This paper presents a comparison of two widely used motor control strategies namely field oriented control (FOC) and direct torque control (DTC). They both have their advantages and disadvantages that make them a suitable choice for use in a vehicle drive system. This paper compares these two implemented in a MATLAB Simulink simulation using an automotive Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM). The motor and test parameters are chosen to be realistic from a human driver point-ofview. Simulation results are analyzed to highlight the differences between the two strategies and identify cases where one outperforms the other. In conclusion, the paper shows the effects of the differences and the general characteristics of the simulation results in a realistic case on a human driver as the user of the PMSM in an automotive drive. The paper contributes valuable insight in the classic comparison of these two strategies for automotive use.