Which Toyota HiLux, Holden Commodore or Toyota LandCruiser models are generating the most interest on the Internet? We reveal the most popular makes and models of 2021 and the winner might surprise you

Toyota LandCruiser is the most searched make and model on CarsGuide, Autotrader and Gumtree in 2021.

Is the car most searched for in Australia one of the many popular cars that top the sales charts every month? Or a practical hatchback with a long-lived nameplate?

Guess again.

According to a search from Cars Guide, Gumtree и Auto Trader, the most popular make and model in 2021 is the Toyota LandCruiser.

The model that was knocked out of its seat by a large SUV is an icon of the Australian automotive landscape - the Holden Commodore.

Now the second most popular nameplate, according to Autotrader Group websites, the Commodore was dropped from the Holden lineup at the end of 2019, just months before General Motors dropped the pin from the Holden brand for good.

There are several reasons why LandCruiser topped searches this year.

COVID-related border closures have until recently taken away any hope of overseas holidays, so Australians have opted to travel domestically instead.

The Holden Commodore is no more, but it's still popular on the internet.

An increasing number of people are choosing to travel with a caravan or van. So much so that the Caravan Manufacturers Association said in June that caravan sales had hit a 30-year high.

Models such as the LandCruiser and the equally massive Nissan Patrol, which ranked as the fifth most popular car this year, are perfect for off-road and towing.

Of course, the October launch of the new generation LandCruiser 300 Series generated a huge amount of interest from enthusiasts and car buyers, propelling it to the top of the rankings.

Following the Commodore in third place is another powerful Toyota - HiLux ute. Considering the HiLux has been Australia's best-selling model since 2017, it's a little surprising it didn't top the list.

The HiLux may be the best-selling vehicle in the country, but its LandCruiser sibling has more search power.

Perhaps in a couple of years it will gain more popularity when the next generation model appears.

Another fallen Australian icon, the Ford Falcon was ranked fourth in the top searches, a testament to the enduring interest in locally built sedans.

The Falcon was discontinued in 2016 when Ford closed its manufacturing facilities in Australia.

Ford's best-selling model and number two car on the Australian sales charts, the locally developed Ranger ute, is sixth behind the Patrol.

Like the LandCruiser, the Nissan Patrol SUV is generating a lot of interest.

The Ranger has swapped places with the Corolla, which finished seventh in this year's data, likely amid huge interest in the new generation Ranger, which was finally unveiled in November after a lengthy teaser campaign.

The Corolla is in the middle of its current model cycle, so there hasn't been much media interest lately, but it remains the best-selling passenger car in the country.

The Nissan Navara ute dropped one position to eighth from last year, despite a major refresh earlier this year and the launch of the new flagship Pro-4X Warrior.

This year, the Mitsubishi Triton ute jumped one position to ninth despite no major model updates, while the Toyota Camry sedan dropped one position to 10th.^th.

When it comes to the most popular brands on the web, not much has changed from 2020 to 2021. In fact, there is only one difference. Hyundai and Subaru switched places, with the Korean brand taking eighth place.

The first five search brands roughly followed the models. Toyota ranks first, followed by Holden and Ford, and Nissan and Mitsubishi rounding out the top five.

Mazda was in sixth place, followed by Volkswagen, Hyundai and Subaru, with BMW being the only premium marque in 10th place.^th spot.