The vehicle market in New Zealand for 2025 is shaping up to be a diverse one, with SUVs and compact cars leading the charge.

The top-selling petrol models so far this year are the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Kia Seltos, all of which show the continued popularity of petrol-powered vehicles.

Leading the charge in the petrol market is the Toyota RAV4, with 2,444 units sold, closely followed by the Mitsubishi Outlander at 993 units.

The Kia Seltos, Mitsubishi ASX, and Suzuki Swift round out the top five, with sales figures highlighting a strong demand for SUVs and compact cars.

These models primarily run on petrol, with some offering hybrid variants, but the petrol versions continue to dominate.

In the electric vehicle (EV) market, 2025 has brought a significant shift.

Tesla still holds the top spot, but new contenders like Polestar and BYD are quickly gaining ground.

The Polestar 2 leads the fully electric vehicles with 162 units sold, followed closely by the BYD Atto 3 at 155 units.

The Tesla Model Y and Model 3 remain strong contenders in the EV space, but the rise of Polestar and BYD suggests that the electric car market is expanding rapidly.

On the hybrid front, vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid continue to be top-sellers.

With the removal of EV incentives, hybrid models now account for 34% of new vehicle sales in 2025, making them a popular choice for those looking for a balance between petrol and electric power.

In the diesel segment, utes remain dominant, particularly in commercial sales.

The Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger are leading the charge, with the Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara following closely behind.

Coasties, these trends highlight how the car market in New Zealand is evolving, with petrol, EV, hybrid, and diesel vehicles all seeing robust sales.

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