SUV and ute sales in Australia remained dominant in January 2026, with 87,092 new vehicles delivered nationwide — up 0.3 per cent year-on-year.
According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), dual-cab utes and large SUVs continue to anchor the country’s tow-capable vehicle market, accounting for the vast majority of new registrations.
For caravanners and touring families, that matters.
SUVs accounted for 53,263 sales in January, comfortably the largest segment. Light commercial vehicles which include popular dual-cab utes followed with 17,995 sales. Passenger cars trailed behind at 13,365, while heavy commercial vehicles recorded 2,469 deliveries.
The dominance of SUVs and utes reflects ongoing demand for practical, tow-capable vehicles suited to long-distance travel.
The Tow Vehicles Australians Are Choosing
The Ford Ranger was the country’s top-selling vehicle in January with 3,403 sales, despite a 20 per cent drop compared to January 2025.
Toyota’s HiLux followed with 2,800 deliveries.
Both remain among Australia’s most common caravan tow vehicles particularly for off-road and semi off-grid touring.
The presence of mid-size SUVs such as the CX-5, Outlander and RAV4 highlights continued demand for family-focused vehicles capable of towing lighter vans and camper trailers.
New Brands Gain Ground
Toyota retained the overall brand lead with 14,310 sales in January, holding 16.4 per cent of the market.
However, the most significant year-on-year shift came from BYD. The brand recorded 5,001 sales compared to 675 in January 2025, lifting its market share from 0.8 per cent to 5.7 per cent.
Chinese brands Chery and MG also featured in the top 10.
While most electrified models currently sit outside mainstream heavy towing categories, their rising presence signals a broader shift in buyer consideration particularly for families balancing everyday commuting with occasional travel.
Where Sales Are Strongest
New South Wales recorded the highest volume in January with 26,305 vehicles sold, followed by:
Queensland and Western Australia remain key touring states, where ute and large SUV demand traditionally tracks strongly with caravan ownership.
What This Means for Travellers in 2026
January’s numbers suggest buyer confidence in practical vehicles remains intact, even with broader cost-of-living pressures.
For caravanners considering a tow vehicle upgrade this year, the data points to several realities:
• Competition in popular ute segments is likely to remain strong.
Ranger and HiLux continue to lead the market.
• Mid-size SUVs are holding their ground.
They remain the preferred option for families towing lighter vans or camper trailers.
• New entrants are reshaping the lower end of the market.
While not yet dominant in heavy towing categories, Chinese brands are gaining share quickly.
Overall, the Australian market may be steady but the appetite for travel-ready vehicles hasn’t faded.
And if January is any indication, SUVs and utes will continue to anchor Australia’s touring lifestyle in 2026.
