If you’ve noticed more RAV4s and compact SUVs zipping around the Coast lately, you're not alone.

The Toyota RAV4 remains New Zealand’s top-selling vehicle for 2025 so far—and Coasties are right in step with the national trend favouring hybrids and compact SUVs.

With an estimated 3,140 units sold year-to-date, the RAV4’s mix of petrol and hybrid options has helped it stay on top.

Mitsubishi’s ASX and Outlander follow, showing strong demand for compact, practical options that still have enough space for beach gear, shopping runs, and family trips north.

Kia’s Seltos and Stonic are also gaining traction, proving popular with younger buyers and urban commuters alike.

Meanwhile, the Suzuki Swift remains the country’s most popular compact car, holding its own in a sea of SUVs.

What’s especially striking is the rise in hybrid sales—now accounting for about 34% of all new vehicle purchases.

EV sales have softened with the end of government incentives, but brands like Polestar and BYD are offering more choice in the electric space.

The Polestar 2 is leading the EV segment in 2025, nudging out the BYD Atto 3 and Tesla’s declining Model Y and 3.

Utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux are still going strong in the commercial category but have slipped out of the top 10 overall for the first half of the year.

For Coasties, these trends matter.

Our lifestyle often blends city commutes with weekend getaways, and buyers want vehicles that handle both with comfort and efficiency.

Hybrids fit that bill, balancing environmental concerns with practicality.

And with rising fuel prices, the shift makes even more sense.

As more Coast families and small businesses consider their next vehicle, it’s clear the market is moving toward smart, efficient options that don’t sacrifice utility—or style.

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