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Alastair Crooks

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews. Days off are also car-related for Alastair, regularly attending car shows and track days.

Alastair says…

“As a Staff Writer for Auto Express I speak with leading figures in the automotive industry and see what changes are in store for the future. It’s fascinating to see how different firms are planning ahead, especially with the switch to electric cars. I also get the opportunity to test the latest cars, which is always a real honour. The unique benefit of working for Auto Express is our strength in depth, we cover everything from vans to supercars!”

Alastair’s main areas of expertise

  • News writing
  • Reviews
  • Feature writing 
  • Social media

Alastair Crooks Q&A 

Q: What was your first car?

A: “My first car was a Mk1 Ford Focus. It was a Zetec model with a 99bhp, 1.6-litre petrol under the bonnet. It wasn’t fast by any means but it felt solid enough and had a great balance to it. I’d like to think my skills behind the wheel have improved since I parted with my Focus so I’d love to revisit it again to see if the driving experience still holds up.”

Q: What is your dream car? 

A: “I won’t ever give a straightforward answer to this question because it’s purely mood dependent. I simply have to drive an E46 M3 at some point to see if it lives up to the hype (although the same could be said of every JDM icon from the 1990s), but I also love estates and the king of the genre is undoubtedly the V10 M5 Touring.” 

“Away from BMWs, I drove a Ferrari 458 many years ago and that is a car that’s always stuck with me. The Speciale version would probably do me just fine.”

Q: If you could change one thing about cars, driving or the car industry today what would it be?

A: “Whenever I come back from driving in Europe I’m always reminded that UK roads are atrocious. I’m not just talking about poor driving etiquette but rather actual road surfaces simply inadequate for cars. Oh, and if fuel prices could come down a bit as well that would be nice.”

Social media and e-mail 

e-mail: alastair.crooks@carwow.co.uk

Jaguar XE review
2023 Jaguar XE - front tracking

Jaguar XE review

The Jaguar XE is a fab all-rounder that’s thrilling to drive and great to look at, but engine choices are now very limited
In-depth reviews
18 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Skoda Karoq is a versatile and well-built SUV for £198 per month
Skoda Karoq facelift - front action

Deal of the Day: Skoda Karoq is a versatile and well-built SUV for £198 per month

This bargain-buy Karoq is one of Skoda best-ever models – making it our Deal of the Day for 18 December
News
18 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Volkswagen T-Roc is a stylish crossover for just £205 a month
Volkswagen T-Roc - front

Deal of the Day: Volkswagen T-Roc is a stylish crossover for just £205 a month

Volkswagen’s T-Roc is a great all-rounder at this price, making it a prime candidate for our Deal of the Day on 15 December
News
15 Dec 2023
Porsche Macan canned: European sales to stop in 2024
Porsche Macan T - front cornering

Porsche Macan canned: European sales to stop in 2024

Cybersecurity regulations mean Porsche will have to stop selling its hugely popular SUV
News
15 Dec 2023
New MINI Countryman is on sale now: EV versions, advanced tech and MINI’s quirky charm
MINI Countryman at 2023 Munich Motor Show - front

New MINI Countryman is on sale now: EV versions, advanced tech and MINI’s quirky charm

The 2024 MINI Countryman SUV has officially landed with pricing from £29,325
News
15 Dec 2023
New Volkswagen ID.2all SUV confirmed: tiny electric crossover teased
New Volkswagen ID.2all SUV silhouette teaser

New Volkswagen ID.2all SUV confirmed: tiny electric crossover teased

Volkswagen is expanding its range of all-electric SUVs, with a smaller model to be named ID.2
News
14 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Volvo XC40 is a handsome family SUV for £261 per month
Volvo XC40 - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Volvo XC40 is a handsome family SUV for £261 per month

Premium appeal and a refined ride makes the Volvo XC40 our Deal of the Day for 13 December
News
13 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Renault Clio hybrid for a penny-pinching £32 per month!
Renault Clio - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Renault Clio hybrid for a penny-pinching £32 per month!

A tiny monthly price has drawn us to the fabulous new Renault Clio as our Deal of the Day for 12 December. You do need a big deposit, though.
News
12 Dec 2023
2024 Mercedes-AMG GT: pricing, specs and performance of new premium sports car
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 - front

2024 Mercedes-AMG GT: pricing, specs and performance of new premium sports car

All-new AMG GT will receive a range of powertrains
News
11 Dec 2023
Range Rover Evoque P300e review: premium plug-in hybrid is pricey!
Range Rover Evoque facelift - front

Range Rover Evoque P300e review: premium plug-in hybrid is pricey!

The updated Evoque has been fitted with new tech and an impressive plug-in hybrid powertrain to keep it competitive, but this comes at quite a cost
Road tests
8 Dec 2023
New 2024 Hyundai Tucson facelift revealed in sporty N Line trim
Hyundai Tucson N Line - front

New 2024 Hyundai Tucson facelift revealed in sporty N Line trim

The award-winning Hyundai Tucson is set to be even better from next year
News
8 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: £11k off a brand new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - front cornering

Deal of the Day: £11k off a brand new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Alfa’s super saloon tugs at the heartstrings, and a massive discount makes it our Deal of the Day for Friday 8 December
News
8 Dec 2023
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Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 57 pays tribute to iconic Type 57 Atlantic 
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 57 One of One

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 57 pays tribute to iconic Type 57 Atlantic 

The one-off Super Sport 57 will be one of the last Chirons ever made
News
7 Dec 2023
New Alpine A110 R Turini launches as the lightweight French sports car gets a refresh
Alpine A110 R Turini - front 3/4 static

New Alpine A110 R Turini launches as the lightweight French sports car gets a refresh

Alpine has expanded its range of A110 trim levels for 2024
News
7 Dec 2023
Skoda Enyaq gains major 2024 update: range boost and a fancy L&K version
Skoda Enyaq LK edition - front tracking

Skoda Enyaq gains major 2024 update: range boost and a fancy L&K version

A significant refresh of Skoda’s Enyaq family-friendly EV has arrived
News
7 Dec 2023
New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front tracking

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost

Jaguar's XF Sportbrake may be 8 years old but it just got a whole lot cheaper!
Road tests
7 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month
Volkswagen ID. Buzz - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month

All-electric MPV offers style and substance - making it our Deal of the Day for Wednesday 6 December
News
6 Dec 2023
Honda is coming to CES and bringing an electric car concept
Honda EV concept teaser

Honda is coming to CES and bringing an electric car concept

We’re about to be given a glimpse of Honda’s future by an upcoming concept model
News
6 Dec 2023
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53: a new name for the performance coupe world
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 - front

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53: a new name for the performance coupe world

The first AMG-fettled CLE is the 53 model with a 449bhp six-cylinder engine
News
5 Dec 2023
Cheapest Lucid Air Pure EV still gets a whopping 419-mile range
2024 Lucid Air line-up

Cheapest Lucid Air Pure EV still gets a whopping 419-mile range

Lucid’s all-electric luxury saloon gains new entry-level Pure version
News
5 Dec 2023
Electric car registrations slow despite overall new car sales growth
SMMT new car registration - total for November 2023

Electric car registrations slow despite overall new car sales growth

Pure-electric car take-up was steady in November 2023 with plug-in hybrids surging in popularity
News
5 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
News
4 Dec 2023
Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo Concept has a screaming 10,000rpm V6
Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo Concept - front 3/4

Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo Concept has a screaming 10,000rpm V6

Another mind-blowing Genesis concept car has been revealed, but this time it’s got petrol-power
News
4 Dec 2023
High hopes for new Toyota Hilux Hybrid due in 2024
Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V - front 3/4 static

High hopes for new Toyota Hilux Hybrid due in 2024

The Toyota Hilux will add a hybrid powertrain to its range for 2024
News
4 Dec 2023
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New Tesla Cybertruck: pricing, specs and full details
Tesla Cybertruck - front tracking

New Tesla Cybertruck: pricing, specs and full details

The futuristic Tesla Cybertruck has arrived and aims to dominate the emerging electric truck sector. Here’s what we know now…
News
4 Dec 2023
Sharp looking Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to be with us in 2025
Toyota Sport Crossover Concept - front

Sharp looking Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to be with us in 2025

Toyota’s EV push gains further traction with new four-door fastback
News
4 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland is an ideal family SUV for £210 per month
Vauxhall Grandland front cornering

Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland is an ideal family SUV for £210 per month

Vauxhall’s largest SUV can be had for the same price as most superminis, making it our Deal of the Day for 1 December
News
1 Dec 2023
The wait is over! Tesla Cybertruck finally reaches customers
Tesla Cybertruck - front tracking

The wait is over! Tesla Cybertruck finally reaches customers

The wild-looking electric pick-up truck will be offered in three trim levels
News
1 Dec 2023
New spy shots confirm Kia EV6’s facelift with EV9 design cues
Kia EV6 facelift - front

New spy shots confirm Kia EV6’s facelift with EV9 design cues

Kia’s all-electric crossover is set to gain some technological and cosmetic changes in 2024
News
30 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: MG ZS EV is a versatile electric SUV for £282 per month
MG ZS EV - front cornering

Deal of the Day: MG ZS EV is a versatile electric SUV for £282 per month

SUV practicality and zero emissions makes the MG ZS EV our Deal of the Day for 30 November
News
30 Nov 2023
New Smart #3: UK prices and specs revealed for premium electric coupe-SUV
Smart #3 - front action

New Smart #3: UK prices and specs revealed for premium electric coupe-SUV

Smart has announced pricing for its new #3 with a new trim level added
News
30 Nov 2023
New Smart #3 Brabus 2024 review: It's hot, maybe too hot!
Smart #3 Brabus - front

New Smart #3 Brabus 2024 review: It's hot, maybe too hot!

The high performance Brabus version of the Smart #3 delivers a level of pace that was once alien to compact SUV drivers but is becoming par for the co…
Road tests
29 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: Cupra Born is a cool and sporty EV for £262 per month
Cupra Born 77kWh V3 - front tracking

Deal of the Day: Cupra Born is a cool and sporty EV for £262 per month

The stylish and eco-friendly Cupra Born is our Deal of the Day for 29 November
News
29 Nov 2023
BMW iM3 trademark could preview all-electric M3 super saloon
BMW M3 EV

BMW iM3 trademark could preview all-electric M3 super saloon

The next M3 will come with all-electric power
News
29 Nov 2023