Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary

Deputy Editor

As a small boy James often sat on a lounge with three shoes in front of him, a ruler between the cushions, and a circular drinks tray in his hands. He would then play ‘drivings’, happily heading to destinations unknown for hours on end. He’s since owned many cars, raced a few, and driven (literally) thousands of them at all points of the globe.

He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas.

His time in motoring journalism has included stints at national and international titles including Motor, Wheels and TopGear, and when asked to nominate a career highlight, James says interviewing industry legend Gordon Murray, in the paddock at the 1989 Australian Formula One Grand Prix was amazing, especially as Murray waived away a hovering Ayrton Senna to complete the conversation.

As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content while creating written and video product reviews.

He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas.

As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content while creating written and video product reviews.

Popular Chinese SUV moves upmarket: 2025 MG ZS petrol pricing confirmed as new model jumps Chery Tiggo 4 to chase down GWM Haval Jolion, Mazda CX-30, Mitsubishi ASX, Subaru Crosstrek & Toyota Corolla Cross

23 January 2025 by James Cleary

Land Rover Defender EV likely in next generation: Electric 4WD off-roader to take on Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV - reports

22 January 2025 by James Cleary

Reports out of the UK this week point to development of a pure-electric...Read more

XPeng G7 caught in the wild: Undisguised mid-size electric SUV ready to fight Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6... and it's coming here!

22 January 2025 by James Cleary

We already know the upcoming XPeng G7 pure-electric SUV is on track for...Read more

2026 Mitsubishi Pajero lining up plug-in hybrid power for a fifth-generation return bout with Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series: Reports

15 January 2025 by James Cleary

We already know the rumoured all-new fifth-generation Mitsubishi Pajero...Read more

Ram CEO wants Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux rival 'so bad': Is Ram going to launch mid-size Dakota ute in 2025 to challenge popular Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton? Reports

14 January 2025 by James Cleary

There’s nothing like the floor of a motor show for catching senior...Read more

BYD price blitz continues! BYD Seal electric car prices trimmed nearly $3800 to give Tesla Model 3 a haircut with revised Sealion 6 hybrid taking aim at GWM Haval H6, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Niro and Toyota RAV4

13 January 2025 by James Cleary

With so many new brands and models entering what appears to be a...Read more

Have we hit peak ute? Despite Ford Ranger 2024 sales leadership, have dual cabs including the once mighty Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Mitsubishi Triton hit the popularity wall?

12 January 2025 by James Cleary

In recent years the pointy end of the Australian new vehicle sales race...Read more

Are we looking at the new Toyota MR2? Toyota trots out bonkers mid-engine 2.0-litre turbo GR Yaris monster at Auto Salon potentially hinting at iconic sports car's imminent revival

10 January 2025 by James Cleary

Toyota has pulled out all the stops at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon,...Read more

Look out Tesla Model Y, Deepal S05, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the Xpeng G7 AI-driven super crossover has you in its sights and the new mid-size electric SUV is coming to Australia!

9 January 2025 by James Cleary

The recent arrival of independent, pure-electric Chinese carmaker Xpeng...Read more

Could this be Australia's new cheapest hybrid car? 2025 Chery Tiggo 4 HEV coming for MG3 Hybrid+ while Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 PHEVs have sights set on Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Santa Fe

7 January 2025 by James Cleary

Having expanded its line-up from one model to four, on the way to huge...Read more

James Cleary's Top 5 cars of 2024: From Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray to Volvo EX30

30 December 2024 by James Cleary

It’s a year that will likely go down as an historical turning point for...Read more

The cars that hit the hardest in 2024: CarsGuide's Top 10 most popular reviews of the year

28 December 2024 by James Cleary

One of CarsGuide ’s primary drivers is keeping in-market buyers informed on the performance of recent arrivals in the Australian new vehicle market. To that end we go ‘beyond the test drive’ by thoroughly exploring a new model’s pluses and minuses at its local launch, subsequently spending at least...Read more

The best new cars in 2024! From family hatchbacks to superbly-executed 4WDs and groundbreaking EVs, these are CarsGuide's Top 10 rated cars of the year

24 December 2024 by James Cleary

In reviewing a new model, CarsGuide looks at eight key criteria — Price and features (value), Design (form and function), Practicality (space and tech), Under the bonnet (engine/motor and transmission), Efficiency (fuel/energy consumption and range), Driving (impressions behind the wheel), Safety (...Read more

10 best car names of all time: From Aston Martin to Rolls-Royce, this is the definitive list | Opinion

22 December 2024 by James Cleary

Growing up, my parents went through a phase of buying well-used P4...Read more

Badge of honour. Here are the the Top 10 best car name badges of all time | Opinion

20 December 2024 by James Cleary

What’s a car without a name? It’s an object that may function superbly...Read more

Nice one, Champ! Cut-price seven-seat Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X rival and Toyota Fortuner alternative has the most Aussie car name ever: Meet the HiLux Champ Rangga

17 December 2024 by James Cleary

Forget the Kia Tasman or Subaru Outback, and nice try Renault Kangoo....Read more

You might know the Chery Omoda 5, GWM Haval H6 and MG ZS but what about the Arcfox Alpha S5, Li Mega and Stelato S9? Here's our list of the Top 5 Chinese domestic market models you've never heard of

12 December 2024 by James Cleary

Eighteen months ago we dived into the Chinese car manufacturing...Read more

Japan's fight back against China: Honda prepares for new solid-state battery tech battle, with Nissan and Toyota already on the path to volume production as MG, Chery and GWM lead the race

4 December 2024 by James Cleary

Honda has unveiled a demonstration production line for solid-state...Read more

Why your next new car could be cheaper, safer and cleaner! Rethink on ADRs could open the door to kei cars such as Mitsubishi eK X EV and fast track EVs such as the Nissan Ariya

3 December 2024 by James Cleary

The Australian Government has launched an independent review of its...Read more

Volkswagen Amarok 2025 review: 10 Deserts Edition - Off-road test

28 November 2024 by James Cleary

I couldn’t say I’m familiar with Australia’s inland deserts. I thought there were two or three - the Simpson, Gibson, maybe the Great Sandy. But did you know there are 10? And Volkswagen knows each intimately thanks to a recent Guinness world record verified crossing of them all… in one go. It took...Read more

Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary

Deputy Editor

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