Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary

Deputy Editor

As a small boy James often sat on a lounge with three shoes in front of him, a ruler between the cushions, and a circular drinks tray in his hands. He would then play ‘drivings’, happily heading to destinations unknown for hours on end. He’s since owned many cars, raced a few, and driven (literally) thousands of them at all points of the globe.

He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas.

His time in motoring journalism has included stints at national and international titles including Motor, Wheels and TopGear, and when asked to nominate a career highlight, James says interviewing industry legend Gordon Murray, in the paddock at the 1989 Australian Formula One Grand Prix was amazing, especially as Murray waived away a hovering Ayrton Senna to complete the conversation.

As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content, while creating written and video product reviews, as well as the weekly 'Tools in the Shed' podcast.'

He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas.

As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content, while creating written and video product reviews, as well as the weekly 'Tools in the Shed' podcast.'

2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 revealed in Beijing: New pure-electric G-Class SUV's classic looks hide leading edge 4WD EV tech to challenge BYD YangWang U8 and GMC Hummer EV

24 April 2024 by James Cleary

2025 Kia Tasman: Game-changing dual cab ute breaks cover in unique camouflage wrap as next year's market showdown with Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Mitsubishi Triton draws closer

23 April 2024 by James Cleary

The countdown to Kia unveiling its all-new Tasman ute continues at pace...Read more

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe: Australian pricing, model line-up and engine options confirmed for new two-door, four-seat Audi S5 and BMW 430i performance luxury competitor

23 April 2024 by James Cleary

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed local pricing and specification for its CLE...Read more

Chery Omoda 5 2024 review: GT AWD

22 April 2024 by James Cleary

Visit Chery’s website, click on the Omoda 5 GT and you’ll find references to its “dynamic personality”, “distinctive face” and “cinematic elegance”. Is this a show-stopping movie star or a new, sporty compact SUV? Maybe in the context of our video review of the car it can be both? Either way, it...Read more

2024 Isuzu D-Max and MU-X allegedly suffering rapid front tyre wear due to steering geometry issues, with Mazda BT-50 'twin-under-the-skin' also called out

19 April 2024 by James Cleary

Some owners of the current generation Isuzu D-Max ute and MU-X SUV, as...Read more

2025 Mazda CX-80 revealed: All-new three-row SUV here before year-end to put the heat on Tesla Model Y, Ford Everest & Isuzu MU-X

18 April 2024 by James Cleary

Mazda is continuing its push into the large premium SUV space with the...Read more

2025 GMC Yukon has landed: Full-size eight-seat SUV in local pre-release testing before muscling up to Ford Everest, Toyota LandCruiser 300, Kia EV9 and Nissan Patrol next year

17 April 2024 by James Cleary

Big, bold and nearly ready to transport large Australian families (or...Read more

BYD electric car Fang Cheng Bao Super 9: Wild supercar EV concept channels Ferrari Monza, McLaren Elva and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

17 April 2024 by James Cleary

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery Ferrari, McLaren and...Read more

2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: New-gen 'King of the Hill' coming soon with monster twin-turbo V8 power likely, possible hybrid boost and AWD!

12 April 2024 by James Cleary

Chevrolet has signalled the imminent arrival of the next iteration of...Read more

Skoda Octavia 2024 review: SportLine

4 April 2024 by James Cleary

Skoda’s a bit like that brooding, low-key actor you know but sometimes struggle to recall. Like Jacqueline McKenzie or Ben Mendelsohn. Considered and respected but far from a preening red carpet showboat. And the mid-size Octavia is the quintessential Skoda… for people seeking quality engineering...Read more

2025 Polestar 4 detailed: What we know so far about new electric car coming for Tesla Model Y EV in Australia later this year

4 April 2024 by James Cleary

With order books already open, the first pre-production examples of the...Read more

Zeekr confirms 2024 Aussie launch line-up: Electric car attack led by X small EV SUV and 009 people mover coming for BYD Atto 3 and Tesla Model Y

2 April 2024 by James Cleary

Performance luxury-focused Geely subsidiary, Zeekr, has confirmed its...Read more

Skoda opens the product floodgates: from the 2025 Skoda Enyaq electric car, Kodiaq SUV, Octavia sedan and wagon and more - new model onslaught coming to Australia over the next 12 months

2 April 2024 by James Cleary

Skoda has kicked off 2024 with a three-pronged attack on the Australian...Read more

Skoda Karoq 2024 review

28 March 2024 by James Cleary

Typically appealing to those seeking quality engineering and tech without feeling the need to make a boastful badge statement, Skoda is a low-key, ultra-confident brand. On sale here since 2018, the Skoda Karoq is a comparatively small fish in one of the most hotly contested segments in the...Read more

2025 Skoda Epiq: New concept previews upcoming city-sized pure-electric SUV set to charge into battle against combustion competitors like Mazda CX-3, Kia Stonic and Toyota Yaris Cross

18 March 2024 by James Cleary

Skoda continues to do its share of the heavy-lifting in the Volkswagen...Read more

2025 Kia K4 sedan ready for debut: Precursor to next-gen Kia Cerato ready to take a Big Apple bite out of four-door Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and Subaru Impreza

15 March 2024 by James Cleary

Kia may be calling it K4, but we're going to call it Cerato because...Read more

2025 Kia Sportage facelift rendered: Mid-life update of medium SUV ready to bring the fight to Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4

15 March 2024 by James Cleary

The current, fifth-generation Kia Sportage arrived here in late 2021...Read more

2024 Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max: Australian specs confirmed for new seven-seat family SUV rival for Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail and Honda CR-V

14 March 2024 by James Cleary

From a standing start less than 12 months ago, challenger brand Chery...Read more

2024 Ineos Quartermaster dual cab chassis revealed: Hardcore, hard-working 4x4 set to challenge Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton

14 March 2024 by James Cleary

The rise and rise of ‘traditional’ 4x4 specialist Ineos continues with...Read more

Land Rover Australian sales through the roof: Defender, Discovery and Range Rover Evoque star in spectacular year-on-year increases that leave competitors like Jeep, Mercedes-Benz and Audi in the shade

13 March 2024 by James Cleary

It’s a case of Land Rover first and daylight second when it comes to a...Read more

Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary

Deputy Editor

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