Japanese vs. European vehicles in NZ: which is right for me?

When shopping around for a car, you’ll likely see a range of Japanese and European vehicle options. It can be tough to decide which is best for you.

Marac has been helping Kiwis to get on the road for more than 65 years, so we know vehicles. to help you work out which might work better for you, we’ve put together a list of pros and cons about both Japanese and European cars.

What are the pros of owning a Japanese car?

Japanese cars became popular in New Zealand in the 1990s – now you’ll see them almost everywhere. While being common isn’t always a good thing, when it comes to vehicle ownership, it can be. This is because with the number of Japanese cars around, you can rely on many Kiwi mechanics knowing how to fix them. You can also expect parts for a common car to be easier to find so you won’t be waiting for shipping, which will also drive the price down.

What are the pros of owning a European car?

European cars are known for their style, function and safety, so if you’re looking for a car with all the bells and whistles, this may be the right choice for you. European cars are also thought to generally have better engines and the newest tech in the market. Safety is always front of mind when designing European cars – which should be a priority.

What are the cons of owning a Japanese car?

When cars are directly imported into New Zealand, they sometimes have snow tyres which may be unsuitable for our road. Make sure to factor new tyres into the price when looking at new imports, or ask the seller about the type of tyres the vehicle is fitted with. Another thing to consider is that Japanese imports are generally made for the Japanese market, meaning the features will often still be in Japanese. This means you might not understand how to use some of your car’s cool features. With some cars you can reprogram the language, but not all – if this is important to you, it might be worth checking before you buy.

What are the cons of owning a European car?

If you buy a European car, chances are you’ll spend more on it over the course of its lifetime than you would on a Japanese car. European cars are known for costing a bit more to service and maintain, this is partially because European car parts tend to be more expensive to import as they’re imported from further away, and labour costs are typically more expensive. Another thing to consider is that the average Kiwi mechanic may not be as well versed in European cars due to Japanese cars being a popular choice for Kiwi motorists, so you might need to go to a specific provider or dealership for repairs rather than your local mechanic.

Both types of cars have their positives and negatives, it’s up to you to decide what you need in a vehicle. If you’re ready to start looking for a new car, we might be able to help with our financing options. Find out more here: www.marac.co.nz/finance/car-loans.

Heartland Bank’s responsible lending criteria, fees and charges apply.