Articles by Emily Agar

Emily Agar
Contributing Journalist

Emily discovered her interest in cars early through her mum’s passion, and quickly found herself researching the cool cars her mum’s S15 Nissan 200SX passed on the highway. 

Emily's readiness to engage and have a chat wound up opening her first door in the media, spending time as a freelance events and news photographer for her local paper while undertaking a Creative Writing degree at the University of Wollongong.

After graduating, Emily helped to build the family real estate business. Not satisfied with the high-octane environment of sales, Emily signed a book deal for her YA fantasy novel and has successfully published the first novel in the series. 

Always one to be busy (sometimes to her chagrin), she wrote the novel and then completed the edits while pregnant with her cheeky five-year-old boy. As if growing a little human wasn’t exhausting enough! 

But her natural curiosity of ‘what’s that car?!’ and 'why don't they do it this way?!' continued throughout and it didn’t come as a surprise to her family when she was drawn into the automotive world professionally as a Contributing Journalist with CarsGuide.

Aside from her passion for what makes a good family car, Emily has a soft spot for Nissan Skylines, big utes and any muscle cars that make the heart thump. 

Kia Seltos 2023 review: Sport+ FWD
By Emily Agar · 22 Feb 2023
The Kia Seltos Sport+ is as good-looking as ever and offers families who might be tight on space, an affordable small SUV. The features list has been expanded to keep up with the market, but is it enough to satisfy?
Read the article
Nissan Pathfinder 2023 review: Ti
By Emily Agar · 18 Feb 2023
The Nissan Pathfinder has been begging to be revamped and reshaped for years. The marshmellowy plumpness of the previous model has been replaced by sharper lines and a squarer shape. It carries the same engine across but are the new features and looks enough to set the performance above the market?
Read the article
Isuzu D-Max 2023 review: X-Terrain
By Emily Agar · 15 Feb 2023
The new Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain is a bear of a unit to look at but it handles like a much smaller car. For families with young kids, it combines some great features, plus all the things you want and expect from a workhorse. This might just be the combo that a lot of families are looking for - and not just as a second family car.
Read the article
Genesis Electrified GV70 2023 review: family test
By Emily Agar · 02 Jan 2023
The Genesis Electrified GV70 is an SUV that has AWD capability but feels like you're stepping into the limo of the elite. Is this the answer for families who don't want to compromise on comfort and style but still need that much-sought-after practicality?
Read the article
Volkswagen Tiguan 2023 review: 162TSI R-Line
By Emily Agar · 17 Dec 2022
The Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line is a sporty-looking package that combines space, easy-to-use tech and a smooth drive experience. Add the all-wheel drive and we might have ourselves the combo that a lot of families are looking for! Is it perfect? Well, no (what car is), but it has some great features that are sure to make a family car enthusiast happy.
Read the article
Toyota Corolla Cross 2023 review: Atmos Hybrid 2WD
By Emily Agar · 12 Dec 2022
It's not just the fuel economy that's good on the new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 2WD! It has the luxury features you often find on more expensive SUVs, combined with a no-fuss drive experience. While it is an SUV, it still manages to handle more like a hatch. Combined with fantastic fuel economy, this car ticks a lot of boxes.
Read the article
Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2023 review: Q
By Emily Agar · 10 Dec 2022
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio or 'Q' has an engine that's been designed with performance in mind, but surprisingly, it's still a practical family car.That's despite the overall impression that it's the sort of car you gravitate towards when you're hitting mid-life, and (maybe) going through a crisis. And does its eye-watering price tag add up?
Read the article
SsangYong Rexton 2023 review: ELX
By Emily Agar · 28 Nov 2022
What the hell is a SsangYong Rexton ELX? Sort of sounds like a new kind of dinosaur, doesn't it? Well, no, it's a recently facelifted (proper) four-wheel drive, with seven seats and a decent diesel engine. It hails from a car company that isn't usually known for it's stylish line-up but the Rexton is putting some serious moves on in the design department. But is it style as well as substance?
Read the article
Kia Sportage 2023 review: SX petrol
By Emily Agar · 18 Nov 2022
It's easy to see why the newly facelifted Kia Sportage SX petrol is a serious competitor for the medium SUV market. The biggest pull factor is the (very healthy) price tag. However, its restyle has pushed it from being 'just okay' in the looks department to downright stylish. Add the practicality of a spacious cabin and, while it might not take the win, it certainly gets on the podium.
Read the article
Suzuki S-Cross 2023 review: Allgrip Prestige
By Emily Agar · 07 Nov 2022
Is it a wagon or an SUV? Technically, it's an SUV but despite the new rugged facelift, the S-Cross doesn't seem 100 per cent convinced which category it fits into, either. After a week driving it with my family of three, I found that it's a neat little package but it doesn't always deliver.
Read the article