The Toyota HiLux outsold the Ford Ranger in October 2026, narrowing the gap between the two dominant utes in the Australian market. The HiLux recorded 5,954 sales last month, compared to the Ranger’s 4,841 across both two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions.
This result brings the HiLux within 129 sales year-to-date, the closest margin so far this year. As of October, the HiLux has sold 42,570 units, while the Ranger leads with 42,699. The Ranger’s largest lead this year was 3,707 sales at the end of June.
In 2023, the HiLux briefly led by 379 sales in November, but the Ranger ended the year with a 2,245 unit advantage, ending Toyota’s seven-year reign as Australia’s top-selling vehicle.
Toyota launched a new-generation HiLux in December 2025, featuring a battery-electric powertrain. This model became the first electric ute in Australia to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Ford responded with MY27 Ranger updates in August 2026, expanding the availability of the 2.0-litre single-turbo engine and refining the model lineup.
The Tesla Model Y electric SUV follows with 39,035 sales, while the Isuzu D-Max trails with 19,836 units.
Both Toyota and Ford are offering incentives to boost sales. Toyota provides a $4,000 finance deposit bonus on eligible diesel-powered HiLux SR5 models purchased through Toyota Finance. Ford offers a $5,000 fuel card or equivalent discount on MY26.5 Ranger XLT models, and a $4,000 fuel card on selected MY27 Ranger models, including the reintroduced Wildtrak X grade.
Toyota maintains its position as Australia’s top-selling car brand, while Ford sits in third place, having been overtaken by BYD earlier this year. Toyota Australia’s vice president of sales, John Pappas, anticipates a record final quarter in 2026, aiming for the brand’s 24th consecutive year as Australia’s best-selling carmaker.
The rivalry between the HiLux and Ranger mirrors wider changes in the Australian automotive market, where electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining popularity. The HiLux’s electric version, in particular, indicates rising demand for eco-friendly options in the traditionally fuel-reliant ute category.
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