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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

Citroen C3 review
Citroen e-C3 - front

Citroen C3 review

A clever rethink of the small, affordable car theme, the C3 and its all-electric e-C3 twin have the potential to really shake up the market
In-depth reviews
22 May 2024
New MINI Cooper S 2024 review: desirable and full of charm
New 2024 MINI Cooper S - front tracking

New MINI Cooper S 2024 review: desirable and full of charm

The new MINI Cooper S has excellent build quality and is brilliant to drive, even with its impracticalities.
Road tests
21 May 2024
MINI Cooper review
MINI Cooper SE - front

MINI Cooper review

The MINI Cooper is a high-tech electric hatch that maintains a premium feel while also being fun to drive
In-depth reviews
7 May 2024
New Fangchengbao 5 review: BYD's answer to the Land Rover Defender
FangChengBao 5 - front

New Fangchengbao 5 review: BYD's answer to the Land Rover Defender

Another intriguing model from the burgeoning BYD stable, the Fangchengbao looks to take on the Land Rover Defender
Road tests
29 Apr 2024
New BYD Seal 5 DM-i 2024 review: plug-in hybrid saloon is understated but also underwhelming
BYD Seal 5 DM-i - front

New BYD Seal 5 DM-i 2024 review: plug-in hybrid saloon is understated but also underwhelming

The plug-in hybrid BYD Seal 5 DM-i could come to the UK next year, but first impressions are a bit of a mixed bag
Road tests
29 Apr 2024
New GWM Ora 03 PRO+ 2024 review: updates fail to hide its flaws
GWM Ora 03 PRO+ - front

New GWM Ora 03 PRO+ 2024 review: updates fail to hide its flaws

The refreshed GWM Ora 03 EV claims more range and revamped tech
Road tests
19 Apr 2024
Alfa Romeo plots new supercar successor to the 33 Stradale, with a little help from its owners
Alfa Romeo Stradale 33 - front static

Alfa Romeo plots new supercar successor to the 33 Stradale, with a little help from its owners

Alfa Romeo is already planning a follow-up to the stunning 33 Stradale supercar, strictly limited to around 100 units.
News
12 Apr 2024
New, all-electric Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio in line for 950bhp performance
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Badge

New, all-electric Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio in line for 950bhp performance

The new Alfa Romeo Stelvio is on the way, it’s electric and the Quadrifoglio version sounds like it’ll be something special.
News
11 Apr 2024
New Rolls-Royce Spectre 2024 review: a peerless EV experience
Rolls-Royce Spectre - front

New Rolls-Royce Spectre 2024 review: a peerless EV experience

The electric Rolls-Royce isn’t completely immune to horrible British road surfaces but it still sets the standard for EV elegance and luxury, just as …
Road tests
25 Mar 2024
Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark leaves the brand to join rivals Aston Martin
Adrian Hallmark Bentley

Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark leaves the brand to join rivals Aston Martin

Adrian Hallmark replaces Amedeo Felisa at Aston Martin and will start the job 'no later than 1 October'
News
22 Mar 2024
New Audi A3 still planned: entry-level EV to give affordability edge over BMW and Mercedes
Audi A3 EV render - front

New Audi A3 still planned: entry-level EV to give affordability edge over BMW and Mercedes

Audi will persevere with its plan for an entry-level electric car to replace the existing Audi A3 at a time when rivals will be exiting that market
News
20 Mar 2024
Bentley Continental GT to get plug-in hybrid V8
Bentley Continental GT

Bentley Continental GT to get plug-in hybrid V8

The next-generation Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur will utilise Porsche hybrid technology
News
19 Mar 2024
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Best cars for £15,000 or less
Best cars for £15,000 - header

Best cars for £15,000 or less

Spending around £15,000 doesn’t get you much in the new car market these days, but it can land you a brilliant used model
Best cars & vans
18 Mar 2024
New Toyota C-HR Plug-in review: fleet-friendly plug-in hybrid
Toyota C-HR Plug-in 2024

New Toyota C-HR Plug-in review: fleet-friendly plug-in hybrid

Toyota’s C-HR gets a plug to boost efficiency and lower costs but it’s a better company car than it is a private one.  
Road tests
12 Mar 2024
New Mercedes EQA 2024 facelift review: upgrades fail to hide its flaws
Mercedes EQA - front

New Mercedes EQA 2024 facelift review: upgrades fail to hide its flaws

The Mercedes EQA has been tweaked for 2024, but it remains far from the top of the electric SUV class
Road tests
11 Mar 2024
New KGM Torres EVX review - no nonsense EV SUV goes large on space and range
KGM Torres EVX

New KGM Torres EVX review - no nonsense EV SUV goes large on space and range

The electric version of KGM’s Torres SUV has impressive family-friendly qualities but it lacks some sophistication at this price.
Road tests
8 Mar 2024
New MG2 will beat Volkswagen to the baby electric car market
MG2 - front (watermarked)

New MG2 will beat Volkswagen to the baby electric car market

The MG2 will rival Citroen e-C3 and new Fiat Panda, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
7 Mar 2024
New KGM Torres 2024 review: big SUV says so long SsangYong
KGM Torres - front cornering

New KGM Torres 2024 review: big SUV says so long SsangYong

The Torres is the vehicle chosen to usher in the new KGM brand on the UK market and despite some clear flaws, the petrol model shows encouraging signs…
Road tests
6 Mar 2024
New Toyota Yaris GR Sport hybrid 2024 review: useful power upgrade comes at a cost
Toyota Yaris GR Sport hybrid - front

New Toyota Yaris GR Sport hybrid 2024 review: useful power upgrade comes at a cost

Toyota has enhanced the Yaris supermini with more tech and a more powerful hybrid offered only with the top trim levels…
Road tests
6 Mar 2024
Fiat 600e review
Fiat 600e UK - front

Fiat 600e review

The Fiat 600e looks the part, has a comfortable ride, and provides plenty of equipment for a reasonable price
In-depth reviews
6 Mar 2024
New MINI Countryman SE 2024 review: a spacious and refined electric SUV
MINI Countryman SE - front

New MINI Countryman SE 2024 review: a spacious and refined electric SUV

The new all-electric MINI Countryman SE isn’t cheap, but is the brand’s most convincing SUV in the modern era
Road tests
5 Mar 2024
“The new Renault 5 oozes cool and desirability”
Opinion - Renault 5

“The new Renault 5 oozes cool and desirability”

Editor-at-large John McIlroy thinks the Geneva launches of the Renault 5 and MG3 show that the death of the small car has been greatly exaggerated
Opinion
1 Mar 2024
Aston Martin says its Lagonda brand is definitely dead
Lagonda Vision concept

Aston Martin says its Lagonda brand is definitely dead

Lagonda has no part in Aston Martin’s plan for electrification, which involves four electric cars being launched from 2026
News
28 Feb 2024
New BMW iX2 2024 review: struggles against iX1 on everything but looks
BMW iX2 - front

New BMW iX2 2024 review: struggles against iX1 on everything but looks

The new BMW iX2 electric SUV has styling on its side, but is less appealing than the impressive iX1
Road tests
27 Feb 2024
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New BMW X2 2024 review: hot M35i version is fast, but hard to recommend
New BMW X2 M35i - front

New BMW X2 2024 review: hot M35i version is fast, but hard to recommend

The hot BMW X2 M35i is certainly quick, but it’s expensive and lacks involvement
Road tests
27 Feb 2024
New Renault 4 will go 4x4 to get ahead in the baby EV SUV class
Renault 4EVER concept car in 1962 4L paint - front 3/4 static

New Renault 4 will go 4x4 to get ahead in the baby EV SUV class

The forthcoming Renault 4 is likely to offer a four-wheel-drive option, helping it to stand out in the market for baby all-electric SUVs
News
27 Feb 2024
Dacia heads for VW Golf and Ford Focus territory with new C-Neo that’s definitely ‘not an SUV’
Dacia badge

Dacia heads for VW Golf and Ford Focus territory with new C-Neo that’s definitely ‘not an SUV’

As big names vacate the traditional C-segment, Dacia sees an opportunity for its new petrol family car
News
27 Feb 2024
New Renault 5 could have a 15-year lifecycle with upgrades every year
Renault 5 - front

New Renault 5 could have a 15-year lifecycle with upgrades every year

Renault is planning a long lifecycle for the Renault 5 with hardware and software improvements introduced on an annual basis
News
27 Feb 2024
New 2024 Renault 5 arrives! Retro EV city car sets class standard with 249-mile range
Renault 5 Geneva - front

New 2024 Renault 5 arrives! Retro EV city car sets class standard with 249-mile range

The reborn Renault 5 arrives to take on the MINI Cooper and Fiat 500 as the battle for all-electric city car supremacy heats up
News
26 Feb 2024
New Dacia C-Neo hatchback has the Volkswagen Golf in its crosshairs
Dacia C-Neo exclusive image - front

New Dacia C-Neo hatchback has the Volkswagen Golf in its crosshairs

The Dacia C-Neo is set to trump many hatchback rivals when it comes to space, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
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16 Feb 2024
It’s not all EV at Volvo: XC90, XC60, S90 and other hybrids in line for updates
Volvo badge

It’s not all EV at Volvo: XC90, XC60, S90 and other hybrids in line for updates

Volvo is going big on electric cars but it will not neglect its existing range of ICE hybrid models in the coming years with a major updating programm…
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1 Feb 2024
New Toyota GR Yaris WRC special editions bring drive modes set by star rally drivers
Toyota GR Yaris Rovanpera Edition - front

New Toyota GR Yaris WRC special editions bring drive modes set by star rally drivers

Toyota is celebrating its WRC success with a pair of very special editions of the GR Yaris configured by Sebastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanpera
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25 Jan 2024
New Renault Symbioz SUV to sit between Captur and Austral
Renault Grand Captur - watermarked

New Renault Symbioz SUV to sit between Captur and Austral

The new Renault Symbioz SUV is set to rival the Nissan Qashqai and our exclusive image previews how it could look
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11 Jan 2024
New Abarth 500e Convertible 2024 review: guaranteed to put a smile on your face
Abarth 500e Convertible - front

New Abarth 500e Convertible 2024 review: guaranteed to put a smile on your face

It's expensive, but the Abarth 500e Convertible provides plenty of open-top electric thrills
Road tests
4 Jan 2024