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Australia’s ‘best’ worst-selling cars exposed
Cars with low sales volumes that really deserve some consideration.
Published
4 min read
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Drive
3 min readDrive
Cars with low sales volumes that really deserve some consideration.
Published
4 min read
Text size
Published
Text size
The third consecutive year of growth, 2025 was yet another record-breaking year for new-vehicle sales in Australia, with over 1.24 million registrations.
The usual suspects made up the top three, with the chart-topping Ford Ranger ute selling 56,555 units, Toyota RAV4 mid-sized SUV at 51,947 units, and Toyota HiLux ute at 51,297 units. Heading into this year, all are universally respected models.
But this does not mean the opposite is true looking at the bottom of the 385 separate models sold new in Australia during last year, with some of the best-in-class languishing when they deserve to be at celebrated.
Here are the inexplicably poor sellers that should be more-widely admired.
Chart position: 265th best-seller in 2025
If you’ve ever dreamt of owning a Ferrari, but without the outrageous look-at-me styling, exorbitant price and for-two-only packaging, there is nothing on the road like the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Now in its 11th year, the Type 952 was actually created by Ferrari engineers and Italian designers with the goal of being the best-driving sports sedan in the world. A decade on, the sheer tactility and breathtaking connection this five-seater adrenalin rush offers proves that they succeeded. Beautifully.
Just 210 lucky drivers took the plunge in 2025. You can’t buy that sort of exclusivity.
Chart position: 269th best-seller in 2025
Priced from $55,000 before on-road costs, the Megane E-Tech is an advanced, premium electric vehicle (EV) that reflects Renault’s 15-years-plus experience in this field.
Building on from the brand’s pioneering Zoe city car from 2012, this charming and characterful compact SUV boasts decent range, a high-quality interior, ample space for five people, excellent handling, stirring performance, and a comfortable ride.
However, only 207 found homes last year, against around 1280 Volvo EX30s and 3800 BYD Atto 3s. This French gem deserves to mix it with more-expensive luxury alternatives like the Mercedes-Benz EQA and Lexus UX.
Chart position: 215th best-seller in 2025
A big hit in its native North America, the Mustang Mach E has struggled in Australia, and it’s not hard to see why.
An intriguing if odd mix of muscle-car imagery and family EV SUV practicality, it seems to have a personality crisis. In reality, however, strong performance, fun handling, a smart dash layout, and useful range actually make this electric Ford one of the more-engaging SUVs, period.
A recent facelift and price drop should help, as the Mach E was way too expensive when released in 2023. Just 483 registrations last year, against about 22,200 Tesla Model Ys, reflects that.
Chart position: 199th best-seller in 2025
Hyundai, along with Kia, are EV trailblazers, with their respective Ioniq 5 and EV6 democratising advanced technologies like a fast-charging 800-volt architecture back when launched in 2021, at a time when that was reserved for luxury brands such as Porsche and Audi.
But where the Ioniq 5 stands out is with its timeless, elegant styling and amazingly inviting cabin packaging. An elevated EV experience on so many fronts, and certainly one of this decade’s greats, it deserves more than just 626 Australian sales.
Chart position: 166th best-seller in 2025
The existing, 11th generation Civic is at the apex of the small-car hierarchy, with the ultra-efficient e:HEV hybrid an incredibly high-quality premium experience whilst the Type R is widely acknowledged as the best hot-hatch in the world.
Which beggars belief, when you consider that just 933 Civics were sold in Australia last year. Meanwhile, its closest rival, Toyota’s fine Corolla that is also from Japan, nudged 19,000 units.
Honourable mention: Peugeot 308: 312th best-seller in 2025 with 88 registrations.
Chart position: 75th best-seller in 2025
Kia’s take on the one-tonne ute is brave and bold on one hand, and yet reassuringly familiar with tried-and-tested technology on the other.
Where it excels is in its larger-than-usual interior with a layout and materials that would embarrass a luxury brand, efficient diesel powertrains with muscle and refinement, and a seven-year warranty.
Sales only started last August, when Kia expected to shift about 1500 per month. But with just 4196 buyers to the end of the year, the Tasman is in trouble and deserves to do better, especially when it sits amongst the ute segment leaders.
