While Australian vehicle preferences have changed throughout the ages, there’s always been a distinct car to dominate the road in any given year. Here, we break down some of the local favourites from each decade.
The ‘80s – Ford Falcon
The Falcon was in continuous competition with Holden for the top spot but took the win throughout the ’80s. This zippy small sedan was among the most seen on the road. Unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2016.
The ‘90s – Holden Commodore
This car repeatedly shows up in lists of best-selling and most loved cars throughout the decades. An Australian institution, the Commodore is instantly recognisable, and almost all Aussies have a memory in one. Whether as a sedan or a hatchback, the Commodore remains well-loved to this day.
The ‘00s – Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is also present in the charts throughout the years in competition with Ford and Holden though it never managed to take the top spot for long. One of its longest stretches was in the early 2000s.
The ‘10s – Mazda3
Mazda taking out top spots for a few years was a big deal for car fanatics. Managing to dethrone domestic brands and dominate the market, Mazda’s line continues to be popular to this day. However, the introduction of the Hyundai i30 has stolen some sales within the small hatchback market.
The ‘20s – Toyota Hilux
Starting around 2016, utes began to appear on the top seller lists. The Toyota Hilux is by far Australia’s top-selling ute and can be seen on roads across the country. The Hilux shows the change in stylistic preferences throughout the decades as Aussies shifted to wanting utility and looks from their auto investments.
