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

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

6 days 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 week 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 week 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

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

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

In the late eighties, the arrival of the Suzuki Vitara provided the Japanese company with a small SUV that offered a more family-friendly experience than the other 4x4 in its line-up, the SJ. It also pretty much had a monopoly on the class, because few rivals offered anything similar. Fast-forward to today, and the small SUV sector is awash with contenders of all shapes and sizes, while powertrains range from petrol to all-electric via different degrees of hybrid assistance.
Driving the BMW M135: less power but more fun

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

While BMW is famous for its rear-wheel-drive M division cars, four-wheel drive is now much more common across the line-up than it used to be. Most of the xDrive-equipped M models still have a bias towards the back axle, but the M135 (which is now shorn of its ‘i’ suffix to help differentiate it from BMW’s electric offerings) has a character that’s markedly different from the rest of the range. That’s not to say it’s no fun, though, because it’s still one of the most engaging hot hatchbacks around.
Should you buy a Chinese electric car? Prices, quality, reliability and ethics explored

2 months ago | autoexpress.co.uk | Tom Jervis |BYD Seal |Dean Gibson

The Internet can feel like the Wild West at times, with misinformation more rife than ever, particularly when it comes to Chinese electric cars. But what’s the real truth, and should you take the plunge and buy one? That’s what we aim to answer in this special report. We’ve spoken to the brands themselves, as well as industry experts, to address some of the key issues – and dismiss some of the more outlandish rumours and assumptions.
Ineos Grenadier vs Toyota Land Cruiser: rugged SUVs put to the test on and off road

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

For nearly 75 years, one car has delivered go-anywhere ability like no other, and we’re not talking about a Land Rover. The Toyota Land Cruiser has built a reputation for dependability and capability that has made it a go-to choice for buyers across the globe, and the latest generation is hoping to maintain that tradition.