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

Genesis G70 2024 review: Shooting Brake
By Emily Agar · 10 Sep 2023
Genesis has released the wagon version of the G70, named the Shooting Brake, but are its sexy good looks enough to entice the modern day family?
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Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic SUV 2024 review
By Emily Agar · 06 Sep 2023
Medium SUVs are the bread and butter for small families. They combine a lot of the practicality of their larger siblings but what happens when you throw all of that together with a good dollop of luxury?You get the Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic.
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MG HS +EV 2024 review: Essence
By Emily Agar · 04 Sep 2023
The MG HS +EV Essence is another entry to the medium SUV hybrid market but are its plug-in hybrid specs enough to make it a true competitor against its self-charging hybrid rivals?
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GWM Ute 2024 review: Cannon Vanta
By Emily Agar · 29 Aug 2023
The GWM Ute Cannon Vanta looks solid and seems to have all of the goods on paper but how does it perform in real life? Does it have beauty as well as brawn?
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Toyota Camry 2024 review: SL Hybrid
By Emily Agar · 21 Aug 2023
The Toyota Camry is a beloved sedan that has been the benchmark for reliability and family-hauling ever since it was first released on our shores in 1982. Adored by grandparents and commercial drivers everywhere, the newest iteration upholds the traditions while carefully positioning itself for the current market. Does it succeed for a modern family?
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Subaru Forester 2024 review: 2.5i-S
By Emily Agar · 19 Aug 2023
Subaru hasn't given the Forester a facelift and it may be banking on the 'tried & tested' popularity of models gone by but in a market saturated with medium SUVs will the old-school design still land a podium finish?
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Citroen C5 Aircross 2024 review: Sport
By Emily Agar · 05 Aug 2023
It boasts more space than a lot of its rivals but the Citroen C5 Aircross Sport has been let down in the past by a sparse safety sheet and older tech. The facelifted model sees tweaks to the design, safety and tech, making it more of a true competitor against popular rivals. But will its expensive price point deter discerning families?
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BYD Atto 3 2023 review: Extended Range
By Emily Agar · 30 Jul 2023
Having your car brand called 'Build Your Dreams' was always going to be a hard one to live up to but BYD has managed to defy a lot of expectations with the Atto 3. Especially by giving it a longer driving range (hurrah) and sharp price tag but are those two factors enough to satisfy a hardened Aussie market that loves its fuel-based vehicles? Time will tell.
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Mazda CX-8 2023 review: GT SP diesel
By Emily Agar · 28 Jul 2023
Mazda has a tendency to have a lot of similar looking horses in the stables; blink and you'll miss the (very) subtle differences between the CX-8 and the CX-9 but if you're not super keen on the bulk of the CX-9 and you've outgrown the space of the CX-5... this one's for you.
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Mazda 6 2023 review: 20th Anniversary wagon
By Emily Agar · 15 Jul 2023
The special 20th Anniversary Edition Mazda 6 wagon shows its history but what about its future? With some luxuriously-appointed rivals to contend with, does it offer enough to be considered by a modern family?
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