If you’re behind a wheel in Sydney, there’s a good chance it’s a Toyota – unless you’re really posh – according to sales data from Compare the Market that’s lifted the hood on the city’s favourite cars.

The figures confirm one brand’s dominance on the roads does not extend to Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs, where some of the priciest autos are garaged.

Toyota outstrips other makes in most suburbs, owing to the popularity of its Corolla, Camry and Hilux models, known for their safety features, reliability and resale value.

However, Volkswagen reigns supreme in Bondi, Woollahra, Paddington, Potts Point, Neutral Bay and Curl Curl.

The German car-maker’s Golf, which comes in hatchback and sedan, is popular with city commuters after a compact vehicle that’s easy to park.

Centennial Park was an outlier, high tailing it in Hyundais.

Unsurprisingly, drivers in Vaucluse, Darling Point and Dover Heights have the most expensive taste, preferring Mercedes-Benz, while BMWs are the top choice in Northbridge and Castlecrag.

Adding to the feeling of luxury, local motorists in Darling Point and Dover Heights prefer black cars, Northbridge likes silver, while Castlecrag bucks the trend with blue. Broadly, white paint is still the top choice, because it absorbs less heat, and not as likely to fade and depreciate.

After Toyota, Mazda ranked second in many suburbs thanks to the popularity of its 3 and CX-5 range.

The insights come from Compare the Market’s car insurance comparison service which allows Aussies to review a range of policies from some of the country’s biggest insurers.

Sydney’s top car brands ranked by suburb

*Joint first

Source: Compare the Market car insurance comparison data, covering sales to 13 August

Compare the Market insurance expert Stephen Zeller says motorists should be aware that the vehicle model they drive can have a big impact on their insurance premiums.

He said: “Generally, if the car is expensive to replace, it’s expensive to insure. This may include the cost of car parts that need to be imported from overseas.

“Toyota Corollas are common on the roads and parts are readily available, which means they’re generally cheaper to cover than more exotic makes and models.

“Your postcode also impacts premium prices. If there’s a higher risk of theft or damage, your insurer will usually factor that into your premium as well as whether you park your car on the street or lock it up in a garage.

“It’s important you keep your details updated, if you move, change jobs, or adopt different commuting habits, to make sure your covered if something goes wrong.”