The Toyota Hilux, Suzuki Swift, and Ford Ranger led the charge as South Africa’s top-selling cars in April 2025, with 2,780, 2,053, and 1,728 units sold respectively. April proved to be a stellar month for the country’s automotive market, with a total of 42,401 new vehicle registrations. This strong performance reflected growing consumer confidence, with both commercial bakkies and compact hatchbacks contributing significantly to the surge in sales.
Market Leader: Toyota Hilux Still on Top
Unsurprisingly, the Toyota Hilux continued its reign as South Africa’s best-selling vehicle, securing the top spot with 2,780 units sold. This bakkie remains a firm favourite thanks to its reliability, versatility, and off-road capability.
Small Cars Making a Big Impact
Hot on its heels was the Suzuki Swift, a compact hatchback that has cemented its place in the top three. With 2,053 sales, the Swift proved once again why it’s a go-to choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking efficiency and style.
The Ford Ranger took third place with 1,728 units, reinforcing its appeal among bakkie enthusiasts who value performance and practicality.
Crossovers and Hatchbacks See Strong Sales
The Toyota Corolla Cross, with 1,584 units sold, continued its strong run in the compact SUV segment, followed closely by the Hyundai Grand i10, which secured the fifth position with 1,425 registrations.
The Volkswagen Polo Vivo, a long-standing favourite among South African drivers, came in sixth with 1,366 units, while the stylish Suzuki Fronx landed seventh with 1,186 vehicles sold, indicating a growing appetite for crossover-style vehicles.
Affordable SUVs Gain Popularity
Eighth place went to the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, which saw 1,133 buyers choosing this value-packed SUV. Right behind it, the Isuzu D-Max secured ninth with 1,108 units, maintaining its steady popularity among commercial and personal users alike.
Rounding out the top 10 was the Haval Jolion, a Chinese SUV that has quickly gained traction in South Africa, moving 973 units for the month.
Just Outside the Top 10: Consistent Performers
The Toyota Starlet and its sibling, the Starlet Cross, took 11th and 12th place with 905 and 834 units, respectively. These compact offerings continue to appeal to urban buyers.
Following them were the Kia Sonet (812 units), Suzuki Ertiga (778 units), and Volkswagen Polo (768 units), all of which cater to buyers looking for either space, performance, or a mix of both.
The Mahindra Pik Up, a budget-friendly workhorse, made a strong showing in 16th place with 654 sales.
Final Entries into the Top-Selling Cars
Toyota continued its dominance with the Fortuner claiming 17th place with 606 sales, while the Omoda C5, a relatively new entrant, grabbed 18th with 588 units.
The ever-practical Toyota Hiace, a favourite for transport operators, ranked 19th with 571 registrations, and the Toyota Urban Cruiser closed off the top 20 with 539 units sold.
April 2025’s Top-Selling Cars in SA
Combined, these top 20 vehicles accounted for 22,391 sales, which is approximately 53% of all new vehicles sold in South Africa in April. This reflects a strong concentration of consumer trust in well-established brands like Toyota, Suzuki, and Ford, while also highlighting the growing presence of newer contenders like Chery and Omoda.
| Rank | Vehicle | Units Sold | Starting Price (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Hilux | 2,780 | R361,700 |
| 2 | Suzuki Swift | 2,053 | R224,900 |
| 3 | Ford Ranger | 1,728 | R574,000 |
| 4 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 1,584 | R414,800 |
| 5 | Hyundai Grand i10 | 1,425 | R224,900 |
| 6 | VW Polo Vivo | 1,366 | R271,900 |
| 7 | Suzuki Fronx | 1,186 | R298,900 |
| 8 | Chery Tiggo 4 Pro | 1,133 | R269,900 |
| 9 | Isuzu D-Max | 1,108 | R452,400 |
| 10 | Haval Jolion | 973 | R345,950 |
| 11 | Toyota Starlet | 905 | R258,000 |
| 12 | Toyota Starlet Cross | 834 | R299,900 |
| 13 | Kia Sonet | 812 | R299,995 |
| 14 | Suzuki Ertiga | 778 | R299,900 |
| 15 | VW Polo | 768 | R373,800 |
| 16 | Mahindra Pik Up | 654 | R272,999 |
| 17 | Toyota Fortuner | 606 | R679,100 |
| 18 | Omoda C5 | 588 | R329,900 |
| 19 | Toyota Hiace | 571 | R543,900 |
| 20 | Toyota Urban Cruiser | 539 | R342,500 |
Related article: South Africa’s Best-Selling Car Brands of 2024 – Top 10 Revealed
