The best-selling cars of 2020

In a year where international travel was a no go, the road trip became a holiday staple for many Kiwis around the country. So which cars did the nation choose to take them from A to B? Let’s take a look at the top-selling models of 2020 and break down a few of our top picks.

As usual, utes were highly popular with the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and the Mitsubishi Triton in leading positions. The Toyota Rav4 also made it high on the list. However, following them was the Kia Sportage – one of our favourite SUVs – which had nearly 3,000 new registrations over the year, continuing from its strong sales performance in the year before.

The Sportage is incredibly well-rounded, with plenty of options across range, including petrol and turbo-diesel engines. It’s kitted out with the latest tech (8-inch touchscreen with all the trimmings) and boasts exceptional safety features. Its ongoing popularity doesn’t surprise us at all, as our stock of Sportage models sold out far earlier than we expected – but don’t worry, there’s a brand-new model on its way for next year (and now’s a good time to register your interest).

Right behind the Sportage was its younger brother, the Kia Seltos.  2020 was a phenomenal year for this new addition to the Kia family, with over 2,600 registrations. Despite only hitting the market late in 2019, the Seltos is already in New Zealand’s top-three most popular SUVs. This is a testament to Kia achieving the perfect balance, offering drivers style, performance and space – all at a competitive price. It also includes the same top-notch media system offered in the Sportage.

Tailing the Kia Seltos was the Mazda CX-5, which tied with the Toyota Corolla at 2,567 registrations. The CX-5 is another of our personal favourites – it’s a stylish, high-performing vehicle that has proven its quality year after year. The Mazda CX-5 is available in both two or all-wheel drive, and with petrol and diesel engine options. It’s sleek, reliable, and there’s a sportiness to its handling that sets it apart from other midsize SUVs – making it easy to see why the CX-5 is as popular as it is, in such a crowded category.

The Suzuki Swift was next, trailing by only 5 registrations. Every year, this little beauty has a habit of finding its way onto the top-sellers list. And with its excellent pricing, all-round reliability and next-level handling, it’s pretty obvious why. Suzuki’s top-selling model continues to meet and exceed Kiwis’ expectations. Its unparalleled manoeuvrability and lightweight frame make it a zippy city car, while a grunty engine and great fuel efficiency mean it’s ideal for long journeys too.

The Holden Colorado cinched tenth place, followed by two Mitsubishi SUVs: the Asx and the Outlander. The Nissan Navara came in next – a ute that we are particularly fond of. Its clean good looks are accompanied by workhorse performance and it includes both single and dual-cab models, and offers a range of powerful engine options. The Navara also handles well and is excellent on fuel, ticking all the right boxes.

Our highlights from the rest of the list included: the Mazda Bt-50, the Nissan Qashqai, the Nissan X-Trail and the Suzuki Vitara – all excellent options for Kiwi drivers. 

Interested in any of the cars in this list? Check out Niccars’ range or visit a dealership near you – our team of experts can help you find exactly what you’re after.