquired MotorTrend in 2017. More recently, 'Roadkill' found a new home on Max. However, amid shifting viewer habits and an evolving industry, Finnegan had previously hinted at uncertainty regarding the show’s continuation during an October 2023 Reddit post.

What’s next for Finnegan and Freiburger remains unclear. Both hosts maintain active YouTube channels, implying their automotive adventures are far from over. Given the closure of MotorTrend’s production wing, it’s reasonable to speculate that other shows might soon follow suit. Fans of 'Roadkill' are left with lingering questions and nostalgia for the incredible journeys captured on screen. The farewell of this beloved series warns viewers of the rapid changes within automotive entertainment—will other fan-favorite shows soon buckle under similar pressures? Stay tuned as we seek additional clarity from MotorTrend regarding the future of its lineup.