VFACTS April Round-Up: Toyota HiLux Tops Overall Sales—But Ranger Still Leads the 4×4 Pack

We’re always keeping an eye on Australia’s best-selling vehicles—not just because we love our utes, but because we know which ones we’re seeing in the workshop week after week. April’s VFACTS data gave us a fascinating look at what’s happening in the market, with some interesting movements between the heavy hitters.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ford Ranger remains the best-selling 4×4, despite a notable sales drop.

• The Toyota HiLux claimed the overall top spot, proving it’s a consistent Aussie favourite.

• A recall for V6-powered Ranger and Everest models could affect sales figures in the coming months.

• The Everest narrowly outsold the Prado, by just one vehicle.

• The BYD Shark is making waves, reflecting Australia’s growing interest in EVs.

Ford Ranger: Still the King of 4×4 Sales

Ford’s Ranger has long been the go-to for 4×4 enthusiasts, and April was no exception—though the Blue Oval is showing some cracks in its armour. The Ranger led the 4×4 sales charts in April with 3,776 units sold, but that’s a sharp 25.8% drop compared to the same month last year (5,089 units). Year-to-date, it’s down 16.0%—from 19,329 units in 2024 to 16,238 in 2025.

A recall is currently underway for V6-powered Ranger and Everest models built between 2022 and 2025. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects sales momentum.

Toyota HiLux: The Overall Heavyweight

While the Ranger still leads in the 4×4 segment, Toyota’s HiLux is Australia’s top-selling vehicle overall. The HiLux moved 3,509 4×4 units in April—just 267 sales behind the Ranger.

Combine 4×2 and 4×4 sales, and the HiLux comes out on top across the entire market. With a total of 4,121 vehicles sold, the HiLux edged ahead of the Ranger (4,031), RAV4 (3,808), Everest (2,234), and Prado (2,233).

Everest vs Prado: A Tight Race

The Ford Everest just pipped the Toyota Prado by a single sale, proving how tight the competition is in the family-friendly SUV market. The Isuzu MU-X (1,223) and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series (1,022) also featured, though both posted significant monthly declines of 34.8% and 12.6% respectively.

BYD Shark: The EV Contender

On the EV front, the BYD Shark continues to impress, notching up 1,293 sales in April. This brings its year-to-date total to 6,129, building on strong sales in February (2,026) and March (2,810).

HiLux is a Favourite for MRT Canopy Upgrades

At MRT, the Toyota HiLux is one of the most popular vehicles we see on the hoist in the fitting bay. Whether it’s the rugged Explorer Package or the practical Tradesman Package, our canopies are in high demand with HiLux owners looking to make their ute work-ready.