Top 10 selling car models in 2023

Ford Ranger – 63,356

Toyota Hilux – 61,111

Isuzu Ute D-Max – 31,202

Toyota RAV4 – 29,627

MG ZS – 29,258

Tesla Model Y – 28,769

Toyota Landcruiser – 26,449

Mitsubishi Outlander – 24,263

Mazda CX-5 – 23,083

Hyundai Tucson – 21,224

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Top three are Ute's, 4th/5th place SUV's and the others are all large cars.

You do see smaller cars like Corolla's (I own one) or Hyundai i30's as you say but the numbers above say they are not as popular as larger cars, and I agree from observations when you compare to somewhere like Europe.