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

New Nissan Qashqai to get radical look and all-electric power
Nissan Qashqai exclusive image - front
News

New Nissan Qashqai to get radical look and all-electric power

Major investment in Nissan’s Sunderland plant underpins the new fourth-generation Qashqai
8 Dec 2023
New Omoda 5 to take on the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson when it arrives in early 2024
Omoda 5 - front
News

New Omoda 5 to take on the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson when it arrives in early 2024

The new Omoda 5 SUV will only be available with an all-electric powertrain when it hits the UK next spring, but a hybrid option is expected later
8 Dec 2023
BYD Atto 3 Design long-term test: a great first effort
Duplicates of Auto Express editor-at-large John McIlroy standing next to the BYD Atto 3
Long-term tests

BYD Atto 3 Design long-term test: a great first effort

Final report: a big thumbs-up for BYD after living with it for six months
4 Dec 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023
Big price cuts on all-electric Renault Megane E-Tech
Renault Megane E-Tech - front static
News

Big price cuts on all-electric Renault Megane E-Tech

Renault follows up the launch of the new, and impressively affordable, Scenic with major price drops on the smaller Megane
30 Nov 2023
New Renault Scenic 2023 review: the famous nameplate returns in style
Renault Scenic - front
Road tests

New Renault Scenic 2023 review: the famous nameplate returns in style

We get behind the wheel of new all-electric Renault Scenic to see what all the fuss is about
27 Nov 2023
‘The end is nigh for petrol-powered Hyundai N cars’
Opinion - Hyundai i20 N
Opinion

‘The end is nigh for petrol-powered Hyundai N cars’

John McIlroy thinks it’s hard to see another combustion-engined N car rolling off the production line at Hyundai
23 Nov 2023

Anniversary Offer - Read today's car news at the 1988 price!

Try 6 issues of Auto Express for a tiny 40p + FREE gift
Porsche Cayenne review
Porsche Cayenne facelift - front
In-depth reviews

Porsche Cayenne review

Sports car performance and full-size SUV practicality meet in the physics-defying Porsche Cayenne
20 Nov 2023
New Peugeot E-208 2023 facelift review: boosted range and a funky new face
Peugeot e-208 - front tracking
Road tests

New Peugeot E-208 2023 facelift review: boosted range and a funky new face

The e-208's new looks are attractive, but its high price dampens the appeal
16 Nov 2023
New Peugeot E-308 SW estate review: EV wagon with real polish and few rivals
Peugeot E-308 SW - front tracking
Road tests

New Peugeot E-308 SW estate review: EV wagon with real polish and few rivals

Peugeot has entered the electric estate car market with the E-308 SW, and made a very good fist of it
16 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: ultra-efficient Toyota Yaris for just £181 per month
Toyota Yaris - front cornering
News

Deal of the Day: ultra-efficient Toyota Yaris for just £181 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 9 November is the Toyota Yaris, offering fuel-saving hybrid tech and a sensible kit list for well under £200 per month
9 Nov 2023
New Audi Q8 2023 facelift review: can it come out of the Porsche Cayenne’s shadow?
Audi Q8 - front
Road tests

New Audi Q8 2023 facelift review: can it come out of the Porsche Cayenne’s shadow?

Updates are only mild, but the Audi Q8 remains a practical and refined SUV
8 Nov 2023
New Audi SQ8 2023 facelift review: fast and expensive
Audi SQ8 - front
Road tests

New Audi SQ8 2023 facelift review: fast and expensive

The Audi SQ8 has been treated to an update, but it remains a rapid and practical SUV
8 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: VW T-Cross is great value at £205 per month
Volkswagen T-Cross Move - front cornering
News

Deal of the Day: VW T-Cross is great value at £205 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 6 November is a lot of VW SUV for just over £200 per month
6 Nov 2023
New Toyota Prius 2023 review: the hybrid superstar now coming to the UK
2023 Toyota Prius PHEV - front tracking
Road tests

New Toyota Prius 2023 review: the hybrid superstar now coming to the UK

Toyota has changed its mind and is now bringing the new Prius to the UK, we find out if this is cause for celebration
6 Nov 2023
How Bentley Mulliner made us a bespoke Bentley for £325,000
Auto Express editor-at-large John McIlroy talking with Bentley Mulliner representative Phillip Dean
Features

How Bentley Mulliner made us a bespoke Bentley for £325,000

We see behind the scenes of Bentley’s Mulliner service, then build a car just how we’d want it
6 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: Funky hybrid Toyota C-HR for less than £280 per month
Toyota C-HR - front action
News

Deal of the Day: Funky hybrid Toyota C-HR for less than £280 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 3 November is the latest Toyota C-HR for £278 a month on lease
3 Nov 2023
Mazda CX-60 PHEV: long-term test review
Auto Express chief sub-editor Andy Pringle standing next to an archery target
Long-term tests

Mazda CX-60 PHEV: long-term test review

Final report: has Mazda hit the bullseye with its first plug-in hybrid?
27 Oct 2023
Citroen C3 Aircross to morph into seven-seat Dacia Jogger rival
Citroen C3 Aircross - front (watermarked)
News

Citroen C3 Aircross to morph into seven-seat Dacia Jogger rival

The next-generation Citroen C3 Aircross will put practicality first, but with a strong focus on value-for-money. Our exclusive images preview how it c…
27 Oct 2023
Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe GT Package review: long on name, big on ability
Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe GT Package - front
Road tests

Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe GT Package review: long on name, big on ability

The most powerful of Porsche’s SUVs promises sports car thrills with room for the dog
23 Oct 2023
Deal of the Day: high-spec Audi A3 S Line saloon for £235 a month
Audi A3 saloon
News

Deal of the Day: high-spec Audi A3 S Line saloon for £235 a month

This keenly priced lease deal on the Audi A3 includes S Line trim with bags of standard kit. It’s our Deal of the day for October 19.
19 Oct 2023
New Hyundai Kona N Line 2023 review
Hyundai Kona N Line – front cornering
Road tests

New Hyundai Kona N Line 2023 review

The N Line is the sportiest version of Hyundai’s new Kona, but it struggles to justify the extra cost
17 Oct 2023
New Hyundai Kona Advance 1.0 petrol review
Hyundai Kona Advance 1.0 petrol - front
Road tests

New Hyundai Kona Advance 1.0 petrol review

The entry-level Hyundai Kona misses out on some tech and performance but feels none the worse for it at what is a temptingly low price
16 Oct 2023
Deal of the day: a family favourite Ford Focus for less than £200 per month
Ford Focus Active 2020
News

Deal of the day: a family favourite Ford Focus for less than £200 per month

The Ford Focus is still one of the best-driving hatchbacks on the market – and it looks even better value on a stonking lease deal, in well-specced Ac…
11 Oct 2023
New Skoda Kodiaq vRS: exclusive image of the 2024 hot SUV
Skoda Kodiaq vRS Mk2 design render
News

New Skoda Kodiaq vRS: exclusive image of the 2024 hot SUV

The next Kodiaq could be Skoda's last combustion-powered vRS, and our exclusive image shows how it could look
11 Oct 2023
Deal of the day: Ora Funky Cat family-sized EV for less than £190 per month
GWM Ora Funky Cat - front tracking
News

Deal of the day: Ora Funky Cat family-sized EV for less than £190 per month

Get past the name and the GWM Ora Funky Cat can offer a great, affordable way into an EV – especially at less than £190 per month
10 Oct 2023
Deal of the day: Stay classy with a VW Golf for under £190 per month
Volkswagen Golf mk8
News

Deal of the day: Stay classy with a VW Golf for under £190 per month

VW’s do-it-all family hatch is keenly priced on the leasing market right now, and our deal of the day for October 6
6 Oct 2023
New Euro 7 emissions regs could kill the Skoda Fabia
Skoda Fabia - front tracking
News

New Euro 7 emissions regs could kill the Skoda Fabia

Skoda is waiting for the final details of new Euro 7 emissions standards before committing to a new generation of its popular supermini
5 Oct 2023
Dacia Spring review
Dacia Spring LHD front corner tracking
In-depth reviews

Dacia Spring review

The Dacia Spring is a handy town hack, but can what’s likely to be the cheapest EV in the UK also be cheerful?
5 Oct 2023
‘Mega new car deals are on the way as manufacturers need to boost sales’
Opinion - BMW 5 Series
Opinion

‘Mega new car deals are on the way as manufacturers need to boost sales’

Editor-at-large John McIlroy thinks we could be heading into a gold period of new car deals
5 Oct 2023
New Rolls-Royce boss announced, and he’s British
Chris Brownridge
News

New Rolls-Royce boss announced, and he’s British

The current Chief Executive Officer of BMW UK will take over as the head of Rolls-Royce from December
5 Oct 2023
New Skoda Kodiaq is here to solve all your family car problems
Skoda Kodiaq - front action
News

New Skoda Kodiaq is here to solve all your family car problems

Skoda’s big seven-seat SUV has just been revealed in second-generation form. Can the Kodiaq stay ahead of the pack?
4 Oct 2023
New Skoda Enyaq iV vRS is the fastest Skoda ever
Skoda Enyaq iV vRS - front cornering
News

New Skoda Enyaq iV vRS is the fastest Skoda ever

A power boost to 335bhp sees Skoda's all-electric SUV become the brand’s fastest and most powerful model to date
3 Oct 2023
New Porsche Cayenne 2023 facelift review
Porsche Cayenne facelift - front
Road tests

New Porsche Cayenne 2023 facelift review

Even in entry-level form, the facelifted Porsche Cayenne is a sharp-handling and beautifully finished SUV
3 Oct 2023