Purchasing a car is a big deal, and picking the right one is important. In New Zealand, where reliable transportation is essential, our expert buying guide and test results can help you find the best cars to suit your needs.
Buy the best car for your lifestyle
Whether you need a safe SUV for your family, a fuel-efficient hybrid for long drives, or a sleek sedan, we'll only recommend cars that last and perform well. Our survey of 8527 cars shows which brands:
• are best for reliable motoring
• have the most satisfied owners
• cost the least to maintain and repair
Most reliable cars of 2025
Best small car
Best crossover SUV
Best SUV
Best electric vehicle
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What you need to know when buying a car
Check out the top questions and features to look for from our car buying guide.
Buying new or used? We explain the pros and cons of buying a new or used car.
Safety ratings: Check out our guide to safety ratings and making the safest choice within your price range.
Finance: Find out more about car finance deals, add-ons and how to avoid debt traps.
Get the most out of your ride
Follow a consistent maintenance schedule and adopt fuel-saving driving habits so you can ensure that you get the most out of your car while keeping expenses in check. Check out our expert advice on how to look after your car.
Our guide to keeping your car well maintained
Keep up with your car's service schedule and your motoring should be a breeze.
How car depreciation works
Automobiles lose value as they get older and the kilometres rack up. Depreciation is a hidden cost of car ownership – you don’t see it until you come to sell the car or trade it for a newer model.
5 ways to reduce your fuel bill
With the current price of petrol and diesel at painful levels, our experts have compiled a short list of tips to help keep you on the roads for a bit longer between fills.
The data downside of fuel discount schemes
They might save you money, but are fuel discount schemes really benefitting consumers?
People's Choice
Our People's Choice awards are granted to brands that consistently rate above average for customer satisfaction and meet out other performance criteria. Become a member and see which brands have earned a People’s Choice award.
Which car brands are most reliable?
We asked thousands of Consumer members about their experience with products they've used to find out which brands are most reliable and satisfying to own. The results are available to members and Digital Pass holders.
Get more for your car
Tap into our exclusive ratings and research. From choosing the most durable car tyres to buying the right dashcam, perfect speakers and soundbar to optimizing your Wi-Fi connection, we'll help you pick the right equipment for your car.
About our car survey
Owners told us about serious, major and minor faults that happened in the past year. We also asked them how satisfied they were with their car and specific aspects of its performance..
Our survey was conducted during November and December 2023. We received data on 8527 cars. We only analysed makes or models that received more than 30 samples so you know we’ll only recommend car you’ll love to own.
