Ford Ranger Leads Australia’s Top 10 Most Popular Cars in Early 2026 as Utes and SUVs Dominate Sales

The Ford Ranger has reclaimed its position as Australia’s best-selling vehicle in the opening month of 2026, underscoring the enduring popularity of utes and SUVs amid a market showing modest growth and shifting preferences toward electrified options and Chinese brands.

According to VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, new vehicle sales totaled 87,753 in January 2026, a slight 0.1% increase from the previous year despite comparisons complicated by 2025 port strikes and biosecurity delays. SUVs commanded 61.2% of the market, light commercials held 20.5%, passenger cars 15.5% and heavy commercials the remainder.

The top 10 models for January 2026 reflect a blend of traditional favorites and rising challengers:

1. Ford Ranger — 3,403 units (down 20% year-on-year) Australia’s perennial ute king reclaimed the crown despite a dip, buoyed by its rugged capability, towing prowess and widespread appeal for work and leisure. The Ranger accounted for over half of Ford’s January sales, highlighting its dominance in the light commercial segment.
2. Toyota HiLux — 2,800 units (down 15.2%) The iconic HiLux trailed closely, impacted by the gradual rollout of its new generation. It remains a staple for tradies and rural buyers, though competition from the Ranger and emerging Chinese utes pressures its long-held status.
3. Mazda CX-5 — 2,289 units (up 22.3%) A surprise podium finisher and the top SUV, the CX-5 delivered its strongest January performance in years. The outgoing model benefits from strong demand ahead of its refresh later in 2026, appealing with refined handling, premium interior and fuel efficiency.
4. Chery Tiggo 4 — 2,234 units (up 119.4%) Chinese brands surged, with Chery’s compact SUV hitting an all-time high ranking. Aggressive pricing, generous features and growing dealer networks propelled the Tiggo 4 into the top five, signaling accelerating acceptance of Chinese vehicles.
5. Mitsubishi Outlander — 1,975 units (down 5.5%) The PHEV-equipped Outlander maintained solid momentum in the electrified space, benefiting from Australia’s rising interest in plug-in hybrids, which soared 170.5% to 5,161 units market-wide.
6. Ford Everest — 1,913 units (up 13.9%) The body-on-frame SUV outsold rivals like the Toyota Prado, offering family-friendly seating, off-road ability and diesel efficiency that resonate with Australian buyers.
7. Hyundai Kona — 1,839 units (up 41.4%) The compact crossover climbed sharply, fueled by its stylish design, tech features and hybrid/EV variants appealing to urban drivers.
8. Isuzu D-Max — 1,798 units (down 13.8%) The dependable ute held firm in the commercial segment, favored for its durability and value in fleet and rural applications.
9. GWM Haval Jolion — 1,789 units (up 39.1%) Another Chinese success story, the Jolion’s affordability and equipment levels continued to drive strong gains for GWM.
10. Toyota RAV4 — 1,757 units (down 65.4%) The former bestseller suffered as outgoing stock dwindled ahead of the new model’s March arrival, a transitional dip expected to reverse later in the year.

The list highlights key trends: utes and SUVs dominate, comprising eight of the top 10 spots. Chinese manufacturers like Chery and GWM posted explosive growth, with China-origin vehicles jumping 62.9% to claim 23.8% market share. Toyota, the overall brand leader with 14,310 sales (16.4% share), saw a 22.3% decline — its weakest in nearly three years — as models like the RAV4 transitioned.

Electrification accelerated: Battery electric vehicles rose 93.3% to 8.4% share, plug-in hybrids exploded and hybrids held steady at 17.4%. Brands like BYD surged dramatically (up 640.9% year-on-year, though from a low base affected by prior delays), climbing to sixth overall.

State variations showed resilience in Victoria (+6.3%) and New South Wales (+2.3%), while Western Australia (-12.7%) and the Northern Territory (-18.1%) lagged. Private sales edged up modestly, but short-term rentals jumped 47%, inflating the headline figure.

Analysts note the market’s resilience despite economic pressures, with SUVs’ 61% share reflecting lifestyle shifts toward versatile, family-oriented vehicles. Chinese brands’ momentum challenges established players, potentially reshaping the top 10 as more models arrive and incentives evolve.

As 2026 unfolds, expect battles in key segments: the refreshed RAV4 challenging for SUV supremacy, new HiLux variants bolstering Toyota, and continued Chinese inroads. For now, the Ford Ranger’s lead affirms Australia’s love for capable utes, while diverse powertrains signal a market in transition.