Key highlights:
- Ford Ranger reclaimed first place, while Toyota RAV4 surged into second
- Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7 are still going strong as EVs remain popular
- Chinese SUVs crowded the leaderboard as several established models lost ground
Total new vehicle sales across the country have hit a record high of 957,698 units YTD, which is more than a 2% increase over last year’s number, and interestingly, BEVs capture an 18.9% share of this massive value.
Ranger ute is the month’s market leader as well as the top seller year-to-date in 2026, according to FCAI. Toyota RAV4, Tesla Model Y, Toyota HiLux, and BYD Sealion 7 grab the next four spots, as electrified models capture about 50% of all the new vehicle sales in September 2026.
This month saw another record break as China remained the number one source of new vehicles, for the 8th consecutive month and outsold cars made in Japan and Thailand for the first time.
Talking about year-to-date car model sales, Ford Ranger (37,858), Toyota HiLux (36,616), Tesla Model Y (35,930), Toyota RAV4 (31,209), and BYD Sealion 7 (19,964) top the chart. Go on to read more insights about the top-selling car models in Australia in September 2026.
Top 10 best-selling cars in Australia sold in September 2026
| # | Model | September 2026 sales | September 2025 sales | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ford Ranger | 5062 | 4867 | +4% |
| 2. | Toyota RAV4 | 4624 | 2554 | +81.1% |
| 3. | Tesla Model Y | 4476 | 3927 | +14% |
| 4. | Toyota HiLux | 4455 | 5047 | -11.7% |
| 5. | BYD Sealion 7 | 2687 | 1887 | +42.4% |
| 6. | Chery Tiggo 4 | 2059 | 2048 | +0.5% |
| 7. | GWM Haval Jolion | 2018 | 1881 | +7.3% |
| 8. | Geely EX5 | 2008 | New Model | – |
| 9. | Toyota Prado | 2006 | 1885 | +6.4% |
| 10. | Isuzu D-Max | 1866 | 1989 | -6.2% |
Key insights for September 2026 car sales
The Ford Ranger reclaimed the top spot after the Tesla Model Y led in August 2026, while the Toyota RAV4 climbed to second. Compared with September 2025, the RAV4 almost doubled its sales, the BYD Sealion 7 strengthened its position, and Chinese brands placed more models among the leaders. Even so, traditional utes remain serious contenders.
1. Ford Ranger roared back to the top
The Ford Ranger led the country with 5,062 sales, ahead of every other model as deliveries surged after the stop-sale due to an airbag safety issue. It also improved on its 4,867 sales in September 2025, but the Toyota HiLux, last year’s winner, slipped to fourth with 4,455 sales. The battle between these two utes remains tight, but the Ranger took this month’s bragging rights.
2. Toyota RAV4 delivered one of the biggest jumps
The RAV4 recorded 4,624 sales, finishing second and rising from just 2,554 in September 2025, which is an increase of around 81%. It is a striking result for a family SUV competing against a growing selection of electric and lower-priced alternatives. It also leads the race for the best-selling conventional hybrid (HEV) Year-to-Date with 31,209 sales.
3. Tesla Model Y remains a major force
With 4,476 sales, the Tesla Model Y finished third, narrowly ahead of the HiLux, and it also improved on September 2025, when it recorded 3,927 sales. The Model Y accounted for roughly 80% of the brand’s sales in this month and remains the top-selling EV in Australia Year-to-Date with 35,930 deliveries.
4. Some familiar SUVs lost momentum
The Ford Everest dropped from 2,558 sales in September 2025 to 1,713 this year, and the Mitsubishi Outlander fell from 1,785 to 1,264, while the Mazda CX-5 declined from 1,725 to 1,435. These results do not mean buyers have abandoned these models, but they show how difficult it has become to maintain sales as more alternatives arrive.
5. SUVs dominate, but utes still matter
Sixteen of September’s top 20 vehicles were SUVs, while the remaining four were utes. Not a single traditional passenger car made the top 20, and that is perhaps the clearest sign of Australians’ current preferences: people increasingly want room for family, work and weekend adventures. Electric SUVs are joining that mix, but the Ranger and HiLux prove that utes remain firmly in the picture.
Bottom line
The Ford Ranger surged by more than double MoM all the way to the top, as the stop-sale was lifted. Two main trends are also visible in the September 2026 new car sales: the dominance of Australia’s core dual-cab utilities and an unprecedented explosion in EV nameplates, especially from China.
Also see the best-selling car brands in Australia for September 2026.
See the top-selling cars 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
Comments
New Comment