SUV & Wagon car comparison

Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru LEGACY

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

Toyota RAV4 108,328 on NZ roads
VS
Subaru LEGACY 38,450 on NZ roads
$13/week cheaper to fuel — Toyota RAV4 at $50/wk vs $63/wk
12.700000000000017 kW more power — Subaru LEGACY at 136.8 kW
Toyota RAV4 108,328 in NZ
Subaru LEGACY 38,450 in NZ
Registered in NZ
108,328
38,450
Fuel Economy
6.4 L/100km
8 L/100km
Power
124.1 kW
136.8 kW
Weight
2,053.8 kg
1,735.1 kg
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Body Type
SUV & Wagon
SUV & Wagon
Seats
5
5
Year Range
1994–2026
1989–2021
Imported New
81%
12%

NZ Registrations Over Time

Registration trend for Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru LEGACY: comparing annual new registrations in NZ from 2020 onwards. Toyota RAV4 has more total registrations.

Regional Popularity

Region Toyota RAV4 Subaru LEGACY
AUCKLAND 42,902 10,056
CHRISTCHURCH CITY 7,860 5,156
WELLINGTON CITY 4,298 1,078
HAMILTON CITY 3,216 1,211
TAURANGA CITY 2,750 1,179
DUNEDIN CITY 2,232 1,265
WHANGAREI DISTRICT 2,194 785
PALMERSTON NORTH CITY 2,618

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more popular in NZ — the Toyota RAV4 or Subaru LEGACY?

The Toyota RAV4 is more common with 108,328 registered in New Zealand compared to 38,450 for the Subaru LEGACY. A larger fleet means more mechanics familiar with the car and easier access to parts.

Which is cheaper to run — Toyota RAV4 or Subaru LEGACY?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Toyota RAV4 uses less fuel at 6.4 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 Toyota RAV4 and Subaru LEGACY the same body type?

Both are classified as SUV & Wagon vehicles in the NZTA fleet data. The Toyota RAV4 is primarily a petrol vehicle while the Subaru LEGACY runs on petrol.

Are these cars typically imported new or used?

81% of Toyota RAV4 models were imported new to NZ, while 18% came as used imports. For the Subaru LEGACY, 12% were new and 86% 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.