Hijackers in Gauteng have recently shifted focus to the Toyota Corolla Cross, security firms and local reports confirm making the compact crossover the province’s most targeted vehicle at the moment.
Why the Corolla Cross is the Most Hijacked Car?
The Corolla Cross’s popularity is the main reason behind the attention. After ranking among South Africa’s top sellers in 2024, the model climbed the sales charts in 2025, which makes stolen units easy to conceal in traffic and profitable to divert into parts and cross-border smuggling. Criminal groups often prefer widely seen models because they attract less notice when driven or dismantled.
Private security outfit Blue Hawk Tactical has publicly warned that a syndicate has been specifically targeting Corolla Cross vehicles across Gauteng, while several motoring and local-news outlets have repeated the claim after investigations and tip-offs from community groups.
The bigger picture — which cars are most at risk?
Local community crime monitors and security commentators say the Corolla Cross is now joining a familiar shortlist of favoured targets: the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Toyota Fortuner remain high on hijackers’ hit lists. These models are prized for resale value, steady parts demand, and their frequent involvement in cross-border theft rings.
Although national carjacking numbers have fallen year-on-year, Gauteng and Pretoria in particular still record many incidents. Pretoria hotspots named by local sources include Pretoria West, Mamelodi (East and West), Sunnyside, Akasia and Temba. Hijackings typically happen at traffic lights and intersections, in driveways when drivers arrive or leave, and around busy shopping and transport hubs.
What tactics do hijackers use?
Reports describe small armed teams using “follow-home” methods: they shadow a vehicle from a public place until the driver reaches a vulnerable spot. Electronic jamming, surveillance of routines, and coordinated ambushes remain common. Security companies warn that syndicates are organised, often reconnoitring victims before striking.
Official crime statistics released in 2025 show a decline in carjacking incidents compared with the same period a year earlier roughly a 15.1% drop in one quarterly comparison cited by police sources but that decrease has not removed the concentrated risk in parts of Gauteng. In other words, while national totals eased, the danger remains acute in certain suburbs and for owners of popular models
What drivers should do
- Remain vigilant in the named hotspot areas and at intersections.
- Avoid predictable routines (same routes / same parking spots).
- Park in well-lit, busy areas and keep doors locked; don’t get out to inspect suspicious vehicles.
- Consider a tracked alarm system and notify your vehicle insurer about anti-theft measures.
These practical steps reduce exposure, though they cannot eliminate risk entirely.
Gauteng motorists should take the Blue Hawk and community warnings seriously: popularity makes a car an easy commodity for organised hijackers, and the Corolla Cross now highly visible on local roads has unfortunately become the latest example. Stay alert, vary routines, and report suspicious behaviour to local security or the SAPS immediately.
Related article: Durban Hijacking Syndicate Exposed in Major Crackdown
