Korean Cars Absent from Vietnam’s Top 10 Best-Selling Gasoline and Diesel Vehicles Year-to-Date

Discover the dominance of Japanese high-clearance vehicles in Vietnam’s automotive market. Top-selling gasoline and diesel models from brands like Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi lead the charts, while Korean cars are notably absent from the top 10 rankings.

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Top 10 Best-Selling Gasoline and Diesel Cars in 2025

Following the release of sales data for September 2025 by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) and Hyundai Thanh Cong, the rankings for the top internal combustion engine vehicles in the first three quarters have been finalized. Familiar names like the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Xpander, and Mazda CX-5 continue to dominate the list.

Rank Model Q1/2025 Q2/2025 Q3/2025 YTD 2025 Vs. 2024
1 Ford Ranger 3,762 4,023 4,792 12,577 +7%
2 Mitsubishi Xpander 4,391 3,796 4,251 12,438 -4%
3 Mazda CX-5 3,022 4,362 3,922 11,306 +22%
4 Toyota Yaris Cross 2,117 3,303 4,235 9,655 +40%
5 Toyota Vios 2,285 2,980 3,231 8,496 -3.5%
6 Ford Everest 2,134 3,000 3,211 8,345 +16.6%
7 Ford Territory 2,095 3,535 2,526 8,156 +60%
8 Mitsubishi Xforce 1,933 2,642 3,459 8,034 -19%
9 Honda City 2,001 1,584 2,792 6,377 +5%
10 Toyota Corolla Cross 1,400 2,263 2,498 6,161 +50%

Fierce Market Competition

The battle for the top two spots remains intense between the Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Xpander, with a mere 139-unit difference. The Ford Ranger has seen consistent quarterly growth, while the Xpander experienced a dip in Q2 before rebounding in Q3.

The Ford Ranger dominates its segment in Vietnam, maintaining high sales with a 7% increase compared to 2024. Meanwhile, the Xpander faces growing pressure from competitors, including the newly launched Limo Green electric MPV, despite strong sales.

The Mitsubishi Xpander closely trails the Ford Ranger in the 2025 gasoline and diesel car sales race.

This competition has led to a 4% sales decline for the Japanese MPV compared to the first three quarters of 2024, despite ongoing discounts. Even with the September launch of a new model, Mitsubishi continues to offer promotions to maintain its appeal in a highly competitive market.

High-growth models like the Mazda CX-5, Toyota Yaris Cross, Corolla Cross, and Ford Territory share a common factor: significant promotions throughout the first nine months. This highlights the importance of manufacturer and dealer discounts in driving sales.

Even segment leaders like the Mazda CX-5, Toyota Yaris Cross, Toyota Vios, and Mitsubishi Xpander rely on continuous promotions to offer attractive prices, boosting sales and maintaining their market positions.

Consumers increasingly wait for promotions to secure the best deals, prompting manufacturers to continually reduce prices to enhance their appeal. This relentless price competition reflects the intensifying domestic auto market rivalry.

High-Clearance Vehicles Dominate

Among the top 10 best-selling gasoline and diesel cars, only two sedans—the Toyota Vios and Honda City—are present. The remaining six are SUVs/crossovers or high-clearance multi-purpose vehicles, along with one pickup truck and one MPV.

The Mitsubishi Xpander, classified as an MPV, boasts a 225 mm ground clearance, higher than some crossovers. This shift underscores the growing domestic preference for SUVs and high-clearance MPVs, which offer better cabin space and off-road capabilities than low-clearance vehicles.

The Mazda CX-5 leads as the best-selling high-clearance gasoline vehicle in the market.

Absence of Korean Vehicles

Notably, no Korean vehicles appear in the top 10 internal combustion engine car sales list for 2025. This contrasts sharply with the 2020-2023 period, when models like the Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Creta, and Kia Seltos were regulars.

The Kia Seltos was the best-selling B-segment SUV in 2022.

In contrast, seven of the top 10 models are from Japanese brands, reflecting their stable market share due to reliability, durability, and increasingly accessible pricing and features.

Both Toyota and Ford have three models in the top 10, showcasing their dominance in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Toyota leads in sedans and urban high-clearance vehicles, while Ford excels in pickup trucks and body-on-frame SUVs.

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