Articles by Emily Agar

Emily Agar
Contributing Journalist

Emily’s love of cars started early, thanks in part to a mum who was (and still is) determined to seek out and own some seriously cool cars. An S15 Nissan 200SX with a burgundy leather interior was enough to cement Emily’s quiet love affair with Japanese styling, rear-wheel drive and cars that make you turn around for a second look.

After a decade-long career in real estate, Emily followed her curiosity into the automotive world in 2022 when she joined CarsGuide, where a natural tendency to ask, “What’s that car?”, and, “Why don’t they do it this way?”, has become something of a professional skill.

With a background in sales, a love of a good chat and an eye for detail, Emily brings a curious and conversational approach to her reviews. Her philosophy is simple: no matter the car, there’s always something good to be found in it. She puts each vehicle through its paces with a particular focus on how it works in the real world, from family practicality and everyday usability to what makes it enjoyable to drive.

Emily’s automotive soft spots include Japanese sports cars, big-bruiser utes, rear-wheel drivetrains and the 1972 Chrysler Valiant Charger R/T E49. She also has a particular interest in the rapidly evolving EV market and helping families make sense of the ever-growing choice of new cars.

Away from cars, Emily is a published author. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Creative Writing, with a minor in English Literature, from the University of Wollongong. Her debut Young Adult fantasy novel, The Fray, was published in 2018, and she is currently working on the next three books in the series.

Expertise

  • New-car reviews
  • Electrified vehicles
  • Family cars
  • Car ownership
  • Automotive technology and features

Education

  • Bachelor of Creative Arts, Creative Writing | University of Wollongong | 2011–2013

Featured Publications

Speeding statistics Australia: Facts, fines, cameras and crash stats explained
By Emily Agar · 22 Jul 2024
You are speeding if you are driving faster than the posted Australia speed limit. This article is filled with speeding facts but let’s start with one that might surprise you - most speeding deaths occur at no more than 10km/h over the speed limit.
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Volvo S60 2024 review: Recharge Black Edition
By Emily Agar · 20 Jul 2024
The PHEV powertrain of the Volvo S60 was scrapped a few years ago but the recently launched Black Edition sees it return. Is it a victorious homecoming?
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Mitsubishi Triton 2024 review: GSR
By Emily Agar · 11 Jul 2024
The Mitsubishi Triton has been relaunched and features a bunch of upgrades and design changes. How does the flagship GSR variant fair over a week of family-testing?
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Drink driving statistics Australia: Alcohol-related crash stats explained
By Emily Agar · 10 Jul 2024
What is drink driving? Simply put, it’s when you’re driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
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Lexus LBX 2024 review: Luxury 2WD
By Emily Agar · 06 Jul 2024
Lexus is carving a new niche market for itself with the newest LBX entry. It's small in size and price, which should secure a new fanbase for those wanting a luxury badge on a (relatively) low budget.
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Range Rover Velar 2024 review: P400e Dynamic HSE
By Emily Agar · 24 Jun 2024
The Range Rover Velar has a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. Will this make it more competitive and appealing for those wanting a luxurious and large SUV that's a little green?
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Car accident statistics Australia: Road crash stats, deaths and causes
By Emily Agar · 21 Jun 2024
Car accident statistics Australia historically focused on the casualty rate, so it’s difficult to determine how many car accidents in Australia per year there are, but the total will be far greater than anything generally quoted.
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Land Rover Discovery 2024 review: Sport P300e
By Emily Agar · 16 Jun 2024
The Land Rover Discovery Sport introduces a plug-in hybrid powertrain to its line-up and while its engine specs are good on paper, what's it like in the real world?
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What is a fair car allowance in Australia?
By Emily Agar · 13 Jun 2024
There is no average car allowance Australia that's widely recognised but a few factors can help you work one out for your employment position.
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Toyota LandCruiser 2024 review: 300 GR Sport
By Emily Agar · 02 Jun 2024
The LandCruiser 300 GR Sport has long been a fan favourite but the 2024 model doesn't see any updates; so, how does it stay competitive in the land where SUVs are king?
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