Clare Dear is an international and national award-winning journalist and photographer. Clare is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Honours Journalism program. His experience includes nearly 30 years as a sports reporter, copy editor, automotive columnist and senior section editor with the London Free Press, as well as several years as a contributing writer to the National Post’s Driving section and other publications. He is President of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, a position he’s held for five years, and is a member of the Canadian Car of the Year program’s management group. Clare readily admits he’s a passionate “car guy,” having tinkered with cars since childhood, raced them for several years, and written about all forms of motorsports since he was a teenager. Born and raised in London, ON, Clare and his wife, Diane, have two grown children – a daughter and a son – and one grandchild.
Favorite Cars
Recent Posts
Gallery
FIRST DRIVE: 18 things you should know about Ford's EcoSport
May 18, 2018, 2:00 PM
To fill out its SUV/CUV lineup, Ford is joining the small SUV/CUV segment with EcoSport, a vehicle that has been selling in other markets since 2012.
Review
FIRST DRIVE: 2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke
April 28, 2018, 4:30 PM
After driving various 2018 F-150s with and without payloads and trailers, we find minimal engine noise in the cabin, regardless of engine load.
News
Ford F-150 diesel ratings a Power Stroke of genius
April 19, 2018, 12:05 AM
Addition of all-new 3.0L Power Stroke V-6 diesel boosts number of engine choices for F-150 buyers to six. Diesel trucks due to arrive at dealers in May.
Article
Ford hybrid delivers a greener shade of blue
April 7, 2018, 2:30 AM
Ford’s Police Responder Hybrid has earned thumbs-up in independent police vehicle testing by the Michigan State Police and the Los Angeles Police Dept.
Ford shifts strategies to focus on hybrids, SUVs
March 16, 2018, 7:55 PM
Ford brass announced it’s revamping product portfolio, replacing 75% of existing models and adding four new nameplates, including two new off-road SUVs.
24 things you should know about the 2019 Ram 1500
March 15, 2018, 8:05 PM
The newest Ram pickup features the latest advances in design, chassis, efficiency, safety and comfort, whether it’s intended for work, play or both.
70 Years of Porsche celebrated at Toronto auto show
February 18, 2018, 8:35 AM
Porsche is celebrating 70 years of building iconic sports and racing cars with a special exhibit at the 2018 Canadian International Auto Show.
Exotic cars fuel dreams at Toronto auto show
February 13, 2018, 3:10 AM
Whatever your automotive dreams, you’re sure to find something to fuel them at the 2018 Canadian International Auto Show.
Chevrolet Silverado HD is 2018 Canadian Truck King
February 6, 2018, 11:25 AM
Now in its 11th year, the Canadian Truck King Challenge compares contenders back-to-back in a real-world testing regime to determine which is best.
FIRST DRIVE: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV a game changer
January 31, 2018, 7:55 AM
With the efficiency, technologies and features it offers, the Outlander PHEV has the potential to truly shake up the compact SUV segment. By Clare Dear
FIRST DRIVE: 2018 Lincoln Navigator is big in the best ways
January 29, 2018, 7:50 AM
Its premium features, outstanding comfort and impressive drivability make the Navigator worth considering if you’re looking for the ultimate big SUV.
FIRST LOOK: Ford resurrects the Ranger
January 13, 2018, 10:40 PM
The all-new 2019 Ranger will begin to roll off the assembly line late this year at Ford’s Michigan Plant.
What’s a Buick Avenir?
December 8, 2017, 6:35 AM
Buick ups the ante with a new premium sub-brand, the Avenir, which will be shared across the lineup in a manner similar to GMC’s Denali package.
FIRST DRIVE: 2017 Lincoln Continental focuses on luxury
October 3, 2017, 7:20 AM
Lincoln has set its sights on re-establishing the brand as a key player in the prestige luxury segment, with the all-new Continental leading the way.
FIRST DRIVE: All-new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
October 2, 2017, 6:05 AM
With its muscular new look, added technologies and competitive pricing, the 2018 Traverse gives mid-size SUV buyers a choice worth considering.
First Drive: GMC’s all-new 2018 Terrain compact CUV
September 18, 2017, 2:00 AM
The all-new Terrain offers stylish new looks, upgraded interior, efficient new powertrains, additional standard features and reduced prices.
Fiat Chrysler takes the wraps off its 2018 lineup
August 31, 2017, 3:00 PM
Here’s a quick peek at what you’ll be seeing soon in Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat and Jeep showrooms across Canada.
TIME-MACHINE DRIVE: 1950 Ford F-1
August 14, 2017, 5:45 AM
The best way to know how far you’ve come is to look back to where you started, which for Ford’s F-Series pickup line is the original F-1.
FIRST DRIVE: The updated, uprated 2018 Ford F-150 lineup
August 14, 2017, 12:55 AM
Ford is offering more-powerful, more-efficient powertrains, greater capabilities and additional new technologies in its 2018 F-150 lineup.
Muscle and luxury highlight FCA’s 2018 lineup
July 5, 2017, 10:15 AM
We were able to thrash around in whatever FCA vehicles we fancied, from subcompacts like the Fiat 500 to brawny Challenger and Charger Hellcats!