Dean Gibson

Chelmsford

“Mr Auto Express”. Not my words, Carol, the words of Auto Express magazine(’s art director). Drives, writes, subs, takes pictures. AE vans overlord.

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Articles

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

2 weeks ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Dean Gibson

One area of the market that has been slow to take up electrification is the pick-up truck sector, but the Isuzu D-Max EV is set to change that. The new model was revealed in production guise at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, and Isuzu claims that this zero-emissions machine can match the diesel version for off-road ability, towing and payload weights.
Now that’s cheap! New Kia PV5 Passenger undercuts VW ID. Buzz by £25k

2 weeks ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Dean Gibson

Korean firm Kia is taking its first steps into the realm of electric commercial vehicles with the launch of the new PV5 at the CV Show in Birmingham, but much like its rivals, it will have a passenger-carrying variant in its line-up. Called the Kia PV5 Passenger, it doesn’t have the most innovative name, but buyers will be more intrigued by the £32,995 starting price. That’s a massive £25,000 less than for a Volkswagen ID.
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £27,645

2 weeks ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Dean Gibson

Prices for the Kia PV5 electric van have been revealed at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, with the new model starting at £27,645 excluding VAT. Order books open on 1 May 2025, with first deliveries of the newcomer expected to take place in Q4 this year. That price includes the Government’s £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant, but even without that factored in, the PV5 has a competitive list price when compared with the current crop of electric vans.
Best pick-up trucks to buy in the UK 2025

3 weeks ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Shane Wilkinson |Ellis Hyde |Paul Adam |Dean Gibson

They’re still rugged, utilitarian workhorses at heart, but the best pick-up trucks on sale in the UK are far more refined than their barebones ancestors. With vastly improved ride quality, plush interiors, top-notch technology and even a few hints of luxury, many modern pick-ups are now genuinely suitable for use as a day-to-day car. Unfortunately, the 2025 changes to the company car tax regime mean they aren’t as affordable as they once were for business users.
Dacia Jogger vs Ford Tourneo Connect vs Toyota Proace City Verso: 7-seat family MPVs put to the test

3 weeks ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Dean Gibson

In the realm of seven-seat family cars, there are two extremes to choose from. At the top end of the market are plush SUVs and MPVs, some powered by petrol, some plug-in hybrid and others fully electric, while at the budget end, there is a selection of van-based models to choose from. However, one car that bucks the formula is the Dacia Jogger. Mixing supermini and estate car DNA together has created an interesting alternative to the multi-seat family car norm.
Toyota RAV4 vs Cupra Terramar: sporty meets sensible in big-time SUV clash

1 month ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Dean Gibson

Plug-in hybrid SUVs are a handy stop-gap for buyers that aren’t ready to take the plunge with a full electric SUV, while the latest arrival in the class is attempting to introduce some sporty Spanish flair to the mix. The Cupra Terramar is being launched at the same time as the all-electric Tavascan and, as with that car, it uses tech taken from the Volkswagen Group – namely the latest version of the MQB platform.
The best big cars for big families: our favourite new 7-seaters | Auto Express

1 month ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Antony Ingram |Dean Gibson |Ellis Hyde |Alex Ingram

Seven-seater cars are as popular as ever with large families, and there’s a wider variety than ever to choose from with both SUVs and MPVs up for grabs. Our expert road testers have extensively tested every seven-seat car on today's market and here, we round up the top 10 best seven-seater cars to buy in the UK right now, based on this thorough real-world testing.
New Mazda MX-5 or used Porsche Boxster: which should you buy for £35,000? | Auto Express

1 month ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Dean Gibson

While our weather can be unpredictable, there are few better ways to spend rare sunny days than a drive in a proper drop-top sports car. While many of these special motors command serious money, the king of the affordable sports cars continues to be the lovable Mazda MX-5. With rear-wheel drive and a folding roof, you can easily have loads of fun in this roadster, and a brand-new example can be yours for a budget of just £35,000.
Toyota Proace City Verso review

1 month ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Dean Gibson

If you value space above all else from a new car, then the Toyota Proace City Verso offers it by the bucketload. It’s one of a number of van-derived MPVs that share common components, because it’s a product of Toyota’s joint venture with the Stellantis group to help fast-track the Japanese firm’s offerings in the commercial vehicle sector. A recent update has boosted the model’s appeal with more tech, while the electric-only line-up is retained, as are short and long-wheelbase options.
Electric and hybrid cars are killing the manual gearbox - and we won't miss it

2 months ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Dean Gibson

New statistics released by valuation expert cap hpi reveal that the automatic gearbox is making inroads on the dominance of the manual transmission in new cars sold in the UK. Last year, autos in all of their guises made up nearly 30 per cent of new-car sales, and in a decade automatics have seen a 118 per cent jump in numbers compared with manuals. One reason behind this is obvious, with the increase in market share for direct-drive electric cars having an impact.