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

Hyundai Kona Premium 2023 review: snapshot

By James Cleary · 09 Jul 2023

As the name implies, the Premium is the flagship grade in Hyundai’s new second-generation Kona line-up. At just over 4.3m long, 1.8m wide and close to 1.6m tall, the technically 'small' SUV is appreciably bigger on the outside and prices range from $39,500, before on-road costs, for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol model, through $42,500 for an N Line version of the same car and finally $46,500

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Toyota's new Prado emerging from the darkness

By James Cleary · 07 Jul 2023

The new fifth-generation Toyota LandCruiser Prado is due to be unveiled soon and could arrive locally as early as next year, replacing one of Australia's most enduring 'new' cars, the out-going fourth-generation (J150) model that arrived way back in 2009.

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Hyundai Kona 2023 review

By James Cleary · 07 Jul 2023

Futuristic looks underpinned by an all-new 'EV-led' platform mark Hyundai's bigger second-generation Kona as one to watch in the small SUV category. Launching initially with a choice of petrol engines in front- and all-wheel drive across multiple grades, there are hybrid and EV models scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2023. We've driven the purely petrol-powered cars on the local launch.

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Audi RS Q3 2023 review: Sportback edition 10 years

By James Cleary · 04 Jul 2023

Audi's high-performance compact SUV, the RS Q3, has been with us for a decade and to celebrate the Bavarian brand has produced 555 examples of the 'edition 10 years' Sportback for worldwide consumption. We got our hands on one of these turbo five-cylinder quattro rocket ships from a small batch coming to Australia.

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Hyundai Tucson Hybrid coming to Australia!

By James Cleary · 03 Jul 2023

Destined to take the fight up to established competitors like Nissan's X-Trail e-Power and the ever-popular Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Australia has confirmed a hybrid version of its mid-size Tucson SUV for local sale.

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New Hyundai Kona pricing and specs confirmed!

By James Cleary · 26 Jun 2023

A new small SUV, entering one of the most hotly contested segments in the Australian new car market is always a big deal and Hyundai’s all-new Kona is a critical arrival for the South Korean giant in its quest to claw back market share from MG’s segment-leading ZS and other top sellers like the Haval Jolion, Mazda CX-30 and Mitsubishi’s evergreen ASX.

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Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce 2023 review: snapshot

By James Cleary · 22 Jun 2023

The Tonale Veloce is the highest of two grades for Alfa Romeo’s new compact, five-seat premium SUV. At just over four and half metres long it’s a full five-seater but sits squarely within the small SUV footprint. Priced at $56,400, before on-road costs, the Veloce squares up to Audi’s Q3, BMW’s X1 and the Mercedes GLA.

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Alfa Romeo Tonale Ti 2023 review: snapshot

By James Cleary · 20 Jun 2023

The Tonale Ti is the first of two grades for Alfa Romeo’s new compact, five-seat premium SUV. At just over four and half metres long it’s a full five-seater but sits squarely within the small SUV footprint. Priced at $49,990, before on-road costs, the Ti squares up to Audi’s Q3, the Lexus UX and segment leading Volvo XC40.

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Alfa Romeo Tonale 2023 review

By James Cleary · 16 Jun 2023

Alfa Romeo is having a second crack at the premium SUV market with the compact Tonale. Its larger Stelvio stablemate hasn't set the world on fire, so, can this sleek five-seater capture more Aussie hearts and minds?

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Toyota data leak exposes Aussie owners

By James Cleary · 02 Jun 2023

In May this year Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Tokyo issued a formal apology and explanation related to "potential data leakage", exposing vehicle and customer information to outside sources due to "misconfiguration of (a) Cloud environment".

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