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RAV4 crowned New Zealand’s favourite new vehicle
The people’s pick. The country’s top seller. The RAV4.
The RAV4 has done it again - winning the DRIVEN People’s Choice Award for the second straight year and finishing 2025 as New Zealand’s top‑selling new vehicle. Toyota New Zealand is celebrating the SUV’s continued dominance as Kiwis once again confirm their love for a model that has become part of everyday life across Aotearoa.
Kiwis once again voted for the RAV4 in the DRIVEN awards, recognising its balance of practicality, comfort and hybrid efficiency. The same confidence was reflected in the market, where 11,295 RAV4 were sold in 2025, cementing its place as the SUV New Zealanders rely on every day. Further amplifying its popularity, more than 50,000 fifth-generation RAV4s have been sold in New Zealand since its launch in 2019.
The RAV4’s popularity continues to rise as more New Zealanders opt for hybrid powertrains, value spacious and comfortable interiors, and look for a vehicle that moves effortlessly between city commutes and rural adventures. The D‑RAVs marketing campaign taps into Kiwis’ love of recreation and classic Kiwi humour, reinforcing the RAV4’s place in the hearts of drivers nationwide. Its ability to meet such a wide range of needs has made it a staple on New Zealand roads - and 2026 is set to take that legacy even further.
The next‑generation RAV4 will arrive in Toyota Stores in the first half of 2026, bringing new styling, new interior, upgraded technology, enhanced fuel efficiency and - for the first time in New Zealand - a Plug‑In Hybrid variant. This exciting expansion gives customers more choice, more capability and even cleaner mobility options.
Toyota New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Tatsuya Ishikawa says the RAV4’s achievements reflect the deep and enduring relationship between Toyota and New Zealanders.
“We are incredibly humbled by the trust New Zealanders continue to place in Toyota - and especially in the RAV4. To see it voted People’s Choice again and chosen more than any other new vehicle in 2025 is something our entire team is deeply grateful for. Kiwis choose the RAV4 for their families, their work and their adventures. We remain committed to earning that trust every day,” he says.
Toyota’s connection with communities across Aotearoa continues to grow, and the RAV4 plays a central role in that relationship. From city streets to rural backroads, the RAV4 is a familiar sight supporting local organisations, clubs and events through the work of Toyota Stores nationwide. These locally owned Stores are deeply embedded in their regions, and the RAV4 is often the vehicle of choice for the people and partners they support - a testament to its dependability and versatility in every corner of the motu.
National partnerships, including those with New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Paralympics New Zealand, further demonstrate Toyota’s commitment to supporting the communities where RAV4 drivers live, work and play. Whether transporting athletes, volunteers or support teams, the RAV4 remains a trusted companion across a wide range of Kiwi activities.
As Toyota looks ahead to 2026, the RAV4 remains at the heart of this story. With back‑to‑back People’s Choice victories and its position as New Zealand’s top‑selling vehicle of 2025, the RAV4 is poised to lead Toyota into its next chapter - especially with the arrival of the sixth‑generation model. For New Zealanders, it’s a vehicle that has become more than an SUV; it’s a dependable partner for everyday life, work and adventure.