The South African car industry is on an incredible run, recording even more sales growth in February, shipping 53,455 units, or roughly 1,909 per day.
This represents a notable increase from January’s 50,073 units sold and a much-improved performance compared to February 2025, when 47,994 units were sold.
According to a report by The Citizen, using data from the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa), the Toyota Hilux remained South Africa’s vehicle of choice, as buyers snapped up 3,362 models last month.
A new rival for South Africa’s favourite bakkie has now emerged, as the Suzuki Swift continued its own rise to the top, jumping from fourth to second with 2,508 sales.
The hatchback usurped the Hilux’s longtime rival, the Ford Ranger, which fell to third with 2,091 units sold in February.
Dropping into fourth position is the VW Polo Vivo – the last model to ship more than 2,000 units – with 2,026 examples leaving showroom floors.
The top five list was rounded out by the Isuzu D-Max, which saw an incredible rise from ninth to fifth, selling 1,951 units compared to January’s 1,331.
Slipping out of the top five, with 1,809 models sold, is the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro. The Hyundai Grand i10 held onto its seventh place with 1,368 sales, while the Toyota Starlet was also unmoved in eighth place with 1,241.
Another Toyota managed to make it into the top ten, despite dropping three spots, as the Toyota Vitz sold 1,199 units last month.
Trading places with the GWM Haval Jolion to take the final spot in the top ten is the Suzuki Fronx, which sent 1,152 units into the world, compared to the former’s 1,108.
The Toyota Corolla Cross and Mahindra Pik Up were the last to ship over 1,000 units, selling 1,022 and 1,003 units in twelfth and thirteenth place, respectively.
In 14th, the Kia Sonet held onto its spot, as the Toyota Starlet Cross fell from 12 to 15. The Suzuki Ertiga slipped down one place to 16th, as did the Omoda C5 in 17th.
Completing the top 20 was the Nissan Magnite with 821 sales, the Mahindra XUV 3X0 with 794, and finally, the VW Polo, which shipped 778 units.
The best-selling cars in South Africa
These were the top 20 best-selling cars in South Africa in February 2026.
Click on their underlined prices for more information.
1. Toyota Hilux – 3,362 units
- Starting price – R365,300
2. Suzuki Swift – 2,508 units
- Starting price – R227,900
3. Ford Ranger – 2,091 units
- Starting price – R575,000
4. VW Polo Vivo – 2,026 units
- Starting price – R271,900
5. Isuzu D-Max – 1,951 units
- Starting price – R457,000
6. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 1,809 units
- Starting price – R269,900
7. Hyundai Grand i10 – 1,368
- Starting price – R224,900
8. Toyota Starlet – 1,241 units
- Starting price – R268,300
9. Toyota Vitz – 1,199 units
- Starting price – R178,800
10. Suzuki Fronx – 1,152 units
- Starting price – R299,900
11. GWM Haval Jolion – 1,108 units
- Starting price – R348,950
12. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1,022 units
- Starting price – R414,800
13. Mahindra Pik Up – 1,003 units
- Starting price – R278,149
14. Kia Sonet – 911 units
- Starting price – R294,995
15. Toyota Starlet Cross – 907 units
- Starting price – R304,900
16. Suzuki Ertiga – 857 units
- Starting price – R304,900
17. Omoda C5 – 824 units
- Starting price – R339,900
18. Nissan Magnite – 821 units
- Starting price – R229,900
19. Mahindra XUV 3X0 – 794 units
- Starting price – R259,999
20. Volkswagen Polo – 778 units
- Starting price – R373,800
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