Australia’s best-selling utes

Australia’s best-selling utes, based on the latest sales data from 2024 and early-to-mid 2025:

🚘 Top-Selling Utes in Australia (Full Year 2024)

Based on VFACTS and industry reporting, the leading ute models across both 4×4 and 4×2 variants for 2024 were:

In total, around 229,000 utes were sold in Australia during 2024 — approximately 203,000 in 4×4 and 26,000 in 4×2 variants Wikipedia+15CarExpert+15CarsGuide+15.

🔥 Top Utes in Early to Mid‑2025

June 2025 Highlights

• Ford Ranger maintained its leadership with 6,293 units sold in June.

• Toyota HiLux was a close second at 6,195 units.

• Up-and-coming BYD Shark 6 (a plug-in hybrid) and Isuzu D‑Max followed with 2,993 and 3,119 units respectively. Herald Sun+94X4 Australia |+9Accio+9Driving Enthusiast+9ShunCulture+9Accio+9

March 2025 Snapshot

• Ford Ranger sold 4,932 units, down ~13% from March 2024.

• HiLux rose ~2% vs the previous year with 4,081 units.

• Notably, the BYD Shark 6 debuted strongly with 2,810 units.

• Isuzu D‑Max sold 2,088 units in that month. CarSauceCarsGuide+3CarExpert+3ShunCulture+3

These figures show that while traditional leaders remain dominant, new Chinese entrants like BYD are making inroads into Australia’s ute market.

🌟 Emerging Ute Trends & Market Context (2025)

• Ute sales overall are declining in 2025:

  • 4×2 ute sales are down ~29% year-on-year at the end of February.

  • 4×4 ute sales are down ~9.7% for the same period. @RACV+15GoAuto+15Courier Mail+15

• Some analysts predict SUVs (like the Toyota RAV4) could overtake utes as the top-selling category in Australia in 2025 CarsGuide+1.

• There’s also growing attention to safety concerns and environmental impact, especially surrounding oversized utes and megatrucks on Australian roads. The GuardianNews.com.au

• Meanwhile, electrified utes, especially plug-in hybrids like the BYD Shark 6, are gaining popularity — though changes in tax incentives have affected demand. News.com.au+4Man of Many+4Accio+4

✅ Summary: Who’s Leading the Pack?

• Ford Ranger remains the undisputed top-selling ute in Australia — dominating in both 2024 and into mid‑2025 across multiple sales metrics.

• Toyota HiLux continues as the enduring number two, strong on reliability and resale value.

• Isuzu D‑Max, Mitsubishi Triton, and Mazda BT‑50 round out the traditional leadership group.

• BYD Shark 6 marks a notable Chinese startup disrupting the segment in 2025 with impressive debut numbers.

💡 Why Did These Models Sell So Well?

Ford Ranger

• Broad appeal across both tradies and private buyers.

• Offers a full range of drivetrain, towing capability (up to ~3.5 t), and modern tech.

• Consistently updated with strong brand loyalty. 4X4 Australia |+14X4 Australia |+7CarExpert+7Courier Mail+7Herald Sun+9CarSauce+9Accio+9Dealify

Toyota HiLux

• Legendary reliability and ease of maintenance.

• Proven resale performance and wide service network.

• Available in many trims including entry-level petrol and rugged off-road variants. CarSauceWikipediaTyre Point

Isuzu D-Max / Mazda BT‑50

• Durable and cost-efficient, especially with long warranty coverage.

• Mazda’s BT‑50 offers refined interior features and ride quality at a competitive price. CarExpert+1Courier Mail

Mitsubishi Triton

• Offers solid value, bi-turbo performance, and strong payload specs, especially in dual-cab configs. Accio+1

BYD Shark 6 (plug-in hybrid)

• Combines electrified powertrain with impressive torque (~650 Nm) and modern AWD capabilities.

• Entered the market strong but faces volatility due to changing EV tax policy. CarExpert+3Man of Many+3Wikipedia+3

Final Thoughts

As of mid‑2025, Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux continue to dominate Australia’s ute market thanks to their trusted reliability, towing capacity, and strong dealer support. Meanwhile, Isuzu, Mazda, and Mitsubishi models remain solid contenders for value-conscious buyers.

At the same time, the rise of electrified utes like the BYD Shark 6 signals a shift in consumer demand — even if overall ute sales face headwinds from changing taxation and a broader tilt toward SUVs. Whether you're buying one for work, leisure, or daily driving, you'll want to weigh factors like fuel type, payload, towing needs, and resale potential based on your use case.

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