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@autovia.co.uk

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

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
5 Dec 2023
Cheapest Lucid Air Pure EV still gets a whopping 419-mile range
2024 Lucid Air line-up
News

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

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

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
5 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

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
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
News

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
4 Dec 2023
High hopes for new Toyota Hilux Hybrid due in 2024
Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V - front 3/4 static
News

High hopes for new Toyota Hilux Hybrid due in 2024

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

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…
4 Dec 2023

Anniversary Offer - Read today's car news at the 1988 price!

Try 6 issues of Auto Express for a tiny 40p + FREE gift
Sharp looking Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to be with us in 2025
Toyota Sport Crossover Concept - front
News

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

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

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
1 Dec 2023
The wait is over! Tesla Cybertruck finally reaches customers
Tesla Cybertruck - front tracking
News

The wait is over! Tesla Cybertruck finally reaches customers

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

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
30 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: MG ZS EV is a versatile electric SUV for £282 per month
MG ZS EV - front cornering
News

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
30 Nov 2023
New Smart #3: UK prices and specs revealed for premium electric coupe-SUV
Smart #3 - front action
News

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
30 Nov 2023
New Smart #3 Brabus 2024 review: It's hot, maybe too hot!
Smart #3 Brabus - front
Road tests

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…
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
News

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
29 Nov 2023
BMW iM3 trademark could preview all-electric M3 super saloon
BMW M3 EV
News

BMW iM3 trademark could preview all-electric M3 super saloon

The next M3 will come with all-electric power
29 Nov 2023
Alfa Romeo slashes prices across entire range!
Alfa Romeo Tributo Italiano
News

Alfa Romeo slashes prices across entire range!

Italian firm claims savings of over £4,000 across Tonale, Giulia and Stelvio models, with new trim structure and extra kit
29 Nov 2023
New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
New Smart #3 2024 review: is three the magic number?
Smart #3 - front
Road tests

New Smart #3 2024 review: is three the magic number?

The Smart #3 improves on the things the #1 struggled with, but it's far from perfect
28 Nov 2023
New Dacia Duster Commercial 2023 review: a cheap, but extremely capable small van
Dacia Duster Commercial -  front tracking
Road tests

New Dacia Duster Commercial 2023 review: a cheap, but extremely capable small van

Dacia’s no-frills approach to budget motoring lends itself to the commercial vehicle genre, making the Duster Commercial an appealing option
28 Nov 2023
£3bn for Nissan Sunderland to build all-electric Juke, Qashqai and next-generation Leaf
Nissan Sunderland
News

£3bn for Nissan Sunderland to build all-electric Juke, Qashqai and next-generation Leaf

The UK’s largest car plant will receive huge investment to build Nissan’s next generation of EVs
24 Nov 2023
No deal! Dacia shuts website for Black Friday
Dacia Duster - front tracking
News

No deal! Dacia shuts website for Black Friday

A bold strategy from Dacia sees the firm close its online sales throughout the day
24 Nov 2023
New Abt XGT is an Audi R8 race car made legal for the road
Abt XGT - front
News

New Abt XGT is an Audi R8 race car made legal for the road

The Abt DTM racing team has taken the Audi R8 supercar to the extreme
23 Nov 2023
New MINI Cooper testing takes next step as full reveal approaches
2024 MINI Cooper - front
News

New MINI Cooper testing takes next step as full reveal approaches

All-electric MINI will soon be joined by UK-built petrol version
23 Nov 2023
Callum Skye is the “world’s most beautiful multi-terrain vehicle”, according to its designers
Callum Skye - front
News

Callum Skye is the “world’s most beautiful multi-terrain vehicle”, according to its designers

The Callum Skye comes with a 170-mile range and a sub-four second 0-62mph time
23 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: Mercedes EQC brings luxury and electric power for £374 per month
Mercedes EQC - front cornering
News

Deal of the Day: Mercedes EQC brings luxury and electric power for £374 per month

Our Deal of the Day for Wednesday 22 November is the Mercedes EQC, a refined and premium electric SUV
22 Nov 2023
New Vauxhall Movano gets a refresh to keep pace with big van rivals
2024 Vauxhall Movano - front static
News

New Vauxhall Movano gets a refresh to keep pace with big van rivals

Stellantis’ commercial vehicle updates extend to Vauxhall’s largest offering
22 Nov 2023
The Fiat Topolino is a Mickey Mouse car
Fiat Topolino Disney tribute car collection - front static
News

The Fiat Topolino is a Mickey Mouse car

Fiat’s tiny electric car gets a big makeover with five unique Disney-themed liveries
22 Nov 2023
Toyota Yaris Cross gets boost in power and upgraded technology for 2024
Toyota Yaris Cross 'Premiere Edition' - front 3/4 static
News

Toyota Yaris Cross gets boost in power and upgraded technology for 2024

The big-selling Yaris Cross gets the same powertrain options as the Yaris supermini
22 Nov 2023
Range Rover thefts prompt JLR to boost security on old and new cars
Range Rover action
News

Range Rover thefts prompt JLR to boost security on old and new cars

Range Rover owners will have extra protection against car thieves and the tech can be retrofitted to older models
22 Nov 2023
GWM Ora Funky Cat loses some soul with Ora 03 rebrand
GWM Ora Funky Cat - front
News

GWM Ora Funky Cat loses some soul with Ora 03 rebrand

The Great Wall Motor company is giving the Funky Cat a rebrand for 2024
21 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: MG’s ZS is a family-size SUV for just £129 per month
MG ZS - front cornering
News

Deal of the Day: MG’s ZS is a family-size SUV for just £129 per month

The brand-new MG ZS SUV delivers major practicality for supermini money
21 Nov 2023
New 2024 Hyundai Tucson facelift: award-winner gets new look and a redesigned interior
Hyundai Tucson facelift - front
News

New 2024 Hyundai Tucson facelift: award-winner gets new look and a redesigned interior

The popular Hyundai Tucson SUV has received a mid-life update, which will arrive in the UK early next year
21 Nov 2023
New Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric sneaks under the £40,000 mark
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric - front
News

New Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric sneaks under the £40,000 mark

The all-electric Vauxhall Astra estate is now on sale with first deliveries expected in spring 2024
21 Nov 2023