2026 Light Truck Buyer's Guide

New ADR 80/04 Euro 6 emissions standards became mandatory for all trucks above 3.5 tonnes from November 2025, forcing a ground-up refresh across every major brand, and most used the opportunity to lift safety, infotainment and cabin comfort along the way.

The result is the strongest collective light-duty lineup Australia has seen.

Light trucks were the most resilient segment of a tough 2025 market, declining just 5.8 per cent against falls of 16.7 per cent for heavy trucks and 18 per cent for medium-duty. Isuzu led the charge with a record 50.6 per cent segment share, with Hino and Fuso at second and third place respectively separated by just two sales.

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Here are the top light trucks available in Australia in 2026, from car-licence-suitable tradie trucks to high-GVM freight runners.

Isuzu Trucks is on a 37-year winning streak, and the all-new N Series – its first ground-up redesign in 17 years – shows no sign of ending it. Based on our extensive testing, the brand has modernised its proven formula without compromising the workhorse credentials operators have come to rely on.

The N Series spans 153 configurations across low, narrow and wide cabs, with short and medium wheelbase options, GVMs ranging from 4500kg (car licence) up to 8800kg.

Both the 3.0- and 5.2-litre turbodiesel engines now use a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system with AdBlue for Euro 6 compliance. The 4500kg GVM models produce 110kW/375Nm, the mid-spec NPR steps up to 129kW/430Nm, and the 8800kg NQR runs the 5.2-litre at 140kW/513Nm.

While the higher-GVM models run the brand’s proven six-speed AMT, the 3.0-litre models get a new dual-clutch nine-speed transmission with torque converter for sharper off-the-line performance and a wider spread of ratios.

The cabin is more car-like than its predecessor, with a more upright seating position, tilt-and-telescopic steering adjustment and a smaller diameter steering wheel.

A full ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) suite is standard, using dual-lens camera and radar to deliver 15 active and passive safety functions.

The Ready to Work range offers factory-warrantied body options including the Traypack, Tradepack, Vanpack, Servicepack, Tipper and Freightpack.

Engine Outputs: 110kW/375Nm; 129kW/430Nm; 140kW/513Nm
Transmission: Six-speed AMT or nine-speed DCT
Wheelbase: 2490mm to 4475mm
Payload: 1000kg to 4600kg
Warranty: Six years/250,000km (whichever comes first)

Hino finished 2025 second on the light-duty sales ladder with 1906 deliveries and has since launched its new Euro 6 300 Series lineup.

Launched in June, the new models are offered across narrow and wide cabs on wheelbases from 2.5m to 4.2m, with GVMs from 4500kg (car licence) to 8000kg. Power comes from the same 4.0-litre diesel with a six-speed auto featuring a new sequential shifter.

Hino remains the only manufacturer offering a hybrid light-duty truck. The 300 Series Hybrid pairs the 4.0-litre diesel with a six-speed AMT, direct-coupled electric motor and battery, delivering fuel savings of around 20 per cent over comparable diesel-only models, the brand claims. Crucially, it does not require any charging infrastructure.

The updated SmartSafe suite is standard, covering LED headlights and fog lamps, stability control, lane departure warning, pre-collision with pedestrian detection, and a reversing camera.

The Built to Go range – Tipper, TradeAce, Alloy Tray and SteelAce – arrives before year’s end.

Related: Hino 300 Series Hybrid Electric Supercars Recovery Vehicle Review

Engine Outputs: 110kW/420Nm; 121kW/464Nm; 139kW/510Nm; 151kW/600Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic or six-speed automated manual transmission
Wheelbase: 2500mm to 4400mm
Payload: 2200kg to 5500kg
Warranty: Five years/250,000km (whichever comes first)

Third on the 2025 ladder with 1904 units – just two behind Hino – the 2026 Canter gets new ISRI seats, improved infotainment, auto air-conditioning and a Euro 6 powertrain with more torque.

The range spans 4495kg GVM (car licence) to 8550kg, with narrow, wide, crew cab and 4x4 variants.

Powering the Canter is a Euro 6 compliant 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine producing 110kW/400Nm (up 30Nm), while a 129kW/430Nm state of tune is used in higher GVM models. Notably, a manual gearbox remains available in select variants.

The all-electric eCanter is available in 14 specifications across city and wide cab body styles, GVMs from 4500kg to 8550kg, and a range of up to 300km. Fuso adds its BEV models have amassed around eight million kilometres globally since launching in 2017.

Standard safety includes AEB, lane departure warning, electronic stability program (ESP), reversing camera and LED headlights and taillights.

Factory-built pantechs, trays and tippers are available through the Built Ready program.

Engine Outputs: 110kW/400Nm; 110kW/430Nm (electric); 129kW/430Nm (electric)
Transmission: Five-speed manual (select models) or six-speed DCT
Wheelbase: 2800mm to 4750mm
Payload: 1700kg to 5700kg
Warranty: Five years/200,000km

Iveco finished 2025 fourth on the light-duty ladder with 880 sales, with the Daily’s cab-chassis variants covering the truck end of its lineup.

The big 2026 news is the updated Daily 4x2 cab-chassis range, launched in February, bringing revised safety, a new interior and an upgrade to the ‘Step E’ Euro 6 standard.

The 50C starts at 4495kg GVM (car licence), with a 5200kg option available on a light truck licence. The 70C runs to 7200kg, and can be de-rated to 4495kg for operators who want its heavier-duty chassis without the licence requirement.

A 3.0-litre diesel produces 132kW/430Nm in 50C models and 155kW/470Nm in crew-cab and 70C variants, all via an eight-speed automatic.

New for the range is Iveco’s Blind Spot Information System, complete with Rear Cross Traffic Braking and a Moving Off Information System, alongside a chassis-integrated ‘crash box’ that absorbs impact during frontal collisions.

Inside, a redesigned 10.25-inch full TFT instrument cluster is joined by an infotainment screen with wireless smartphone mirroring, TomTom navigation and a voice assistant.

Iveco also offers the all-electric eDaily, however it’s only available on application.

Engine Outputs: 132kW/430Nm; 155kW/470Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 3450mm to 4750mm
Payload: 2375kg to 4687kg
Warranty: Six years/250,000km (extendable to 600,000km)

Despite recording just 135 sales in 2025, the Hyundai Mighty range remains an overlooked option in Australia's light-duty truck market, offering a compelling combination of value, payload and practicality.

The Euro 6 3.9-litre turbodiesel produces 125kW and a class-leading 608Nm, paired with a five-speed manual, six-speed manual, or Allison six-speed auto. GVMs range from 4500kg to 8000kg across standard and super cab variants.

Standard safety now includes AEB, lane departure warning, vehicle dynamic control and hill start assist.

The all-electric eMighty is available in 4500kg and 7300kg GVM variants, with up to 200km of loaded range and 100km added in 20 minutes of fast charging.

A factory-built ready-to-work range is also available across the Mighty lineup, which includes pantechs, trays and even a tipper.

Related: Hyundai Mighty Electric truck goes on sale

Engine Outputs: 125kW/608Nm; 120kW/320Nm (electric)
Transmissions: Five-speed manual, six-speed manual or Allison six-speed automatic
Wheelbases: 2850mm to 4400mm
Payload: 1600kg to 7300kg
Warranty: Five years/300,000km (whichever comes first)

Foton covers both ends of the market: Foton Mobility Distribution (FMD) handles the T5 Electric – Australia’s top-selling EV truck – while Inchcape distributes the diesel Euro 6 Aumark S range.

Starting with the diesel models, the Foton Aumark S is offered in short- and medium-wheelbase configurations ranging from 4495kg up to 8850kg GVM, available as both a cab-chassis and ready-built tipper.

The 5D15 and 6D15 are powered by a 110kW/400Nm Cummins 2.5-litre diesel, available with a five-speed manual or AMT. Moving up the range, the 8D15 and 9D15 receive a larger 3.8-litre Cummins engine producing 115kW and 550Nm, paired with either a six-speed manual or AMT.

The T5 Electric is available at 4.5 and 6-tonne GVM, with a 115kW motor, 81.4kWh battery, ~180km loaded range, up to 3500kg payload and 3500kg towing capacity.

Related: Foton Mobility takes direct control of EV brand in Victoria and South Australia

Engine Outputs: 110kW/400Nm; 115kW/550Nm; 115kW/300Nm (electric
Transmissions: Five-speed manual, five-speed automatic, six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
Wheelbases: 2850mm to 4400mm
Payload: 785kg to 5295kg
Warranty: Six-years/250,000km

Newcomer DFAC Australia opens order books from June 17 under KRW Motor Group – the group behind the Foton T5 Electric.

China’s second-largest truck manufacturer and an exporter to 56 markets, DFAC is positioning the Captain 45 as a sharply priced alternative to the established Japanese players.

The Captain 45 comes in 4500kg or 6000kg GVM with a choice of 2800mm or 3300mm wheelbase, powered by a Euro 6 Cummins 2.5-litre (121kW/400Nm) with a six-speed AMT and Dana axles.

All-electric Captain 45e models are also expected to arrive next year, rounding out the DFAC light-duty lineup with zero-emission options.

Standard kit includes AEB, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, airbags, reversing camera with parking sensors, cruise control, smartphone mirroring and an LCD instrument panel.

The seven-year/250,000km warranty includes 24/7 roadside assistance through NTI Truck Assist.

Related: DFAC Captain E debuts at Brisbane Truck Show

Engine Outputs: 121kW/400Nm
Transmissions: Six-speed AMT
Wheelbases: 2800mm or 3300mm
Payload: 785kg to 5295kg
Warranty: Six-years/250,000km