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, as well as the weekly 'Tools in the Shed' podcast.'

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, as well as the weekly 'Tools in the Shed' podcast.'

Wild Toyota LandCruiser Prado based ROX concept is an open-air SEMA concept headed for the beach after Las Vegas debut alongside one-off two-door 4Runner TRD Surf

1 hour by James Cleary

The affordable Japanese BYD Atto 3 alternative you've been waiting for? 2025 Suzuki eVX electric small SUV headed to production to take the fight to the Kia EV3 and MG ZS EV

22 hours by James Cleary

Suzuki and Toyota have confirmed further collaboration on the...Read more

How safe is that used car you're about to buy? Monash Accident Research Centre has crunched the numbers and compiled a list of the safest used cars on the market including the Toyota Corolla, Mazda CX-5, Subaru XV and Volkswagen Touareg

30 October 2024 by James Cleary

As Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and independent assessments drive...Read more

Iconic American brand puts target on BMW i4 M50, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Tesla Model Y Performance: Hi-po 2026 Cadillac Lyriq V confirmed for Australian release

29 October 2024 by James Cleary

Cadillac has confirmed its high-performance V badge will be applied to...Read more

Latest Tesla Roadster delay is like deja vu all over again. And Elon's pitch to long-suffering deposit holders is a doozy!

25 October 2024 by James Cleary

Seven years after the automotive world was knocked on its heels by the...Read more

'Close to zero' possibility Mazda EZ-6 will go to Japan but does that mean an Audi A5, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class crushing straight-six sedan and wagon is back on the cards? Report

24 October 2024 by James Cleary

Unveiled at this year’s Auto China motor show in Beijing, the Mazda EZ-...Read more

Mazda CX-30 2025 review: GT SP FWD

24 October 2024 by James Cleary

If you’re in the market for a city- and family-friendly compact SUV, you’re in luck. The small SUV segment is one of the most heavily populated and hotly contested in the Aussie new-car market and the Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP FWD is pitched against a seething pack of at least 10 similarly sized,...Read more

Have Toyota and Hyundai crossed the streams? Joint Hyundai N and Toyota GR festival in Korea a possible pointer to collaboration on hydrogen performance models

24 October 2024 by James Cleary

This weekend, Everland Speedway, around 30km south-east of Seoul, South...Read more

BYD's answer to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol, the Yangwang U8 full-size hybrid SUV, caught in right-hand drive hinting at an Aussie market assault

23 October 2024 by James Cleary

We know it’s in line for local launch “by the end of 2025” but there’s...Read more

Now there's too much stock? Stellantis throttles back production of internal-combustion models like Alfa Romeo Tonale and Jeep Wrangler to side-step EU emissions penalties and reduce big US inventory backlog

23 October 2024 by James Cleary

In the face of ever-tightening vehicle emission performance standards...Read more

GM President sets new internal speed record! 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is a twin-turbo monster capable of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche troubling top speeds

23 October 2024 by James Cleary

It’s the answer to the question muscle and sports car enthusiasts have...Read more

Enhanced electric car locked-in for Australia: 2025 Ford Mach-E coming to ratchet up the pressure on Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y

22 October 2024 by James Cleary

It may have arrived here in the second half of 2023 but Ford’s Mach-E...Read more

2025 Deepal S05 five-seat SUV electric car priced to drop the hammer on BYD Atto 3, Leapmotor B10 and Smart #3

21 October 2024 by James Cleary

Following its global debut less than two months ago at the Chengdu...Read more

Ram 1500 recall woes continue with software glitch identified in close to 6000 local examples of Australia's top-selling full-size dual cab ute

18 October 2024 by James Cleary

It was only last month that Ram in the US announced a recall program...Read more

GWM puts Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X on notice with Tank 300 Diesel ready to exit the new product pipeline

18 October 2024 by James Cleary

Reports out of China overnight have confirmed GWM’s long-awaited diesel...Read more

Hyundai gets tough with the Inster Cross electric car, adding off-road style to the compact EV SUV coming for the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and MG MG4

16 October 2024 by James Cleary

Hyundai Australia has confirmed the just-revealed high-riding Inster...Read more

Wraps come off Chinese Toyota LandCruiser 300, Nissan Patrol and Hyundai Palisade rival but is the full-size, three-row Denza N9 - now confirmed in right-hand drive - headed for Australia?

11 October 2024 by James Cleary

BYD’s luxury performance subsidiary Denza is spreading its reach even...Read more

Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary

Deputy Editor

Wild Toyota LandCruiser Prado based ROX concept is an open-air SEMA concept headed for the beach after Las Vegas debut alongside one-off two-door 4Runner TRD Surf

The affordable Japanese BYD Atto 3 alternative you've been waiting for? 2025 Suzuki eVX electric small SUV headed to production to take the fight to the Kia EV3 and MG ZS EV

How safe is that used car you're about to buy? Monash Accident Research Centre has crunched the numbers and compiled a list of the safest used cars on the market including the Toyota Corolla, Mazda CX-5, Subaru XV and Volkswagen Touareg

Iconic American brand puts target on BMW i4 M50, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Tesla Model Y Performance: Hi-po 2026 Cadillac Lyriq V confirmed for Australian release

Latest Tesla Roadster delay is like deja vu all over again. And Elon's pitch to long-suffering deposit holders is a doozy!

'Close to zero' possibility Mazda EZ-6 will go to Japan but does that mean an Audi A5, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class crushing straight-six sedan and wagon is back on the cards? Report

Mazda CX-30 2025 review: GT SP FWD

Have Toyota and Hyundai crossed the streams? Joint Hyundai N and Toyota GR festival in Korea a possible pointer to collaboration on hydrogen performance models

BYD's answer to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol, the Yangwang U8 full-size hybrid SUV, caught in right-hand drive hinting at an Aussie market assault

Now there's too much stock? Stellantis throttles back production of internal-combustion models like Alfa Romeo Tonale and Jeep Wrangler to side-step EU emissions penalties and reduce big US inventory backlog

GM President sets new internal speed record! 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is a twin-turbo monster capable of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche troubling top speeds

Enhanced electric car locked-in for Australia: 2025 Ford Mach-E coming to ratchet up the pressure on Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y

2025 Deepal S05 five-seat SUV electric car priced to drop the hammer on BYD Atto 3, Leapmotor B10 and Smart #3

Ram 1500 recall woes continue with software glitch identified in close to 6000 local examples of Australia's top-selling full-size dual cab ute

GWM puts Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X on notice with Tank 300 Diesel ready to exit the new product pipeline

Hyundai gets tough with the Inster Cross electric car, adding off-road style to the compact EV SUV coming for the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and MG MG4

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2025 review: snapshot

Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 2025 review: snapshot

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2025 review: snapshot

Wraps come off Chinese Toyota LandCruiser 300, Nissan Patrol and Hyundai Palisade rival but is the full-size, three-row Denza N9 - now confirmed in right-hand drive - headed for Australia?

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Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary

Deputy Editor

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