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

BMW 4 Series 2022 review: M440i xDrive Gran Coupe
By James Cleary · 22 Jan 2022
BMW is fine-tuning its four-door, five-seat liftback 'Gran Coupe' concept, and the flagship of the new 4 Series version is the M440i xDrive. It's a sleek, powerful and luxurious package ready to take on Audi's S5 Sportback and Merc-AMG's C 43 sedan.
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Porsche 911 2022 review: GT3 track test
By James Cleary · 07 Dec 2021
The Macan, and Taycan may be Porsche's big money spinners, but the 911 owns the heart of the brand. And the 911 GT3 is a pure expression of its dynamic potential. Where better to experience the abilities of the new, seventh-generation version than a track test at Sydney Motorsport Park.
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Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2021 review: GSR
By James Cleary · 03 Dec 2021
Mitsubishi’s Outlander is an unassuming, family-friendly, five- or seven-seat SUV. But ‘Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle’ (PHEV) versions add sophisticated fuel-saving tech to the mix. And this new, feature-packed, GSR grade is designed to keep interest bubbling until an all-new model arrives next year.
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Hyundai Kona N 2022 review
By James Cleary · 03 Dec 2021
If you need the family flexibility of a small SUV, but want a performance personality lurking just below the surface, the new Kona N may be the car for you. Light and fast with an aggressive look and dynamics to match, it's the latest addition to Hyundai's rapidly expanding N performance line-up.
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Hyundai i20 N 2022 review
By James Cleary · 19 Nov 2021
The affordable hot hatch war has another combatant in the shape of Hyundai's new rally-inspired i20 N. Look out Ford Fiesta ST and VW Polo GTI.
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Hyundai Tucson 2022 review: diesel
By James Cleary · 12 Nov 2021
There's a lot of chat about the growing electric car wave, but turbo-diesel power remains a popular option in the mid-size SUV market. Is Hyundai's Tucson the pick of the bunch?
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Lexus ES250 and ES300h 2022 review
By James Cleary · 29 Oct 2021
Despite the automotive world's on-going obsession with SUVs, Lexus remains committed to the luxury sedan, and its medium-size ES has been updated with new tech and selected design tweaks. What does it offer that the usual prestige suspects don't?
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Subaru Outback 2022 review: Touring
By James Cleary · 20 Oct 2021
Subaru's Outback has been an Aussie family favourite for decades, and the current sixth-generation model has plenty of tech, safety, and practicality, with the bonus of pretty handy off-highway ability. Do you really need that big, high-riding SUV?
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Large luxury seven-seater SUV review - We compare the Audi Q7 and BMW X7
By James Cleary · 28 Sep 2021
Increasing the size of your family means scaling up the vehicle it travels in. And if you're in the market for a premium seven-seat SUV we've lined up two of Germany's best for a no holds barred, head-to-head comparison.
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Zen and the art of safer driving
By James Cleary · 11 Sep 2021
I recently descended a deep YouTube rabbit hole. This time (not for the first time), the subject was dash cam videos. And what a stark reminder of the need to expect the unexpected they are.
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