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 218i Gran Coupe 2020 review: snapshot
By James Cleary · 13 Mar 2020
The two-model 2 Series Gran Coupe line-up kicks off with the 218i at $47,490, before on-road costs
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BMW 2 Series 2020 review: Gran Coupe
By James Cleary · 13 Mar 2020
Four door coupes are all the rage in the prestige and luxury new car market. They come in all shapes and sizes, and BMW has slotted in another example at the smaller end of the scale. Meet the 2 Series Gran Coupe.
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Land Rover Discovery Sport 2020 review: S P200
By James Cleary · 10 Mar 2020
Land Rover's Discovery Sport offers seven seats in a relatively compact premium SUV package. It looks cool, drives well, and can fulfill your off road adventure dreams. But does a just over $60K price tag for the entry-level S P200 version add up?
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BMW X6 2020 review: M50i
By James Cleary · 25 Feb 2020
BMW's X6 tapers the German maker's five-seat SUV formula into a couple style body, and the M50i powerhouse is the current range flagship. Question is, does it's menacing form, compromise practical function?
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Kia Sorento 2020 review: Black Edition
By James Cleary · 14 Feb 2020
When a popular model is about to be superceded a special edition is often brought into play to keep sales ticking over until the newcomer hits the showroom. The Kia Sorento Black edition is just such a machine, a value-add version of the big, seven-seat SUV offering set to be replaced before the end of 2020.
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Audi Q5 2020 review: 45 TFSI Sport
By James Cleary · 06 Feb 2020
The five-seat Q5 SUV is a cornerstone of Audi's current Australian line-up, and the 45 TFSI is near the top of the range. It faces stiff competition from BMW, Merc, and others, but has the performance, equipment, and safety to mix it with the best. Is this your next family favourite?
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Mercedes-Benz GLS 2020 review
By James Cleary · 30 Jan 2020
The Mercedes-Benz GLS is a full-size, seven-seat, luxury SUV, and the new third-generation version is even bigger. But is it better?
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Porsche Macan 2020 review: Turbo snapshot
By James Cleary · 30 Jan 2020
Porsche and Turbo; two words that go together so well. And this combination sits at the top of the German maker's mid-size Macan SUV line-up.
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Hyundai Ioniq 2020 review: Electric Premium
By James Cleary · 15 Jan 2020
Hyundai's Ioniq Electric Premium brings zero tailpipe emissions closer to the mass market with a practical five-door hatch body and a price that's steep but cheap for a full EV.
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What to expect from Porsche's electric Taycan
By James Cleary · 02 Jan 2020
Porsche has boldly stepped into the brave new world of EVs with the stunning Taycan. It's due here in late 2020, and CarsGuide has compiled a pre-release 'What we know so far' summary.
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