Buyers still love 4WDs in Australia.
It remains a big-selling segment, but some of its biggest hitters are suffering losses.
China is starting to get a foothold in the market with budget offerings posing a serious threat to established regulars.
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Emissions-heavy vehicles such as 4WDs are also coming under fire from increasingly stringent rules in Australia.
Here is the rundown of the best-selling 4WDs up to June 2026.
Which 4WDS are leading the way?
The Ford Everest large SUV is up front with more than 11,000 sales in 2026 so far, despite a near 10 per cent year-on-year drop.
It is based on the Ford Ranger, which is the best-selling ute in Australia.
The Toyota Prado takes second place with more than 9000 sales so far this year, but it has experienced an even sharper drop of nearly 42 per cent year-on-year.
The Prado is a scaled down version of the LandCruiser 300 Series, using a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, as opposed to the more powerful V6.
Isuzu’s MU-X is third, making 7564 sales up to June, but it too experienced a more minor slump of 3.2 per cent.
The LandCruiser 300 Series is currently fourth on the standings, and is the only car in the top five to have experienced a substantial growth in sales.
Its 6451 sales constitutes a 26.3 per cent rise compared to first six months of 2025.
Toyota also released a performance petrol hybrid V6 variant earlier this year.
The Suzuki Jimny rounds out the top five as a much smaller and cheaper competitor to those above it.
Priced from $31,990, before on-road costs, the Jimny is down 11.1 per cent compared to this time last year, while still amassing 3882 sales.
The Nissan Patrol is down nearly 25 per cent compared to its sales result up to June 2025, with 2843 sales so far in 2026.
The current Y62 petrol V8 Patrol will cease production next month, and order books for a new twin-turbo V6 will open later.
How is China muscling its way into the 4WD segment?
GWM’s Tank 300 mid-size SUV off-roader has continued to surge up the sales charts in 2026, with 2759 sales so far.
The Tank 300 is available in petrol, diesel, plug-less hybrid and plug-in hybrid set-ups - more varied than any of its competitors.
BYD’s Denza sub-brand is another Chinese rival experiencing a solid sales return in Australia.
Its B5 plug-in hybrid SUV has already accumulated 1445 sales this year, having only gone on sale in December 2025.
Its bigger sibling the B8 is also approaching the 1000-unit mark midway through this year.
What is one of the other big surprises?
The ultra-luxury GMC Yukon Denali from the United States is starting to pick up momentum in Australia.
The V8-powered eight-seater Yukon Denali went on sale in the middle of last year, but 2026 has seen sales explode by nearly 190 per cent.
It remains a low-volume model with only 202 sales, as it carries a $174,990 price tag.
What is coming next?
The 4WD segment is about undergo some serious changes in the next few months, including an influx of new models.
The Mitsubishi Pajero will return to Australia, along with several new Chinese competitors likely to join it over the next 18 months.
The anticipated Geely Galaxy Cruiser is slated for a UK launch, meaning Australia could its next step, while the GAC Yue 7 also seems to be on the way.
Top selling 4WDs so far in 2026
| Rank | Model | Year-to-date 2026 Sales | Percentage change compared to June 2025 |
| 1 | Ford Everest | 11,133 | -9.4% |
| 2 | Toyota Prado | 9,102 | -41.6% |
| 3 | Isuzu MU-X | 7,564 | -3.2% |
| 4 | Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series | 6,451 | 26.3% |
| 5 | Suzuki Jimny | 3,882 | -11.1% |
| 6 | Nissan Patrol | 2,843 | -24.8% |
| 7 | GWM Tank 300 | 2,759 | 15.6% |
| 8 | Mitsubishi Pajero Sport | 2,269 | -19.9% |
| 9 | Land Rover Defender | 1,911 | -2.9% |
| 10 | Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series | 1,817 | -65.5% |
| 11 | Denza B5 | 1,445 | N/A |
| 12 | Toyota Fortuner | 1,085 | -39.7% |
| 13 | Denza B8 | 938 | N/A |
| 14 | Lexus GX | 422 | -22.0% |
| 15 | Lexus LX | 378 | 34.5% |
| 16 | GMC Yukon Denali | 202 | 188.6% |
| 17 | Jeep Wrangler | 201 | -8.6% |
| 18 | Land Rover Discovery | 119 | -50.0% |
