Throttle House puts pedal to the metal, Canadian-style.

ARE you keen on a more video-based pod that doesn’t take itself too seriously? 

A left field offering from Canada aims to fill that void. Throttle House is a Toronto-based YouTube channel that covers vehicle reviews, drag races, and track day tests. 

https://www.youtube.com/teslacybertruck

A weekly show hosted by show brainchild Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, Throttle House (and its deep-dive sibling, Extra Throttle House) is all about a couple of blokes who want to share their passion for all things automotive on the small screen. With hundreds of videos and over 2.85 million YouTube subscribers, it must be a great show, right?

Initially, expectations weren’t high, as many YouTube motoring shows rely heavily on over-the-top personas or are so monotonous that they’ll put you to sleep faster than a rag and dollop of chloroform. Fortunately, Throttle House manages to straddle that tightrope, catering to a broad audience. But there are some exceptions.

These hosts have no struggle with objectivity. They present genuine critique behind the wheel with authentic chemistry. Yet, it must be noted that there needs to be more consistency from episode to episode, with an overbearing focus on singular elements of a car review versus the overall experience. Not that it’s terrible, but it leaves you wanting more.

For broader engagement, it’s commendable that Throttle House reaches out to its audience via social media platforms, often seeking suggestions for improvement and new show content. Older episodes that dive into backyard maintenance, suspension upgrades, and track day tips are also appreciated.

While much of their recent content features vehicles we don’t see down under – Tesla’s Cybertruck (above) and Vietnam’s VinFast VF 8 (below) come to mind, many other global offerings do, so there is some relevance to our market.

Production quality is on the polished end of the spectrum, and it would seem that BBC’s Top Gear has been used as visual inspiration, with vibrant colours, carefully considered camera angles, and dynamic gradients. Excellent audio clarity and clever soundtrack timing also enhance the show’s appeal.   

Is it worth the YouTube subscription? Yes, but its broad appeal will diminish for those wanting something more in-depth. 

The Throttle House Homepage: https://www.youtube.com/@ThrottleHouse