20 new crossovers and SUVs coming to South Africa in the next 6 months – What to expect

South Africa’s fastest-growing automotive segment is set to welcome at least 20 new models before the calendar clicks over to 2025.

Catering to the insatiable demand for crossovers and SUVs, well-established brands like BMW, Toyota, and VW all have at least one vehicle in this body style earmarked for our roads over the next six months, as do newcomers like GAC Motor, Jetour, and LDV.

Among the most notable upcoming launches is that of the next-generation BMW X3, which local fans can expect to arrive in the final quarter of the year, bringing an all-new look and updated powertrains.

Around the same time, the most powerful Land Rover Defender ever, known as the Octa, will also make its debut.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

What many of us have been waiting for, Toyota is launching a new entry-level crossover in South Africa in the near future, too, and while it didn’t explicitly say before the end of 2024, we would be very surprised if it touches down later than this given that the automaker doesn’t really have a budget-focused SUV in its portfolio at the moment and it is continually losing market share in this segment the longer it waits.

Based on the popular Suzuki Fronx, the Toyota in question is badged the Urban Cruiser Taisor in other countries like India but will be sold locally under a different model name that has yet to be announced.

From the country’s second-most popular badge, VW, local fans can expect the arrival of the next-generation Tiguan and facelifted Touareg which were supposed to touch down in the first half of 2024 but were delayed for a few months.

Next-gen VW Tiguan

A host of nameplates from the Land of the Rising Sun are additionally in the pipeline.

China’s GAC Motor will open its doors in South Africa before the end of the year with two models in the form of the Emkoo and Emzoom; as will Chery-owned Jetour with the Dashing and X70 Plus.

Meanwhile, a relatively new face in the local motoring scene, LDV is getting into the seven-seater adventure SUV space with its D90, which is taking on stalwarts such as the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner.

LDV D90

Furthermore, GWM’s muscly Tank 500 is coming to our roads to take on the likes of the Toyota Prado and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Chery, Haval, and Jaecoo are also bolstering their catalogues with new flagship offerings called the C9, H7, and J8, respectively.

Finally, a selection of new-energy SUVs are headed to South Africa in the remainder of the year, including the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Chery Tiggo 7 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro; the Jaecoo J7 PHEV; the Mini Aceman; and the Omoda E5.

Always room for more

The list below details the 20 crossovers and SUVs that are set to arrive in South Africa between July and December.

Keep in mind that their introduction dates remain tentative and could be delayed at any moment depending on factors such as the exchange rate, port delays, production snags, and more.