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

Suzuki Swift 2023 review: GL S Plus
By James Cleary · 27 Aug 2022
Over successive model generations the Suzuki Swift has built a loyal following in the Australian new car market. Compact, well equipped and economical, the current model looks like a perfect match for the urban environment. We spent a week with one to find out if it is.
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The great plug-in hybrid debate!
By James Cleary · 26 Aug 2022
We're watching the automotive landscape change before our eyes, with new hybrid and 100 per cent EV models now arriving in the Aussie new car market by the bucket load.
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Lambo shows off Urus Performante
By James Cleary · 22 Aug 2022
Clearly, NBA stars and Hollywood celebrities need to get their kids to school and the groceries home, just like the rest of us, with premium carmakers furiously adding new models to fuel a growing demand for luxurious, high-performance SUVs. 
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Hyundai wants to be seen as green
By James Cleary · 21 Aug 2022
Toyota may have stolen a march on the rest of the Aussie new car market with its ground-breaking focus on hybrid technology, but Hyundai is determined to match the local market leader and meet increasing customer demand for electrified models in all segments.
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Hyundai Palisade 2023 review
By James Cleary · 12 Aug 2022
The family's big and your preference is for an SUV rather than a people mover. There are several choices in the large seven- and eight-seat SUV market, and Hyundai's Palisade has just been updated, with refreshed exterior and interior design, new tech and improved safety. Does it now sit in front of competitors like Mazda's CX-9, the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Kluger?
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Hyundai N performance selling up a storm!
By James Cleary · 11 Aug 2022
From cheeky challengers to established favourites in only five years, Hyundai’s N and N Line performance models are now accounting for a quarter of all new Hyundai’s sold in Australia.
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Hyundai prices new Palisade
By James Cleary · 27 Jul 2022
Hyundai has confirmed pricing and specification for its updated Palisade, the company's SUV flagship boasting refreshed exterior and interior design, new tech, and improved safety, with the previous entry-grade model deleted and prices now starting from $65,900 before on-road costs.
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Toyota's 86 hits double figures! A decade in-market for Subaru BRZ twin and Mazda MX-5 competitor marked with ultra-exclusive GR86 10th Anniversary Edition
By James Cleary · 25 Jul 2022
On arrival in 2012, Toyota's 86 brought traditional sports car performance to the masses, with a sleek '2+2' coupe design, a rear-wheel drive layout, and an affordable price.
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Mercedes-Benz an Aussie Top 10 seller, again!
By James Cleary · 06 Jul 2022
Mercedes-Benz is back as a Top 10 selling brand in the Australian new vehicle market, the three-pointed star finishing eighth in the June sales race, and now threatening the likes of Subaru and Nissan on the year-to-date (YTD) leader board.
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Will Mercedes-AMG be with us in 10 years?
By James Cleary · 25 Jun 2022
Let’s play a game of automotive word association. What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when I say, AMG?
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