The Toyota Corolla Cross is being targeted by a criminal syndicate in South Africa.
On 23 September 2025, the security group Blue Hawk Tactical reported that a group of hijackers had been targeting Corolla Cross models in Gauteng for several months.
The syndicate has been active in several areas, including the West Rand, Johannesburg, the East Rand, and Johannesburg South.
According to Blue Hawk, the intelligence it gathered led operational teams to the East Rand on 22 September, where suspects in a grey Haval Jolion were seen scouting for over an hour before finally targeting a white Corolla Cross located outside Kempton Park Court.
The security company’s teams anticipated the criminals’ actions and strategically positioned themselves at exit points.
The stolen Corolla Cross was later abandoned and recovered, while the Haval Jolion used in the attempt was intercepted.
Three suspects, including a woman who intelligence had previously identified as a driver of stolen vehicles, were arrested.
This incident is just one in a growing trend of hijackers targeting the Corolla Cross, which is the best-selling passenger car in the country.
Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Group, first warned about the trend in late 2024, explaining that hijackers tend to focus on popular but inconspicuous models.
The Corolla Cross fits both these descriptors, as it is highly sought-after and has a modest appearance that doesn’t stand out on the roads, especially in a common colour like white or silver.
Criminals prefer vehicles like these because they draw less attention from the authorities.
Once stolen, the cars are typically stripped for parts, which are in high demand on the black market.
Alternatively, the vehicles are illegally re-registered and resold.
The Toyota’s carjacking risk has gone up substantially since it was first launched in 2021, as the list of the country’s best-selling cars and most hijacked cars can often seem interchangeable.
It’s an unfortunate reality for the Corolla Cross, which has surged in popularity to the point it is the second best-selling vehicle in South Africa behind the Toyota Hilux, placing ahead of several other models like the VW Polo Vivo, Suzuki Swift, and Ford Ranger.
The cost of popularity
Bartmann warned that hijackings are largely driven by supply-and-demand economics.
Cars from Toyota, VW, and Ford remain popular targets for criminals because of the high demand for spare parts, which can easily be sold on the black market.
While models like the Corolla Cross, Polo, and Ranger are more vulnerable than others, security experts have warned that no car is completely safe.
Carjackings have become an entrenched criminal activity in South Africa.
While official police data indicates a year-on-year decline in cases, the numbers themselves are still very concerning.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported 4,533 hijackings in the most recent three-month period, equating to roughly 50 vehicles per day.
While this is a 15.1% decline from the same period in 2024, it’s still an alarming statistic that paints a picture of the risks involved with car ownership in South Africa.
The Victims of Crime survey, which includes incidents that are not reported to the police, found that approximately 81,000 carjackings over the past year, working out to 222 cases per day.
According to the SAPS data, Gauteng is the worst-affected province with 2,488 reported incidents, accounting for 55% of all hijackings in South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal came second with 583 cases, and the Western Cape reported 536.
Bartmann stressed that hijackings can occur at any time and in any location.
“Staying alert is probably the most important tip,” he said. “Too often, we are distracted, which makes us vulnerable to criminal activity.
“The best response is to be alert and aware of any suspicious activity near you.”
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