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 Ioniq 6 ghosting Tesla's Model!

By James Cleary · 14 Apr 2023

Hyundai Australia is bullish about sales prospects for its just released Ioniq 6 EV sedan, with the company's Chief Operating Officer, John Kett telling CarsGuide, "We are confident that every one that gets built we can sell."

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BMW XM Label Red incoming with 1000Nm!

By James Cleary · 12 Apr 2023

It’s only just hit the market but already BMW has given its flagship XM high-performance plug-in hybrid SUV an upgrade with the arrival of the premium XM Label Red.

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Hyundai's new model pipeline ready to burst!

By James Cleary · 07 Apr 2023

It's already been a big year for Hyundai in Australia, with the new car market's number five-ranked brand having just launched the dramatic Ioniq 6 EV sedan. But that Tesla Model 3-baiting, ultra-low drag four door is just the beginning of an extensive 2023 new model roll-out for the South Korean giant.

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Hyundai Ioniq 6 Epiq 2023 review: snapshot

By James Cleary · 06 Apr 2023

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 Epiq is the premium specification in a three-grade model line-up and costs $88,000, before on-road costs.

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Is the next Hyundai i30 an EV?

By James Cleary · 05 Apr 2023

It's been one of the mainstays of Hyundai's local line-up since arriving in the late 2000s. And now, after three generations, the most recent launching in 2016, the i30 is reaching the end of its life. But rather than drafting a eulogy, Hyundai Australia is hinting at a dramatic rebirth, with the car's future as a zero-emissions city-sized EV looking increasingly likely.

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Hyundai Ioniq 6 Techniq 2023 review: snapshot

By James Cleary · 04 Apr 2023

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 Techniq is the midpoint in a three-grade model line-up and costs $83,500, before on-road costs.

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Hyundai Ioniq 6 Dynamiq 2023 review: snapshot

By James Cleary · 02 Apr 2023

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 Dynamiq is the entry-point to a three-grade model line-up and costs $74,000, before on-road costs.

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Hyundai Ioniq 6 2023 review

By James Cleary · 31 Mar 2023

Hyundai broke new ground with its Ioniq 5 SUV and now it's been joined by the Ioniq 6 sedan. There are some similarities under the skin, but they could barely be more different in terms of form and function. We've driven the car in rear-wheel drive single motor and all-wheel drive dual-motor form to see if it has what it takes to put the frighteners on Tesla's market-dominant Model 3.

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Ford Capri comeback!

By James Cleary · 24 Mar 2023

It was a sleek 2+2 coupe in the 1970s and ‘80s before being reborn as a convertible sports car for the 1990s. Now reports out of the UK suggest the Ford Capri is set to make a comeback as a compact pure-electric SUV sitting on the same VW-derived platform as the just-revealed Explorer SUV.

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Suzuki Jimny 2023 review: GLX manual

By James Cleary · 20 Mar 2023

Over successive generations Suzuki's Jimny has built a cult following, largely because its ultra-cute Tonka toy looks and diminutive size belie its hardcore off-road ability. But what's it like as a day-to-day proposition in the city and suburbs? We've kept it strictly on-road for this UrbanGuide test to find out.

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