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

Kia Rio S manual 2017 review
By James Cleary · 24 May 2017
Kia's entry-level Rio S boasts upgraded multimedia and enhanced safety tech, not to mention improved dynamics and more space. Sounds good, but is it enough to get a jump on the light car big guns?
Read the article
Volkswagen Amarok Core manual 2017 review
By James Cleary · 17 May 2017
The Amarok may not be the newest ute around, but does the updated Core have what it takes to topple the big players?
Read the article
Death Metal - Famous fatalities on four wheels
By James Cleary · 17 May 2017
If you thought Death Metal was the sole preserve of thought-provoking bands like Slayer, Immolation, and the ever-popular Cannibal Corpse, think again.
Read the article
McLaren 540C 2017 review
By James Cleary · 11 May 2017
Believe it or not, the McLaren 540C is an entry-level model. But you won't find anything remotely resembling rubber floor mats, steel wheels, or cloth seats here. This is a 'base' car like few others.
Read the article
Audi S4 sedan 2017 review
By James Cleary · 05 May 2017
A huge fan of creating bigger bangs by pushing additional air and fuel into an engine's cylinders, Audi has changed its technique for the savage S4 performance sedan.
Read the article
Range Rover Evoque 2017 review
By James Cleary · 01 May 2017
Every now and then an automotive design team gets one past the keeper. And that's exactly the feat Land Rover's design director, Gerry McGovern managed to pull off with the Range Rover Evoque.
Read the article
Is Kia's Stinger hitting the Supercars grid?
By James Cleary · 11 Apr 2017
Kia Australia has dropped the heaviest hint yet that it's on the cusp of committing to the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship
Read the article
Suzuki Baleno GLX Turbo 2017 review
By James Cleary · 07 Apr 2017
In a round of word association, it's a fair bet your response to 'Suzuki' will be motorcycles. A massive force on two wheels, the brand of course also produces cars, in plants around the world.
Read the article
Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI Highline 2017 review
By James Cleary · 31 Mar 2017
True professional wrestling fans (of course it’s real!) will understand how Volkswagen's Tiguan feels as it takes on the big names in one of the most hotly contested parts of the new car market.
Read the article
Mazda MX-5 RF GT special edition 2017 review
By James Cleary · 24 Mar 2017
The Mythbusters tested the claim that if you’re driving a convertible in the rain, with the top down, at high speed, you’ll remain dry. We've failed to confirm it in Mazda's MX-5 GT RF special
Read the article