Features / 9 June 2025 / Michael Taylor

Best-selling hatchbacks in South Africa

Hatchbacks are slowly losing their appeal in South Africa, as evidenced by the latest sales figures for May 2025.

Not even 10 hatchbacks were able to break into the top 50 best-sellers this time around, as crossovers and SUVs have continued to enter the local car scene at a rapid pace.

The top performer last month was, unsurprisingly, the Suzuki Swift, which sold 1,842 units – slightly less than it managed in April.

This was followed by the VW Polo Vivo with 1,543 units, proving that the locally-made model still has broad appeal for motorists on a budget.

Next up is the Hyundai Grand i10, which placed second in April but dropped to third in May with a still-respectable 1,350 purchases.

After this was the Toyota Starlet, which was the last hatchback to pass the four-figure mark with 1,039 units.

Fifth place was taken by the VW Polo, which nearly matched its figure from April with 767 sales.

The Toyota Vitz then came sixth with 624 units, followed by the Hyundai i20 in seventh with 399 units.

Right behind the Hyundai is the Renault Kwid, which came eighth thanks to 393 customers.

Last up is the Suzuki Baleno, which sent 371 units off the showroom floor in May.

As mentioned, this is the first time this year that 10 hatchbacks failed to make it into the top 50, which means the Suzuki S-Presso dropped to a surprising low in May.

The S-Presso usually takes up a spot in the top 10, but last month it failed to achieve more than 192 sales – the figure achieved by South Africa’s 50th best-seller – the Citroen C3 – which is unusual to see.