These were Australia
It’s no surprise that Australians love the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, but rising EV demand and supply constraints wrote an interesting tale for the nation’s top 10 best-selling cars in 2023
The battle between the HiLux and Ranger to become Australia’s top-selling vehicle was neck-and-neck in 2023.
VFACTS new-car sales data showed the Ford Ranger finally topped the sales charts in 2023, pushing the HiLux into second place after seven years on top.
In the final month, it was a strong lead for the Ranger, with 7767 sales – deliveries, not orders – for the 4×2 and 4×4 models, versus 5143 overall for the HiLux. This allowed it to overtake the HiLux to become the nation’s top-seller.
While attention is always focused on the top players in the Australian new-vehicle market, there’s plenty of competition elsewhere – especially in the top 10.
The all-electric Tesla Model Y proved strong, becoming Australia’s best-selling electric vehicle – and the sixth-highest car overall – with 28,263 registrations.
What were the most popular cars in Australia in 2023?
Here’s the top 10 at a glance. Continue reading for a more detailed explainer!
- 🛻 Ford Ranger
- 🛻 Toyota HiLux
- 🛻 Isuzu D-Max
- 🚙 MG ZS
- 🚙 Toyota RAV4
- 🚙 Tesla Model Y
- 🚙 Mitsubishi Outlander
- 🚙 Mazda CX-5
- 🚙 Hyundai Tucson
- 🚙 Toyota LandCruiser Prado
The rundown
Here is a broad look at the top-10 vehicles sold in Australia in 2023, and a table for the top-20 vehicles.
Ford Ranger
The third-generation Ford Ranger – launched in mid-2022 – proved a hit with buyers.
It overtook the Toyota HiLux as Australia’s top-selling vehicle in the final month of 2023 with a margin of 2245 units.
It was already the top-selling 4×4, with 58,261 units shifted in 2023 – rising to 63,356 when 4×2 and 4×4 sales are combined.
Toyota HiLux
Australia’s top-selling vehicle between 2016 and 2022, the HiLux, was pushed to second following a record-breaking December for the Ranger.
In 2023, 4×4 examples accounted for 48,995 sales of 61,111 in total.
Isuzu D-Max
The latest-generation Isuzu D-Max rose to third with 31,202 sales (▲ from 24,336).
The D-Max and MU-X ranges have benefited from MY23 updates, which you can learn about here for D-Max and here for MU-X.
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 was held back by supply constraints, but a production boost in the second half allowed it to places fourth with 29,627 sales (▼ from 34,845).
While the RAV4 retained its position as Australia’s best-selling SUV, it had a narrow lead over the smaller MG ZS and all-electric Tesla Model Y.
MG ZS
China’s MG ZS led the popular small SUV segment due to its popularity with fleet companies and affordable pricing.
In 2023, 29,258 examples of the ZS – including the ZST and ZS EV – were been registered in Australia (▲ from 22,466).
Tesla Model Y
The all-electric Tesla Model Y had a bumper year, beating its Model 3 sedan sibling to become Australia’s top-selling electric vehicle.
In 2023, the mid-size electric SUV was Australia’s sixth best-selling car with 28,769 sales (▲ from 8717) – beating the popular Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda CX-5.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi’s latest-generation Outlander – first launched in 2021 – followed with 24,263 registrations (▲ from 19,546).
It was updated recently for model-year 2024 with a new paint colour, a permanent Black Edition variant, and a few safety improvements – but price rises up to $1800.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 medium SUV followed with 23,083 sales (▼ from 27,062).
While a boost in unallocated supply at the start of 2023 helped the CX-5 to reclaim its former number-one spot in the mid-size SUV segment, it fell behind the supply-constrained Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson mid-size SUV placed ninth with 21,224 sales (▲ from 17,870).
It was outplaced by the Tesla Model 3 earlier in 2023, but a drop in sales for the electric sedan yet consistent demand for Hyundai’s RAV4 rival has seen it remain in the top 10 in Australia.
Currently available in petrol FWD, turbo-petrol AWD and diesel AWD forms, Hyundai has confirmed a hybrid Tucson will join the local line-up in mid-2024 at the same time as its mid-life facelift.
Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Australia’s top-selling large SUV, the Toyota Prado, kicked the Hyundai i30 out of 10th place in the final month of 2023.
It marks the first time a passenger vehicle hasn’t appeared in the Top 10 for annual sales in Australia, as buyers continue to favour larger SUVs.
Toyota sold 20,710 examples of the soon-to-be-replaced Prado in 2023, with the brand having high hopes the all-new model due in mid-2024 will further boost its success in Australia.
EV Guide: Your Electric Car questions answered
EVs are still such a new concept that there’s simply no such thing as a silly question.
Electric cars: You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.
For a lot of people, electric cars an exciting prospect, while for others they’re a confusing concept, alien in so many ways to everything they’ve ever known about motoring. For others still, EVs seem like a frustrating compromise, especially when it comes to driving range and the ongoing debate over just how green they truly are.
In this guide, we’re working to answer the most common questions. The truth is that there are still a lot of unknowns about how electric cars will fit in with Australia’s motoring needs, but for those who think they might be getting close to a switch, this guide might have the answers you seek.
JUMP AHEAD
- Will EVs get cheaper to buy brand-new?
- Is the electricity grid ready for more EVs?
- How much does it cost to run an EV versus an ICE car?
- Are EVs really that ‘green’?
- Are EVs cheaper to service?
- Are EVs more expensive to insure?
- When do the batteries need replacing?
- Do EVs hold their value?
- Should I consider a second-hand EV?
- Can an EV power my house as a battery?
- Can I charge my EV on the street?
- Are more public charge points being built?
- Are EV batteries more dangerous than petrol?
- Will ICE cars be banned? If yes, when?
- What happens if I run out of charge in the middle of nowhere?
- What’s this I hear about solid-state batteries being the next big thing?
- What’s happening with hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)?
Will EVs get cheaper to buy brand-new?
More affordable models from mainstream brands are in the pipeline, while economies of scale as larger volumes of EVs are produced industry-wide will lower costs and accessibility of EVs in Australia.
EV purchase price is projected to be on par with ICE models in the US by 2024, and Europe by 2027, so may reach parity in Australia shortly after.
Is the electricity grid ready for more EVs?
It’s debatable. Australia’s National Energy Market (NEM) covers 21 million Australians as the largest grid in the world and is in the midst of its own revitalisation, as many coal-fired stations are approaching their end-of-life. Debate over what to replace them with continues – EVs may help stability by feeding into the grid.
How much does it cost to run an EV versus an ICE car?
High initial expense and personal charging infrastructure make total cost of EV ownership generally more expensive for now.
However, in terms of basic ‘fuel’ costs, EVs are much cheaper. Wheels’ own real-world tests of five EVs against ICE equivalents in 2020 found an average cost advantage of 60.6 percent to charge an EV over filling an ICE’s tank.
For example, in our own testing, driving ‘normally’ we achieved 15.0kWh/100km in the Tesla Model 3 Long Range. In terms of other luxury four-door sedans, to get close to the Tesla’s 4.6sec 0-100km/h acceleration for the $78K price, your only option is really a $76K, twin-turbo V6 Genesis GV70. In normal driving we’ve tested it at 10.2L/100km. It does 0-100km/h in 4.7sec.
Let’s say you do 1000km in each car, again driving ‘normally’, at Melbourne’s 95RON and peak home electricity prices (as this issue of Wheels closed for press). It would cost $28 in the Tesla and $160 in the Genesis. Use Tesla’s Supercharger network and the Model 3’s cost would be $78.
If you care less about acceleration, a $78K four-cyl BMW 330i (0-100km/h in 5.9sec) would cost $103 to do 1000km. That’s using the optimistic ADR consumption figure of 6.6L/100km.
Obviously, there are countless variables making this anything but scientific or definitive. For example, sign up to a special off-peak EV electricity plan or install home solar and your EV costs plummet further.
Are EVs really that ‘green’?
It’s true that EVs have a greater impact on the environment when produced. However, this can balance out with lower operational impact for a reduced overall footprint. The major factor in determining when an EV becomes better for the environment in its lifespan against an ICE model is the source of electricity.
For Australians, that means in NSW and Victoria, which rely heavily on fossil fuel, it takes far longer to cross that threshold than in South Australia, with 58 percent of power renewable, or Tasmania, where this soars to 98 percent.
Battery disposal is also an ever-growing issue, and while there are recycling processes in place, in Australia we only recycle around two percent of the 3300 tonnes of lithium-ion waste created annually. The CSIRO has forecast this waste to grow to as much as 188,000 tonnes by 2036. These were Australia.
Are EVs cheaper to service?
EVs have fewer moving parts and require less significant servicing.
Thanks to their characteristic ‘single-pedal’ driving operation, brake wear is reduced, too. While there is still wear on tyres, suspension components and electronic items, ‘serviceable’ physical parts are reduced for generally lower cost. These were Australia
OTA (Over-the-Air) updates will increasingly offer smartphone-like software upgrades for consumers, which can bring efficiency improvements and longer driving ranges, but there are still many serviceable items on EVs, known as ‘consumables’. These were Australia.
Tyres, suspension, brakes and filters still need replacing, wheel bearings degrade, windscreens still break, electrics and various motors can fail…
Are EVs more expensive to insure?
Comprehensive insurance for an EV is marginally more than the equivalent ICE. As with an ICE model, this reflects the higher purchase/replacement cost of the vehicle.
What also factors into EV insurance premium is the higher cost of repair, which encompasses expensive battery parts as well as fewer qualified repair workshops – this will change over time. These were Australia.
When do the batteries need replacing?
Battery life varies between makes and models and charging/driving use, especially when looking at older models with earlier battery technology. Toyota offers a 10-year warranty on its batteries, while Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai offer eight-year coverage. These were Australia.
This doesn’t mean the batteries fail, but typically it covers capacity. Most manufacturers guarantee 80 per cent capacity for the warranty period. BMW says its battery packs can last up to 15 years. These were Australia.
In the story below, see the section on battery life.
Do EVs hold their value?
The relative rarity and increasing acceptance of EVs in Australia means they hold their value favourably against ICE vehicles, in some cases better.
With only a small pool of used EVs to choose from, and a lot of excitement about making the big leap, residuals have so far remained relatively strong. These were Australia.
EVs are subject to the market forces too, of course, such as the arrival of a new, more capable model.
Conversely, collectability is there, too, with prices of the original 2011 Tesla Roadster beyond $150K – not far off the original $206K ask. These were Australia.
In the story below, see the section on depreciation.
Should I consider a second-hand EV?
Absolutely. A second-hand EV can make an excellent purchase, but it’s a matter of research and knowledge, just as buying any new or used car. Subsidies and benefits in some states may apply to used EV models, too. These were Australia.
Can an EV power my house as a battery?
V2G (Vehicle to Grid) charging has been touted as great way to return excess renewable power to an electricity grid. Generally, first-generation EVs are uni-directional, and cannot feed back into the grid.
Second-gen EVs, like the Nissan Leaf e+, have bi-directional power and can act as a residential battery system to potentially power your home – or a portion of it. These were Australia.
Can I charge my EV on the street?
Theoretically, yes, but it’s not ideal… you can charge most EVs by a regular 240v socket, but that method is slow, and a long extension-lead from your home to the car may not be the best idea.