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VFACTS: December 2023 new car sales results for Australia (with top 10 best-sellers)

It was a challenging year for many industries (and individuals) as we all recover from the ripples of COVID and endure increased living costs and interest rates. However, none of that seemed to deter new-car buyers from snapping up a new set of wheels.

The national new vehicle registration figures have been released, in the form of the VFACTS report, revealing some big numbers. So impressive that it was an all-time record year in 2023. Buyers took delivery of 1,216,780 new vehicles. That’s up 12.5 per cent on the previous year.

In December, new registrations hit 98,544 units, and that’s up 12.1 per cent on December in 2022. FCAI chief executive, Tony Weber, spoke about the record numbers in a statement, saying:

“This extraordinary result is a testament to the adaptability and resilience of both industry players and consumers alike. Despite the supply chain disruptions faced in recent times, consumers now have greater access to a broad range of choices, fostering increased accessibility in the market.”

Toyota Australia range

In terms of the most popular new vehicle brands, Toyota finished the month with the most, followed by Ford and then Mazda. Subaru punted VW from the top 10 for the month, and GWM moved into eighth spot.

See below for the top 10 best-selling car brands for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the top 10 best-selling brands for all of 2023, with the YTD percentage variance in brackets:

  1. Toyota19,281 (+18.5% on December 2022)
  2. Ford9826 (+59.4%)
  3. Mazda6765 (-20.4%)
  4. Kia5583 (-0.8%)
  5. Mitsubishi5134 (+4.2%)
  6. Hyundai4887 (+10.2%)
  7. Isuzu3987 (+59.2%)
  8. GWM: 3862 (+17.2%)
  9. MG3834 (-26.2%)
  10. Subaru: 3623 (-11.0%)

Top 10 best sellers for the year 2023:

  1. Toyota: 215,240 (-6.8% on 2022)
  2. Mazda: 100,008 (+4.5%)
  3. Ford: 87,800 (+31.8%)
  4. Kia: 76,120 (-2.8%)
  5. Hyundai: 75,183 (+2.5%)
  6. Mitsubishi: 63,511 (-17.5%)
  7. MG: 58,346 (+17.7%)
  8. Subaru: 46,114 (+28.0%)
  9. Isuzu: 45,341 (+28.4%)
  10. Volkswagen: 43,821 (+41.6%)

In terms of the best-selling vehicles for the month and for the year of 2023, the Ford Ranger just overtook the trusty Toyota HiLux on both accounts. The Ranger posted a huge result for December which no doubt helped tip it over the line for the year. The two were as close as it gets.

See below for the top 10 best-selling vehicle models for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the top 10 best-selling models for all of 2023:

  1. Ford Ranger7767 (+66.6% on December 2022)
  2. Toyota HiLux5143 (+20.4%)
  3. Isuzu D-Max2833 (+81.5%)
  4. MG ZS2537 (+10.6%)
  5. Toyota Prado: 2475 (+155.2%)
  6. Toyota LandCruiser2394 (-3.5%)
  7. Toyota RAV42192 (0.0%)
  8. Toyota Corolla: 1888 (+2.4%)
  9. Mitsubishi Outlander1882 (-8.3%)
  10. Kia Sportage: 1546 (+6.5%)

Top 10 best sellers for the year 2023:

  1. Ford Ranger: 63,356
  2. Toyota HiLux: 61,111
  3. Isuzu D-Max: 31,202
  4. Toyota RAV4: 29,627
  5. MG ZS: 29,258
  6. Tesla Model Y: 28,769
  7. Toyota LandCruiser: 26,449
  8. Mitsubishi Outlander: 24,263
  9. Mazda CX-5: 23,083
  10. Hyundai Tucson: 21,224

Zooming in on the car categories, we kick off with the small under $40,000 class. No real changes here, with the Toyota Corolla coming across the line as the best-seller for the month. However, the Hyundai i30 takes the crown for the year, just.

The Mazda3 did alright as well, for third place for the year, with the Kia Cerato dropping off in the last year or so and landing in fourth. Overall, the segment saw its total figure (61,840) drop by 14.9 per cent in 2023 compared with 2022.

See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the complete list for all of 2023:

  1. Toyota Corolla1888 (+2.4%)
  2. Hyundai i301047 (-9.1%)
  3. Kia Cerato645 (+90.8%)
  4. Mazda3565 (-52.7%)
  5. MG MG5510 (new vehicle)
  6. BYD Dolphin236 (new vehicle)
  7. Subaru Impreza: 130 (-47.8%)
  8. Skoda Scala: 111 (+270.0%)
  9. Hyundai Ioniq: 0 (-100%)

Total results for the year 2023:

  1. Hyundai i3020,626 (-2.6% on 2022 figures)
  2. Toyota Corolla19,986 (-21.0%)
  3. Mazda39079 (-5.8%)
  4. Kia Cerato5795 (-53.1%)
  5. MG MG52398 (new vehicle)
  6. Subaru Impreza: 2081 (-30.9%)
  7. Skoda Scala: 948 (+115.0%)
  8. BYD Dolphin: 925 (new vehicle)
  9. Hyundai Ioniq: 3 (-99.9%)

Moving up into the small above $40,000 segment and we see the MG4 is still setting the pace for the month. The Audi A3 remains the second favourite, while the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class continue to dwindle in the middle of the pack.

Totals for the year leave the Volkswagen Golf in front as the best seller, followed by its cousin, the Audi A3. Overall segment sales hit 22,520 for the year, up 44.8 per cent compared with all of 2022.

See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the top 10 best-selling models for all of 2023:

  1. MG MG4607 (new vehicle)
  2. Audi A3: 371 (+81.9%)
  3. Subaru WRX: 246 (-33.3%)
  4. Volkswagen Golf240 (-33.0%)
  5. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 156 (-3.1%)
  6. Honda Civic154 (+97.4%)
  7. GWM Ora: 97 (new vehicle)
  8. BMW 1 Series: 93 (+272.0%)
  9. Cupra Born62 (+999%)
  10. Cupra Leon: 49 (+40.0%)
  11. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: 46 (+12.2%)
  12. MINI Clubman: 32 (-999%)
  13. Peugeot 30817 (-15.0%)
  14. Nissan Leaf: 12 (+71.4%)
  15. Renault Megane: 2 (0.0%)
  16. Mercedes-Benz B-Class: 0 (-100.0%)
  17. Ford Focus: 0 (-100.0%)
  18. BMW i3: 0 (0.0%)

Top 10 best sellers for the year 2023:

  1. Volkswagen Golf3592 (+11.4% on 2022 figures)
  2. Audi A3: 3319 (+57.3%)
  3. MG MG43134 (new vehicle)
  4. Subaru WRX: 2743 (+14.7%)
  5. Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 2392 (-15.8%)
  6. BMW 1 Series: 1755 (+23.1%)
  7. Honda Civic1318 (+52.4%)
  8. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: 1132 (-15.6%)
  9. Cupra Born887 (+999%)
  10. GWM Ora: 526 (new vehicle)

Into the medium below $60,000 category, and yes it’s the Toyota Camry at the top not just for the month but that year as well. Overall segment sales topped 15,134 for the year, and that’s actually up 12.9 per cent on the previous year. Much of that was driven by the Mazda6 and Skoda Octavia, as well as the Camry, obviously.

The BYD Seal is off to a great start, sending out 471 units in its first month on sale. This will be one to watch, and even to compare to the Tesla Model 3 despite being in a different class, according to VFACTS classification anyway.

See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the complete list of models for all of 2023:

  1. Toyota Camry: 1312 (+294%)
  2. BYD Seal: 471 (new model)
  3. Mazda686 (-59.6%)
  4. Skoda Octavia: 85 (+6.3%)
  5. Hyundai Sonata42(+31.3%)
  6. Volkswagen Passat: 27 (-64.5%)
  7. Honda Accord: 5 (+50.0%)

Total results for the year 2023:

  1. Toyota Camry: 10,581 (+10.9% on 2022 figures)
  2. Mazda61528 (+1.1%)
  3. Skoda Octavia: 1395 (+44.9%)
  4. Volkswagen Passat: 677 (-10.8%)
  5. BYD Seal: 471 (new model)
  6. Hyundai Sonata338(-36.9%)
  7. Honda Accord: 144 (+50.0%)

Jumping up to the medium above $60,000 segment, the Tesla Model 3 is still in the lead and has easily posted the most sales for the year. The BMW 3 Series comes home in second for the year, followed by the Mercedes C-Class.

In terms of class figures combined, this segment reported 33,100 sales during all of 2023. That’s up 33.9 per cent on the previous year. Although, some new models have been added in recent times which would prop up the final number, such as the Polestar 2, Model 3, BMW i4, and Hyundai IONIQ 6.

See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the top 10 best-selling models for all of 2023:

  1. Tesla Model 3: 841 (-53.4%)
  2. Polestar 2: 405 (+56.4%)
  3. BMW 3 Series189 (-2.1%)
  4. Lexus ES: 117 (+143.8%)
  5. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 104 (-67.0%)
  6. Mercedes-Benz CLA: 68 (+6.3%)
  7. BMW i4: 64 (+999%)
  8. Hyundai IONIQ 657 (new vehicle)
  9. Volkswagen Arteon: 39 (-52.4%)
  10. Audi A4: 37 (-15.9%)
  11. Audi A5 Sportback: 27 (+35.0%)
  12. Volvo V60 Cross Country: 21 (+320.0%)
  13. Volvo S60: 19 (+533.3%)
  14. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: 11 (-38.9%) / Alfa Romeo Giulia11 (-56.0%)
  15. Peugeot 508: 6 (0.0%)
  16. Genesis G705 (-50.0%)
  17. Jaguar XE: 1 (+100.0%)
  18. Lexus IS: 0 (0.0%)

Top 10 best sellers for the year 2023:

  1. Tesla Model 3: 17,347 (+59.5% on 2022)
  2. BMW 3 Series3147 (+11.7%)
  3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: 2625 (-26.4%)
  4. Polestar 2: 2464 (+61.6%)
  5. Lexus ES: 1727 (+107.8%)
  6. Mercedes-Benz CLA: 1125 (-26.4%)
  7. Audi A4: 863 (+61.3%)
  8. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe: 805 (-6.2%)
  9. Volkswagen Arteon: 624 (+2.0%)
  10. Hyundai IONIQ 6: 623 (new vehicle)

Over in the large below $70,000 class the Skoda Superb continues at the front but it wasn’t the best-seller for the year. That went to the Kia Stinger. Stinger production is winding down which means this segment will soon feature just two models.

Class figures reached 2152 units in 2023 overall, which is down 27.2 per cent on 2022 efforts. See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the complete list of models for all of 2023:

  1. Skoda Superb: 23 (-23.3%)
  2. Kia Stinger: 12 (-85.2%)
  3. Citroen C5 X: 1 (-91.7%)

Total results for the year 2023:

  1. Kia Stinger: 1806 (-19.4%)
  2. Skoda Superb: 278 (-57.6%)
  3. Citroen C5 X: 68 (+11.5%)

It was a very close race in the large above $70,000 category , with the BMW 5 Series taking the crown for December but the Porsche Taycan winning for the year. The Mercedes-Benz EQE fully electric sedan also came close for both the month and year.

Total segment sales topped 2668 for the year, and that’s actually up 39.2 per cent. Like some other classes though, some of the increase is due to more models being introduced to the field rather than outright demand.

See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the complete list of models for all of 2023:

  1. BMW 5 Series: 52 (+205.9%)
  2. Mercedes-Benz EQE: 49 (new vehicle)
  3. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 40 (+100.0%)
  4. Audi e-tron GT: 35 (new vehicle)
  5. Porsche Taycan: 24 (+200.0%)
  6. Audi A6: 14 (-6.7%)
  7. Audi A7: 7 (+75.0%)
  8. Genesis G80: 4 (+300.0%) / Toyota Mirai: 4 (+100.0%)
  9. Maserati Ghibli: 1 (-75.0%) / Mercedes-Benz CLS: 1 (-50%)
  10. Jaguar XF: 0 (0.0%)

Total results for the year 2023:

  1. Porsche Taycan: 535 (+24.4%)
  2. BMW 5 Series: 507 (+10.9%)
  3. Mercedes-Benz EQE: 437 (new vehicle)
  4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 421 (+21.3%)
  5. Audi e-tron GT: 339 (+999%)
  6. Audi A6: 250 (-15.5%)
  7. Audi A7: 77 (-18.1%)
  8. Genesis G80: 51 (-37.0%)
  9. Maserati Ghibli: 29 (-75.2%)
  10. Mercedes-Benz CLS: 10 (-81.8%)
  11. Jaguar XF: 6 (-50.0%) / Toyota Mirai: 6 (-57.1%)

At the pointy end of the ‘car’ classes, the Mercedes-Benz EQS fully electric sedan took home the most sales for December, while its combustion-engined father, the S-Class, was the best-selling model for the year. Its arch rival, the BMW 7 Series, come in as second favourite.

Overall, the segment reported 532 sales in 2023, up 0.4 per cent on 2022 efforts. See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the complete list of models for all of 2023:

  1. Mercedes EQS: 21 (+600.0%)
  2. Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 7 (+40.0%)
  3. BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: 5 (0.0%)
  4. Bentley sedan: 3 (+200.0%)
  5. Audi A8: 2 (0.0%)
  6. BMW 7 Series: 1 (-90.0%) / BMW i7: 1 (-90.0%) / Maserati Quattroporte: 1 (-100.0%) / Porsche Panamera: 1 (-90.9%)
  7. Lexus LS: 0 (-100.0%)
  8. Mercedes-AMG GT 4: 0 (0.0%)
  9. Rolls-Royce sedan: 0 (-100.0%)

Total results for the year 2023:

  1. Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 108 (-35.3%)
  2. BMW 7 Series: 84 (+27.3%)
  3. Porsche Panamera: 70 (+16.7%)
  4. Mercedes EQS: 67 (-4.3%)
  5. BMW i7: 63 (+384.6%)
  6. BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe: 42 (-33.3%)
  7. Mercedes-AMG GT 4: 22 (+999%)
  8. Lexus LS: 20 (-4.8%)
  9. Audi A8: 19 (-9.5%)
  10. Rolls-Royce sedan: 17 (-5.6%) / Bentley sedan: 17 (-15.0%)
  11. Maserati Quattroporte: 3 (-70.0%)

Kicking off the driver’s cars, the sports below $80,000 category was led by the Toyota GR86 in December, but its twin, the Subaru BRZ, took the crown as the best-selling model for the year. In doing so it also became the best-selling sports car outright for the year, overtaking the Ford Mustang.

The class saw 6848 new registrations in 2023, up 44 per cent on the previous year. See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the complete list of models for all of 2023:

  1. BMW 2 Series coupe/convertible: 98 (+133.3%)
  2. Toyota GR86: 91 (+116.7%)
  3. Subaru BRZ: 79 (-34.7%)
  4. Mazda MX-5: 64 (+120.7%)
  5. MINI Cabrio: 57 (+999%)
  6. Nissan Z: 18 (-60.0%)
  7. Ford Mustang: 5 (-94.3%)
  8. Nissan 370Z: 0 (outgoing model)

Total results for the year 2023:

  1. Subaru BRZ: 1573 (+35.0%)
  2. Ford Mustang: 1475 (-21.8%)
  3. BMW 2 Series coupe/convertible: 1164 (+73.7%)
  4. Toyota GR86: 1144 (+439.6%)
  5. Mazda MX-5: 653 (+31.9%)
  6. Nissan Z: 449 (+248.1%)
  7. MINI Cabrio: 390 (+114.3%)
  8. Nissan 370Z: 0 (outgoing model)

Moving up into the sports above $80,000 segment and we see the BMW 4 Series brought in the highest number for the month and the year in total. It was followed closely by the Mercedes C-Class two-door for the full year.

This class reported 3561 sales during 2023, and that’s up 26.2 per cent on the previous year. See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the top 10 best-sellers for all of 2023:

  1. BMW 4 Series coupe/convertible: 59 (+78.8%)
  2. Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe/convertible: 33 (0.0%)
  3. Toyota GR Supra: 29 (+163.6%)
  4. Chevrolet Corvette: 27 (+42.1%)
  5. Audi A5: 16 (+700.0%)
  6. Audi TT: 15 (+275.0%)
  7. BMW Z4: 9 (+800.0%) / Lotus Emira: 9 (new vehicle)
  8. Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe/convertible: 8 (+33.3%)
  9. Porsche Cayman: 7 (-56.3%)
  10. Lexus LC: 6 (+500.0%)
  11. Jaguar F-Type: 3 (+200.0%)
  12. Porsche Boxster: 0 (+100.0%)
  13. Alfa Romeo 4C: 0 (0%)
  14. Alpine A110: 0 (0%)
  15. Lexus RC0 (0%)
  16. Lotus Elise: 0 (0%)
  17. Lotus Exige: 0 (0%)
  18. Caterham: 0 (0%)

Top 10 best-selling cars in this segment during year 2023:

  1. BMW 4 Series coupe/convertible: 858 (-14.3%)
  2. Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe/convertible: 808 (+42.5%)
  3. Chevrolet Corvette: 338 (+50.2%)
  4. Porsche Cayman: 282 (+77.4%)
  5. Toyota GR Supra: 276 (+95.7%)
  6. Lotus Emira: 183 (new vehicle)
  7. Audi A5: 178 (+17.1%)
  8. Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe/convertible: 176 (-12.4%)
  9. Audi TT: 123 (+200.0%)
  10. BMW Z4: 86 (-10.4%)

And lastly, the top end of of the sports car class, the sports above $200,000 category, the king remains at the top for December and for the year. Yes, it’s the mighty Porsche 911. It was easily the champion for the year, leaving Ferrari models as the runner-up.

The class total was 1348 units for the year, up 15.3 per cent on 2022 results. See below for the complete list of vehicles in this class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and further below for the top 10 best-sellers for all of 2023:

  1. Porsche 911: 23 (-32.4%)
  2. Bentley coupe/convertible: 17 (+183.3%) / Mercedes-Benz SL: 17 (new vehicle)
  3. Lamborghini coupe/convertible: 14 (+180%)
  4. Ferrari coupe/convertible: 13 (+23.5%)
  5. Aston Martin coupe/convertible: 9 (+50.0%)
  6. McLaren coupe/convertible: 4 (-20.0%)
  7. BMW 8 Series: 2 (-71.4%)
  8. Rolls-Royce coupe/convertible: 1 (-100%) / Maserati coupe/convertible: 1 (0.0%)
  9. Nissan GT-R: 0 (0.0%)
  10. Audi R8: 0 (0.0%)

Top 10 best-selling cars in this segment during year 2023:

  1. Porsche 911: 558 (+2.0%)
  2. Ferrari coupe/convertible: 215 (+5.9%)
  3. Lamborghini coupe/convertible: 159 (+84.9%)
  4. Bentley coupe/convertible: 105 (+28.0%)
  5. McLaren coupe/convertible: 85 (+39.3%)
  6. Aston Martin coupe/convertible: 82 (+7.9%)
  7. Mercedes-Benz SL: 64 (new vehicle)
  8. BMW 8 Series: 55 (-19.1%)
  9. Maserati coupe/convertible: 21 (-32.3%)
  10. Rolls-Royce coupe/convertible: 3 (-40%)

Now into the most popular segments, the SUVs. The Toyota RAV4 was the most popular SUV outright for 2023, with the Tesla Model Y coming home as the most popular premium SUV for the year. For the month of December, the MG ZS took the crown.

Splitting up the specific classes, the SUV Medium below $60,000 category was the most popular for the year with 203,414 sales (up 14.5 per cent), followed by the SUV Small below $45,000 class with 147,088 sales (up 21.1 per cent), and then the SUV Large below $70,000 category with 126,720 (up 6.6 per cent).

See below for the complete list of vehicles in each SUV class for December 2023, including the percentage change from the same month last year in brackets, and just below for the top 10 best-sellers for all of 2023:

Best-selling SUVs – Light

  1. Mazda CX-3: 1252 (-39.5% from December 2022)
  2. Toyota Yaris Cross: 675 (-9.5%)
  3. Kia Stonic: 399 (-8.9%)
  4. Hyundai Venue: 397 (+390.1%)
  5. Suzuki Jimny: 329 (-21.1%)
  6. Volkswagen T-Cross: 250 (+0.4%)
  7. Nissan Juke: 144 (+999%)
  8. Suzuki Ignis: 124 (-28.7%)
  9. Ford Puma: 67 (-54.7%)
  10. Renault Captur: 20 (-60.8%)

Top 10 best-selling SUVs in this segment during year 2023:

  1. Mazda CX-3: 15,776 (+32.5%)
  2. Kia Stonic: 6983 (-18.4%)
  3. Toyota Yaris Cross: 6514 (-22.7%)
  4. Hyundai Venue: 6152 (-4.5%)
  5. Volkswagen T-Cross: 5762 (+12.0%)
  6. Suzuki Jimny: 5002 (-12.2%)
  7. Suzuki Ignis: 2280 (+21.4%)
  8. Ford Puma: 2027 (-15.8%)
  9. Nissan Juke: 1256 (+15.9%)
  10. Renault Captur: 939 (-22.2%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small below $45,000

  1. MG ZS1522 (-50.2%)
  2. GWM Haval Jolion: 1083 (-8.5%)
  3. Hyundai Kona995 (+118.2%)
  4. Subaru Crosstrek878 (new vehicle, replaces XV)
  5. Mazda CX-30: 807 (-11.9%)
  6. Volkswagen T-Roc: 756 (+172.9%)
  7. Toyota Corolla Cross711 (-5.1%)
  8. Kia Seltos659 (+115.4%)
  9. Mitsubishi ASX: 624 (-19.7%)
  10. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 602 (+64.9%)
  11. Chery Omoda 5: 543 (new vehicle)
  12. Nissan Qashqai: 370 (+51.6%)
  13. Suzuki Vitara: 274 (+33.0%)
  14. Honda HR-V: 254 (-6.3%)
  15. Skoda Kamiq: 184 (+15.0%)
  16. Renault Arkana: 149 (+43.3%)
  17. Jeep Compass: 96 (-28.4%)
  18. Peugeot 2008: 61 (+258.8%)
  19. Suzuki S-Cross: 46 (+53.3%)
  20. Mazda MX-30: 35 (-47.8%)
  21. Toyota C-HR: 6 (-98.9%)
  22. Citroen C4: 1 (-85.7%)
  23. Subaru XV: 0 (-100%)
  24. GWM Haval H2: 0 (0.0%)

Top 10 best-selling SUVs in this segment during year 2023:

  1. MG ZS: 29,258 (+30.2%)
  2. Mazda CX-30: 13,115 (-5.6%)
  3. GWM Haval Jolion: 11,252 (+36.9%)
  4. Hyundai Kona: 11,183 (-3.1%)
  5. Kia Seltos: 10,473 (+23.2%)
  6. Mitsubishi ASX: 9176 (-28.0%)
  7. Subaru Crosstrek: 8991 (new vehicle, replaces XV)
  8. Volkswagen T-Roc: 8943 (+146.6%)
  9. Toyota Corolla Cross: 7932 (+209.5%)
  10. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: 7786 (+30.4%)

Best-selling SUVs – Small above $45,000

  1. Volvo XC40: 526 (-5.4%)
  2. BMW X1: 375 (+999%)
  3. Lexus UX223 (+218.6%)
  4. Audi Q3: 203 (-57.4%)
  5. Audi Q2: 186 (+564.3%)
  6. Mercedes-Benz GLA: 184 (+109.1%)
  7. Kia Niro: 151 (-35.2%)
  8. Mercedes-Benz EQA: 140 (+775.0%)
  9. MINI Countryman: 36 (0.0%)
  10. Volvo C40: 35 (-83.3%)
  11. Alfa Romeo Tonale34 (new vehicle)
  12. Jaguar E-Pace: 20 (+566.7%)
  13. Genesis GV60: 8 (-33.3%)
  14. BMW X2: 5 (-87.5%)
  15. Renault Megane E-Tech: 2 (new vehicle)

Top 10 best-selling SUVs in this segment during year 2023:

  1. Volvo XC40: 5837 (+14.0%)
  2. BMW X1: 4644 (+91.5%)
  3. Audi Q3: 4457 (-11.7%)
  4. Lexus UX: 2468 (+110.8%)
  5. Mercedes-Benz GLA: 1881 (-38.5%)
  6. Kia Niro: 1826 (+14.0%)
  7. MINI Countryman: 1567 (+62.9%)
  8. Audi Q2: 1486 (+119.5%)
  9. Mercedes-Benz EQA: 1196 (+91.7%)
  10. Volvo C40: 1103 (+124.6%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium below $60,000

  1. Toyota RAV42192 (0.0%)
  2. Mitsubishi Outlander1882 (-8.3%)
  3. Kia Sportage: 1546 (+6.5%)
  4. Subaru Forester1447 (-8.8%)
  5. Mazda CX-51423 (-13.1%)
  6. Hyundai Tucson: 1390 (-15.4%)
  7. Nissan X-Trail940 (+6.8%)
  8. GWM Haval H6: 904 (-4.4%)
  9. BYD Atto 3: 756 (-40.4%)
  10. Honda ZR-V: 600 (new vehicle)
  11. Honda CR-V: 564 (-12.7%)
  12. MG HS: 467 (-45.6%)
  13. GWM Haval H6 GT: 429 (+20.5%)
  14. Volkswagen Tiguan353 (-4.6%)
  15. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro: 187 (new vehicle)
  16. Cupra Formentor162 (+19.1)
  17. Skoda Karoq: 105 (+2.9%)
  18. Ford Escape: 99 (-23.3%)
  19. Renault Koleos: 88 (-30.2%)
  20. SsangYong Korando: 64 (+68.4%)
  21. Peugeot 3008: 27 (-44.9%)
  22. Peugeot 5008: 15 (-21.1%)
  23. Citroen C5 Aircross: 4 (-63.6%)
  24. Jeep Cherokee: 0 (-100%)

Top 10 best-selling SUVs in this segment during year 2023:

  1. Toyota RAV4: 29,627 (-15.0%)
  2. Mitsubishi Outlander: 24,263 (+24.1%)
  3. Mazda CX-5: 23,083 (-14.7%)
  4. Hyundai Tucson: 21,224 (+18.8%)
  5. Subaru Forester: 16,381 (+54.0%)
  6. Kia Sportage: 15,747 (-16.2%)
  7. Nissan X-Trail: 12,861 (+61.9%)
  8. BYD Atto 3: 11,042 (-422.6%)
  9. GWM Haval H6: 8971 (+28.0%)
  10. MG HS: 8126 (-25.8%)

Best-selling SUVs – Medium above $60,000

  1. Tesla Model Y: 1351 (+193.7%)
  2. Lexus NX506 (+28.8%)
  3. Mercedes-Benz GLC: 395 (+69.5%)
  4. Audi Q5330 (+29.9%)
  5. Mazda CX-60303 (new vehicle)
  6. BMW X3: 277 (+57.4%)
  7. Volvo XC60: 231 (-35.9%)
  8. Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe: 225 (+188.5%)
  9. Porsche Macan: 179 (-10.5%)
  10. Mercedes-Benz GLB: 85 (-33.1%)
  11. Genesis GV7068 (+94.3%)
  12. Mercedes-Benz EQB: 64 (+999%)
  13. Hyundai IONIQ 5: 53 (-32.1%)
  14. BMW X441 (+86.4%)
  15. Range Rover Evoque: 40 (+700.0%)
  16. Lexus RZ36 (new vehicle)
  17. Maserati Gracale: 29 (new vehicle)
  18. Mercedes-Benz EQC: 17 (+54.5%)
  19. Alfa Romeo Stelvio: 12 (-25.0%)
  20. Cupra Ateca: 9 (-64.0%)
  21. Land Rover Discovery Sport: 7 (-56.3%)
  22. Peugeot 408: 1 (new vehicle)
  23. Hyundai Nexo: 0 (0%)

Top 10 best-selling SUVs in this segment during year 2023:

  1. Tesla Model Y: 28,769 (+230.0%)
  2. Lexus NX: 6875 (+104.5%)
  3. Audi Q5: 4210 (+31.2%)
  4. BMW X3: 4002 (-12.0%)
  5. Mercedes-Benz GLC: 3631 (-16.0%)
  6. Porsche Macan: 2925 (+6.9%)
  7. Mazda CX-602779 (new vehicle)
  8. Volvo XC60: 2542 (-26.6%)
  9. Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe: 1799 (+17.5%)
  10. Mercedes-Benz GLB: 1662 (-19.8%)

Best-selling SUVs – Large below $70,000

  1. Toyota Prado2475 (+155.2%)
  2. Ford Everest: 1496 (+61.6%)
  3. Isuzu MU-X1154 (+22.2%)
  4. Toyota Kluger948 (+22.2%)
  5. Subaru Outback843 (+5.1%)
  6. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 672 (+4.3%)
  7. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace: 506 (-12.9%)
  8. Mazda CX-8: 429 (-19.8%)
  9. Kia Sorento: 416 (-66.8%)
  10. GWM Tank 300374 (new vehicle)
  11. Hyundai Santa Fe: 370 (-20.1%)
  12. Toyota Fortuner: 344 (+55.7%)
  13. Hyundai Palisade: 279 (+14.3%)
  14. LDV D90: 260 (-10.7%)
  15. SsangYong Rexton: 156 (0.0%)
  16. Mazda CX-9109 (-31.0%)
  17. Skoda Kodiaq: 99 (-24.4%)
  18. Jeep Wrangler: 90 (-14.3%)
  19. Nissan Pathfinder51 (-51.9%)
  20. Volkswagen Passat Alltrack: 18 (-21.7%)
  21. Mitsubishi Pajero: 0 (-100.0%)
  22. GWM Haval H9: 0 (0)

Top 10 best-selling SUVs in this segment during year 2023:

  1. Toyota Prado: 20,710 (-1.9%)
  2. Ford Everest: 15,071 (+46.1%)
  3. Isuzu MU-X: 14,139 (+28.7%)
  4. Subaru Outback12,903 (+32.5%)
  5. Toyota Kluger: 10,430 (-17.0%)
  6. Kia Sorento: 8366 (+6.0%)
  7. Hyundai Santa Fe: 6033 (+31.3%)
  8. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 5547 (-37.2%)
  9. Mazda CX-8: 5409 (-8.8%)
  10. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace: 4543 (+17.2%)

Best-selling SUVs – Large above $70,000

  1. BMW X5: 425 (+156.0%)
  2. Land Rover Defender: 256 (+349.1%)
  3. Kia EV6252 (+712.9%)
  4. Range Rover Sport: 195 (+146.8%)
  5. Mercedes-Benz GLE: 193 (-33.0%)
  6. Lexus RX157 (+999%)
  7. Audi Q7113 (-25.2%)
  8. Volvo XC9095 (+156.8%)
  9. Mazda CX-9078 (new model)
  10. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 76 (-24.8%)
  11. BMW X6: 75 (+294.7%)
  12. Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe: 69 (+21.6%)
  13. BMW iX: 65 (+80.6%)
  14. Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: 62 (new model)
  15. Jaguar F-Pace: 50 (+999%)
  16. Volkswagen Touareg: 47 (-73.1%)
  17. Audi e-tron45 (+650.0%) / Range Rover Velar: 45 (+999%)
  18. Audi Q841 (+70.8%)
  19. Porsche Cayenne Coupe: 36 (-50.0%)
  20. Porsche Cayenne: 32 (-65.6%)
  21. Genesis GV80: 28 (+100.0%)
  22. Ford Mustang Mach-E: 26 (new model)
  23. Maserati Levante: 6 (-82.9%)
  24. Jaguar I-Pace: 3 (+200%)

Top 10 best-selling SUVs in this segment during year 2023:

  1. Land Rover Defender: 3846 (+137.0%)
  2. BMW X5: 3682 (+18.4%)
  3. Lexus RX2743 (+102.9%)
  4. Mercedes-Benz GLE: 2535 (-18.0%)
  5. Range Rover Sport: 2224 (+144.9%)
  6. Audi Q7: 1961 (+62.7%)
  7. Kia EV6: 1831 (+224.6%)
  8. Volvo XC90: 1299 (+3.3%)
  9. Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1247 (-29.9%)
  10. Volkswagen Touareg: 921 (-24.6%)

Best-selling SUVs – Upper large below $120,000

  1. Toyota LandCruiser1311 (-15.1%)
  2. Nissan Patrol556 (-23.5%)
  3. Kia EV9: 91 (new vehicle)
  4. Land Rover Discovery: 68 (+999%)

Total class figures during year 2023:

  1. Toyota LandCruiser15,035 (+14.3%)
  2. Nissan Patrol: 7812 (+36.5%)
  3. Land Rover Discovery: 533 (+319.7%)
  4. Kia EV9: 208 (new vehicle)

Best-selling SUVs – Upper large above $120,000

  1. BMW X7: 98 (+15.3%)
  2. Lexus LX: 58 (+123.1%)
  3. Mercedes-Benz GLS: 55 (-48.6%)
  4. Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 39 (+999%)
  5. Range Rover: 38 (+90%)
  6. BMW XM: 14 (new vehicle)
  7. Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: 13 (new vehicle)
  8. Bentley Bentayga: 11 (+22.2%)
  9. Lamborghini Urus: 9 (+800%)
  10. Aston Martin DBX7 (-22.2%)
  11. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: 4 (0.0%)

Total class figures during year 2023:

  1. BMW X7: 1012 (+20.5%)
  2. Lexus LX: 982 (+241.0%)
  3. Range Rover: 713 (+436.1%)
  4. Mercedes-Benz GLS: 648 (-19.3%)
  5. Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 394 (-7.7%)
  6. BMW XM: 150 (new vehicle)
  7. Lamborghini Urus: 82 (-8.9%)
  8. Aston Martin DBX: 75 (+33.9%)
  9. Rolls-Royce Cullinan: 29 (-21.6%)
  10. Bentley Bentayga: 11 (+5.9%)
  11. Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: 60 (new vehicle)

Finally, we enter the ute and pickup segments. The Ford Ranger was the best-seller, as mentioned at the start, followed by the Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max. The Toyota HiLux remains as the most popular 4×2 model.

See below for the top 10 best-sellers for December 2023, and further below for the top 10 best-sellers for all of 2023:

  1. Ford Ranger: 7767
  2. Toyota HiLux: 5143
  3. Isuzu D-Max: 2833
  4. Mitsubishi Triton: 1354
  5. Mazda BT-50: 1288
  6. Toyota LandCruiser 70: 1083
  7. GWM Ute: 975
  8. Volkswagen Amarok933
  9. LDV T60/T60 EV: 772
  10. Nissan Navara: 567

Top 10 best-selling utes during year 2023:

  1. Ford Ranger: 63,356
  2. Toyota HiLux: 61,111
  3. Isuzu D-Max: 31,202
  4. Mazda BT-50: 17,526
  5. Mitsubishi Triton: 16,641
  6. Toyota LandCruiser 70: 11,414
  7. GWM Ute: 9616
  8. LDV T60/T60 EV: 9106
  9. Nissan Navara: 8499
  10. Volkswagen Amarok: 6626

As mentioned, 2023 was a record year for new vehicle sales in Australia, but how will things shape up as we move into 2024? We’ll have to wait and see. Be sure to keep an eye out on our VFACTS page for more updates going forward.

Brett Davis

Brett started out as a motor mechanic but eventually became frustrated working on cars that weren't his. He then earned a degree in journalism and scored a job at Top Gear Australia back in 2008, and then worked at Zoom/Extreme Performance magazines, CarAdvice, and started PerformanceDrive/PDriveTV in 2011 with Josh Bennis, and ran it for 12 years. He's now the owner and managing editor here at Driving Enthusiast.

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