Australia's Best-Selling Cars in 2026: What the Numbers Tell Buyers

If you are shopping for a new car this year, you have probably noticed the choice looks different from a few years ago. There are more electric cars, more brands competing for your attention, and utes are still everywhere. The 2026 sales figures show how much has moved, and knowing what that means can help you choose with more confidence.

Here is what the numbers say so far, and what they mean for the price you pay and the value your car holds later. If you want every ranking and segment in one place, our full list of Australia's best-selling new cars in 2026 has the tables, model by model. The trends behind them are below.

Utes still lead, but fewer are selling

The Ford Ranger was Australia's best-selling new vehicle in the first half of 2026, with 26,314 sales. The Toyota HiLux was second on 22,607, and the Isuzu D-MAX was seventh on 12,908.

All three sold fewer than in the same period last year. Ranger sales fell 7.0 per cent, HiLux sales 13.9 per cent and D-MAX sales 8.2 per cent, according to VFACTS figures for January to June.

For a ute buyer, that is not a reason to worry. These are still three of the most popular vehicles in the country, with large dealer networks and plenty of buyers on the used market. What has changed is that they have more competition for your money. The Kia Tasman is one example: Kia cut its prices in May 2026, and its September 2026 drive-away offer starts at $42,990 for the S 4x2.

The best-selling SUV is now electric

The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling SUV of the first half, with 20,396 sales, up 95.5 per cent. It was third overall, behind the two utes, and it still led the Toyota RAV4 for the year to the end of August, 31,454 to 26,585.

The RAV4's first-half figure of 15,551 was down 35.3 per cent, and the reason matters. It went through a model changeover, and sales often dip while the outgoing model runs out and the new one arrives. It was still fourth overall. In Australia the RAV4 is now sold as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid only.

If the car you want is changing over, ask about both versions. The outgoing model may be available sooner, and the new one may have the changes you want. We can check what is in stock across the network for each.

Electric cars have gone mainstream

Battery electric cars made up about 20 per cent of new sales in May 2026 and 23.3 per cent in June. In August they reached 24.9 per cent: 27,078 of 108,760 new vehicles. It was the first month electric cars outsold every other powertrain, including petrol, diesel and hybrid.

Two electric SUVs sat in the first-half top ten. Alongside the Model Y was the BYD Sealion 7, with 12,516 sales, up 233.2 per cent. The Sealion 7 starts at $54,990 plus on-road costs, below the Model Y's entry price of $58,900 plus on-road costs.

For many buyers, novated leasing is part of the appeal. Eligible battery electric cars under the fuel-efficient luxury car tax threshold are exempt from fringe benefits tax on a novated lease until 31 March 2027. The May 2026 Budget announced changes from 1 April 2027, subject to legislation: the full exemption would then apply only to electric cars valued at $75,000 or less, with a 25 per cent FBT reduction above that. Our guide to novated leasing an electric car explains how it works. It is general information, so get advice on your own situation before you commit.

Chinese brands are now in the top ten

Three of the first-half top ten come from Chinese brands. The Chery Tiggo 4 was fifth with 13,638 sales, up 70.6 per cent. The Sealion 7 was eighth, and the GWM Haval Jolion was ninth with 11,480, up 27.1 per cent.

The Tiggo 4 was also the best-selling small SUV of the half, just ahead of the Hyundai Kona on 13,132. The Kona grew too, up 16.8 per cent, and it comes as petrol, hybrid or electric. Chery and GWM both offer a seven-year warranty, which gives you some reassurance if a brand is new to you.

What this means for the price you pay

• You have more to compare. In the small SUV class alone, the Tiggo 4, Kona, Jolion, MG ZS and Toyota Corolla Cross each sold thousands in the first half. More cars competing for the same buyer gives you more choice at each price point.
• Electric cars now start well below the Model Y. The BYD Atto 2 has been on sale since December 2025, from $31,990 plus on-road costs, with 345 km of WLTP range.
• Some brands work differently on price. For Tesla and BYD, the saving Rodar can find comes through a novated lease rather than a lower cash price. It is worth pricing both ways before you decide.
• The drive-away price is the one to compare. On-road costs vary by state, so a list price plus on-road costs tells you less than a full drive-away figure for the exact grade and colour you want.

What this means for resale

Resale is harder to predict than the price on the day, but the sales figures give you some useful clues.

• Popular models have a deep used market. Plenty of people shop for a used Ranger, HiLux or RAV4, which makes those cars easier to sell when you move on.
• The used electric car market is younger. Prices and technology are moving quickly, so how an electric car holds its value is harder to call than for a petrol or hybrid equivalent. Weigh that against the running cost and tax savings, and think about how long you plan to keep the car.
• Newer brands have less history. Brands that have grown quickly have less used-sale data behind them. A long warranty helps, and so does choosing a model that sells in good numbers.
• A changeover dates the old model. Once a new generation is on sale, the outgoing one is the older design on the used market. Weigh that against any runout price you are offered.

How Rodar helps you buy in a changing market

With this much change, it is completely fair to feel unsure where to start. You do not need to follow the sales charts to get a good result. Tell us the car you want, or the kind of car you need, and we will do the comparing for you.

We put your exact make, model, grade and colour to our network of over 1,000 trusted automotive dealers and manufacturers, and their drive-away offers come back to you side by side. We can also compare a panel of over 30 lenders, value your trade-in and arrange delivery to your door. If the car is in stock and your finance is already sorted, it can be with you in 24 to 48 hours. Most of the time it is one week onwards, depending on the model and on stock across the network.

Whenever you are ready, get your competitive offers, or read our FAQs first if you would rather see how it works. No pressure either way.

Rates and repayments are indicative only and subject to lender approval. Rodar Pty Ltd is an Authorised Credit Representative (555548) of Fintelligence Pty Ltd (ACL 511803).