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.'

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N suspension tuning preview: How this performance EV was set up for Australia and the world to better take on Kia EV6 GT and Tesla Model Y Performance

26 January 2024 by James Cleary

National Holden Motor Museum auction: Thousands of items including approximately 50 cars from 48-215 'FX' to VF Commodore as well as irreplaceable factory equipment and original Holden dealer signage going under the hammer in May

25 January 2024 by James Cleary

After 30 years of operation in the historic Victorian Murray River town...Read more

2023 new-car sales were huge, but 2024 won't be - Here's why this year could be better for buyers

21 January 2024 by James Cleary

In smashing through the 1.2 million-unit sales barrier the Australian...Read more

2024 Peugeot 408 GT Fastback pricing and specification confirmed: Mid-size hybrid coupe crossover aims up at Audi Q5, Lexus NX and Volvo XC60

15 January 2024 by James Cleary

Peugeot Australia has opened the order books for its 408 GT Fastback...Read more

2024 Hyundai Kona scores four-star ANCAP safety assessment: MG ZS and Mazda CX-30 rival misses maximum five stars due to "mixed" crash test results

15 January 2024 by James Cleary

Independent safety body ANCAP has awarded Hyundai’s recently released,...Read more

China topples Korea in 2023 Australian market production race: Hyundai and Kia overwhelmed by MG and GWM plus a little help from the Tesla Model 3

13 January 2024 by James Cleary

In a sign of the automotive times, the number of new vehicles produced...Read more

2024 Lexus LBX Morizo RR Concept breaks cover - compact performance SUV headed to this weekend's Tokyo Auto Salon as VW T-Roc R rival

12 January 2024 by James Cleary

Lexus has unveiled a high-performance concept version of its LBX...Read more

2024 GWM Haval H9 closing in on production: Second-generation seven-seat SUV to battle Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

12 January 2024 by James Cleary

Fresh...Read more

Used cars selling faster for less! New data confirms swings and roundabouts for local used car sales with Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux the most popular choices

11 January 2024 by James Cleary

Increased stock availability in the Australian new car market appears...Read more

The three-pointed star has fallen! Battle of the German luxury brands sees BMW knock over Mercedes-Benz in 2023 Australian new-car sales race

10 January 2024 by James Cleary

While Chevrolet, Chrysler and Ford constitute the USA’s traditional ‘...Read more

Original VW Amarok to live on! Big upgrades to design, tech and safety confirmed for South American version of Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara rival

8 January 2024 by James Cleary

As part of its commitment to grow its business in South America,...Read more

Heroes to zeros! Five-star safety performers reach their use-by date: Mazda CX-5, MG 3, BMW X3, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Toyota C-HR among more than 25 new cars to lose ANCAP ratings in 2024

8 January 2024 by James Cleary

In line with ANCAP’s six-year lifespan for its new vehicle safety...Read more

Porsche 911 2024 review: Carrera T

1 January 2024 by James Cleary

It's a question only a relative few have the opportunity to answer for...Read more

Top 10 car reviews of 2023

30 December 2023 by James Cleary

In the first part of 2023 vehicle supply was the Australian new-car...Read more

James Cleary's Top 5 cars of 2023: From Fiat 500e to Porsche 911 GT3 RS

22 December 2023 by James Cleary

This year’s top five was a relatively straight-forward selection...Read more

Mazda CX-3 2024 review: Evolve

21 December 2023 by James Cleary

Hard to believe Mazda’s diminutive CX-3 has been with us for close to a decade (it arrived in early 2015). But with successive upgrades, including a major model refresh in 2019, it remains a popular choice with ‘light’ SUV buyers, dominating the segment so far in 2023. So, how does this evergreen...Read more

"Maybe we've known it all along?": Alfa Romeo closing in on 2024 launch of small electric car SUV to challenge Mercedes EQB and Volvo EX30

8 December 2023 by James Cleary

Alfa Romeo's long-running social media teaser campaign, hinting at the...Read more

Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary

Deputy Editor

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N suspension tuning preview: How this performance EV was set up for Australia and the world to better take on Kia EV6 GT and Tesla Model Y Performance

National Holden Motor Museum auction: Thousands of items including approximately 50 cars from 48-215 'FX' to VF Commodore as well as irreplaceable factory equipment and original Holden dealer signage going under the hammer in May

2023 new-car sales were huge, but 2024 won't be - Here's why this year could be better for buyers

2024 Peugeot 408 GT Fastback pricing and specification confirmed: Mid-size hybrid coupe crossover aims up at Audi Q5, Lexus NX and Volvo XC60

2024 Hyundai Kona scores four-star ANCAP safety assessment: MG ZS and Mazda CX-30 rival misses maximum five stars due to "mixed" crash test results

China topples Korea in 2023 Australian market production race: Hyundai and Kia overwhelmed by MG and GWM plus a little help from the Tesla Model 3

2024 Lexus LBX Morizo RR Concept breaks cover - compact performance SUV headed to this weekend's Tokyo Auto Salon as VW T-Roc R rival

2024 GWM Haval H9 closing in on production: Second-generation seven-seat SUV to battle Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Used cars selling faster for less! New data confirms swings and roundabouts for local used car sales with Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux the most popular choices

The three-pointed star has fallen! Battle of the German luxury brands sees BMW knock over Mercedes-Benz in 2023 Australian new-car sales race

Original VW Amarok to live on! Big upgrades to design, tech and safety confirmed for South American version of Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara rival

Heroes to zeros! Five-star safety performers reach their use-by date: Mazda CX-5, MG 3, BMW X3, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Toyota C-HR among more than 25 new cars to lose ANCAP ratings in 2024

Porsche 911 2024 review: Carrera T

Top 10 car reviews of 2023

James Cleary's Top 5 cars of 2023: From Fiat 500e to Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Mazda CX-3 2024 review: Evolve

2024 Kia Picanto no longer Australia's cheapest car: MG3 Auto takes crown as most affordable new-car option

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Ultimate 2024 review: snapshot

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Elite 2024 review: snapshot

"Maybe we've known it all along?": Alfa Romeo closing in on 2024 launch of small electric car SUV to challenge Mercedes EQB and Volvo EX30

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Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary

Deputy Editor

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