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Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in Australia 2026 (So Far)
The Ford Ranger is Australia's best-selling new vehicle of 2026 so far, with 37,858 sales from January to September. The Toyota HiLux (36,616) and Tesla Model Y (35,930) are close behind, followed by the Toyota RAV4 (31,209). Fewer than 2,000 sales separate the top three.
This is a year-to-date ranking covering 1 January to 30 September 2026. It is not a full-year result, and it is not a September-only chart. For Australians comparing the best-selling cars in 2026, the numbers show diesel utes still leading on smaller volumes while electric SUVs and low-priced small SUVs climb.
“Cars” is used here in the everyday sense. Three of the ten are utes and seven are SUVs, so “new vehicles” is the more accurate term.
How the Ranking Was Calculated
Models are ranked by cumulative sales for the first nine months of 2026, compared with the same nine months of 2025.
Nine of the ten figures come from VFACTS, the monthly report from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which published its September 2026 results on 6 October. VFACTS 2026 data counts new vehicles reported as sold by participating brands. It does not measure state registrations or used-car sales.
Tesla and Polestar do not report to VFACTS. The Model Y figure comes from the Electric Vehicle Council's sales report, which records deliveries. That split explains two September market totals: 102,924 vehicles on VFACTS alone, or 108,778 once the separately reported Tesla and Polestar deliveries are added. The order was cross-checked against carsales' September sales coverage.
Monthly results can look quite different. The RAV4 outsold the HiLux and Model Y in September alone, yet sits fourth for the year.
Best-Selling Cars in Australia 2026: Year-to-Date Top 10
| Rank | Model | September 2026 sales | January–September 2026 sales | Change from same period in 2025 | Type and powertrain | Price snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Ranger | 5,062 | 37,858 | -10.0% | Ute; diesel, plug-in hybrid, petrol V6 | $37,130 before on-road costs (reported indicative price) |
| 2 | Toyota HiLux | 4,455 | 36,616 | -10.3% | Ute; diesel, 48-volt diesel, electric | $33,990 before on-road costs (Toyota list price) |
| 3 | Tesla Model Y | 4,476 | 35,930 | +108.4% | Medium SUV; electric | $58,900 before state-specific drive-away costs (Tesla configurator) |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 | 4,624 | 31,209 | -11.1% | Medium SUV; hybrid, plug-in hybrid | $45,990 before on-road costs (Toyota list price) |
| 5 | BYD Sealion 7 | 2,687 | 19,964 | +135.3% | Medium SUV; electric | $54,990 before on-road costs (reported MY26 price) |
| 6 | Chery Tiggo 4 | 2,059 | 19,865 | +43.0% | Small SUV; petrol, hybrid | $23,990 drive-away — Chery October offer, ending 31 October 2026 |
| 7 | Hyundai Kona | 1,617 | 18,533 | +9.2% | Small SUV; petrol, hybrid, electric | $33,700 before on-road costs (reported MY26 price) |
| 8 | Isuzu D-Max | 1,866 | 18,237 | -12.0% | Ute; diesel | $38,990 drive-away (Isuzu offer to 31 October 2026) |
| 9 | GWM Haval Jolion | 2,018 | 17,051 | +20.4% | Small SUV; petrol, hybrid | $23,990 drive-away (Victorian private-buyer offer to 31 October 2026) |
| 10 | Ford Everest | 1,713 | 16,203 | -16.8% | Large 4WD SUV; diesel | $58,990 before on-road costs (reported indicative price) |
Data note: sales are FCAI VFACTS figures except the Tesla Model Y, which uses Electric Vehicle Council delivery data. VFACTS lists the Chery as the Tiggo 4 Pro; Chery sells it as the Tiggo 4. Prices are snapshots for the cheapest variant, checked on 6 October 2026, and are not directly comparable. Manufacturer pricing before on-road costs excludes registration and other charges, drive-away offers include them, some offers apply to one state or buyer type, and “reported” prices are indicative figures from Australian motoring publications, not current nationwide manufacturer prices. Each basis is explained below. Prices and offers may change.
What Has Changed in the Market
Utes still hold first and second, but the Ranger, HiLux and D-Max are each down 10 to 12 per cent on last year.
Electric models are moving the other way. Model Y deliveries have more than doubled and the Sealion 7 is up 135.3 per cent. Once Tesla and Polestar deliveries are added to VFACTS, battery-electric vehicles made up about 24.2 per cent of the combined September market and 18.9 per cent of year-to-date sales, according to carsales' analysis of both data sets.
Chinese brands account for three of the ten most popular cars Australia has bought this year: the Sealion 7, Tiggo 4 and Jolion. Vehicles sourced from China represented 35.5 per cent of VFACTS-reported sales in September 2026, according to the FCAI's September release.
The Top 10 Models at a Glance
1. Ford Ranger
The Ranger offers the widest drivetrain choice among the utes: a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, a 3.0-litre V6 diesel, a plug-in hybrid and the petrol V6 Raptor. Ford quotes braked towing of up to 3,500kg, or 2,500kg for the Raptor. Ford quotes up to 50km of electric-only range under the NEDC test cycle for the Ranger plug-in hybrid. Ford's website shows location-based drive-away quotes, so the $37,130 before on-road costs for the XL single cab-chassis 4x2 is an indicative price reported by CarExpert. It suits owners who need one vehicle for work and family.
2. Toyota HiLux
The new-generation HiLux uses a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, with 48-volt assistance on selected double cabs, and Toyota also lists a battery-electric dual cab. Toyota's $33,990 starting price applies to the entry 4x2 WorkMate single cab-chassis manual, before on-road costs. Double cabs and 4x4s cost more. Diesel 4x4s tow up to 3,500kg, while the electric version is rated at 2,000kg. Fleets and regional owners are its usual buyers.
3. Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is the only fully electric model in the top four. Tesla Australia's Model Y configurator shows the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive at $58,900 before state-specific drive-away costs. Tesla calculates the final drive-away price according to the buyer's state, registration type and local charges. A longer six-seat Model Y L is also listed.
Tesla's basic vehicle warranty is five years with unlimited kilometres for eligible vehicles delivered from 1 January 2026. The battery and drive unit are covered separately, for eight years with a distance limit that depends on the variant. Confirm your charging access before ordering.
4. Toyota RAV4
The latest RAV4 is sold only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Toyota's list price starts at $45,990 before on-road costs for the GX 2WD hybrid. Toyota quotes 4.5L/100km for the 2WD hybrid and 4.6L/100km for the AWD. Towing is one limit: 800kg braked for 2WD versions and 1,500kg for AWD. Year-to-date sales are down 11.1 per cent, although the RAV4 was second only to the Ranger in September.
5. BYD Sealion 7
The Sealion 7 is an electric medium SUV. BYD lists a WLTP range of 482km for the rear-wheel-drive Premium and 456km for the all-wheel-drive Performance. Its warranty is six years or 150,000km for the vehicle and eight years or 160,000km for the battery, so high-kilometre drivers should note the distance cap. BYD's site does not show a fixed price. The Premium's MY26 price is reported by Drive at $54,990 before on-road costs.
6. Chery Tiggo 4
The Tiggo 4 has the lowest advertised price here, though it is an offer price. Chery's current website lists the Tiggo 4 Urban from $23,990 drive-away under its October offer, which is shown as ending on 31 October 2026. Check the current offer terms, participating dealer conditions and stock availability before relying on the price. The Urban has a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Chery quotes 7.4L/100km for the petrol; the separately priced hybrid is rated at 5.4L/100km.
7. Hyundai Kona
The Kona is the only model on the list offered with petrol, hybrid and electric drivetrains. Hyundai's website directs shoppers to a price calculator. The base 2.0-litre petrol's MY26 price is reported by CarsGuide at $33,700 before on-road costs. For the Kona Electric, Hyundai quotes a WLTP range of 370km for the Standard Range and up to 505km for the Extended Range.
8. Isuzu D-Max
The D-Max comes with a 2.2-litre or 3.0-litre turbo-diesel. Isuzu rates both at 3.5 tonnes of braked towing with its genuine tow bar and brake controller. There is no hybrid or electric version. Isuzu's current offer is $38,990 drive-away for the 25.5MY D-MAX 4x2 SX single-cab chassis automatic with the 2.2-litre engine. The offer is subject to Isuzu's official conditions, applies at participating dealers and is listed until 31 October 2026.
9. GWM Haval Jolion
The Jolion is a small SUV with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine or a hybrid, backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The $23,990 drive-away figure is not a national price. GWM lists it for Victorian private buyers on the Premium petrol, including a $3,000 saving, while stocks last and until 31 October 2026. Ask for a quote for your own state.
10. Ford Everest
The Everest is a diesel four-wheel-drive wagon with a 2.0-litre engine or a 3.0-litre V6. Ford quotes 3,500kg braked towing with its tow pack. The Active has five seats, with seven optional, and higher grades seat seven. As with the Ranger, Ford shows location-based quotes, so the $58,990 before on-road costs for the Active is an indicative price reported by CarExpert. It suits larger families who tow.
What to Consider Beyond the Sales Figures
A high sales ranking shows demand. It does not mean a model is the right choice for every buyer. Fleet orders, supply and promotions all influence the chart.
Before you shortlist, compare:
- Purchase price: on a like-for-like basis, drive-away in your state.
- Running costs: fuel or charging, insurance and servicing.
- Warranty: years and any distance limit. ABG's new-car warranty comparison sets out the brands side by side.
- Safety: equipment and rating for the exact variant. See ABG's guide to five-star ANCAP models.
- Space and towing: seats, boot or tray size and the braked towing figure for the variant you want.
- Intended use: a dual-cab ute, a small SUV and an electric medium SUV solve very different problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-selling car in Australia in 2026 so far?
The Ford Ranger, with 37,858 sales from January to September 2026. The Toyota HiLux is 1,242 behind.
Does VFACTS include Tesla sales?
No. Tesla and Polestar deliveries are reported separately by the Electric Vehicle Council and must be added to VFACTS for a full-market ranking.
Which of the top selling cars Australia buys are electric or hybrid?
The Model Y and Sealion 7 are electric only, and the RAV4 is hybrid or plug-in hybrid only. The Kona, Tiggo 4, Jolion, Ranger and HiLux offer at least one electrified version.
Should I buy a car because it is popular?
Use popularity to build a shortlist. Make the final call on cost, fit and a test drive.
Choosing From the List
The ten best-sellers so far in 2026 cover small SUVs, electric family SUVs and diesel utes, at very different prices. The ranking tells you what other Australians are buying. Your budget, the space you need and how you drive should decide the rest. Auto Buyers Guide lets you compare models, specifications and current pricing side by side before you contact a dealer.