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

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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Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2023 review: 110TSI Life
By Emily Agar · 30 Aug 2022
The Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace sits nicely between the five-seater Tiguan and its bigger brother, the Touareg. In terms of size, this fits into the Goldilocks middle ground. Not too big and not too small. It's the sort of SUV that should appeal to those who gulp when they see the giant SUVs or people movers but still want some room to breathe when packed in with the fam. But is space enough?
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Mazda3 2023 review: G25 Evolve SP hatch
By Emily Agar · 23 Aug 2022
The humble hatchback is the choice for 'youngsters' and the older gen who are wanting something that's easy to handle with relatively low running costs. However, they're also gaining popularity with families because space is at a premium in the city and not everyone needs (or wants) a big bruiser SUV or wagon to drive. This is where the Mazda3 hatch comes in.
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