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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

Porsche Boxster and Cayman axed with no new orders being taken and EVs on the way
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS - front cornering

Porsche Boxster and Cayman axed with no new orders being taken and EVs on the way

The demise of Porsche’s mid-engined petrol sports cars will leave a big gap in the segment
News
2 Sep 2025
Iconic Porsche 911 Flatnose set for sensational return
Porsche 911 Flatnose - spyshot 2

Iconic Porsche 911 Flatnose set for sensational return

The new Porsche 911 Flatnose could be the German brand’s ultimate eighties tribute act
News
2 Sep 2025
Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval
Skoda Elroq - front cornering

Skoda Elroq and Enyaq get Electric Car Grant approval

Despite some models costing over the £37,000 threshold, Skoda has secured the government grant on its mid-size electric SUVs
News
2 Sep 2025
Fiat 600e Icon arrives with immediate £1,500 discount
Fiat 600e Icon

Fiat 600e Icon arrives with immediate £1,500 discount

The all-electric Italian crossover sees its line up expand to three with new Icon variant
News
1 Sep 2025
Volkswagen ID.2X teased with chunky off-road looks
Volkswagen ID.2X teaser sketch - front 3/4

Volkswagen ID.2X teased with chunky off-road looks

The all-electric alternative to the T-Cross will be shown off in concept form soon
News
1 Sep 2025
New-look Kia Stonic hopes to steal the Ford Puma's thunder
New Kia Stonic STD - front end

New-look Kia Stonic hopes to steal the Ford Puma's thunder

Kia has spruced up its smallest SUV with tweaks to its technology, styling and powertrain
News
1 Sep 2025
Leapmotor B05: could this be Stellantis’ best Volkswagen ID.3 rival?
Leapmotor B05 - front angled teaser

Leapmotor B05: could this be Stellantis’ best Volkswagen ID.3 rival?

Leapmotor’s range of EVs is growing and joining the lineup soon will be the B05 family hatch
News
1 Sep 2025
New Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid prices released: more power for under £35k
Nissan Qashqai e-Power 2025 - front

New Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid prices released: more power for under £35k

Prices have remained steady despite picking up more power, some mid-range trims are £50 less
News
28 Aug 2025
All-new Volkswagen T-Roc gets hybrid power and a treasure trove of tech
2025 Volkswagen T-Roc studio - front

All-new Volkswagen T-Roc gets hybrid power and a treasure trove of tech

We’ve had a close look at the second generation of VW’s big-selling small SUV, which breaks new ground for the brand
News
27 Aug 2025
BMW 530e Touring long-term test: PHEV estate passes family life exam with top marks
 BMW 530e Touring long-term - header with child's school marks

BMW 530e Touring long-term test: PHEV estate passes family life exam with top marks

Final report: PHEV estate was an unobtrusively great family machine
Long-term tests
22 Aug 2025
New Dacia Bigster 4x4 2025 review: the only off-roader you'll ever need
New Dacia Bigster 4x4 - front tracking

New Dacia Bigster 4x4 2025 review: the only off-roader you'll ever need

If you're after an off-roader which is capable, spacious and overall good value for money, look no further than the Dacia Bigster 4x4
Road tests
20 Aug 2025
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KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: vastly spacious but not without niggles
KGM Actyon K50 long-term - header image

KGM Actyon K50 long-term test: vastly spacious but not without niggles

Third report: our SUV is big on space, but let down by other foibles
Long-term tests
15 Aug 2025
Audi A3 review
Audi A3 - front

Audi A3 review

The Audi A3 is a tempting premium hatchback choice with a great range of engines and an improved interior
In-depth reviews
14 Aug 2025
Vauxhall Frontera review
Vauxhall Frontera Electric - front

Vauxhall Frontera review

The Frontera misses the mark slightly for design and quality, but this budget-friendly Vauxhall scores well in most areas
In-depth reviews
13 Aug 2025
Goodbye Kia Ceed! Popular hatch has been sensationally killed off in the UK
Kia Ceed - front tracking

Goodbye Kia Ceed! Popular hatch has been sensationally killed off in the UK

A staple of the hatchback sector for two decades, the Kia Ceed bows out
News
12 Aug 2025
Vauxhall Grandland review
Vauxhall Grandland - main image

Vauxhall Grandland review

The Vauxhall Grandland is a practical and attractively priced family SUV, but it’s not particularly interesting to drive
In-depth reviews
12 Aug 2025
Citroen C3 Aircross review
Citroen C3 Aircross - front

Citroen C3 Aircross review

We didn’t find it to be the most exciting drive, but the C3 Aircross provides plenty of space and seven-seat flexibility at a low price
In-depth reviews
12 Aug 2025
Vauxhall Astra Electric review
Vauxhall Astra Electric - main image

Vauxhall Astra Electric review

All-electric Vauxhall Astra is stylish, well-equipped and now costs less to buy, but there are more talented alternatives out there
In-depth reviews
12 Aug 2025
Kia XCeed to keep pace with new engines for 2026
Updated Kia XCeed - dynamic front 3/4

Kia XCeed to keep pace with new engines for 2026

The XCeed joins the Picanto in receiving some trim changes and extra equipment
News
12 Aug 2025
Citroen e-C3 Aircross Extended Range brings 249 miles for just £23,495
Citroen e-C3 Aircross Extended Range - front tracking

Citroen e-C3 Aircross Extended Range brings 249 miles for just £23,495

The Citroen e-C3 Aircross drops in price thanks to the £1,500 Electric Car Grant
News
8 Aug 2025
New Cupra Leon Shadow Edition is a new moody version of the sporty hatch
Cupra Shadow Edition image

New Cupra Leon Shadow Edition is a new moody version of the sporty hatch

The Leon Shadow Edition will be offered on both the hatchback and estate
News
7 Aug 2025
New Citroen C5 Aircross starts from £30k, while the EV gets £1,500 Government discount
Citroen C5 Aircross - front

New Citroen C5 Aircross starts from £30k, while the EV gets £1,500 Government discount

Citroen’s revamped C5 Aircross is available to order now with hybrid or electric power
News
7 Aug 2025
Suzuki e-Vitara price plummets by almost £4k
Suzuki e-Vitara - front cornering

Suzuki e-Vitara price plummets by almost £4k

Deliveries of the new e-Vitara haven’t even started, but the discounts have already begun
News
7 Aug 2025
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Vauxhall ‘pre-empts’ Electric Car Grant with its own £1,500 discount
Vauxhall Astra Electric - front corner left

Vauxhall ‘pre-empts’ Electric Car Grant with its own £1,500 discount

You can now get £1,500 off every one of Vauxhall’s electric cars
News
6 Aug 2025
MG IM6: everything you need to know about MG’s Tesla Model Y rival
MG IM6 - Goodwood front

MG IM6: everything you need to know about MG’s Tesla Model Y rival

The IM6 comes with the numbers to take on the best electric SUVs
News
6 Aug 2025
New MG4 EV arrives in China, with groundbreaking solid-state battery version to follow
New MG MG4 EV facelift - front static

New MG4 EV arrives in China, with groundbreaking solid-state battery version to follow

The Chinese-market MG4 could make its way over to the UK with cutting-edge battery technology
News
6 Aug 2025
Vauxhall Frontera EV gets 67-mile range boost, but it’ll cost you
Vauxhall Frontera - front

Vauxhall Frontera EV gets 67-mile range boost, but it’ll cost you

A £3,500 premium adds 67 miles of range to the compact SUV, but there's still no seven-seat option
News
6 Aug 2025
BYD gives up on EV grant, and offers five years of maintenance instead
BYD Dolphin - front cornering

BYD gives up on EV grant, and offers five years of maintenance instead

With a Government grant looking unlikely, BYD has announced a new warranty and maintenance scheme to tempt buyers
News
5 Aug 2025
Smart EVs get big price drop as brand applies its own grant
Smart #1 front cornering

Smart EVs get big price drop as brand applies its own grant

The fully electric car firm is the latest to launch a cut-price offer
News
4 Aug 2025
Porsche Macan replacement coming with petrol and hybrid power
Porsche Macan T - front cornering

Porsche Macan replacement coming with petrol and hybrid power

As the Macan EV’s sales stutter, Porsche is looking to launch new a petrol-powered alternative
News
4 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: this Dacia Spring is our cheapest deal of the year!
Dacia Spring Extreme 65 - full front

Car Deal of the Day: this Dacia Spring is our cheapest deal of the year!

The Spring is a great electric runabout, and at this price it’s easy to see why it’s our Deal of the Day for Saturday 2 August
News
2 Aug 2025
Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra slash electric car prices
Volkswagen ID.3 - main image

Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra slash electric car prices

Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra aren't waiting around for the government grant by cutting £1,500 from their EV prices
News
2 Aug 2025
The Honda Civic has got an angry new look
Honda Civic facelift - front 3/4

The Honda Civic has got an angry new look

Honda Civic facelift introduces new look for 11th-generation model
News
1 Aug 2025
New MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman get the monochrome treatment
MINI Cooper Electric Monochrome Pack - front

New MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman get the monochrome treatment

It’s as simple as black and white for new MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman Monochrome
News
1 Aug 2025
New Volkswagen Passat eHybrid Match and Black Editions add £5k of options for free
Volkswagen Passat eHybrid Match front 3/4

New Volkswagen Passat eHybrid Match and Black Editions add £5k of options for free

Estate-only Passat eHybrid now comes with more kit as standard
News
30 Jul 2025