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

Toyota GR Yaris 2021 review
By James Cleary · 03 Dec 2020
It's been a couple of decades since Toyota last puled the AWD turbo performance car lever, but the new GR Yaris has brought that winning formula back with a vengeance.
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Rolls-Royce Ghost 2021 review
By James Cleary · 26 Nov 2020
If you're looking for the most affordable way into a new Roll-Royce, the next-generation Ghost has arrived, whether one wishes to drive, or be driven.
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Toyota Gazoo Racing Club is here for the fans
By James Cleary · 26 Nov 2020
Toyota Australia has announced a new initiative, the Gazoo Racing Club, designed to build an enthusiast community around its GR performance brand.
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Toyota Yaris GR: 'Next batch at full price'
By James Cleary · 26 Nov 2020
Toyota Australia has confirmed the next allocation of its all-wheel-drive GR Yaris baby hot hatch will be offered at "full retail price", after the first two batches released in 2020 were heavily discounted.
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Toyota Kluger 2021 review: GX
By James Cleary · 02 Nov 2020
An all-new Kluger is coming soon, but the current version of this seven-seat Toyota SUV remains a firm favourite with Aussie families. Should you be ducking in for a cheeky run-out deal?
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BMW 8 Series 2020 review: M850i Gran Coupe long-term
By James Cleary · 10 Sep 2020
One of BMW's fastest four-doors is actually a coupe. You may not agree with the nomenclature, but its had to argue with the idea of spending three months with an M850i Gran Coupe in the garage.
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Aston Martin DBS Superleggera 2020 review
By James Cleary · 23 Jul 2020
Aston Martin operates in the rarefied air of properly premium GTs, but its DBS Superleggera flagship is special even by the famous British maker's sky-high standards.
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Lexus LS 2020 review: 500 F Sport
By James Cleary · 05 Jul 2020
Big, bold, and produced with ultimate precision, the Lexus LS sedan has always stood out from the upper-luxury crowd. Put an F Sport performance spin on it and you have the LS 500 F Sport. Is it weird, wonderful or somewhere in between.
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Jaguar E-Pace 2020 review: Chequered Flag P250
By James Cleary · 02 Jul 2020
Jaguar's E-Pace is a compact, five-seat premium SUV, going in to bat against some tough Euro and Japanese opposition. It's well equipped and super space-efficient, but does it have what it takes to head the pack?
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Lexus UX 2020 review: 200 F Sport
By James Cleary · 11 Jun 2020
The entry-point to the Australian Lexus line-up is the compact, five-seat, UX SUV, and the 200 F Sport version proved a handy urban partner as COVID restrictions kept us close to home.
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