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Only the Mitsubishi Triton and GWM Cannon increased sales in 2025 as 4x4 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 4x4 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 4x4 ute players, only the Mitsubishi Triton and GWM Cannon – formerly known as the GWM Ute – broke new ground in 2025.
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 4x4 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.
4x4 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.
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.
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 4x4 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 4x4 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% |
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
