Auckland vs Christchurch: How Car Preferences Differ
Auckland and Christchurch are New Zealand's two largest vehicle markets. Auckland alone accounts for 33.6% of all passenger vehicles in the country — 1,235,557 cars. Christchurch, with 326,921, holds 8.9%.
The question is whether size difference translates to different tastes. The short answer: mostly no. Both cities are overwhelmingly Toyota-first markets. But there are meaningful differences in the details — particularly around hybrids and imports.
Auckland
1,235,557 vehiclesTop 10 Models
Fuel Breakdown
Christchurch
326,921 vehiclesTop 10 Models
Fuel Breakdown
Key differences
- Auckland has more hybrids. The Toyota Aqua and Prius both rank higher in Auckland's top 10 than in Christchurch's. Auckland's proximity to the ports where Japanese used imports arrive likely plays a role — hybrids are popular in Japan and flow through Auckland first.
- The Corolla is #1 in both cities — but its dominance is more pronounced in Auckland (58,965 vs 13,953 in Christchurch).
- Auckland top-10 exclusives: Volkswagen GOLF, Mazda CX-5 — models that make Auckland's top 10 but not Christchurch's.
- Christchurch top-10 exclusives: Mazda DEMIO, Subaru LEGACY — models more popular relative to fleet size in Christchurch.
Want to see the full breakdown for each city? Check the Auckland and Christchurch region pages for complete fleet data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Auckland have more cars than Christchurch?
Yes — Auckland has 1,235,557 registered passenger vehicles compared to Christchurch's 326,921. Auckland accounts for 33.6% of NZ's total fleet, roughly 3.8x Christchurch's fleet.
What's the most popular car in Auckland?
The Toyota Corolla is the most popular car in Auckland with 58,965 registered. The Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Aqua are second and third.
Do Auckland and Christchurch have different car preferences?
The top 5 overlap significantly — both cities favour Toyota Corollas, Suzuki Swifts, and Toyota RAV4s. The differences are in the margins: Auckland has a larger share of hybrids (Aqua, Prius) reflecting its more import-heavy market, while Christchurch shows slightly more traditional choices.
Data sourced from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, March 2026. Regional data is based on the Territorial Local Authority (TLA) area where each vehicle is registered.