After six months of intensive research and unwavering dedication, the most accurate and detailed report on the world’s top ten cars last year has been published by Felipe Munoz, a highly respected motor industry specialist working for automotive market analytics firm Jato Dynamics.
Ten global best-selling vehicles in 2024 amassed a huge total sum of 7,649,000. Japan’s Toyota contributed 3,953,000 to that awe-inspiring total – more than half of the total distributed across five finalists.
A podium finish as a best-selling vehicle is no easy feat. Different markets have largely varying needs, budgets and dealer networks, all of which impact vehicle demand and product availability.
The top four best-selling cars in the world are SUVs, three of which are mid-size. The ever popular SUV segment doesn’t look to be fading any time soon, particularly in Australia, where it made up 57 per cent of all vehicle sales in 2024.
Here’s Chasing Cars‘ full guide to the Top 10 best-selling vehicles in the world last year.
#1 Toyota RAV4 (1,187,000 deliveries)
2024 Toyota RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid
Toyota’s RAV4 midsize SUV has proven time and again to be an incredibly successful model, both globally and in the Australian market. Locally, the RAV4 snagged the title of Australia’s second most popular car, shifting 58,718 units. It also laid claim as Australia’s most popular hybrid for 2024.
Toyota’s RAV4 has an all-new generation in the pipeline for 2026 to ensure the model remains competitive against a constant stream of competitors. New styling, a much needed modernised interior, and a highly anticipated PHEV drivetrain headline the next-gen debut, confirmed for Australia next year.
Read more: 2026 Toyota RAV4 to challenge BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander with plug-in hybrid version
#2 Tesla Model Y (1,185,000 deliveries)
Tesla Model Y Long Range
The Tesla Model Y continues to set the benchmark for mid-size electric SUVs, proving itself as both the world’s most popular electric vehicle as well as Australia’s.
Last year, Tesla shifted 21,253 Model Y’s in Australia – a figure which is anticipated to improve for the end of 2025, following its May facelift.
In 2023, the Tesla Model Y dethroned the Toyota RAV4 as the world’s most popular car, however, sales slowed in 2024 due in part to anticipation of the May 2025 facelift. Despite this, only 2000 units separated the RAV4 and Tesla Model Y – chump change in a game focusing on millions.
Read more: Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD 2025 review
#3 Toyota Corolla Cross (859,000 deliveries)
Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos
The Toyota Corolla Cross small SUV has performed exceptionally well from the day of its June 2020 release. Offering a hybrid powertrain and sharing mechanical underpinnings with the highly proven Toyota Corolla, the Corolla Cross should revel in its third place result – two positions higher than 2023, with a sales increase of 18 per cent.
In Australia, the Toyota Corolla Cross wasn’t nearly as popular. It was our 41st most popular car overall, shifting a less impressive 8902 units. It took seventh place in the Aussie small SUV segment, losing out to the MG ZS segment winner (22,629 units) and Hyundai Kona runner up (17,374 units.)
The current Corolla Cross is due to be facelifted in the coming months.
Read more: Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid 2024 review
#4 Honda CR-V (854,000 deliveries)
Honda CR-V e-HEV RS
Honda’s CR-V was originally launched in 1995 across several global markets, quickly establishing itself as a reliable, family focused midsize SUV. It has since spanned across five generations, with a sixth-generation CR-V releasing locally late into 2023.
In the US, the Honda CR-V snagged fifth place as the country’s best-selling model for 2024, shifting an impressive 402,791 units. In Australia however, the CR-V did not echo this success, due in part to the fifth generation CR-V still occupying showroom floors despite an eight year run.
The CR-V has been overtaken in its segment by the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sorento, Mitsubishi Outlander and more, placing 60th in overall Oz sales for 2024, with a figure of 5547 units.
Read more: Honda CR-V Hybrid 2024 long term review
#5 Toyota Corolla Sedan (697,000 deliveries)
Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport hybrid
The Toyota Corolla currently holds the title of the world’s best-selling automobile of all time. Its original inception was in 1966, and has since evolved over twelve generations. In 2021, Toyota achieved the milestone of 50 million Corollas sold.
Both the Toyota Corolla sedan and hatchback are currently offered in Australia, with the two body shapes being counted under the same nameplate. The Corolla was Australia’s seventh most popular car in 2024, with 24,027 deliveries – a 20 per cent improvement over 2023’s figure.
The Toyota Corolla was the only vehicle in Australia’s top ten vehicle list last year that wasn’t an SUV or ute.
Read more: Toyota Corolla Sedan Ascent Sport hybrid 2023 review
#6 Toyota Hilux (617,000 deliveries)
Toyota Hilux GR Sport
A longstanding and capable utility, the Toyota Hilux again secures the position of sixth best-selling model in the world, despite suffering a 15 per cent decrease in sales from 2023.
In Australia, the Hilux is dearly beloved. In 2022, the Hilux was Australia’s best selling model, securing 64,391 deliveries. In 2023, the Hilux was narrowly dethroned by the Ford Ranger, with a difference of 2245 deliveries (63,356 versus 61,111).
In 2024, the Ranger retained the title of Australia’s best selling car with 62,593 units. The Hilux shifted 53,499 units locally, moving to third place after being usurped by the 58,718 delivery-strong RAV4.
However, rival Ranger does not appear in the global top ten for 2024.
The Hilux is a pensioner in vehicle-lifecycle terms – now a decade old in current form – so another podium is still impressive. 2024 marks the fourth consecutive year Toyota’s ute has exceeded 50,000 deliveries.
Read more: Toyota Hilux GR Sport 2023 review
#7 Ford F-150 (595,000 deliveries)
Ford F-150 XLT short-wheelbase
Ford’s large F-150 utility secures an impressive seventh-place position on the global leaderboard, despite a large majority of its sales being generated in its home continent of North America. In ‘Lariat’ trim, the F-150 measures 6184mm long – 814mm longer than an Oz-market Ford Ranger XL dual-cab.
In 2024, the Ford ‘F-series’, which encapsulates several ‘F-truck’ models including the F-150 and Lightning EV, generated 732,139 total deliveries in the US, with the F-150 given the title of America’s most popular car.
In Australia, the F-150 is vastly less popular, overshadowed by short-wheelbase utes like the Ranger, Hilux, D-Max, Triton and BT-50. Locally, 2428 F-150’s sold in 2024, taking the title of 91st most popular vehicle in Oz.
Read more: Ford F-150 2023 review: XLT and Lariat
#8 Toyota Camry (593,000 deliveries)
Toyota Camry SL
The fifth and final Toyota on this list, the Toyota Camry has had an impressive lifespan across 12 generations, first appearing in 1982. It previously held the position of seventh global best-seller in 2023, but lost out to the Ford F-150 by just 2000 deliveries.
In Australia, the Camry sold 15,401 units in 2024, placing it as the second-most popular midsize sedan. It lost to the Tesla Model 3 by 1693 deliveries. The 12th generation Toyota Camry is currently offered in three trim grades, all of which utilise a series parallel hybrid drivetrain.
Read more: Toyota Camry 2024 review
#9 Tesla Model 3 (560,000 deliveries)
Tesla Model 3 Long Range
The Tesla Model 3 may not have placed in the global top five, but does take the unique title of world’s most popular electric sedan. It is also one of two dedicated electric vehicles to feature in the top ten, alongside the Tesla Model Y mid-size SUV.
Global sales of the Model 3 have improved by ten per cent over 2023, helping to secure its ninth place position. In the Australian market, the Model 3 was the second-most popular electric vehicle, placing 18th overall with 17,094 deliveries.
Read more: Tesla Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive 2024 review
#10 BYD Qin (502,000 deliveries)
BYD Qin
BYD’s Qin is a plug-in hybrid mid-size sedan with an overall length of 4770mm – about 100mm shorter than the Australian market Toyota Camry. It has been on sale since 2012, and has proven popular with its fuel efficient drivetrain and attractive entry price.
The Qin is not sold in Australia, with its primary market residing in its home country of China. The Qin’s closest local relative is the dedicated electric BYD Seal mid-size sedan, which shifted 6393 units in Oz last year.
Read more: BYD Seal Performance 2024 review
