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

Lexus UX 2019 review: UX200 F Sport
By James Cleary · 01 Nov 2019
Like all the major premium auto players Lexus is extending its range downwards to entice younger buyers into the brand. The UX 200 F Sport is a compact SUV with sporting pretensions, pitched at just over $50K. Can it snag a decent piece of this emerging new luxury market?
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Volvo V90 Cross Country 2020 review
By James Cleary · 28 Oct 2019
Volvo's lasting love affair with wagons continues in the shape of the V90 Cross Country, a premium all-wheel drive five-seater that may get you thinking about an SUV alternative.
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Mercedes-Benz CLA 2020 review: CLA 200
By James Cleary · 04 Oct 2019
You might want to split hairs over whether Mercedes-Benz's second-generation CLA is actually a 'coupe', but this compact four-door beauty is undoubtedly a car design masterclass.
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Mazda MX-5 2020 review: 30th Anniversary Edition
By James Cleary · 13 Sep 2019
Three decades ago Mazda's MX-5 brought an affordable two-seat roadster back into the mainstream. This bright orange, limited-edition beastie has been created to celebrate its 30th birthday.
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Toyota Supra 2020 review: GT snapshot
By James Cleary · 05 Sep 2019
After a long absence the Toyota Supra is back in fifth generation (A90) form.
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Toyota Supra 2020 review: GTS snapshot
By James Cleary · 05 Sep 2019
After a long absence the Toyota Supra is back in fifth generation (A90) form.
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Toyota Supra 2020 review
By James Cleary · 05 Sep 2019
It's been a long wait, but thanks to a joint model development program with BMW, Toyota has landed a new, fifth-generation version of the Supra sports coupe in Australia. It's bold, fast, and delivers mega bang for your bucks.
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Toyota stays positive in tough car market
By James Cleary · 03 Sep 2019
Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley has told CarsGuide that despite the current decline in local new car sales, the mood inside the company and its dealer network "is one of great optimism".
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Could Toyota be cooking up another Celica?
By James Cleary · 03 Sep 2019
Tetsuya Tada, has confirmed he is evaluating a new generation Celica or MR2 as possible next projects.
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Warranty announced for Supra
By James Cleary · 03 Sep 2019
Toyota Australia has confirmed it is supporting the new Supra performance coupe with a five year/unlimited kilometre warranty, extending to seven years with the brand’s ‘Service Advantage’ program that requires owners to carry out full log-book servicing for the first five years of ownership.
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