Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary
Deputy Editor

James Cleary is CarsGuide's Deputy Editor, with over four decades’ experience across automotive editorial, marketing, product planning and creative advertising.

He has written for national and international titles including Wheels, Drive, Carsales, Motor and Top Gear Australia providing everything from new product assessment and feature writing to industry analysis, news content and expert advice.

He’s spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas.

James worked in the PR and advertising/sales promotion teams at Mercedes-Benz Australia and has managed the Marketing Communications and Product Planning functions for Peugeot Australia. He also directed advertising client service for Hyundai Motor Company Australia and Volvo Australia.

James has a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Macquarie University and driving qualifications from multiple advanced schools, including Ian Luff Motivation.

He has been a member of the CarsGuide team for 10 years and as Deputy Editor manages everything from sub-editing to back-end platforms while creating written and visual content.

Expertise

  • New product assessment
  • Industry analysis
  • News content
  • Expert advice
  • Feature writing

Experience

  • BMW Performance Driving School
  • Lamborghini Winter Accademia
  • Master Maserati Driving School
  • Mercedes-AMG Snow Performance School
  • Porsche Level 4 Master training
  • Volkswagen Driving Experience program

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts (MassComm) | Macquarie University | 1981-1984

Featured publications

Make/model guide to the Chinese car market!
By James Cleary · 27 Aug 2023
It’s an often repeated truism that the Australian new car market is “the most competitive in the world”. In fact, CarsGuide has no doubt repeated it on multiple occasions. 
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Mercedes-AMG SL63 4Matic+ 2024 review
By James Cleary · 17 Aug 2023
As beautiful as it is potent, the Mercedes-AMG SL63 4Matic+ takes the three-pointed star's drop-top GT formula and dials it up a notch or two with 4.0L twin-turbo V8 power, all-wheel drive and 2+2 seating for extra practicality. We were invited on an extensive launch drive program to experience this modern classic.
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Toyota Corolla 2024 review: Ascent Sport Hybrid sedan
By James Cleary · 15 Aug 2023
Flying under the radar relative to its ever-popular hatch sibling, the Toyota Corolla sedan offers some interesting advantages. And in entry-level Ascent Sport Hybrid guise, the practicality/efficiency equation is kicked up a notch or two. We've spent a week with this intriguing combination to see if you should be thinking four doors rather than five for your next small car purchase.
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New Toyota FJ Cruiser spotted?
By James Cleary · 03 Aug 2023
This week’s unveiling of a significantly upgraded Toyota LandCrusier 70 Series focused on the arrival of a new 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine variant, complete with automatic transmission.
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Porsche 911's birthday gift to the world!
By James Cleary · 02 Aug 2023
A 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat six-cylinder engine capable of screaming to a 9000rpm rev ceiling as it delivers 386kW to the rear wheels through a short-ratio, six-speed manual gearbox.
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Budget Tesla 'Model 2' to be built in India?
By James Cleary · 26 Jul 2023
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has already teased two new products at the company's annual shareholder meeting earlier this year, one of which is likely the long-expected entry-level 'Model 2', designed to dramatically lower cost-of-entry to the ground-breaking electric car brand.
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Ford Australia recalls 19,000 Mustangs
By James Cleary · 19 Jul 2023
Ford Motor Company of Australia has issued a recall notice for all Ford Mustangs sold here with build dates between 2014 and 2017 relating to a manufacturing defect.
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Peugeot e-Partner 2023 review
By James Cleary · 18 Jul 2023
Peugeot Australia has several pure electric SUVs and hatches coming down the new model pipeline, but the first EV from the storied French brand to arrive here is the light commercial e-Partner van. We've taken an initial drive, with a load on-board, to see how it stacks up in terms of performance, practicality, ownership costs and more.
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Aussie new car delivery times coming down!
By James Cleary · 16 Jul 2023
Australian new vehicle sales for the first six months of 2023 are up a solid 8.2 per cent compared to the first half of 2022, and part of the reason may - at last - be improved supply.
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All-new engine and chassis for Triton!
By James Cleary · 10 Jul 2023
Mitsubishi has confirmed its new, sixth-generation Triton ute, scheduled for global reveal later this month, will feature a “newly developed ladder frame, chassis and engine”. The much-anticipated one-tonne dual cab will also be underpinned by a “newly designed double wishbone front suspension and leaf-spring rear suspension”.
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