In the context of buying a new car, finding out the most popular purchases from the buying public here in Australia gives you an idea of what buyers believe to be the most sensible decision, either due to price, equipment, safety, fuel economy or more.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 15 best-selling SUVs here in Australia to give you an idea of the most popular makes and models that you might not have considered in your search.
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Request a quoteWe’ll be using data taken from the latest Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries report for March 2022, which details the make and model of all new car purchases.
Toyota RAV4
Consistently topping the charts for years now, the RAV4 has become a hit for Australian families looking for a neat and practical package to accommodate their growing family.
The RAV4 range ticks all the important boxes, offering a sizable platform that translates to a spacious, comfortable cabin, handsome equipment and safety lists for the money, as well as hybrid options across the range to minimise fuel use.
The RAV4 range kicks off from $34,400, while the cheapest hybrid option is priced at $36,990 before on-road costs.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 and the RAV4 have been locking horns for years now, often switching roles as the all-around king of new car sales in Australia, signaling just how popular SUVs are Down Under.
The CX-5 range offers buyers a sleek, comfortable package filled with practical elements and one of the most attractive cabin designs that you’ll find at this price point.
With a huge number of options within the lineup, there’s a CX-5 to meet everyone’s needs and budget restrictions, with the entry-level CX-5 priced at just $31,390, undercutting the RAV4 by a few thousand dollars.
Toyota LandCruiser Prado
While soft-roaders might be the highest-volume sellers, the hardcore Toyota LandCruiser Prado’s consistent top five finishes over the past few years is a clear sign that Australian buyers will continue to opt for an SUV platform that isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty.
Priced from $60,830, the Prado gives buyers a no-compromises, best of both worlds approach to motoring. It offers the family-friendly benefits of a large, practical platform that is underpinned by rugged hardware that has no problem heading off-road and towing heavy objects when needed.
Mazda CX-30
One of the most handsome cars on our list, the CX-30, is also one of the heavy-hitters when it comes to high volume sales here in Australia.
With a lineup now featuring a pair of hybrid engine options, the CX-30 range offers Australian buyers a great platform for town driving and even long distance roadtrips thanks to its slick engine and transmission combination which returns fuel economy figures of 6L per 100km in the hybrid.
MG ZS
While it might be relatively new to the Australian market, the MG ZS has wasted no time in becoming one of Australia’s most popular SUVs thanks, in part, to its undeniable value for money proposition.
If a feature-packed compact SUV with a drive-away price of just $21,990 sounds too good to be true, you’ll understand why Australian buyers have flocked to the ZS lineup.
The entry-level model comes riding on 17-inch alloys, and receives a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control and 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, while higher-spec variants receive a panoramic sunroof and turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
As far as value goes, Mitsubishi is one of the most generous manufacturers selling cars in Australia, which is at least part of the reason you’ll find no less than three of their cars on our list.
The Pajero Sport is the company’s seven-seat family cruise ship, and has price tags that range from $43,940 for the base GLX 4x2, all the way to $60,940 for the range-topping GSR 4x4.
The Pajero Sport actually shares its underpinnings with the Triton ute, which might not sound like much on paper, but actually translates to an exceptionally smooth and forgiving drive quality that is perfect for school runs and long-distance road trips.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi has given its Outlander a significant overhaul, and the sales success is at least partial proof of just how capable the Outlander’s new platform is.
With a new set of bones underneath, the Outlander has grown over its predecessor, offering more practicality and space for up to seven people in the cabin, translating to some seriously family-friendly driving.
Prices range from $34,490 to $50,990 for the flagship, with the base models receiving a handsome equipment list that will keep the majority of buyers happy for the money. Better still, the Outlander, like all of Mitsubishi’s vehicles come with a class-leading ten-year warranty for added confidence.
Kia Sportage
Kia has brought its Sportage SUV well into the 21st century with the most recent update, and the success of the latest generation Sportage can be quantified by its top-ten finish in the best-selling SUVs.
While the all-new Sportage introduced some price increases across the range, it doesn’t seem to have put off buyers, which have continued to gravitate toward the practical and feature-packed Sportage range.
Equipment lists for the base model (priced at 34,690 drive-away) include 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, a leather steering wheel, 8.0-inch infotainment system and a whole suite of active safety technologies, translating to one of the most feature-packed SUVs you’ll find on the market for the price.
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai’s Kona compact SUV isn’t afraid to make a statement, but thankfully for Hyundai, its fun-loving nature has found a place with Australian buyers with consistently strong sales figures.
For those looking for a compact SUV, the Kona is one of your best options, and is a refreshingly fun take on just how fun the small SUV platform can actually be. The lineup features two engine options, with the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder a particular highlight that makes the Kona a heap of fun to drive.
Prices start at just $26,600 for the entry-level Kona 2.0, while the turbocharged engine raises the price to $36,300, but adds a heap of equipment for the extra money.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback really needs no introduction when it comes to Australian buyers, having stamped itself in the top ten for what seems like decades now.
In its latest generation, the Outback range offers some sleek updated styling and a heap of safety technology for the money. Best of all, the 2.5-litre petrol engine and all-wheel-drive platform is perfectly suited to Australian road conditions, allowing you to get out of the city with the added stability of an AWD platform.
The Outback range is priced from $40,690 and stretches out to $48,990 for the range-topping Outback AWD Touring variant which receives more than a handful of premium touches.
Mitsubishi ASX
For those that aren’t looking to squeeze a heap of kids or cargo into their SUV, the Mitsubishi ASX is an impressive and well-priced member of the compact SUV segment that will have you questioning the need to spend any more money than you have to.
Priced from just $24,990, the entry-level ASX ES comes packed with 18-inch alloys, a reversing camera, cruise control, LED headlights and an 8.0-inch infotainment system, as well as a heap of safety equipment and Mitsubishi’s ten-year warranty coverage.
This makes the ASX one of the most appealing value for money offerings within the compact SUV segment, and is very deserving of your time if you’re looking for a small SUV.
Isuzu MU-X
Isuzu has recently given its almighty MU-X a significant upgrade, adding a sleek new styling package, more equipment across the range and added towing power.
Priced from $48,900, the Isuzu MU-X range offers Australian packages a large, practical and exceptionally comfortable package that is ready for school duties and long-distance holiday road trips alike.
On those road trips, you’ll be glad to know that Isuzu has increased the MU-X’s braked towing capacity up to 3,500kg, matching figures posted by its main rivals, and making it a cost-effective and powerful companion for work and family duties alike.
Mazda CX-9
Mazda’s stylish family spaceship has managed to post consistently strong sales figures here in Australia, likely the result of its huge, practical package, generous equipment lists and the quality of its cabin.
The CX-9 range kicks off from $45,990 for the CX-9 Sport, which in itself is quite impressive considering how easily the CX-9 platform can accommodate seven people. While the range stretches all the way out to $73,875, you don’t need to spend much to get a quality vehicle with a well-crafted and feature-packed cabin.
Nissan Patrol
The Nissan Patrol has managed to out-do its most fierce competitor, the LandCruiser, likely thanks to its affordable lineup, similar performance and exceptional value for money proposition when put under the microscope.
With a simple, two model lineup, the Nissan Patrol is available for $82,160 for the Ti, or $95,115 for the range-topping Ti-L, both of which come packed to the brim with creature comforts, safety technologies and of course, some hardcore capabilities when it comes to off-roading and towing.
The Patrol lineup is powered by a 5.6-litre V8 pushing out 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque, with power put to all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic that is an absolute pleasure to drive, and offers impressive towing power up to 3,500kg and a gross combination mass (GCM) up to a massive 7,000kg.
Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series
The Toyota LandCruiser is one of Australia’s toughest off-roaders, and even in the face of long waitlists and rising price tags, there are no signs of Australian buyers losing their appetite for the Toyota LandCruiser.
The latest generation, otherwise known as the 300 Series, picks up on Toyota’s famous recipe and brings it into the 21st century with some modern styling inside and out, as well as added entertainment and safety features.
The almighty V8 diesel unit has been swapped out for a smaller, more powerful, and more fuel-efficient 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel producing 227kW of power and 7000Nm of torque, making for one seriously powerful off-roader that is incredibly comfortable and well-behaved on long trips around the countryside.
Priced from $89,990 for the entry-level LandCruiser GX, the range stretches all the way out to the range-topping Sahara ZX which is priced at $138,790.
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