SUV & Wagon car comparison

Hyundai SANTA FE vs Subaru OUTBACK

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

Hyundai SANTA FE 24,692 on NZ roads
VS
Subaru OUTBACK 24,438 on NZ roads
$4/week cheaper to fuel — Hyundai SANTA FE at $59/wk vs $63/wk
4.799999999999983 kW more power — Hyundai SANTA FE at 145.6 kW
Hyundai SANTA FE 24,692 in NZ Wins 3 of 4
Subaru OUTBACK 24,438 in NZ
Registered in NZ
24,692
24,438
Fuel Economy
7.5 L/100km
8 L/100km
Power
145.6 kW
140.8 kW
Weight
2,574.5 kg
1,955.3 kg
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Body Type
SUV & Wagon
SUV & Wagon
Seats
7
5
Year Range
2000–2026
1996–2026
Imported New
98%
66%

NZ Registrations Over Time

Registration trend for Hyundai SANTA FE vs Subaru OUTBACK: comparing annual new registrations in NZ from 2020 onwards. Hyundai SANTA FE has more total registrations.

Regional Popularity

Region Hyundai SANTA FE Subaru OUTBACK
AUCKLAND 6,504 6,255
CHRISTCHURCH CITY 2,132 3,201
TAURANGA CITY 865 906
HAMILTON CITY 1,026 651
DUNEDIN CITY 547 910
WELLINGTON CITY 579 821
QUEENSTOWN-LAKES DISTRICT 1,356
WHANGAREI DISTRICT 601 405

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more popular in NZ — the Hyundai SANTA FE or Subaru OUTBACK?

The Hyundai SANTA FE is more common with 24,692 registered in New Zealand compared to 24,438 for the Subaru OUTBACK. A larger fleet means more mechanics familiar with the car and easier access to parts.

Which is cheaper to run — Hyundai SANTA FE or Subaru OUTBACK?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Hyundai SANTA FE uses less fuel at 7.5 L/100km compared to 8 L/100km. At current fuel prices of approximately $2.80/L, that difference adds up over a year of typical driving.

Are Hyundai SANTA FE and Subaru OUTBACK the same body type?

Both are classified as SUV & Wagon vehicles in the NZTA fleet data. The Hyundai SANTA FE is primarily a diesel vehicle while the Subaru OUTBACK runs on petrol.

Are these cars typically imported new or used?

98% of Hyundai SANTA FE models were imported new to NZ, while 2% came as used imports. For the Subaru OUTBACK, 66% were new and 33% 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.