R1,200 pain for motorists driving South Africa’s favourite bakkies

Bakkie drivers in South Africa are paying R14.77 per litre more than in January if they drive a diesel, while petrol bakkie drivers pay R9.50 per litre more, adding at least R1,200 per month to their respective fuel bills.

Despite this, bakkies remain a popular choice for local buyers, with the Toyota Hilux a particularly popular choice, regularly followed by the Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max.

Last month, the Isuzu overtook the Ford to claim second place on the best-selling bakkies in South Africa list.

These three bakkies are very rarely challenged at the top of these rankings and regularly outsell the rest of the locally sold bakkies by thousands of units, making them some of the most popular vehicles on our roads.

However, the bad news for buyers of these popular bakkies is that diesel prices have increased 79.75% since the start of the year, rising from a wholesale price of R18.52 per litre to R33.29 per litre by October.

That means, considering their 80-litre fuel tank capacities – 76 litres for the Isuzu – these bakkies cost R2,663.20 to fill up with 0.005% diesel in Gauteng, which is R1,181.60 more than the R1,481.60 it did in January.

The three bakkies’ respective claimed fuel consumptions of around 7.5l/100km mean they can easily reach 1,000km on a full tank, which is at the bottom of the average South African’s monthly commute.

Many local drivers do double that distance every month, meaning they have to refuel halfway through the month.

As a result, most Hilux and Ranger owners can expect to spend at least R5,326.40 in October, compared to R2,963.20 in January – an increase of R2,576 per month to refuel.

In the same vein, D-Max drivers are spending R2,245.04 more per month, having paid at least R2,815.04 for two full tanks of diesel in January, compared to R5,060.08 this month.

Refuelling South Africa’s favourite bakkies

While most of the bakkies on our roads are diesel-driven, there are a few that are petrol-powered, including the Toyota Land Cruiser 79, whose double-cab guise has a staggering 130-litre petrol tank.

Below is a list of the ten best-selling bakkies in South Africa right now, and what it costs to fill their tanks from empty.

1. Toyota Hilux

• Fuel tank capacity – 80 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,481.60
• Cost to fill up in October – R2,663.20
• Difference – R1,181.60

2. Isuzu D-Max

• Fuel tank capacity – 76 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,407.52
• Cost to fill up in October – R2,530.04
• Difference – R1,122.52

3. Ford Ranger

• Fuel tank capacity – 80 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,481.60
• Cost to fill up in October – R2,663.20
• Difference – R1,181.60

4. Mahindra Pik Up

• Fuel tank capacity – 80 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,481.60
• Cost to fill up in October – R2,663.20
• Difference – R1,181.60

5. GWM P-Series

• Fuel tank capacity – 78 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,444.56
• Cost to fill up in October – R2,596.62
• Difference – R1,152.06

6. VW Amarok

• Fuel tank capacity – 80 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,481.60
• Cost to fill up in October – R2,663.20
• Difference – R1,181.60

7. Toyota Land Cruiser 79

• Fuel tank capacity – 130 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R2,697.50
• Cost to fill up in October – R3,932.50
• Difference – R1,235

8. JAC T-Series

• Fuel tank capacity – 76 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,407.52
• Cost to fill up in October – R2,530.04
• Difference – R1,122.52

9. Mahindra Bolero

• Fuel tank capacity – 60 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,111.20
• Cost to fill up in October – R1,997.40
• Difference – R886.20

10. Peugeot Landtrek

• Fuel tank capacity – 80 litres
• Cost to fill up in January – R1,481.60
• Cost to fill up in October – R2,663.20
• Difference – R1,181.60