These Are Australia’s Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in 2023

The battle for dominance between the HiLux and Ranger is heating up.

VFACTS new-car sales data shows the Toyota HiLux was the top-selling vehicle in Australia, after being outplaced by the Ranger in April.

In May, it was a strong lead for the HiLux, with 5772 sales – deliveries, not orders – for the 4×2 and 4×4 models, versus 4110 overall for the Ranger.

While attention is always focused on the top players in the Australian new-vehicle market, there’s plenty of competition elsewhere – especially in the top 10.

Year-to-date, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 is selling strong, becoming Australia’s best-selling passenger vehicle – and the fifth highest overall – with 10,117 registrations.

The rundown

Here is a broad look at the top-10 vehicles sold in Australia year-to-date, and a table for the top-20 vehicles

11

Toyota HiLux

Australia’s top-selling vehicle for the past seven years continues to sell well, with the HiLux moving to first place.

Year-to-date, 4×4 examples account for 16,993 sales of 21,951 in total, despite extended wait times, the forthcoming GR Sport flagship, and a next-generation due within the next three years.

11

Ford Ranger

The third-generation Ford Ranger – launched in mid-2022 – is proving a hit with buyers.

It has the potential to overtake the Toyota HiLux as Australia’s top-selling vehicle in 2023, provided Ford has enough supply and strong customer demand continues throughout the year.

A total of 18,725 4×4 units have been shifted year-to-date – 21,407 when 4×2 and 4×4 sales are combined – positioning it with a healthy sales buffer neck-and-neck with its perennial rival.

11

Isuzu D-Max

The latest-generation Isuzu D-Max has jumped to third with 10,743 sales (▼ from 11,079).

The D-Max and MU-X ranges recently benefited from MY23 updates, which you can learn about here for D-Max and here for MU-X.

11

Toyota RAV4

As noted, the Toyota RAV4 is held back by supply constraints, but it still places fourth with 10,665 sales (▼ from 17,787).

It is expected to retain its position as Australia’s best-selling SUV in 2023, with greater supply expected in the second half of the year, pending additional production bottlenecks.

11

Tesla Model 3

Following strong results for the Model Y SUV in late 2022, the smaller but closely related Model 3 sedan continues to dominate.

Year-to-date, 10,117 Model 3s have been registered in Australia – making it the best-selling electric vehicle. Model Y follows in 10th place YTD.

Tesla’s sales performance was often inconsistent in 2022, with the Y dropping out of the top 10 after a record month in September 2022 – but it appears to be delivering plenty of vehicles each month this year.

11

MG ZS

The Chinese-built MG ZS continues to lead the popular small SUV segment, largely due to its affordable pricing and popularity with fleet companies.

Year-to-date, 9823 examples of the ZS – including the ZST and ZS EV – have been registered in Australia (▲ from 8978).

11

Mazda CX-5

The popular Mazda CX-5 medium SUV follows with 9795 sales (▼ from 12,898).

A boost in unallocated supply in the past few months helped the CX-5 to reclaim its former number-one spot in the medium SUV segment, as wait times continue to grow for the supply-constrained Toyota RAV4.

11

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi’s latest-generation Outlander – first launched in 2021 – closely follows with 9718 registrations (▲ from 7529).

It was updated recently for model-year 2023 with new safety technology, minor specification changes and an LS Black Edition variant – but price rises up to $1000. The plug-in hybrid variant also received similar changes.

11

Hyundai i30

The Hyundai i30 range is ninth, with 8691 sales (▼ from 8442).

It is available in hatch or sedan form, with standard, N Line and N variants included in the combined sales count. The i30 Sedan, known as Elantra globally, is rebadged specifically for Australia to capitalise on the success of the i30 nameplate.

11

Tesla Model Y

The all-electric Tesla Model Y has been storming up the charts in Australia since it arrived in mid-2022, entering the top 10 for the first time in May.

Year-to-date, the Tesla Model Y midsize electric SUV has recorded 8442 sales. It is followed by the 11th-place Hyundai Tucson (8082).

TOP 20