A new list has revealed the top 10 most stolen vehicles in South Africa.
The list, compiled by MoneyToday, is based on data from police, insurance firms, and tracking companies over the past year and shows the most at-risk cars targeted by thieves and hijackers in 2025.
According to the latest crime statistics from the South African Police Services (SAPS), 4,533 hijackings took place over the latest three-month period.
While this marks a positive 15.1% year-on-year decline, the stats are still concerningly high with an average of 50 hijackings taking place every single day.
According to MoneyToday, the 10 most commonly targeted vehicles in South Africa include the following:
- Toyota Hilux – 8,742 thefts
- VW Polo Vivo – 6,834 thefts
- Ford Ranger – 5,923 thefts
- Toyota Corolla – 4,756 thefts
- Hyundai Grand i10 – 4,234 thefts
- Isuzu D-Max – 3,892 thefts
- Nissan NP200 – 3,445 thefts
- BMW 3 Series – 2,987 thefts
- Renault Kwid 2,756 thefts
- Kia Picanto – 2,534 thefts
The Hilux has a 15.2% theft rate with a 34% recovery rate, making it the most high-risk vehicle in the country.
It has an average value of R450,000, and is primarily targeted because of high demand, ease of resale, spare parts, and export demand.
This is to be expected, given that the Toyota is South Africa’s best-selling vehicle, as it is both popular and easy to resell without attracting too much attention due to its ubiquity.
The VW Polo Vivo and Ford Ranger also had double-digit theft rates of 12.1% and 11.8% respectively, with recovery rates of 28% and 31%.
In comparison, the 10th most-stolen car, the Kia Picanto, had a 5.9% theft rate and a 24% recovery rate.
Gauteng is listed as the most dangerous province for vehicle-related crimes, which matches the quarterly crime data reports compiled by the SAPS.
A total of 31,832 thefts were recorded in Gauteng, with the Johannesburg CBD, Soweto, Alexandra, and Pretoria Central being identified as the most high-risk areas.
The one exception is the Isuzu bakkie, which is most frequently targeted in Limpopo.
MoneyToday noted that vehicles that appear in police, tracker firm, and insurance company theft and hijacking lists tend to incur 15% to 30% higher insurance premiums due to their higher risk factor.
Additionally, the stolen vehicle excess for these models can be two to three times higher than the accident excess.
Many insurers will also require motorists to follow additional security measures, such as installing tracking devices, parking in secure areas, and using steering wheel, handbrake, or gearstick locks.
Criminals syndicates have favourites
In September 2025, the security group Blue Hawk Tactical reported that a group of hijackers had been targeting the Toyota Corolla Cross in Gauteng for several months.
The syndicate has been active in several areas, including the West Rand, Johannesburg, the East Rand, and Johannesburg South.
Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Group, noted that criminals tend to focus on popular but inconspicuous models.
Cars like the Corolla Cross, Hilux, Ranger, and Polo Vivo all fit this description, as they are the nation’s top-selling vehicles.
They are also relatively mundane in the sense that they are a common sight on the roads and don’t draw attention in the same way a flashy sports car would, which makes them ideal hijacking and theft targets because they are less likely to be noticed by the authorities.
Once stolen, these cars are either stripped for parts, which fetch a high price on the black market, or illegally re-registered and resold.
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