VFACTS: Ranger beats all-new HiLux to lead January 4x4 sales

The Ford Ranger has opened 2026 at the top of Australia’s 4×4 sales charts, maintaining its lead despite the launch of the all-new Toyota HiLux late last year.

Ford delivered 3241 Ranger 4x4s in January, comfortably ahead of the HiLux on 2275 sales. The Ranger also finished January as Australia’s top-selling vehicle overall with 3403 registrations (4×4 and 4×2 combined), ahead of the HiLux (2800), Mazda CX-5 (2289), Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (2234) and Mitsubishi Outlander (1975).

Ford also led the 4×4 wagon segment, with the Everest recording 1913 sales to finish January as Australia’s best-selling 4×4 SUV. It outsold the Toyota Prado (1392) and Isuzu MU-X (1131). In the large SUV category, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series continued to outperform the Nissan Patrol, with 907 sales versus 410.

In the budget ute segment, the GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha led the class with a combined 885 sales. That total almost exceeded the combined results of rivals including the Foton Tunland (113), JAC T9 (118), KGM Musso (102), LDV T60 (301), LDV Terron9 (120) and MG U9 (216). The Cannon range also outpaced established nameplates such as the Mazda BT-50 (780), Nissan Navara (450) and Volkswagen Amarok (264). Kia’s Tasman also had a soft start to the year, recording 410 sales in January. Could slow sales fast-track a Kia Tasman redesign?

At the premium end of the market, Chevrolet’s Silverado led the full-size pickup segment with 247 sales, including HD variants, ahead of the Ram 1500 (179), Ford F-150 (127) and Toyota Tundra (63).

Broader market data shows the light commercial vehicle segment started 2026 at a slower pace. January sales totalled 17,995 units, down 2.5 per cent from 18,453 a year earlier. PU/CC 4×4 sales also declined, falling 2.9 per cent year-on-year to 13,650 units.

By fuel type, petrol vehicle sales dropped sharply, down 14.7 per cent compared to January last year, while diesel sales declined 3.7 per cent. Electrified vehicles continued to grow strongly, with electric vehicle sales up 124.1 per cent and plug-in hybrid sales increasing 170.5 per cent year on year.

Despite softness in several segments, the overall new vehicle market edged higher. Total sales reached 87,092 units in January 2026, up 288 vehicles, or 0.3 per cent, compared with January last year.

China continued to strengthen its position as Australia’s second-largest source of vehicles behind Japan. Vehicles manufactured in China grew 68.6 per cent year on year to 20,260 units. Japan remained the largest source with 22,943 vehicles, followed by Thailand (17,072), South Korea (11,277) and Germany (4346).