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

Jaguar XE Prestige 20t 2017 review
By James Cleary · 17 Mar 2017
James Cleary road tests and reviews the Jaguar XE Prestige 20t with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
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Volkswagen Scirocco R Wolfsburg Edition 2017 review
By James Cleary · 10 Mar 2017
James Cleary road tests and reviews the new VW Scirocco R Wolfsburg Edition with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
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No more drive thru for this Big Mac
By James Cleary · 09 Mar 2017
One Sydney McLaren 650S driver will have woken this morning hoping what they recall from the evening prior was only a bad dream.
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Range Rover Evoque SE Dynamic TD4 180 convertible 2017 review
By James Cleary · 03 Mar 2017
James Cleary road tests and reviews the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible SE Dynamic TD4 180 diesel, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
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Subaru Impreza 2.0i-L hatch 2017 review
By James Cleary · 28 Feb 2017
James Cleary road tests and reviews the new Subaru Impreza 2.0i-L hatch with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
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Audi SQ7 2017 review
By James Cleary · 17 Feb 2017
James Cleary road tests and reviews the new Audi SQ7 performance SUV with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.
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Aussie cops could score BMWs
By James Cleary · 13 Feb 2017
BMW is ready to put its best foot forward
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Ferrari 488 Spider 2017 review
By James Cleary · 10 Feb 2017
James Cleary road tests and reviews the new Ferrari 488 Spider with specs, fuel consumption and verdict. It’s almost inevitable. Tell someone you’re a motoring journo and the first question will be, ‘So, what’s the best car you’ve ever driven?’  Without getting into an esoteric analysis of what the word
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Kia Carnival Si diesel 2017 review
By James Cleary · 02 Feb 2017
James Cleary road tests and reviews the Kia Carnival Si diesel with specs, fuel consumption and verdict. When we started having kids I told my wife that the day I suggested we buy a people mover should be the day she starts secretly slipping cyanide into my Corn Flakes, because nothing screams 'I've lost the rock'
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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS 7 seat 2017 review
By James Cleary · 17 Jan 2017
James Cleary brings the family into play for a suburban pressure test of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS, now with seven seats standard.
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