Top 20 best-selling SUVs in August: Toyota RAV4 back on top as ute-based SUVs post strong result

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In August 2021 the Australian new-car market continued to grow over the same period last year with a 33 per cent increase in total sales.

The usual suspects make up the top 20 SUV sellers again with Toyota taking first and second places. The RAV4 midsize SUV got its mojo back after a dip last month, 3,169 sales were enough to nab the top spot followed by the LandCruiser Prado (2,731).

The Mazda CX-5 took third with another consistent month of sales (2,239) followed by strong showings from the MG ZS small SUV (1,700) and Mitsubishi Outlander (1,638). In sixth place was the Hyundai Tucson with 1,169 registrations.

Following the family-friendly SUVs came the Isuzu MU-X which recorded 1,158 sales. The ute-based SUV formula is one that seemingly tugs at the heartstrings of Aussie buyers with proven towing and off-road capability.

There are two more examples in this month’s top 20 SUVs, with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in 14th (760) and the Ford Everest in 15th (724). 

While Toyota’s Fortuner is back in 31st with 405 registrations, that’s still impressive considering the Japanese brand offers the LandCruiser Prado and LandCruiser (9th place with 1,107 registrations) in the same segment. 

The less off-road capable Mazda CX-30 just pipped the full-size LandCruiser in August finishing 8th with 1,141 sales, though its light SUV cousin – the Mazda CX-3 – slipped right back in this month’s figures.

Rounding out the top 10 in August was the midsize Subaru Forester (1,104) followed by the seven-seat Toyota Kluger (984), the Mitsubishi ASX (976) and Subaru XV in 13th (951).

Following the pair of ute-based off-roaders, the Toyota Yaris Cross made a strong showing with 720 sales, enough to secure the light SUV 16th spot. The little Toyota was followed up by the Kia Sportage (640).

Subaru managed to sneak a third vehicle into the top 20 list with the Outback wagon managing 611 registrations as the Japanese marque struggles with the global semiconductor shortage. 

In 19th spot is the Hyundai Kona with 601 sales. The Hyundai was followed by the GWM Haval H6, a medium SUV that is starting to gain a foothold with Australian buyers with its astoundingly low price-of-entry.

A few mentions to cars that slipped down the list in August: the Kia Stonic sold 546 units this month which wasn’t enough to repeat its strong 14th position in July. The seven-seat Mazda CX-9 also slipped back with 369 sales this month keeping it out of the top 20.

If you’d like to take a look at the best-selling vehicles overall we’ve put together a separate article on that. 

Australia’s top 20 best-selling SUVs:

1. Toyota RAV4: 3,169
2. Toyota LandCruiser Prado: 2,731
3. Mazda CX-5: 2,239
4. MG ZS: 1,700
5. Mitsubishi Outlander: 1,638
6. Hyundai Tucson: 1,169
7. Isuzu MU-X: 1,158
8. Mazda CX-30: 1,141
9. Toyota LandCruiser: 1,107
10. Subaru Forester: 1,104
11. Toyota Kluger: 984
12. Mitsubishi ASX: 976
13. Subaru XV: 951
14. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: 760
15. Ford Everest: 724
16. Toyota Yaris Cross: 720
17. Kia Sportage: 640
18. Subaru Outback: 611
19. Hyundai Kona: 601
20. Haval H6: 577