The final VFACTS and EVC reporting for 2025 is officially in. In a year defined by the "practical transition" to hybrid power and the meteoric rise of new challengers, the Australian automotive market reached 1,209,808 total sales.
While the overall market dipped by 0.9 per cent compared to the 2024 record, the leaderboard shows a significant shake-up in consumer preference, with SUVs and utes now completely dominating the top tier.
The Podium Battle: Ranger, RAV4, and Hilux
The battle for the gold medal was a three-way race for much of the year. The Ford Ranger ultimately secured the top spot with 56,555 deliveries.

However, the story of the year was the Toyota RAV4, which surged into second place with 51,947 sales, overtaking the Toyota Hilux (51,297) to become Australia’s best-selling SUV and second-favorite vehicle overall.
Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicles of 2025
For the second year running, the Ford Ranger has taken the gold medal, though the gap at the top has narrowed as Toyota’s SUV stable hit its stride.
- Ford Ranger: 56,555 sales (Combined 4x4 and 4x2)
- Toyota RAV4: 51,947 sales
- Toyota HiLux: 51,297 sales (Combined 4x4 and 4x2)
- Isuzu D-Max: 26,839 sales (Combined 4x4 and 4x2)
- Ford Everest: 26,161 sales
- Toyota Prado: 26,106 sales
- Hyundai Kona: 22,769 sales
- Mazda CX-5: 22,742 sales
- Mitsubishi Outlander: 22,459 sales
- Tesla Model Y: 22,239 sales
Toyota remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of the Australian market, delivering 239,863 vehicles in 2025 - accounting for roughly 19.8 per cent of every new car sold.

However, the real story lies in the "Source Country" data. China has consolidated its position as Australia’s third-largest vehicle source (behind Japan and Thailand), now representing 18 per cent of total sales.
- Ford (94,399): Held second place thanks to the strength of the Ranger and Everest.
- Mazda (91,923): Maintained third despite a slight softening in passenger car sales.
- BYD (52,415): The standout performer of the year, BYD saw a 156.2 per cent increase in sales, overtaking several legacy brands to move toward the top five.
- Chery (34,889): Recorded a massive 176.8 per cent growth, proving its aggressive expansion and dealer network growth are paying dividends.
While the Top 10 list features familiar names, the "chasing pack" consists of new models that recorded extraordinary growth in 2025.
The BYD Shark 6
The Shark 6 utility has been the "dark horse" of the year. In its first full year, it shifted 18,073 units, making it the fourth best-selling ute in the country and beating long-established favorites like the Nissan Navara and Volkswagen Amarok. It is now the clear leader in the burgeoning Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) ute segment.

Chery Tiggo 4
Finishing just outside the Top 10 with 20,149 sales, the Tiggo 4 has become a dominant force in the budget-conscious small SUV segment. Its meteoric rise saw it regularly appearing in the monthly Top 5 throughout the second half of the year.

The EV-olution: Sealion 7 and Kona
While Tesla's overall brand volume dipped, the BYD Sealion 7 made a significant impact with 13,410 sales, positioning it as a major alternative to the Model Y. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Kona (7th overall) proved that offering multiple drivetrains (Petrol, Hybrid, and EV) is a winning strategy for the current market.

Toyota Prado’s 166% Jump
The arrival of the new-generation 250 Series Prado triggered a frenzy. After years of supply constraints, Toyota delivered 26,106 units - a 166.3% increase over the previous year - securing its spot as one of the most desired family vehicles in the country.

FAQ
Why did the Ford Ranger beat the Toyota HiLux again in 2025?
The Ranger continues to lead because it offers a more "car-like" interior and superior technology compared to the current HiLux platform, which is now nearly a decade old. While the HiLux is still favored by fleet and rural buyers for its legendary reliability, private buyers have flocked to the Ranger's V6 engine and large vertical infotainment screens.
Is the "EV boom" over in Australia?
Not exactly, but it has leveled off. While Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) hit a record 103,269 sales, their market share growth has slowed to what the FCAI calls an "anaemic" rate. Instead, 2025 was the year of the Hybrid, with buyers choosing the "practical transition" of petrol-electric power over pure electric to avoid range anxiety.
Are wait times finally back to normal for new cars?
Mostly. For the majority of brands, you can now drive away within 1–2 months. However, high-demand models like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Corolla Cross, and certain trims of the Toyota Prado still carry wait times of 4 to 8 months due to a massive backlog of orders.
Why is China now such a big player in the Australian car market?
Australia is a "right-hand drive" market with no local manufacturing and no significant trade barriers for Chinese vehicles. This has made us a perfect testing ground for brands like BYD and Chery. Their ability to provide high-tech EVs and SUVs at a lower price point than Japanese or European rivals has seen them rapidly gain trust.
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