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Dean Gibson

Dean is our senior test editor and lead commercial vehicle reviewer. He's part of the team responsible for reviewing new cars from across all classes, both on launches and in comparison tests, and is part of the New Car Awards judging panel. But with more than 20 years of experience working at Auto Express, there's a lot more that Dean can do.

He looks after our van and pick-up truck content, takes on the odd motorbike review and has had plenty of features to his name, too. His first decade at Auto Express was spent working in subbing and production roles, so he knows inside out how the magazine comes together each week. He's transferred those skills to the online side of Auto Express, too. In fact, about the only part of Auto Express Dean hasn't worked on is advertising...

Dean says...
"A lot of changes have taken place in the car industry over the past 20 years, but for me that moment of getting behind the wheel of a brand-new car for the first time never gets old. It doesn't matter if it's big or small, petrol, electric or somewhere in between, driving a new car and getting a feel for it is always a pleasure, and knowing that our test verdicts will help hundreds of buyers choose their next car is a great responsibility to have."

Dean’s main areas of expertise

  • New cars
  • New vans and pick-up trucks
  • Racing sims
  • Motorsport
  • Model cars

Dean Gibson Q&A… 

What was your first car? 

"That would be a Volkswagen Polo Mk2, in the old three-door squareback body. It did the job. I drove it to Bristol and back, and the downpipe on the exhaust snapped as I got off at Junction 3 of the M4. I tried to use as little throttle as possible so as to not draw attention on the way home through north-west London. It was squashed by a tree branch in a storm a couple if years later."

What is your dream car? 

"It's a constantly changing list. Ferrari F40 is pinned at the top, but also a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500, Audi Sport Quattro, BMW M635 CSi, TVR Sagaris, Ducati 916, Bugatti EB110, Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3, Torsus Terrastorm camper conversion, Unimog, Alfa Romeo GTV6..."

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

"I was shocked at a story we ran that said the UK's roads are resurfaced on average once every 100 years. Maybe if maintenance was to a higher standard, then driving would be a more pleasurable experience for everyone."

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BMW iX vs Volvo EX90: which premium electric SUV will prevail?
BMW iX vs Volvo EX90 - front tracking

BMW iX vs Volvo EX90: which premium electric SUV will prevail?

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Vauxhall Mokka - main image

Vauxhall Mokka review

The Vauxhall Mokka is a solid all-rounder, but it doesn’t really stand out in any key area
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Hyundai Santa Fe - front tracking

Hyundai Santa Fe review

The bold-looking seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe delivers lots of space in a striking package
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Volkswagen Golf vs Kia K4 - front tracking

Volkswagen Golf vs Kia K4: a David and Goliath family hatchback showdown

Kia bucks the electric SUV trend with its new K4 petrol hatchback. How does it shape up against the evergreen Volkswagen Golf?
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Suzuki Vitara review
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Suzuki Vitara review

An SUV in the traditional mould, the Suzuki Vitara is showing its age in some key areas
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Kia K4 - front

Kia K4 review

Spacious compact hatchback relies on petrol power and a long kit list to draw in buyers
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Ineos Grenadier - front tracking

Ineos Grenadier review

With echoes of the original Land Rover, the Grenadier is ready for the rough stuff
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Volkswagen Golf - front tracking

Volkswagen Golf review

The VW Golf remains a solid choice in the compact hatchback market
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Toyota Aygo X vs Citroen C3 - front end

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Toyota’s Aygo X gets hybrid-only powertrain as part of refresh. How does it rate against Citroen’s latest C3?
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Tesla Model 3 RWD - front tracking

New Tesla Model 3 RWD 2026 review: slightly less performance at a very competitive price

The entry-level Model 3 might just be the most appealing of them all
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Audi A6 Avant e-tron review
Audi S6 Avant e-tron - main image

Audi A6 Avant e-tron review

There are flaws in terms of packaging, but the Audi A6 Avant e-tron’s dynamic performance and range are excellent
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New Land Rover Defender OCTA Black 2026 review: family-friendly villainy
Land Rover Defender OCTA Black - front tracking

New Land Rover Defender OCTA Black 2026 review: family-friendly villainy

The Defender OCTA Black is a pretty astonishing performance SUV, but it's also surprisingly sensible where it matters
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Dacia Jogger - main image

Dacia Jogger review

Need a seven-seat car on a budget? The Dacia Jogger is the perfect option
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Volkswagen Tiguan UK - front

Volkswagen Tiguan review

Big-selling VW is a practical option that’s good to drive, but is pricey for those looking for a new family SUV
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Tesla Model Y review
Tesla Model Y - front tracking

Tesla Model Y review

The Tesla Model Y justifies its large sales numbers because it’s a front runner in the compact SUV class
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Skoda Fabia 130 vs MINI Cooper S - front 3/4

Skoda Fabia 130 vs MINI Cooper S: can the Czech hot hatch topple the British icon?

Skoda’s 130 special is the most powerful new Fabia you can get. How does it shape up against MINI’s Cooper S?
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Hyundai Ioniq 9 review
Hyundai Ioniq 9 - front tracking

Hyundai Ioniq 9 review

Enormous Hyundai Ioniq 9 is an electric SUV offering space and comfort for up to seven people
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Citroen C3 review
Citroen C3 - front tracking

Citroen C3 review

The latest Citroen C3 is a comfortable and spacious small car that offers great value for money
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Toyota Aygo X review
Toyota Aygo X testing in the UK - front tracking

Toyota Aygo X review

Compact, charismatic and curiously potent, we think there’s lots to love about the Aygo X
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12 Feb 2026
Skoda Fabia review
Skoda Fabia - front tracking

Skoda Fabia review

If you’re after an affordable supermini with plenty of space, comfort and on-board technology, then the Skoda Fabia won’t disappoint
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MINI Cooper review
MINI Cooper JCW - front tracking

MINI Cooper review

The petrol-powered MINI Cooper combines the EV’s looks with existing combustion engined-tech
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BYD Seal 6 Touring and Volkswagen Passat Estate - front static

Volkswagen Passat vs BYD Seal 6: estate cars are back with a bang!

BYD’s first UK wagon, the Seal 6 Touring, squares up to VW’s Passat Estate, our current Towcar of the Year
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New BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring - front tracking

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Plug-in hybrid family car offers saloon or estate options and good value for money
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Leapmotor T03 review
Leapmotor T03 - main image

Leapmotor T03 review

The Leapmotor T03 enters a burgeoning electric city car market, offering decent space, strong refinement and great value for money
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Skoda Kodiaq - front tracking

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The Skoda Kodiaq is a roomy SUV that offers plenty of ‘simply clever’ touches and up to seven seats
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Dacia Bigster vs Citroen C5 Aircross - front tracking

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The latest Bentley Bentayga Speed gets a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which generates 641bhp
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Ford Explorer - front tracking

Ford Explorer review

The Ford Explorer electric SUV has striking, chunky looks and appeal that’s more than skin deep
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MINI Countryman review
MINI Countryman - main image

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The MINI Countryman is the brand’s most convincing SUV to date, with a standout interior and petrol or EV power
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Ineos Grenadier facelift - front

New Ineos Grenadier facelift 2026 review: better, but still no Land Rover Defender rival

The Ineos Grenadier was always good off road, and now it's also a little better on it thanks to some welcome updates
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BYD Sealion 7 review
BYD Sealion 7 - front

BYD Sealion 7 review

The Chinese, electric family SUV is strong on space and kit but doesn’t drive as sweetly as some in this competitive segment
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Audi Q3 vs Cupra Formentor - front tracking

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Audi’s new Mk3 Q3 faces stiff competition from within the VW Group. How does it fare against Cupra’s Formentor?
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Vauxhall Frontera Electric - main image

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Small SUV is spacious, practical and has value on its side, and it wears a famous badge from Vauxhall’s past
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Citroen C5 Aircross - front tracking

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Comfort, practicality and great value for money make the C5 Aircross a strong contender in the family SUV class
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Dacia Bigster - front tracking

Dacia Bigster review

The clue is in the name - the Bigster is a big Duster. And that’s a good thing
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