Skip advert
Advertisement
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

New Ferrari 849 Testarossa: famous name, massive power and stunning looks
Ferrari 849 Testatrossa - front

New Ferrari 849 Testarossa: famous name, massive power and stunning looks

The new Ferrari 849 Testatrossa's plug-in hybrid twin-turbocharged V8 is good for 1,035bhp
News
16 Sep 2025
Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain
Nissan Qashqai electric render Avarvarii - front 3/4

Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain

There will be an overlap of powertrains for the big-selling SUV
News
15 Sep 2025
New Nissan GT-R EV to get over 1,000bhp in attempt to stand out from the crowd
Nissan GT-R - front

New Nissan GT-R EV to get over 1,000bhp in attempt to stand out from the crowd

The next Nissan GT-R will have all-electric power as previewed by the Hyper Force Concept
News
15 Sep 2025
Vauxhall Corsa review
Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Turbo GS main image

Vauxhall Corsa review

The Vauxhall Corsa is a smart-looking supermini, has numerous engine options, and offers good levels of standard equipment
In-depth reviews
11 Sep 2025
Avoid the MG3, says Euro NCAP after critical safety failure in crash test
MG3 - front cornering

Avoid the MG3, says Euro NCAP after critical safety failure in crash test

The MG3 has caused the automotive safety body to review the way it scores crash tests
News
10 Sep 2025
Three-car garage: used BMW 1 Series, 2 Series and 3 Series Touring for £32k
Used BMW three-car garage - header image

Three-car garage: used BMW 1 Series, 2 Series and 3 Series Touring for £32k

This selection of BMWs should have all bases covered without delving into the expensive M division
Features
9 Sep 2025
New Lexus IS revealed: Japanese Mercedes C-Class rival still not coming to UK
New Lexus IS - front 3/4

New Lexus IS revealed: Japanese Mercedes C-Class rival still not coming to UK

The stylish saloon continues with hybrid power in its 25th year of sale
News
9 Sep 2025
Hot Skoda Fabia to celebrate Czech firm’s 130th anniversary
Skoda Fabia hot hatch - front 3_4

Hot Skoda Fabia to celebrate Czech firm’s 130th anniversary

We might see a new powertrain to go with this Fabia’s fresh look
News
9 Sep 2025
Volkswagen ID. Polo launches new era for much-loved supermini at Munich Motor Show
ID. Polo in Munich - front 3/4

Volkswagen ID. Polo launches new era for much-loved supermini at Munich Motor Show

The ID. Polo was originally called ‘ID.2all’ in concept form
News
9 Sep 2025
New Austin Arrow arrives as a retro roadster with electric power
Austin Arrow EV

New Austin Arrow arrives as a retro roadster with electric power

The dinky Austin Arrow EV promises huge fun despite a 20bhp motor
News
9 Sep 2025
New XPeng P7 arrives in Europe and it’s gunning for Tesla
XPeng P7 - front 3/4

New XPeng P7 arrives in Europe and it’s gunning for Tesla

Record-breaking P7 is shown off in Munich with supercar-like performance claims
News
8 Sep 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Porsche 911 Turbo S ready to slay supercars with 701bhp hybrid engine
Porsche 911 Turbo S - front

New Porsche 911 Turbo S ready to slay supercars with 701bhp hybrid engine

The new Porsche 911 Turbo S has turned to electrification to break the 700bhp barrier
News
8 Sep 2025
Flying cars: will the flying car market ever take off?
Flying cars

Flying cars: will the flying car market ever take off?

There are plenty of concepts and even some flying cars on sale, but will the market ever truly get off the ground?
Features
8 Sep 2025
New Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI debuts in Munich aiming to be a proper electric hot hatch
 ID. Polo GTI at Munich - front angled

New Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI debuts in Munich aiming to be a proper electric hot hatch

Volkswagen is bringing its electric Alpine rival to the Munich Motor Show
News
8 Sep 2025
New Leapmotor B05 to out-EV the VW ID.3 with more space for less cash
Leapmotor B05 - Munich front

New Leapmotor B05 to out-EV the VW ID.3 with more space for less cash

The Chinese brand looks to take on the electric family hatchback sector with its new B05
News
8 Sep 2025
Baby Mercedes G-Class to take boxy G-Wagen attitude to a wider audience
Mercedes G-Class family teaser

Baby Mercedes G-Class to take boxy G-Wagen attitude to a wider audience

Merc’s board member for R&D has assured us that its new baby G-Class won’t be just a tweaked version of an existing model, but a ground-up development
News
8 Sep 2025
New Chery Tiggo 7 review: low price makes flaws more easily overlooked
Chery Tiggo 7 - front

New Chery Tiggo 7 review: low price makes flaws more easily overlooked

There's plenty to like about the new Chery Tiggo 7, especially its attractive price tag
Road tests
8 Sep 2025
Volkswagen ID.4 review
Volkswagen ID.4 - front tracking

Volkswagen ID.4 review

We think the Volkswagen ID.4 appeals to EV buyers after practicality and decent range, but it’s no class leader
In-depth reviews
5 Sep 2025
New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: design, reveal date and latest details
Volvo EX60 teaser image - side

New Volvo EX60 electric SUV: design, reveal date and latest details

Volvo claims the EX60 will have over 435 miles of range
News
3 Sep 2025
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
Skip advert
Advertisement
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
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
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