The new-vehicle market is booming in New Zealand, with record sales for both February and March. The domination of the market by SUVs is even more absolute: they account for 52.2 per cent of new-vehicle sales year-to-date.
That’s to be expected, but there’s also some interesting stuff happening with individual models as the industry grapples with supply and demand in the wake of Covid-19 disruption. So which are the big movers?
SMALL
Surprise! For the first time, the Compact SUV segment is now the most popular in NZ, according to VFacts data. Compact SUVs account for 23 per cent of new-vehicle sales year-to-date and the big mover is the Mitsubishi ASX (990, individual model numbers from MIA data), followed by Kia Seltos (877) and Nissan Qashqai (505).
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Relative newcomer MG is also making an impression: its ZS is now the sixth best seller in the segment.
MEDIUM
Until now the number one segment, Medium SUVs still clock up the single biggest individual registrations: buoyed by good pricing and good supply, the Mitsubishi Outlander is number one and way ahead of its ASX sibling with 1451 sales, followed by Kia Sportage (1090) and Toyota RAV4 (1081).
To view all Mitsubishi Outlander models currently listed on DRIVEN, click here
Compact and Medium SUVs show that the ute hasn’t taken over completely: both segments are still bigger than “Pick Up/Chassis Cab 4x4” (that’s double-cab 4WD utes to us).
LARGE
Large SUVs are still all about seven seats. Top in the segment is the Hyundai Santa Fe (501), which is riding high on a new model just launched. Second comes the Mazda CX-9 (315) and then the Kia Sorento (300).
To view all Hyundai Santa Fe models currently listed on DRIVEN, click here
There are a couple of surprises in this segment. First, the Subaru Outback stands alone in the top group as a five-seat crossover-style wagon (it’s the fourth best-seller) and the premium-priced Land Rover Defender is really making its presence felt at sixth place on the list.
ELECTRIFIED
It’s the age of electrification, so we thought it worth taking a look at which SUV models dominate this new-tech field – be they hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or pure-electric (BEV).
As you might expect, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid is all-conquering with 741 registrations. But the rest of the podium belongs to Toyota, too: the C-HR hybrid is second (350) while the new Yaris Cross hybrid (225) is third.
To view all Toyota RAV4 models currently listed on DRIVEN, click here
The most popular plug-in model in NZ is actually a pure-electric SUV: the MG ZS EV (142) is fourth on the list and even managing to outsell the ever-popular Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (136) year-to-date.
SUV TOP 10 for 2021
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Kia Sportage
- Toyota RAV4
- Mitsubishi ASX
- Kia Seltos
- Nissan X-Trail
- Nissan Qashqai
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Honda HR-V
- Honda CR-V