Only the Mitsubishi Triton and GWM Cannon increased sales in 2025 as 4×4 ute newcomers steal sales away from established players.
BYD’s Shark 6 has managed to carve out a sizeable 8.5 per cent of Australia’s 4×4 dual-cab ute market in its first 12 months on sale, rocketing to fourth place in the segment with 18,073 year-end sales.
The newcomer has seemingly taken chunks out of the best-selling Ford Ranger (down 7.4 per cent to 53,694 sales) and Toyota HiLux (down 4.8 per cent to 43,661), as well as the Isuzu D-Max (down 12.3 per cent to 21,085).
In total, the Ranger, HiLux, and D-Max shed 9390 sales combined in 2025 compared to 2024’s result, while the customer base for the Nissan Navara, Mazda BT-50, LDV T60, and Volkswagen Amarok also shrunk last year, down 24.5 per cent, 2.3 per cent, 31.8 per cent, and 35.8 per cent respectively.
In fact, of the established 4×4 ute players, only the Mitsubishi Triton and GWM Cannon – formerly known as the GWM Ute – broke new ground in 2025.
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Mitsubishi’s Triton was up 10.3 per cent to 16,262 sales, while the GWM Cannon 19.8 per cent to 9560 units.
Overall, the 4×4 ute market was up 4.7 per cent, from 202,950 to 212,513 units, also buoyed by other newcomers to the segment outside the BYD ute.
4×4 versions of Kia’s Tasman notched 3924 sales; the MG U9 found 472 new homes, beaten by its related LDV Terron 9 with 639 sales; the Foton Tunland V7 and V9 combined for 158 sales; the GWM Cannon Alpha in its first full 12 months hit 2524 sales; and the JAC T9 secured 1582 sales.
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However, the 2026 sales race is set to be even tighter with new model activity across the board.
Ford will bulk out its Ranger line-up with a more comprehensive Super Duty range, while Toyota has just launched its new-generation HiLux with an all-electric powertrain due in 2026.
Mazda and Isuzu also have refreshed versions of the BT-50 and D-Max now in showrooms, while the all-new Nissan Navara will also be filing into showrooms in 2026.
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Likewise, the Volkswagen Amarok will be topped by special edition, while Mitsubishi could reveal its first petrol-electric hybrid Triton this year.
However, BYD will also look to increase its market share with cab-chassis versions of the Shark to target fleets, as well as a rumoured 2.0-litre-powered version to increase braked towing capacity.
Either way, the 4×4 dual-cab ute market shows no signs of slowing in 2026, with all signs pointing to its popularity rising over the next 12 months.
2025 4×4 ute sales in Australia
| Model | Sales | Percentage variance compared with 2024 |
| BYD Shark 6 | 18,073 | – |
| Ford Ranger | 53,694 | -7.4% |
| GWM Cannon (and GWM Ute) | 9560 | +19.8 |
| GWM Cannon Alpha | 2524 | +130.5% |
| Isuzu D-Max | 21,085 | -12.3% |
| JAC T9 | 1582 | – |
| Jeep Gladiator | 332 | -35.5% |
| KGM Musso/Musso XLV | 2075 | -35.1% |
| Kia Tasman | 3924 | – |
| LDV T60/T60 Max | 4301 | -31.8% |
| LDV Terron 9 | 639 | – |
| Mazda BT-50 | 11,658 | -2.3% |
| MG U9 | 472 | – |
| Mitsubishi Triton | 16,262 | +10.3% |
| Nissan Navara | 6820 | -24.5% |
| Toyota HiLux | 43,661 | -4.8% |
| Volkswagen Amarok | 5392 | -35.8% |
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