Nissan SUNNY

1,578 registered in New Zealand · 1979–2005 · 95% from Japan

The Nissan SUNNY is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 1,578 registered across model years 1979 to 2005. It averages 6.1 L/100km in fuel consumption . Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 1.5L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the SUNNY.

Select Year

1,578 On NZ Roads
1.5L Engine
6.1 L/100km

Fuel Types

Nissan SUNNY fuel type breakdown: PETROL 99%, DIESEL 1%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Nissan SUNNY vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Nissan SUNNY fleet age profile: 2000: 74, 2001: 152, 2002: 157, 2003: 151, 2004: 255.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

Nissan SUNNY engine sizes: 1.5L 54%, 1.5L 30%, 1.3L 2%, 1.3L 1%, 1.5L 1%.

Imported From

Nissan SUNNY imported from: Japan 95%, Not Known 5%, New Zealand 0%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Nissan SUNNY vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Nissan SUNNY NZ arrival timeline: 2013: 16, 2014: 2, 2015: 2, 2020: 1, 2025: 1.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Nissan SUNNY.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

SILVER 624 (40%)
WHITE 451 (29%)
BLUE 146 (9%)
GREY 104 (7%)
GOLD 96 (6%)
GREEN 46 (3%)
BROWN 42 (3%)
RED 39 (2%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Nissan SUNNY regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 356, CHRISTCHURCH: 217, DUNEDIN: 49, HAMILTON: 41, INVERCARGILL: 41.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Nissan SUNNY are there in New Zealand?

There are 1,578 Nissan SUNNY vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1979 to 2005.

How much does it cost to run a Nissan SUNNY?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Nissan SUNNY averages 6.1 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $48 per week or $2,496 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Nissan SUNNY?

The Nissan SUNNY is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon, hatchback, light van. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Nissan SUNNY cars imported or NZ-new?

95% of Nissan SUNNY vehicles in New Zealand originated from Japan. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.