Fifteen years ago, Australia’s new-car sales charts read like a sedan hall of fame. Holden Commodores, Ford Falcons, Toyota Corollas, and Camrys ruled driveways and company fleets alike. Today, that world is gone. In its place stands a new automotive order—one dominated not by low-slung four-doors but by tall-riding SUVs, dual-cab pickups, and a growing wave of electrified newcomers.
At the top of the heap once again is the Ford Ranger. With 56,555 units sold last year, Ford’s midsize pickup claimed Australia’s best-selling vehicle crown for the third consecutive year. That achievement puts the Ranger in rarefied Blue Oval company. According to Drive, it’s the first Ford in 37 years to lead the national sales charts three years running, surpassing the Falcon’s 21st-century tally and cementing its place as one of only two Ford nameplates ever to dominate Australia’s market for that long.
Toyota, predictably, wasn’t far behind. The RAV4 secured second place with 51,947 sales, while the Hilux followed closely at 51,297. Both figures represent year-over-year declines—down 11.5 percent and 4.1 percent respectively—but neither suggests weakening relevance. Instead, Toyota appears to be in a holding pattern, with next-generation versions of both models waiting in the wings. If history is any guide, the Ranger won’t enjoy uncontested dominance for long.
The rest of the top 10 reinforces a clear message: Australians want vehicles that look ready for work, adventure, or both. The Isuzu D-Max finished fourth with 26,839 units, followed closely by the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado—two ladder-frame SUVs that blur the line between family transport and off-road tool. Crossovers like the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-5, and Mitsubishi Outlander remain popular, while the Tesla Model Y holds onto its place as the country’s best-selling EV.
Despite softening demand for several top sellers, the overall market didn’t flinch. Total new-vehicle sales reached a record 1.241 million units, edging up 0.3 percent year over year. Much of that growth came from an influx of new models from China, many of them electrified—and increasingly competitive.
Electric vehicle sales climbed again, with Australians buying 103,270 EVs in 2025, a 13.1 percent increase over the previous year. But the real headline belongs to BYD. The Chinese brand posted a staggering 156.2 percent sales jump, delivering 52,415 vehicles and landing just shy of GWM, which sold 52,809. At this pace, BYD looks poised to become Australia’s top-selling Chinese automaker sooner rather than later. MG, meanwhile, felt the squeeze, with sales falling 18.4 percent.
Electrification isn’t limited to full EVs. Traditional hybrid sales rose 15.3 percent to nearly 200,000 units, while plug-in hybrids surged an eye-opening 130.9 percent to more than 53,000. Australians may still love big utes and SUVs—but increasingly, they want them with a battery on board.
At the brand level, Toyota remains untouchable, moving nearly 240,000 vehicles despite a slight dip. Ford, Mazda, Kia, and Hyundai round out the top five, while Chinese brands continue their steady climb into the mainstream.
The takeaway is unmistakable. The sedan era is over, and Australia isn’t looking back. Pickups rule, SUVs reign, and electrification is no longer a fringe movement—it’s baked into the market’s future. The only question now isn’t if the landscape will keep changing, but how fast.