With the compact SUV sector making up 20% of the total SUV market, it’s not surprising to see Toyota launching a new model to claim its share.

The new kid on the SUV block will have auto sales and marketing managers burning the midnight oil and scratching their heads as they wonder how to deal with this – the Skoda Kodiaq.

Now entering its 21st year since the launch in 1995, the Toyota RAV 4 has graced the yards or driveways of 28,500 buyers and retains its dominant stake in the competitive SUV market.

High demand is anticipated for the new Suzuki Vitara Turbo soon to be launched in New Zealand.

Interestingly, on my first visit to NZ in 2001 my first hire car was a Rav4, picked up at Christchurch for a whistle-stop tour of Canterbury to Southland and back in three days.

With SUV sales increasing by 20% in 2015 over 2014 it's no surprise to see Toyota NZ increase its offering from six to seven models with the arrival of the new Fortuner.

Steel may be the real deal when it comes to tough bars and accessories for protecting a work ute or city SUV, but it's often the shiny looks that seal the deal.

As the top selling model for Kia Motors, the arrival of the 2016 Sportage SUV is timely considering New Zealand's current love affair with this type of vehicle.

When it comes to four wheel drives the ubiquitous Toyota Land Cruiser has been around for 60 years, and the Prado variant for the last twenty.

With around one third of New Zealand roads unsealed, no surprise that drivers like utes, crossovers and SUV’s.