VFACTS April 2026: RAV4 bounces back as EV share hits record 16.4%
Electric and plug-in hybrid demand drove the Australian new-car market in April 2026 with BYD overtaking Ford and Mazda to claim second place behind Toyota.
Rob Leigh
Key takeaways
- EV sales hit a record 16.4% market share
- BYD claimed second on the brand chart with 7,702 sales
- Petrol vehicle sales dropped 30.1% year-on-year
- Toyota RAV4 reclaimed Australia's top-selling model title
Australia's new-car market grew 3.0% in April 2026 with 94,049 vehicles delivered, but the headline story was again electric. EV sales surged 157.2% year-on-year to 15,459 units, representing a record 16.4% of the total market. The Toyota RAV4 returned to the top of the charts following last month's generational handover.
Fuel prices have cooled from the late-March highs, but buyers are sticking with electrified options. The Federal Government this week confirmed the Electric Car Discount will be extended into 2027 before being progressively wound back. FCAI chief executive Tony Weber linked the surge to expanded EV supply (around 110 models now available), the New Vehicle Efficiency Scheme and the tax discount.
Hybrid sales rose 27.1% to 18,162 units, helped by the first full month of new RAV4 deliveries. PHEVs jumped 270.2% to 9,628 as April 2025 marked the end of the FBT exemption that had supercharged the segment. Petrol fell 30.1% to 25,399 units and diesel slid 21.7% to 22,414.
Toyota RAV4
Top 10 brands - April 2026
Here's how the market stacked up by brand in April:
| Rank | Brand | Sales | Change YoY |
| 1 | Toyota | 15,185 | -21.6% |
| 2 | BYD | 7,702 | +140.2% |
| 3 | Kia | 6,450 | +2.3% |
| 4 | Hyundai | 6,002 | +8.2% |
| 5 | Ford | 5,748 | -21.6% |
| 6 | Mazda | 5,636 | -14.3% |
| 7 | GWM | 4,717 | +21.8% |
| 8 | Chery | 4,322 | +89.0% |
| 9 | MG | 3,678 | +18.5% |
| 10 | Isuzu Ute | 3,447 | +3.5% |
Toyota held top spot despite a 21.6% drop, with the RAV4 and HiLux still ramping up. BYD's record 7,702 deliveries pushed it past long-time podium regulars Ford and Mazda. Kia and Hyundai both climbed on the back of stronger EV ranges. Chinese brands accounted for around 30% of all sales for the month, with four finishing in the top 10.
Top 10 models - April 2026
Here's how the top 10 models landed in April:
| Rank | Model | Sales | Change YoY |
| 1 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,729 | -2.1% |
| 2 | Ford Ranger | 3,661 | -9.2% |
| 3 | Toyota HiLux | 2,835 | -31.2% |
| 4 | Chery Tiggo 4 | 2,379 | +104.2% |
| 5 | Isuzu D-Max | 2,195 | +4.2% |
| 6 | Hyundai Kona | 2,158 | +34.5% |
| 7 | Toyota Prado | 1,870 | -16.3% |
| 8 | BYD Sealion 7 | 1,780 | +139.6% |
| 9 | GWM Haval Jolion | 1,754 | +23.3% |
| 10 | Ford Everest | 1,585 | -29.1% |
The RAV4 reclaimed top spot after dropping out of the top 20 in March during the changeover. The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux held second and third despite diesel headwinds. The Chery Tiggo 4 cracked fourth on a 104.2% jump. The BYD Sealion 7 outsold the Tesla Model Y by more than two-to-one (1,780 vs 822) to top the EV sales ranking.
BYD Sealion 7
Segment highlights
Passenger cars
- Small cars under $45k: Toyota Corolla led (818), ahead of the Kia K4 (584) and Mazda 3 (559)
- Medium cars under $60k: Toyota Camry topped the bracket (962); Tesla Model 3 led the over-$60k segment (403)
- People movers: Kia Carnival well clear on 948 units; Volkswagen ID. Buzz second (140)
- Sports under $90k: Ford Mustang led (121), ahead of Mazda MX-5 (73) and Subaru BRZ (46)
- Large cars over $70k: MG IM5 again on top (47), ahead of the Volvo ES90 (21)
SUVs
- Light SUV: Mazda CX-3 led (950), followed by Hyundai Venue (586) and Suzuki Jimny (579)
- Small SUV under $45k: Chery Tiggo 4 (2,379) overtook Hyundai Kona (2,158) and GWM Haval Jolion (1,754)
- Small SUV over $45k: Kia EV3 led (445); BMW X1/iX1 second (353)
- Medium SUV under $65k: Toyota RAV4 dominated (3,729); BYD Sealion 7 second (1,780)
- Medium SUV over $65k: Zeekr 7X led the premium bracket (973), ahead of Tesla Model Y (822) and Kia EV5 (794)
- Large SUV under $80k: Toyota Prado pipped the Ford Everest (1,870 vs 1,585)
- Upper large SUV: Toyota LandCruiser wagon topped the under-$120k bracket (1,010)
Utes and vans
- 4x4 utes: Ford Ranger dominated (3,431), ahead of HiLux (2,535) and D-Max (1,526)
- Large pickups: Chevrolet Silverado led (128), narrowly ahead of RAM 1500 (121)
- Medium vans: Toyota HiAce well clear on 866 units
April delivered another record EV result, but with the Electric Car Discount set to wind back from 2027, the next 12 months will test how much of this momentum can hold without the tax sweetener.
Frequently asked questions
What were the top-selling cars in Australia in April 2026?
The Toyota RAV4 returned to the top with 3,729 sales, ahead of the Ford Ranger (3,661) and Toyota HiLux (2,835). The Chery Tiggo 4 (2,379) and Isuzu D-Max (2,195) rounded out the top five.
How many EVs were sold in Australia in April 2026?
A record 15,459 battery-electric vehicles were sold in April 2026, representing 16.4% of the total market. That was up 157.2% on April 2025 and the highest monthly EV share ever recorded in Australia.
Which brands sold the most cars in Australia in April 2026?
Toyota led with 15,185 sales. BYD finished second with a record 7,702, followed by Kia (6,450), Hyundai (6,002) and Ford (5,748). Mazda dropped to sixth.
Rob Leigh
Co-founder & Director
Rob Leigh is Co-founder and Director of The Beep based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 15+ years inside a major automotive OEM, specialising in product planning, pricing and vehicle strategy.
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