The best-selling list tells you what Australians are buying. It does not tell you what you should buy. But it is a useful shortlist, because popular cars tend to have big dealer networks, plenty of parts, strong resale demand and a long track record of owners finding the problems for you.
Every sales figure below comes from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) VFACTS release for September 2026, published on 6 October 2026 and checked on 13 October 2026. It is the latest full month available. We will refresh this guide as each new month lands.
One thing to know before you read the table: Tesla and Polestar do not report through VFACTS. Their sales are published separately by the Electric Vehicle Council, so the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 do not appear in the FCAI top 10 below even though the Model Y sells in big numbers. The FCAI's electric share figures do count all sources.
The short answer
Australia bought 102,924 new vehicles in September 2026, up 0.9 per cent on September 2025. The Ford Ranger was number one again with 5,062 sales, ahead of the Toyota RAV4 on 4,624 and the Toyota HiLux on 4,455.
The bigger story is underneath. Battery electric cars took 24.2 per cent of the whole market, up from 11.3 per cent a year earlier. Plug-in hybrid sales rose 122.7 per cent and hybrid sales 20.7 per cent, while petrol fell 36.2 per cent and diesel 18.4 per cent. China was the biggest source country, supplying 35.5 per cent of all new vehicles sold, ahead of Japan on 22.5 per cent and Thailand on 17.3 per cent.
1. Ford Ranger: 5,062 sales
The default Australian ute, and the default Australian vehicle. The Ranger wins on breadth: work utes, family dual cabs, the off-road Raptor and now a plug-in hybrid, all in one range. It suits anyone who tows, carries or heads off the bitumen. If you are cross-shopping, read our Ranger vs HiLux guide and the cheapest 4x4 dual cab utes ranked by price. Plug-in buyers should start with our plug-in ute comparison.
2. Toyota RAV4: 4,624 sales
The new-generation RAV4 was the best-selling SUV in the country in September. It is the safe family choice: efficient hybrid power, Toyota's dealer reach and resale that holds up. The new plug-in version adds a long electric range for a higher price, and our RAV4 PHEV buying guide runs the payback maths. Want the rivals side by side? See RAV4 vs X-Trail vs Sportage.
3. Toyota HiLux: 4,455 sales
The HiLux remains the ute for buyers who value reliability and resale above everything else, and it is the one fleet managers and farmers keep coming back to. It is not the most refined dual cab, but it is the least likely to surprise you. Our best dual cab utes guide shows where it sits against the Ranger, D-Max and the plug-in newcomers.
4. BYD Sealion 7: 2,687 sales
The best-selling electric car on the VFACTS table and the highest-placed Chinese-brand model. The Sealion 7 is a mid-size electric SUV that undercuts the Tesla Model Y on price and suits households that can charge at home. It is the car to test drive if you are coming out of a petrol SUV and want to go fully electric. Compare it directly in our Model Y vs Sealion 7 vs EV5 showdown.
5. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro: 2,059 sales
The Tiggo 4 is the clearest example of how value pricing is reshaping the small SUV market. It suits budget buyers who want a new car with a long warranty instead of a used one. The trade-off is a shorter local track record than the Japanese and Korean small SUVs it competes with. See where it ranks in our cheapest new cars guide and our best small SUVs shortlist.
6. GWM Haval Jolion: 2,018 sales
The Jolion is a roomy small SUV at a sharp price, sold with petrol or hybrid power. It suits young families and first-car buyers who want space and equipment for the money. If running costs matter more than sticker price, the hybrid is the one to look at, and our cheapest hybrid SUVs guide lines it up against its rivals.
7. Geely EX5: 2,008 sales
The surprise of the top 10. Geely is a newer brand in Australia, yet its mid-size electric SUV now sells almost as well as the Jolion and Prado. The EX5 suits buyers who want a lot of electric car for the money and are comfortable with a young dealer network. Before you sign, read our guide to which Chinese car brands are worth buying.
8. Toyota Prado: 2,006 sales
The Prado is the go-anywhere family wagon: proper off-road hardware, up to seven seats and serious towing. It suits caravanners and anyone who regularly leaves the bitumen with the kids on board. If you only ever drive in the city, it is more car than you need. Our best 4WDs guide shows the alternatives.
9. Isuzu D-Max: 1,866 sales
The D-Max is the working ute that undercuts the big two while keeping a strong reputation for durability. It suits tradies, farmers and private buyers who want a capable dual cab without paying Ranger or HiLux money. Check the price gap in our cheapest 4x4 dual cab utes guide.
10. MG ZS: 1,805 sales
The ZS has been a top 10 regular for years on price alone, and the range now runs from a basic petrol car to a hybrid. It suits buyers who want the lowest possible entry price into a new small SUV with a long warranty. Our cheapest new cars guide shows how its drive-away price compares.
The brands Australians bought
Toyota led by a long way with 17,682 sales in September, more than double second place. BYD was second on 8,191, ahead of Ford on 7,592, Kia on 5,901 and Mazda on 5,702. GWM (5,212), Hyundai (5,073), MG (4,635), Geely (4,473) and Chery (4,205) completed the top 10. That is five Chinese brands in the top 10 manufacturers, and BYD now outsells every brand except Toyota.
What the list means for your next car
Utes are still huge, but the market is moving. Light commercial sales fell 13.2 per cent in September compared with a year earlier, while passenger car sales grew 6.3 per cent and SUV sales 6.1 per cent. Three of the top 10 are still utes, but SUVs and passenger cars are where the growth is.
Electrified is now normal. So far in 2026, battery electric cars are 18.9 per cent of the entire market, up from 8.1 per cent at the same point in 2025, and the top 10 includes petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. If you have ruled out a hybrid or EV because it felt niche, it is worth another look. Our EV vs petrol guide and hybrid vs electric explainer walk through the running cost maths.
Chinese brands are mainstream. Five of the 10 best sellers wear a Chinese badge (counting MG, which is Chinese owned), and China supplied more than a third of all new vehicles sold in September. The cars are cheaper and come with long warranties, but dealer coverage, resale history and parts support vary a lot between brands. Our Chinese car brands buyer's guide covers what to check.
Cartell verdict
Use the best-seller list as a starting point, not a decision. The Ranger, RAV4 and HiLux sit at the top because they are low-risk choices with huge support networks, and that matters if you keep cars for a long time or live outside a capital city. The Chinese-brand models, the Sealion 7, Tiggo 4 Pro, Jolion, EX5 and ZS, are winning on price and equipment, and they deserve a test drive, but check the warranty terms and how close your nearest dealer is before you sign. For a family SUV shortlist that goes beyond the top 10, start with our best family SUVs guide.
