Why isn’t Honda popular in NZ? Barely see anyone driving them

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Why isn’t Honda popular in NZ? Barely see anyone driving them

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Radiotron

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#3430214 2-Nov-2025 20:15

Honda made some good cars in the 2000s. I don't really know what they are up to now beyond used import rollerskates and SUVs. As an aspirational Japanese brand I think Mazda took over that space. Disclaimer: I drive a 19yo Mazda.With three pedals.

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hsvhel

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#3430215 2-Nov-2025 20:16

mudguard:

I have a 33 year old one 😂

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riztricted

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#3430218 2-Nov-2025 21:01

Definitely not as popular as Toyotas in NZ. What ive found owning 2 NZ new Honda's (CRV Sport7 upgraded to CRV e:HEV) their NZ vehicle packaging lags behind Toyota & few years behind Hyundai. (I.e. no blind spot, no 360, no HUD). Value & pricing wise also comparing CRV price to RAV or Tucson. Current gen Civic priced higher then larger higher specced Camry.

Their Newmarket sales rep wouldn't even give me a years free servicing. Toyota consistently advertises 3-5 years free service & wof.

Sadly my brand loyalty has waned and next won't be a Honda.

Andib

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#3430219 2-Nov-2025 21:10

Honda really hasn’t done much other than ‘keeping the lights on’ since they almost went under during the GFC.
I think a lack of model choice, not selling to fleet and not really being price competitive has hurt them in the eyes of buyers in the last 10-15 years with the explosion in popularity of Korean brands & now Chinese.

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Handle9

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#3430223 2-Nov-2025 21:39

It’s not a New Zealand thing, it’s a Honda thing. The fit/jazz is really the only Honda I’d buy these days.

PetAT

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#3430247 2-Nov-2025 23:11

openmedia:

Must depends on your part of NZ. There are a lot on the road on the North Short of Auckland.

I second that, when growing up, I have seen plenty of Hondas in Auckland. Although I must add, half of them were with the typical "modded" honda looks to put it lite, others either stock and falling apart or well kept/ nice and clean.

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cddt

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#3430326 3-Nov-2025 08:12

We used to have an Accord, so I notice a lot of those around...

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mudguard

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#3430329 3-Nov-2025 08:42

cddt:

We used to have an Accord, so I notice a lot of those around...

It's a shame, they don't even sell the Accord here anymore. I had a quick look at the range and it's almost all SUVs (like everyone to be fair) with a Jazz and Civic thrown in. The Type R is about the only one I'm interested in. But being turbocharged it's less interesting.

No lease pricing makes them less visible but probably better for consumers as they don't have the value of their car plummet after three years when all the rental companies dump the same model.

I try drive my old Civic once a week but in reality it's more like once a month.

allan

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#3430331 3-Nov-2025 09:16

Happy owner of a 5 year old Jazz here, but yes I do agree with a number of the comments about the Honda presence in NZ.

MikeB4

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#3430357 3-Nov-2025 10:15

We love our Honda Jazz and it has become our vehicle of choice and the Mitzi is being left all alone. The "Magic Seats" in the Jazz are awesome and my wife can get my my wheel chairs in with complete ease. Its incredibly economic to run, performs great and my wife tells me it is dead easy to get around town in it. We are taking it away for our wedding anniversary, it will be great to see what its like on a longer trip. I gave up driving a few years back so I cannot comment on how it drives.

I have owned in the past a Honda Civic, two Honda Accords and a Honda CRV and they have all been very good cars and never gave any problems.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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