SUV & Wagon car comparison

Honda CRV vs Toyota HIGHLANDER

Both are suv & wagon vehicles on New Zealand roads. Based on NZTA fleet data.

Honda CRV 33,042 on NZ roads
VS
Toyota HIGHLANDER 27,886 on NZ roads
$11/week cheaper to fuel — Honda CRV at $63/wk vs $74/wk
67.69999999999999 kW more power — Toyota HIGHLANDER at 193.6 kW
Honda CRV 33,042 in NZ Wins 3 of 4
Toyota HIGHLANDER 27,886 in NZ
Registered in NZ
33,042
27,886
Fuel Economy
8 L/100km
9.4 L/100km
Power
125.9 kW
193.6 kW
Weight
1,947 kg
2,717.7 kg
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Body Type
SUV & Wagon
SUV & Wagon
Seats
5
7
Year Range
1995–2026
2000–2026
Imported New
58%
99%

NZ Registrations Over Time

Registration trend for Honda CRV vs Toyota HIGHLANDER: comparing annual new registrations in NZ from 2020 onwards. Honda CRV has more total registrations.

Regional Popularity

Region Honda CRV Toyota HIGHLANDER
AUCKLAND 10,577 10,189
CHRISTCHURCH CITY 3,410 2,095
TAURANGA CITY 1,098 905
HAMILTON CITY 1,067 912
WELLINGTON CITY 1,028 678
WHANGAREI DISTRICT 795 598
FAR NORTH DISTRICT 781
DUNEDIN CITY 757

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more popular in NZ — the Honda CRV or Toyota HIGHLANDER?

The Honda CRV is more common with 33,042 registered in New Zealand compared to 27,886 for the Toyota HIGHLANDER. A larger fleet means more mechanics familiar with the car and easier access to parts.

Which is cheaper to run — Honda CRV or Toyota HIGHLANDER?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Honda CRV uses less fuel at 8 L/100km compared to 9.4 L/100km. At current fuel prices of approximately $2.80/L, that difference adds up over a year of typical driving.

Are Honda CRV and Toyota HIGHLANDER the same body type?

Both are classified as SUV & Wagon vehicles in the NZTA fleet data. The Honda CRV is primarily a petrol vehicle while the Toyota HIGHLANDER runs on petrol.

Are these cars typically imported new or used?

58% of Honda CRV models were imported new to NZ, while 41% came as used imports. For the Toyota HIGHLANDER, 99% were new and 0% were used imports.

Where does this data come from?

All figures are sourced from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Motor Vehicle Register, current as of 31 March 2026. This covers 3,678,722 registered passenger vehicles in New Zealand.

Data sourced from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Motor Vehicle Register, current as of 31 March 2026.