The South African auto industry sold a mind-blowing 55,956 cars in October 2025 – the highest figure since March 2015.
The lion’s share of this impressive figure can be traced back to just 20 models, starting with the ever-popular Hilux bakkie, which sold 3,553 units. This is according to a report by The Citizen, based on NAAMSA data.
This gives it an enormous lead over every other vehicle in the country, as the second-best-seller was the VW Polo Vivo with 2,678 units.
This makes it the country’s top-performing passenger car, placing just ahead of the Suzuki Swift in third place with 2,377 units.
One big change last month was that the Isuzu D-Max managed to overtake the Ford Ranger to claim fourth place, though both very well with 2,292 and 2,035 sales, respective.y
Another surprise is the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, which jumped from 10th to sixth place with 1,725 units.
This means that the Toyota Corolla is no longer the country’s top-selling crossover, though it wasn’t far behind with 1,615 purchases.
The Toyota Starlet came eighth with 1,613 sales, and another Chinese crossover – the Haval Jolion – landed in ninth with 1,418 units.
Rounding out the top 10 is the Suzuki Fronx, which moved 1,369 examples last month.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser came 11th with 1,360 units, and the next two spots were claimed by the Korean duo of Hyundai and Kia with the Grand i10 (1,336) and the Sonet (1,229).
A pair of Toyota models then claimed 14th and 15th place, namely the Vitz and Starlet Cross with 1,200 and 1,011 sales.
As for the remainder of the top 20, we have the Nissan Magnite with 886, followed by the Omoda C5 with 886 and the VW Polo with 813.
The Toyota Fortuner came 19th with 807 units, and the Mahindra Pik Up made its way onto the list with 761 sales wins.
All told, the top 20 models sold a combined 30,927 cars in October, representing 55% of the South African market.
Best-selling cars in South Africa
These were the top 20 best-selling cars in South Africa in October 2025.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
1. Toyota Hilux – 3,553 units
- Starting price – R361,700
2. VW Polo Vivo – 2,678 units
- Starting price – R271,900
3. Suzuki Swift – 2,377 units
- Starting price – R224,900
4. Isuzu D-Max – 2,292 units
- Starting price – R457,000
5. Ford Ranger – 2,035 units
- Starting price – R574,000
6. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 1,725 units
- Starting price – R269,900
7. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1,615 units
- Starting price – R414,800
8. Toyota Starlet – 1,613 units
- Starting price – R268,300
9. Haval Jolion – 1,418 units
- Starting price – R347,950
10. Suzuki Fronx – 1,369 units
- Starting price – R299,900
11. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 1,360 units
- Starting price – R342,700
12. Hyundai Grand i10 – 1,336 units
- Starting price – R224,900
13. Kia Sonet – 1,229 units
- Starting price – R299,995
14. Toyota Vitz – 1,200 units
- Starting price – R178,800
15. Toyota Starlet Cross – 1,011 units
- Starting price – R304,900
16. Nissan Magnite – 886 units
- Starting price – R229,900
17. Omoda C5 – 849 units
- Starting price – R329,900
18. VW Polo – 813 units
- Starting price – R373,800
19. Toyota Fortuner – 807 units
- Starting price – R679,100
20. Mahindra Pik Up – 761 units
- Starting price – R278,149
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