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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."

Social media and e-mail

Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: iKamper tent showcases 4x4's versatility
Ineos Grenadier Trailmaster long-term test - header image

Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster long-term test: iKamper tent showcases 4x4's versatility

Second fleetwatch: our Ineos Grenadier has returned from a service, and now has some useful additions
Long-term tests
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New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
Ford Explorer review
Ford Explorer - front tracking

Ford Explorer review

The Ford Explorer electric SUV has striking, chunky looks and appeal that’s more than skin deep
In-depth reviews
29 Apr 2025
New Renault Trafic, Goelette and Estafette vans make CV Show debut
Renault Trafic on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New Renault Trafic, Goelette and Estafette vans make CV Show debut

All three Renault vans are all-electric - sitting on a new architecture developed by Ampere
News
29 Apr 2025
New Isuzu D-Max EV matches diesel version for off-road and payload ability
Isuzu D-Max EV on display at 2025 Commercial Vehicle Show - front

New Isuzu D-Max EV matches diesel version for off-road and payload ability

The electric pick-up market is gradually gathering pace, and Isuzu has finally thrown its hat into the ring
News
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New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
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Suzuki Vitara review
Suzuki Vitara - main image

Suzuki Vitara review

An SUV in the traditional mould, the Suzuki Vitara is showing its age in some key areas
In-depth reviews
28 Apr 2025

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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
In-depth reviews
22 Apr 2025
Dacia Jogger vs Ford Tourneo Connect vs Toyota Proace City Verso: 7-seat family MPVs put to the test
Dacia Jogger vs Toyota Proace City Verso vs Ford Tourneo Connect - group tracking shot

Dacia Jogger vs Ford Tourneo Connect vs Toyota Proace City Verso: 7-seat family MPVs put to the test

We put hybrid, PHEV and electric MPVs from Dacia, Toyota and Ford to the test to discover which makes the best seven-seat family car
Car group tests
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New Ford Ranger MS-RT 2025 review: lacks the bite to match its looks
Ford Ranger MS-RT - front

New Ford Ranger MS-RT 2025 review: lacks the bite to match its looks

The Ford Ranger MS-RT looks great, but isn't quite the Raptor alternative we'd hoped it would be
Road tests
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Toyota RAV4 vs Cupra Terramar: sporty meets sensible in big-time SUV clash
Toyota RAV4 vs Cupra Terramar - front tracking

Toyota RAV4 vs Cupra Terramar: sporty meets sensible in big-time SUV clash

Racy Spanish brand Cupra is hoping to make waves in the plug-in hybrid SUV class with its all-new Terramar. We put it up against the big-selling Toyot…
Car group tests
12 Apr 2025
Renault Scenic review
Renault Scenic - main image

Renault Scenic review

The electric Renault Scenic is an innovative and hi-tech car with sustainable features
In-depth reviews
11 Apr 2025
Cupra Terramar review
Cupra Terramar - main image

Cupra Terramar review

The Cupra Terramar compact SUV delivers sporty looks, decent space and a well-rounded drive
In-depth reviews
10 Apr 2025
New vs used sports cars: Mazda MX-5 or Porsche Boxster?
New Mazda MX-5 vs used Porsche Boxster - header

New vs used sports cars: Mazda MX-5 or Porsche Boxster?

Both of these cars offer plenty of fun and fresh air, but which model should you pick?
Car group tests
6 Apr 2025
Ford Tourneo Connect review
Ford Tourneo Connect - main image

Ford Tourneo Connect review

The VW-derived Ford Tourneo Connect people carrier is highly practical and now comes as a plug-in hybrid
In-depth reviews
4 Apr 2025
Toyota Proace City Verso review
Toyota Proace City Verso - main image

Toyota Proace City Verso review

Van-based Toyota Proace City Verso electric MPV offers lots of space, but not much in the way of frills
In-depth reviews
4 Apr 2025
Dacia Jogger review
Dacia Jogger - main image

Dacia Jogger review

The Dacia Jogger is one of the cheapest routes to seven-seat transport in the new-car market
In-depth reviews
2 Apr 2025
Toyota RAV4 review
Toyota RAV4 - main image

Toyota RAV4 review

Global best seller offers practicality and efficiency in equal measure
In-depth reviews
31 Mar 2025
Electric and hybrid cars are killing the manual gearbox - and we won't miss it
Opinion - gearboxes

Electric and hybrid cars are killing the manual gearbox - and we won't miss it

Auto Express’ senior test editor argues that no one should be worried by the rising popularity of automatic ’boxes
Opinion
14 Mar 2025
Ineos Grenadier review
Ineos Grenadier Goodwood - off-road front

Ineos Grenadier review

With echoes of the original Land Rover, the Grenadier is ready for the rough stuff
In-depth reviews
7 Mar 2025
MG Cyberster review
MG Cyberster 2024 UK - front

MG Cyberster review

The MG Cyberster brings strong performance and eye-catching design, but is more open-topped grand tourer than MGB-style sports car
In-depth reviews
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Toyota Land Cruiser review
Toyota Land Cruiser - main image

Toyota Land Cruiser review

The retro looks of the Toyota Land Cruiser mask a new platform and contemporary technology for the long-running nameplate
In-depth reviews
3 Mar 2025
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Volkswagen Tiguan review
Volkswagen Tiguan - main image

Volkswagen Tiguan review

Third generation Volkswagen Tiguan is a big-selling SUV that’s practical, refined, and benefits from VW’s latest hybrid engines
In-depth reviews
24 Feb 2025
Suzuki Vitara vs Mazda CX-30: two small SUVs with some big differences
Suzuki Vitara and Mazda CX-30 - front tracking

Suzuki Vitara vs Mazda CX-30: two small SUVs with some big differences

The 1.4-litre mild-hybrid-assisted , turbocharged Suzuki Vitara takes on Mazda’s 2.5-litre CX-30 in this small SUV face-off
Car group tests
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BYD Seal U review
BYD Seal U - main image

BYD Seal U review

Arrival of the BYD SEAL U plug-in hybrid SUV marks new territory for the Chinese maker in the UK
In-depth reviews
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Hyundai Santa Fe review
Hyundai Santa Fe - front tracking

Hyundai Santa Fe review

Bold-looking seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe SUV delivers lots of space in a striking package
In-depth reviews
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Renault Master van review
Renault Master - front

Renault Master van review

The latest Renault Master large van is a strong contender in diesel and EV guises
In-depth reviews
5 Feb 2025
Volkswagen ID. Buzz review
Volkswagen ID. Buzz - main image

Volkswagen ID. Buzz review

The ID. Buzz combines retro charm with genuine family-friendly usability
In-depth reviews
4 Feb 2025
Ineos Grenadier vs Toyota Land Cruiser: rugged SUVs put to the test on and off road
Toyota Land Cruiser and Ineos Grenadier - front tracking

Ineos Grenadier vs Toyota Land Cruiser: rugged SUVs put to the test on and off road

Toyota’s Land Cruiser has ruled the 4x4 roost for 75 years. Is the latest model a match for the capable Ineos Grenadier, though?
Car group tests
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Worst cars ever made - header

The worst cars ever made

We name and shame the thoroughbred stinkers of the automotive world, cars we love to hate
Best cars & vans
31 Jan 2025
Lexus LM review
Lexus LM - main image

Lexus LM review

With a name that means Luxury Mover, the Lexus LM lives up to its billing
In-depth reviews
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Audi S3 review
Audi S3 - main image

Audi S3 review

Revisions to the Audi S3 bring subtle changes to the brand’s long-running sporty nameplate
In-depth reviews
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BMW M135 review
BMW M135 xDrive - front

BMW M135 review

A new look and a revised powertrain for the BMW M135 improve the flagship of the 1 Series range
In-depth reviews
28 Jan 2025
Isuzu D-Max review
Isuzu D-Max - main image

Isuzu D-Max review

Constant updates help the Isuzu D-Max to keep pace with the pick-up truck pack
In-depth reviews
27 Jan 2025