Best-selling car models in Australia for Aug 2026 (VFACTS)

Key highlights:

• Tesla Model Y is #1 for the 3rd time in 2026 as EV sales beat ICE car sales
• Toyota remained strong, with the RAV4 and HiLux securing second and third
• China-built car models’ market share reached a record high at almost 42%

August 2026 was a record month for pure electric car models Down Under, as for the first time Australian buyers bought more EVs than traditional petrol and diesel cars, taking the number to 34,910 deliveries out of the total 108,760.

Tesla Model Y became the nation’s favourite electric and overall car model, followed by RAV4, HiLux ute, Prado, and Ranger ute. Affordable, high-tech, Chinese models, BYD Sealion 7, Chery Tiggo 4, Geely EX5, GWM Haval Jolion and Zeekr 7X seized exactly half of the top 10 positions.

Another historical first was China-made vehicles covering 40.3% of the entire vehicle market share, and combined electrified options dominating with 51.8% of all new car sales.

Talking about year-to-date car model sales, Ford Ranger (33,694), Toyota HiLux (32,270) and Tesla Model Y (32,252) top the chart.

Top 10 best-selling cars in Australia sold in August 2026

Key insights for August 2026 car sales

Buyers Down Under are serious about saving money at the bowser as fuel hits record highs and are sending the graph line for BEVs to the top, even more than the petrol and diesel powertrains, for the first time in the continent’s history. Also for the first time, combined electrified options accounted for more than half (51.8%) of all new car deliveries.

1. Tesla Model Y stole the show

The Model Y was Australia’s best-selling vehicle in August 2026 with 6,414 sales, and it comfortably beat the RAV4 and HiLux. Its sales were 176% higher than August 2025, when it sold 2,324 vehicles and sat fifth.

2. Toyota still has the family favourite

The Toyota RAV4 finished second with 5,470 sales, up 32.9% from August 2025, and it also widened the gap over other SUVs, showing that buyers who want a practical family car are still very comfortable sticking with Toyota, even with plenty of fresh competition around.

3. HiLux refuses to give up its crown

The Toyota HiLux recorded 4,833 sales, virtually unchanged from last year, and it finished third, only 637 sales behind the RAV4. The Ford Ranger fell to 2,440 sales, down 50.6% year on year, and that makes it one of the biggest movements among the country’s traditional favourites.

4. Chinese models are now regulars near the top

The BYD Sealion 7 sold 2,213, up 56.6%, the Chery Tiggo 4 reached 2,012, and the Geely EX5 was perhaps the biggest eye-catcher, climbing to 1,947 sales, a huge 385.5% YoY increase. These are no longer obscure names sitting at the bottom of the sales table but serious purchases.

5. Electric cars have moved into the mainstream

August 2026 was the first month when electric models outsold every other type of new vehicle, reaching 27,078 sales, up 169.4% YoY, and made up nearly one in four new-car sales. The Model Y was the obvious star, but strong results from the BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5 and Zeekr 7X show that the change is much broader than one Tesla model.

6. Familiar names are feeling the pressure

Some established models slipped sharply – the Ford Ranger fell 50.6%, the Isuzu D-Max dropped 26.2%, Hyundai Kona declined 14.9%, and Mitsubishi Outlander fell 36.3% year on year. Buyers have more choices now, so even well-known models cannot rely on familiarity alone.

7. SUVs are dominating the everyday car hunt

Of the top 10 models, eight were SUVs, with the other two being the HiLux and Ranger ute. Buyers are clearly favouring cars that offer space and everyday flexibility, and Toyota, Tesla, BYD, Chery, Geely, GWM and Zeekr are all sharing the demand.

Bottom line

August 2026 feels like a turning point for Australian car buyers as they become much more willing to experiment. A familiar badge still matters, but price, choice and pocket-friendly electric power are pulling plenty of buyers towards Chinese brands that were barely visible on the sales chart a few years ago.

Also see the best-selling car brands and top-selling SUVs in Australia for August 2026.

See the top-selling cars for July 2026

See the top-selling cars for June 2026

See the top-selling cars for May 2026

See the top-selling cars for April 2026

See the top-selling cars for March 2026

See the top-selling cars for February 2026

See the top-selling cars for January 2026