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John McIlroy

John started in journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. But after a decade covering the antics of Colin McRae and Richard Burns in the World Rally Championship, and a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing cars and breaking news on forthcoming products. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

John joined Auto Express in 2016 and since then he’s been responsible for managing the content within Auto Express, ensuring that sharply written news stories and the right reviews fill its pages and website. He also assists with Carbuyer.co.uk and his self-professed love of technology has helped him to move easily into the realm of electric cars as the industry moves inexorably in that direction.

John says…

“It’s quite alarming to think I’ve been writing about the cars we all buy and drive for nearly two decades now, but in truth, there’s never been a more interesting, exciting time to do it. Car buyers are keen to find clarification on a host of issues as many of them prepare to make the jump to electrified vehicles – be they EV or hybrid – and I’m proud of how the teams work at Auto Express and Carbuyer to reflect not only changes within the industry, but also the evolution of what its customers need to know. I frequently get tapped up by friends and relatives who are after a specific car or want clarification on the nuanced differences between certain finance deals; I always tell them that I’m happy to help, just as I love assisting anyone who reads our websites.”

John's main areas of expertise

  • New-car news and future products
  • Buying advice, including finance deals and leasing
  • Technology, with specific focus on the in-car user experience
  • Electric vehicles

John McIlroy Q&A

Q: What was your first car? 

A: I learned to drive in my mother’s FIAT Uno, and then mistreated a variety of subsequent Unos and Puntos in the back lanes of Northern Ireland. My first car as a journalist was a normally aspirated diesel Peugeot 306 – a fantastic car when I had to venture into the depths of Wales every other weekend to attend rallies. I’ve made a single classic-car purchase over the years: a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. It was a late example in virtually standard condition and while it had its share of niggles, I felt very proud to be its custodian for a few years.

Q: What is your dream car? 

A: The Sunbeam Lotus was the car I’d yearned for since I was a boy, so in a way I’ve already scratched that particular itch. I do have a hankering, though, for some form of Alpina – and since money is no object here, I’ll combine the Buchloe brand’s engineering skills with one of my all-time favourite BMWs, the 8 Series. So I’d love a B12 5.7 coupé, please – V12 power, Alpina’s chassis wizardry, the chunky original 8 Series shape and a manual gearbox. And, ideally, modern reliability.

Q: If you could change one thing about cars, driving or the car industry today what would it be?

A: I wish there were enough traffic police to accurately police the amount of traffic that’s on our roads. Driving standards are about much more than speed cameras.

Social media and e-mail

Volkswagen Golf GTE Performance hybrid prototype review
Volkswagen Golf GTE Performance prototype - front

Volkswagen Golf GTE Performance hybrid prototype review

A tweaked version of the VW Golf GTE is in the pipeline, and we’ve been for a quick drive in an early prototype
Road tests
23 Nov 2017
Volkswagen Golf MHEV hybrid prototype review
Volkswagen Golf MHEV - front

Volkswagen Golf MHEV hybrid prototype review

We get a short drive in two next-generation VW Golf hybrids, which will improve performance and lower emissions
Road tests
23 Nov 2017
Jaguar E-Pace HSE review
Jaguar E-Pace review - front

Jaguar E-Pace HSE review

The F-Pace has been a sales hit for Jaguar, so can the more affordable E-Pace do the same? We find out
Road tests
19 Nov 2017
New Hyundai Kona Premium SE 2017 review

New Hyundai Kona Premium SE 2017 review

First drive in Hyundai's new Kona crossover. Is it worth plucking from the expanding sea of other options?
Road tests
15 Nov 2017
No more Toyota diesels, says boss
Toyota C-HR - front

No more Toyota diesels, says boss

Toyota is unlikely to introduce another new car with a diesel engine, the company’s boss has told Auto Express
News
25 Oct 2017
New SEAT Arona 2017 review
SEAT Arona - front

New SEAT Arona 2017 review

We drive the new SEAT Arona SUV for the first time to see how it compares to the Citroen C3 Aircross and Kia Stonic
Road tests
10 Oct 2017
Hot Skoda Karoq vRS SUV to get electric boost
Skoda Karoq vRS - front (watermarked)

Hot Skoda Karoq vRS SUV to get electric boost

High performance Skoda Karoq vRS to get form of electrification, with either plug-in or mild hybrid set-up
News
29 Sep 2017
New Mercedes E 400 Cabriolet 2017 review
Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet - front

New Mercedes E 400 Cabriolet 2017 review

We try the range-topping petrol version of the luxurious four-seat Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet
Road tests
29 Sep 2017
New Skoda Karoq SUV: full UK pricing and specs revealed
Skoda Karoq - reveal front

New Skoda Karoq SUV: full UK pricing and specs revealed

Skoda's replacement for the Yeti will start from £20,875 when it goes on sale on 3 October
News
20 Sep 2017
New Citroen C3 Aircross 1.6 diesel 2017 review
Citroen C3 Aircross - front

New Citroen C3 Aircross 1.6 diesel 2017 review

The all-new Citroen C3 Aircross has arrived to join a rapidly growing list of small SUVs. We head to Corsica to see if it's a contender...
Road tests
18 Sep 2017
Volkswagen Passat 1.4 TSI 2017 review
Volkswagen Passat - front

Volkswagen Passat 1.4 TSI 2017 review

We try the Volkswagen Passat with the brand’s latest 1.4 TSI petrol engine to see if it’s a worthy diesel alternative
Road tests
25 Aug 2017
New Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in 2017 review
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in - front

New Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in 2017 review

Hyundai's Plug-in version of the Ioniq hatchback provides an affordable route into electrified driving
Road tests
23 Aug 2017
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Mercedes GLA AMG Line 2017 facelift review
Mercedes GLA facelift - front

Mercedes GLA AMG Line 2017 facelift review

We try the facelifted Mercedes GLA SUV in top AMG Line trim. Is it worth the extra money?
Road tests
18 Aug 2017
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster unleashed
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster - front

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster unleashed

The Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster is the latest model in new limited-edition family, with radical Shooting Brake to follow
News
16 Aug 2017
Ford Edge Vignale 2017 review
Ford Edge Vignale - front

Ford Edge Vignale 2017 review

The Edge Vignale is Ford’s most expensive yet. Is there enough luxury to justify the cost?
Road tests
9 Aug 2017
New Honda Clarity FCV 2017 review
Honda Clarity - front

New Honda Clarity FCV 2017 review

The hydrogen-powered Honda Clarity has already wowed us, but is it a hit on British roads?
Road tests
21 Jul 2017
New Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport review
Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport - front

New Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport review

The Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport adds 20bhp to the R-Dynamic trim. But is it worth the extra £6,000?
Road tests
11 Jul 2017
New Jaguar F-Type 4-cylinder ride review
Jaguar F-Type 4-cylinder - front

New Jaguar F-Type 4-cylinder ride review

We get taken for a drive in a prototype version of the brilliant new 4cyl Jaguar F-Type sports car
Road tests
4 Jul 2017
Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo 2017 review
Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo - front

Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo 2017 review

The Volkswagen California now has a rival in the battle for camper van supremacy in the shape of the Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo
Road tests
15 May 2017
Long-term test review: Mercedes GLC SUV
Mercedes GLC long-term fourth report - side

Long-term test review: Mercedes GLC SUV

Final report: It’s time to say farewell to our Mercedes GLC, a car that shows Merc is back doing what it does best
Long-term tests
12 May 2017
In-car adverts could fund free travel, says VW strategist
Johann Jungwirth

In-car adverts could fund free travel, says VW strategist

VW's Johann Jungwirth thinks autonomous cars will allow advertising that could pay for free transport
News
10 May 2017
Electric superminis to cost the same as petrol cars by 2020
Renault ZOE

Electric superminis to cost the same as petrol cars by 2020

Renault’s EV boss says the cost of electric cars such as the ZOE will drop, bringing them in-line with conventionally-powered cars
News
10 May 2017
New 2017 SsangYong Rexton SUV revealed
SsangYong Rexton 2017

New 2017 SsangYong Rexton SUV revealed

SsangYong has launched its new Rexton large SUV at the Seoul Motor Show in Korea; will hit UK dealers in the autumn
News
30 Mar 2017
New Suzuki Swift 2017 review
New Suzuki Swift 2017 - front tracking

New Suzuki Swift 2017 review

A new Suzuki Swift has arrived, but can it rival the class leaders in the supermini sector?
Road tests
20 Mar 2017
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New 2017 Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport: prices and specs
Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Geneva - front static

New 2017 Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport: prices and specs

Vauxhall's Insignia gets plusher interior and a tweaked name ahead of arriving on UK roads this summer
News
15 Mar 2017
Toyota i-TRIL concept car previews future of mobility
Toyota i-Tril concept Geneva - front

Toyota i-TRIL concept car previews future of mobility

Toyota's fully-electric i-TRIL city car concept has been revealed at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show
News
8 Mar 2017
New Range Rover Velar SUV revealed: Geneva debut, specs, prices, pictures and video
Range Rover Velar show - front

New Range Rover Velar SUV revealed: Geneva debut, specs, prices, pictures and video

The new Range Rover Velar has been revealed at Geneva. It takes its place between the Evoque and the Range Rover sport, priced from £44,830
News
7 Mar 2017
Volkswagen I.D. concept 2017 review
Volkswagen I.D. - front

Volkswagen I.D. concept 2017 review

We enjoy a short drive in VW's I.D. concept, which previews the first of a new range of electric vehicles from the brand
Road tests
2 Mar 2017
New SEAT Leon ST Cupra 300 estate 2017 review
SEAT Leon ST Cupra 300 - front

New SEAT Leon ST Cupra 300 estate 2017 review

Muscular four-wheel-drive SEAT Leon ST Cupra 300 estate offers appealing blend of space and pace
Road tests
24 Feb 2017
New 2017 Land Rover Discovery: Prices, specs and release
Land Rover Discovery 2017 - official off road 3

New 2017 Land Rover Discovery: Prices, specs and release

All of the prices, specs and everything else you need to know about the Land Rover Discovery.
News
15 Feb 2017
New SEAT Leon Cupra 300 2017 review
SEAT Leon Cupra 300 2017 - front cornering

New SEAT Leon Cupra 300 2017 review

The SEAT Leon Cupra gets a power boost for 2017 and while it's fast, it's lacking a little sparkle
Road tests
13 Feb 2017
New Volkswagen Golf GTD facelift 2017 review
Volkswagen Golf GTD 2017 facelift - front tracking 2

New Volkswagen Golf GTD facelift 2017 review

The diesel hot hatch might not be long for this world, but the facelifted VW Golf GTD makes an impressive all-rounder
Road tests
10 Feb 2017
New Volkswagen Golf facelift 2017 review
Volkswagen Golf 2017 facelift 1.5 TSI EVO - front cornering

New Volkswagen Golf facelift 2017 review

Volkswagen's facelifted Golf adds an all-new 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine - we've driven it for the first time
Road tests
2 Feb 2017
New 2017 VW Golf: prices and specs announced
New 2017 Volkswagen Golf reveal - front

New 2017 VW Golf: prices and specs announced

New Mk7.5 Volkswagen Golf on the way, with revised engines and significant tech upgrades but its costs less than the old one
News
1 Feb 2017