If you want to know what South Africans really wanted to drive in 2025, don’t ask them, look at what they searched for.
Cars.co.za’s demand data shows a market quietly shifting. Toyota tightened its grip at the top, Suzuki kept climbing, and the Volkswagen Polo still held its crown as the country’s most in-demand car. But the real story is happening just below the surface.
Pick up trucks are booming again. The Toyota Hilux reclaimed bragging rights over the Ford Ranger, while rugged favourites like the Land Cruiser Prado and 79 shot up the charts. Practical clearly beats flashy.
At the same time, Chinese brands are no longer “newcomers”. Chery, Omoda, Jetour and GWM made some of the biggest jumps in buyer interest, while traditional German luxury names slipped. For many shoppers, value for money now matters more than the badge on the bonnet.
One of the biggest surprises? The rise of the Suzuki Ertiga and its Toyota twin, the Rumion. These humble seven-seaters are attracting as much attention as some of the country’s most iconic vehicles, a sign that space and affordability are winning hearts.
–ChannelAfrica–
