Motoring blog

Our blog features motoring news, tips and expert advice brought to you by the AA Motoring team.

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Car Launch: 2026 Land Rover Defender

06 January 2026

The spirit of adventure continues to evolve with the arrival of the 2026 Defender in New Zealand, showcasing small changes to an already exciting design and enhanced capabilities that elevate every off-road experience.

5 common car repair costs in New Zealand – and how to avoid the sting (2025)

12 December 2025

You’re driving down the road and suddenly you hear a weird noise rattling throughout the cabin, you can feel your car losing power, and the dashboard lights are flashing like fireworks. When your car breaks down, it can be a costly inconvenience. Check out these five common repairs that cost New Zealand drivers a lot of money, how to spot them early, and how to stay one step ahead.

Car Launch: MG U9

13 November 2025

MG are on a roll with adding new cars, the Chinese brand is covering off every segment of the market with some great examples. Its latest gamble is in the commercial space with the new U9, a diesel-powered double cab ute.

Car Launch: Leapmotor B10

13 November 2025

New Zealand’s SUV market is full of models labelled as family-friendly, efficient and feature-packed - but how many of them are reasonably priced? That’s the space Leapmotor is stepping into with its newest arrival, the B10: a compact, fully electric SUV pitched squarely at buyers who want space, spec and EV simplicity without the luxury-brand price tag.

Summer Road Trip Ready

03 November 2025

There’s nothing quite like a Kiwi summer road trip. The sun’s blazing, the boot’s packed (with more snacks than you’ll ever admit), your playlist is locked in, and the great open road is calling. Whether you’re cruising to the bach, chasing surf breaks or zig-zagging across the country to see whānau, a little prep now guarantees the only drama on your journey is deciding which ice cream flavour to choose at the dairy.

Trying the tyres: the Bridgestone Turanza 6 Launch

22 October 2025

Technical Advisor Allister Wade attends the launch of the new Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyre in Sydney.

Q&A: Jonathan Sergel, AA's Chief Mobility Officer

22 October 2025

We chat with Jonathan Sergel about what the future of mobility looks like for the AA.

2026 Volkswagen Tayron – The new middle child

22 October 2025

Over the past few years, Volkswagen quietly dropped the Passat and Polo from the New Zealand market – two nameplates that carried decades of heritage and excitement. With global sales dipping, some wondered if VW was losing its spark. This year, however, Volkswagen is flipping the script and introducing a bold new seven-seater in the form of the Tayron.

Cupra at Hampton Downs: Cupra’s origin story

21 October 2025

The AA was recently invited by Cupra to experience what its cars are capable of on a day out at Hampton Downs. With a name derived from the racetrack – Cupra is a shortened version of ‘Cup Racing’ – we hand an inkling of what to expect.

Real-World Driving vs. Lab Tests: What’s Going On With Vehicle Claims?

05 September 2025

Have you ever seen the fuel economy label on a vehicle for sale? Maybe you’ve heard things about the range of an electric vehicle (EV) and wondered how accurate it is? Recently, the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has been conducting ‘real-world’ testing of vehicles, which is useful for New Zealand as we have similar vehicles. After each batch of tests, the results are reported by media – usually highlighting which cars didn’t measure up to expectations. Either an EV has failed to live up to its claimed range, or a combustion car is using more fuel than advertised. But can these tests teach us anything, or are they simply headline grabbers?

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Motoring blog

Our blog features motoring news, tips and expert advice brought to you by the AA Motoring team.

Car Launch: 2026 Land Rover Defender

5 common car repair costs in New Zealand – and how to avoid the sting (2025)

Car Launch: MG U9

Car Launch: Leapmotor B10

Summer Road Trip Ready

Trying the tyres: the Bridgestone Turanza 6 Launch

Q&A: Jonathan Sergel, AA's Chief Mobility Officer

2026 Volkswagen Tayron – The new middle child

Cupra at Hampton Downs: Cupra’s origin story

Real-World Driving vs. Lab Tests: What’s Going On With Vehicle Claims?

New car reviews

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Motoring blog

Our blog features motoring news, tips and expert advice brought to you by the AA Motoring team.

Car Launch: 2026 Land Rover Defender

5 common car repair costs in New Zealand – and how to avoid the sting (2025)

Car Launch: MG U9

Car Launch: Leapmotor B10

Summer Road Trip Ready

Trying the tyres: the Bridgestone Turanza 6 Launch

Q&A: Jonathan Sergel, AA's Chief Mobility Officer

2026 Volkswagen Tayron – The new middle child

Cupra at Hampton Downs: Cupra’s origin story

Real-World Driving vs. Lab Tests: What’s Going On With Vehicle Claims?

New car reviews

About AA Membership

Membership Types

Member Services

Business Membership

Car maintenance

Buying & selling

Ownership & registration

Reviews & articles

AA Driving School

Driver licensing

ID services

Instructor training

General Insurance

Personal Insurance

Finance

Disclosure statements

Emergency trades

Home repairs & maintenance

Home Inspection

AA Traveller

Maps

Identity verification services

In the community

Newsroom