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The most popular car brand in Australia is Toyota (241,296) which sold more than twice the number of cars of the runner-up Ford (100,170) in 2024.
These brands headline a car market that grew by a small percentage (1.7%) in 2024 with 1,237,287 new cars sold vs. 1,216,780 the previous year.
However, with economic factors expected to have a lasting effect on the new car market in 2025 and more than 10 new Chinese car brands set to join our market and rock the boat with seemingly endless advertising dollars, it will be interesting to see how these numbers look into the new year. Now, let’s look at the top-selling car brands in Australia for 2024.
Most Popular Car Brands in Australia at a Glance
These are Australia’s most popular car brands, with data provided by the FCAI.
| Brand | 2024 Sales | 2023 Sales | Variance YoY |
| 1. Toyota | 241,296 | 215,240 | 12.1% |
| 2. Ford | 100,170 | 87,800 | 14.1% |
| 3. Mazda | 95,987 | 100,008 | -4.0% |
| 4. Kia | 81,787 | 76,120 | 7.4% |
| 5. Mitsubishi | 74,547 | 63,511 | 17.4% |
| 6. Hyundai | 71,664 | 75,183 | -4.7% |
| 7. MG | 50,592 | 58,346 | -13.3% |
| 8. Isuzu UTE | 48,172 | 45,341 | 6.2% |
| 9. Nissan | 45,284 | 39,376 | 15.0% |
| 10. GWM | 42,782 | 36,397 | 17.5% |
1. Toyota
Total number of sales in 2024: 241,296 (+12.1%)
Toyota is still the top car brand in Australia by a significant margin, and it has the Toyota RAV4 to thank for the sales success with the 58,718 cars sold representing a 98.2% sales increase. Yes, Toyota sells more RAV4s than it does the HiLux in Australia, with the medium-sized SUV dominating the sales charts this year and clinching the title for our nation’s top-selling SUV. We don’t see that changing anytime soon with the rumoured 2026 RAV4 model expected to be unveiled before the end of this year.
Other winners include the Camry (+45.6%), Corolla, (+20.2%), Corolla Cross (+12.2%), Hiace Van (+69.4%), and Yaris Cross (+26.0%) all witnessing sales increases.
It was another tough year for the Toyota HiLux, which, despite its facelift and 48-volt mild-hybrid system struggled throughout a year in which sales decreased for both the HiLux 4×2 (-36.8%) and HiLux 4×4 (-6.4%). It seems the brand needs to fast-track its plans for the new generation model should it want to regain the crown for the top-selling dual-cab ute on the market and beat out the Ford Ranger.
Most Popular Toyota Models in Australia
- Toyota RAV4: 58,718
- Toyota Hilux 4X4: 45,839 (Toyota Hilux 4X2: 7,660)
- Toyota Corolla: 24,027
- Toyota Camry: 15,401
- Toyota Landcruiser Wagon: 15,257
2. Ford
Total number of sales in 2024: 100,170 (+14.1%)
The bell rang again for Ford Australia as the Ranger was given the title of Australia’s number-one-selling vehicle for the second time in a row.
Sales numbers for the model were down ever so slightly on the previous year with 62,593 cars sold vs. 63,356. However, the dual-cab ute still managed to beat Toyota HiLux sales by 9,094 units which is a significant margin. Of course, these numbers are traditionally bolstered by fleet purchases.
The platform-shared Ford Everest also saw a further 75.8% sales increase throughout 2024, and that’s on top of the 46.1% increase it gained the previous year. Still, it will be one tight race in this segment through 2025 as Toyota customers begin to receive their Prado orders. Interestingly, the new Prado outsold the Everest in December 2024, with sales of 2,687 vs. 2,476 for the Everest. We certainly have another HiLux vs. Ranger rivalry on our hands.
It was also a great year for the full-size Ford F-150 which bolstered sales for the brand despite slowing sales in this segment overall. Ford sold 2,428 of them through 2024, with 344 sales coming in December alone. That’s more than the Chevrolet Silverado (228), RAM 1500 (277), and Toyota Tundra (136).
Finally, it was also a better year for Ford’s electric model line-up with its Ford Mustang Mach-E achieving 673 sales in 2024. That’s a significant increase on the 51 sales the vehicle achieved in 2023, mostly thanks to significant price reductions across the line-up.
Most Popular Ford Models in Australia
- Ford Ranger 4X4: 57,960 (Ford Ranger 4X2: 4,633)
- Ford Everest: 26,494
- Ford Ranger 4X2: 4,633
- Ford Transit Custom: 3,427
- Ford F150: 2,428
3. Mazda
Total number of sales in 2024: 95,987 (-4.0%)
Mazda is in the midst of a subtle rebrand and it appears to be working with the stylish (and rather expensive) Mazda CX-60 (+46.0%), CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 (+54.6%) all proving to be sales success towards the back end of 2024.
Despite this, these numbers aren’t immediately reflected in the data, and Mazda saw an overall sales decrease of 4.0% in 2024 due to slowing sales of its core model line-up, including Mazda CX-30 (-3.4%), CX-5 (-1.1%), CX-8 (-51.1%), and the dual-cab ute line-up consisting of the Mazda BT-50 4X2 (-13.8%) and Mazda BT-50 4X4 (-13.4%).
Prices are up across the board as the brand moves upmarket to avoid unwanted competition with the new Chinese competitors entering the market. While the new models are leaps and bounds ahead of the previous generation vehicles, it will be interesting to see how customers react to the increased prices in the toughening economic conditions.
Most Popular Mazda Models in Australia
- Mazda CX-5: 22,835
- Mazda CX-3: 18,461
- Mazda BT-50 4X4: 12,161 (Mazda BT-50 4X2: 3,003)
- Mazda3: 10,528
- Mazda2: 5,365
4. Kia
Total number of sales in 2024: 81,787 (+7.4%)
Kia continues to fire on all cylinders as the brand witnessed a 7.4% sales increase in 2024 with 81,787 total cars sold. These sales were thanks to a few core models in Kia’s line-up benefitting from large increases, including the Kia Sorento (+17.0%), Kia Sportage (+41.0%), and Kia Cerato (+167.5%).
Still, it wasn’t all positive news as the brand continues to feel the pressure from new Chinese competition in the lower end of the price bracket. Kia Seltos sales continue to be pressed by the MG ZS dropping 25.7%. Meanwhile, it’s the same story for the Kia Picanto which saw a 24.4% sales decrease in the face of a new MG3 that simply offers more technology and performance.
If the brand can even sell half as many Kia Tasman utes as Ford does Rangers, expect this total sales number to climb substantially when sales numbers are released towards the end of this year or early next year.
Most Popular Kia Models in Australia
- Kia Sportage: 22,210
- Kia Cerato: 15,502
- Kia Carnival: 10,080
- Kia Sorento: 9,791
- Kia Stonic: 6,189
5. Mitsubishi
Total number of sales in 2024: 74,547 (+17.4%)
It was a return to form for Mitsubishi who saw the biggest percentage sales increase in 2024 amongst the top five car brands in Australia. Every single model in the brand’s line-up saw sales increases, but none more than the Mitsubishi ASX (+34.4%) which outsold the Subaru Crosstrek and brought serious competition to the Hyundai Kona and all the Chinese competitors in its segment. That said, we’d expect this triumph for the ASX to be short-lived as competition here is about to increase significantly with cars like the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro arriving on our shores at ridiculously low price points.
The new Mitsubishi Triton 4X4 proved its worth in the competitive dual-cab ute market where it witnessed a 7.3% sales increase. It outsold the Mazda BT-50 4X4, Nissan Navara 4X4, Volkswagen Amarok 4X4, and the GWM Ute 4X4.
Finally, the humble Outlander reigned supreme as the top-selling Mitsubishi in Australia. The 27,613 sales put it in second place to the Toyota RAV4 in the SUV Medium < $60K segment, which is impressive, to say the least. This beats the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan X-Trail, and Subaru Forester.
Most Popular Mitsubishi Models in Australia
- Mitsubishi Outlander: 27,613
- Mitsubishi Triton 4X4: 14,737 (Mitsubishi Triton 4X2: 3,340)
- Mitsubishi ASX: 12,330
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 9,221
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 7,306
6. Hyundai
Total number of sales in 2024: 75,183 (-4.7%)
Like Mazda, Hyundai is amid an upmarket rebrand. Five models propped up sales, including the Hyundai Kona (+55.4%), Hyundai Sonata (+49.7%), Hyundai Staria (+19.5%), Hyundai Staria Load (+40.3%), and Hyundai Venue (+13.0%). Meanwhile, every other model in the brand’s line-up struggled for sales, including the Hyundai i30, which saw a painful -38.5% sales decrease at a large volume (-7,944) that dropped it from first in the Small < $40K to third behind the Kia Cerato and Mazda3.
Most Popular Hyundai Models in Australia
- Hyundai Tucson: 19,061
- Hyundai Kona: 17,374
- Hyundai i30: 12,682
- Hyundai Venue: 6,949
- Hyundai Santa Fe: 5,392
7. MG
Total number of sales in 2024: 50,592 (-13.3%)
Chinese-owned SAIC Motor Corporation brought MG to Australia only a few years ago, but the brand has made a name for itself by selling some of the most affordable new cars on the market. Every car in its line-up is feature-packed, and the top-selling MG ZS starts from around AUD$33,990 drive-away, which has helped make it the leader in the SUV Small < $45K segment. Several price reductions for the MG MG4 electric vehicle during the year helped bring a 121.3% sales increase for the model. The MG5 also proved to be a sales success with the 3,871 cars sold representing a 61.4% sales increase.
Most Popular MG Models in Australia
- MG ZS: 22,629
- MG MG3: 12,563
- MG MG4: 6,934
- MG HS: 4,552
- MG MG5: 3,871
8. Isuzu Ute
Total number of sales in 2024: 48,172 (+6.2%)
With a facelift halfway through the year, the Isuzu D-Max continues to prove itself as the people’s choice in the dual-cab ute market. It’s a great-looking vehicle, the 4JJ engine is a gem, and the price is competitive with most on the market. The brand saw large sales increases in 2023 and the trend continued in 2024 despite only selling two models. Sales for the top-selling Isuzu Ute D-Max 4×4 decreased by 5.5% but the Isuzu Ute D-Max 4X2 increased by 7.0% to help fill the gap. Meanwhile, the family SUV Isuzu Ute MU-X saw a large sales increase of 27.2% in the year.
Most Popular Isuzu Ute Models in Australia
- Isuzu Ute D-Max 4×4: 24,031 (Isuzu Ute D-Max 4×2: 6,163)
- Isuzu Ute MU-X: 17,978
9. Nissan
Total number of sales in 2024: 45,284 (+15.0%)
What a year it has been for Nissan, climbing back into the top 10 thanks to the Nissan X-Trail sales magnet. The model saw 17,494 sales, which represents a 36.0% increase on the year thanks to its competitive starting price of $37,750 plus on-road costs. Even the outdated Nissan Navara 4X2 and 4X4 saw sales increases of 4.2% and 20.3% respectively off the back of some sharply priced deals around tax time.
Most Popular Nissan Models in Australia
- Nissan X-Trail: 17,494
- Nissan Navara 4X4: 9,032 (Nissan Navara 4X2: 1,031)
- Nissan Patrol Wagon: 8,293
- Nissan Qashqai: 6,560
- Nissan Juke: 1,674
10. GWM
Total number of sales in 2024: 42,782 (+17.5%)
It’s been a year of strong growth for Great Wall Motors which prefers to be called “GWM” in Australia for obvious reasons. The oddly-named and sharply-priced GWM Haval Jolion (from AUD$25,790 plus on-road costs) was the top-selling model for the brand with 14,238 cars sold representing a 26.5% sales increase. Meanwhile, the aptly named GWM Tank 300 continues its upward trend with a 105.4% increase. GWM will be one to watch with a number of competitor Chinese brands entering the market inn the next 12 months.
Most Popular GWM Models in Australia
- GWM Haval Jolion: 14,238
- GWM Haval H6: 8,973
- GWM Ute 4×4: 7,976 (GWM Ute 4X2: 185)
- GWM Tank 300: 3,968
- GWM Haval H6 GT: 3,443
Brands That Fell Outside the Top 10
Finally, we have to say farewell to two brands that struggled for sales this year and fell outside the list of the 10 top-selling car brands in Australia.
Subaru
Total number of sales in 2024: 40,604 (-11.9%)
Subaru had a tough 2024, and the Crosstrek was likely the only positive to take from the year. The Subaru Forester (-17.9%), Outback (-20.7%), WRX (-20.2%), BRZ (-37.7%), and Impreza (-11.9%) all struggled with sales throughout the year.
Most Popular Subaru Models in Australia
- Subaru Forester: 13,445
- Subaru Crosstrek: 11,545
- Subaru Outback: 10,227
- Subaru WRX: 2,188
- Subaru Impreza: 1,833
Tesla
Total number of sales in 2024: 34,754 (-20.88%) (November 2024)
We haven’t received the December sales figures for Tesla just yet, but unless the brand finds another 7,000+ sales it won’t find its way back into the top of the list again. Both the Model Y and Model 3 struggled for sales, and with Elon Musk still at the helm of the company and Chinese competition increasing in our market, it seems time has finally caught up to Tesla.
Most Popular Tesla Models in Australia
- Model Y: 19,392 (November 2024)
- Model 3: 15,362 (November 2024)
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