Hijackers in South Africa are targeting new cars that have grown increasingly popular over the last five years.
Two models that have recently become a prime target for criminals are the Kia Picanto and Toyota Corolla Cross, and for similar reasons.
This is according to crime data compiled by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security companies like Tracker and Fidelity ADT.
Insurance companies have also taken note that some models are now at increased risk of hijackings. Discovery Insure recently informed its clients that the Corolla Cross is now considered a high-risk model for theft and carjackings.
In an email sent to its Corolla Cross customers in late July 2026, Discovery explained that it had examined its claims data and identified a significant increase in theft and vehicle hijacking trends involving certain models.
“We’re committed to helping you stay protected. To do this, we regularly review the risks associated with the vehicles we insure to make sure your cover remains appropriate and sustainable,” it said.
“Our latest analysis shows a significant increase in vehicle theft trends affecting certain vehicle types and locations. Using data insights, we’ve identified vehicles with a higher risk of theft and hijacking.”
The Corolla Cross was introduced in South Africa in 2021 and has since gone on to become one of the country’s top-selling vehicles.
Unfortunately, this also means that it is an ideal target for carjackers. Criminals seek out popular cars because they are easier to resell without attracting attention.
Alternatively, these cars are often scrapped for parts, as there is a high demand for spares on the black market.
Vehicles like the Corolla Cross are also ideal because they don’t stand out on the road, particularly when they are painted a common colour like white or silver.
Because of the risk, Discovery said that clients would need to install two Crowd Search Sensors in order to maintain their comprehensive cover.
Discovery isn’t the only one that has warned about the Corolla Cross. In late 2025, Blue Hawk Tactical warned that organised criminal groups had been targeting the Corolla Cross across Gauteng for several months.
Another car facing the same challenges is the Kia Picanto, a small urban hatchback that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its affordability.
Like the Corolla Cross, the Picanto is seen as a very ordinary car used by young professionals and small families, meaning it doesn’t attract attention.
The unfortunate reality is that the more popular a car is in South Africa, the more likely it is to be hijacked. For this reason, the list of the most at-risk cars typically has a lot of overlap with the list of the best-sellers.
The Ford Ranger is another example, as it has steadily grown in popularity since the current-generation units were launched in late 2022.
Other cars that are considered high-risk include the Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, and VW Polo, all of which have been popular for years.
New trend in carjacking times
Tracker highlighted a recent change in nationwide hijacking trends, where criminals have shifted the hours when they are most active.
While the vehicle tracking company noted that carjackings can occur at any time on any day of the week, patterns have emerged in its criminal data.
In the first half of 2025, Tracker saw that most hijackings were reported on Thursdays between 16h00 and 21h00. However, in the second half of the year, most cases occurred on Tuesdays.
Furthermore, the theft of private vehicles was most common on Saturdays between 11h00 and 16h00, while hijackings were more likely to happen on Wednesdays between 16h00 and 21h00.
Business-owned vehicles, meanwhile, were most commonly targeted on Fridays between 11h00 and 21h00.
All of this indicates a pattern where hijackings are most likely to take place on weekdays during the afternoon.
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