The 10 Cars That Dominate New Zealand Roads
Just 10 models account for 816,829 vehicles — 22% of every passenger car registered in New Zealand. Toyota takes five of those spots. Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Holden fill the rest. Not a single European or American brand makes the list.
These aren't the best-selling new cars of any given year. They're the most common — the vehicles that have accumulated on NZ roads across decades of sales and imports. A car needs to sell consistently for a long time to climb this list, which is why you'll find workhorses like the Corolla and Commodore rather than this year's hot new model.
What stands out
- Toyota owns the road. Five of the top 10 are Toyotas (Corolla, RAV4, Aqua, Prius, Landcruiser), and they hold the top two spots. The Corolla alone accounts for 4.7% of all passenger vehicles in the country.
- Hybrids are already in the top 10. The Toyota Aqua (#6) and Prius (#8) are both hybrid vehicles — and they got here almost entirely as used imports from Japan, not through NZ new car sales.
- The Holden Commodore is still here. Despite Holden exiting the NZ market in 2021, 60,556 Commodores remain on the register — a declining fleet that will slowly age out.
- SUVs are surging. The Toyota RAV4 at #2 is the only SUV in the top 10, but it's been the most-registered new model in multiple recent years. Its position will likely climb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular car in New Zealand?
The Toyota Corolla is the most popular car in New Zealand with 171,783 registered — about 5% of all passenger vehicles. It has been one of the top-selling vehicles in NZ for decades.
How many cars are registered in New Zealand?
As of March 2026, there are 3,678,722 registered passenger vehicles in New Zealand according to the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register.
Why does fleet size matter when buying a car?
A larger fleet means more mechanics are familiar with the vehicle, auto parts stores carry compatible parts, and there's a wider second-hand market for spares. This typically translates to lower servicing costs and shorter repair times.
Data sourced from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Motor Vehicle Register, current as of 31 March 2026. Covers 3,678,722 registered passenger vehicles.