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. 

Nissan Leaf 2023 review: e+
By Emily Agar · 02 Nov 2022
It's small, it's electric and it handles and drives a bit like a golf cart - not overly fast and not as fun as you might think. However, the Nissan Leaf e+ does offer a driving range that makes it a little more competitive with what's on the EV market but is it enough to make this hatch suitable for everyday family life?
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Hyundai Palisade 2023 review: Elite 7-seat diesel
By Emily Agar · 30 Oct 2022
The newly facelifted Hyundai Palisade Elite 7-seater hasn't had many massive design changes - it's still a chonk on wheels, but the luxury features remain, securing the Palisade's position as a family favourite.
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Honda HR-V 2023 review: Vi X
By Emily Agar · 23 Oct 2022
The third-generation Honda HR-V has great kerb-side appeal - the new shape and coupe-like styling gives it some cred in a market that's flooded with 'cool' little SUVs. There's no denying Honda has the design of this one right, but after driving the Vi X for a week with my family (including two road trips)... the overall performance didn't quite match the looks.
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Ford Ranger 2023 review: Sport Bi-Turbo
By Emily Agar · 15 Oct 2022
The new Ford Ranger has launched! And with it comes a new look and cabin experience. Slightly longer than its predecessor, the new Ranger Sport seems much larger with its robustly squared shape. It's not boxy or ugly, far from it, but it's more purposeful than the previous gen. It seems like the perfect all-rounder. But does it have heart as well as size?
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Kia EV6 2023 review: GT-Line AWD
By Emily Agar · 08 Oct 2022
The EV6 GT-Line AWD looks like it belongs on a sci-fi movie set but it handles with a familiarity that will see most drivers satisfied. Its tech has been incorporated with an understated elegance and shouldn't bamboozle you. So, is this an accurate snapshot of our driving future? Does it pass the rigours of family living or is it destined to be the indulgence of only a few?
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Skoda Karoq 2023 review: Style
By Emily Agar · 07 Oct 2022
The updated Skoda Karoq (pronounced ka-ROCK) seems like an 'all-rounder'. It's large enough for the family's odd roadie but compact enough to handle tight city streets. It's also easy for the oldies to understand but its design will still appeal to younger drivers. If you can get past the Ikea mentality when it comes to price building (everything costs extra), then it might surprise you.
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Volvo XC90 Recharge 2023 review
By Emily Agar · 26 Sep 2022
A big seven-seater with luxury appointments and fuel consumption better than most hatchbacks? There's a lot to like about the XC90 Recharge Ultimate plug-in hybrid, even if it wears a price tag well above a hundred grand.
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Hyundai Santa Fe 2023 review: Highlander 2.2D
By Emily Agar · 17 Sep 2022
The Santa Fe Highlander garners popularity every year and it's a tough competitor against family favourite, the Toyota Kluger. The Highlander sports some great luxury features while combining the flexibility of seven seats. It manages to slide in under the 70K mark, too, which is reasonable value for a large SUV. It looks the part but how does it perform after a week with my family of three?
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Peugeot 5008 2023 review: GT Sport
By Emily Agar · 07 Sep 2022
The 5008 is Peugeot's largest SUV available in the local market. It's the stretched version of the 3008 but it offers flexibility with two extra seats, a big boot and clever seat configurations that should suit most gear stowage. But do you get the family features that often make bigger SUVs the more practical choice?
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Cupra Ateca 2023 review: VZx
By Emily Agar · 03 Sep 2022
Cupra Ateca VZx is the newly launched SUV (and brand) to hit our local market and it's been pitched as the fun-loving cousin to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq. The Ateca (pronounced 'ah-teck-ah') is meaner and sportier, despite sharing similar DNA in its exterior design. Does it live up to the hype?
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