10 cars being targeted by hijackers in South Africa – with 3 new additions
A new list compiled using data from insurance and tracking companies has identified 10 cars targeted by hijackers in South Africa, which include relatively new targets such as the Kia Picanto, the Isuzu D-Max, and the Toyota Corolla Cross.
The latest South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics recorded 4,533 hijackings in the most recent three-month period.
Although this reflects a 15.1% year-on-year decline, the numbers are still worryingly high. The SAPS currently sees about 50 cases of hijackings every day.
Using data from police, security companies, and major insurance and tracking firms, MoneyToday published a list of the most stolen cars for 2025.
According to MoneyToday, the cars most commonly targeted are:
- Toyota Hilux
- Volkswagen Polo Vivo
- Toyota Fortuner
- Ford Ranger
- Hyundai H100
- Nissan NP200,
- Kia Picanto
- Toyota Corolla Cross
- Isuzu D-Max
- BMW 3 Series.
Many of these models have appeared on hijacking lists for years. The Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Nissan NP200 are popular workhorse vehicles with high resale value, making them consistently attractive to criminals.
The Volkswagen Polo Vivo is one of South Africa’s most widely driven cars, and its parts are always in high demand.
The Toyota Fortuner has also been a favourite among syndicates because it is easy to resell or strip for components.
What is new this year is the appearance of the Kia Picanto, Isuzu D-Max, and Toyota Corolla Cross.
Security company Blue Hawk Tactical warned in September that a criminal group had been specifically targeting Corolla Cross vehicles across Gauteng for several months.
Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, previously told BusinessTech that criminals prefer cars that “blend in” and can move through traffic without drawing attention.
He said vehicles like the Corolla Cross, especially in common colours such as white or silver, are appealing because they are popular and easy to hide among everyday traffic.
Once stolen, the cars are either stripped for parts or illegally re-registered and sold.
The latest trends and how to avoid becoming a target
Since its launch in 2021, the Corolla Cross has become one of the top-selling vehicles in the country, frequently ranking among the top four best-selling cars in 2025.
The popularity of these vehicles is a major factor in why they are targeted. Naamsa’s sales data shows that most cars on the list rank among the best-selling models in South Africa.
High sales mean high demand for parts, and this creates opportunities for criminal networks involved in chop shops and illegal vehicle sales.
MoneyToday noted that vehicles on the most-stolen list typically face higher insurance premiums.
Drivers of these cars often pay 15% to 30% more for insurance and may be required to install tracking units or other security devices before their policy is approved.
However, while these ten cars are the most frequently targeted, no vehicle is completely safe.
The number of hijackings involving a specific model should always be considered alongside how many of those cars are on the road.
In other words, a car may appear frequently in hijacking statistics simply because there are many of them in circulation.
Bartmann told BusinessTech that overall hijacking numbers have remained relatively stable in recent months. There was a slight decline from August to September, followed by a small increase in October 2025.
Looking at past trends, he stressed that hijackings usually rise in November before dropping again in December, and he warned that this pattern might repeat this year.
He also reported a new tactic used by criminals. In some areas of the East Rand, such as Tsakane and Boksburg, and the Vaal region, including Vereeniging and Sebokeng, criminals are using hijacked vehicles during house robberies.
They load stolen goods like TVs and laptops into the victim’s car, drive to a second location, offload the items into an accomplice’s vehicle, and then abandon the hijacked car.
Bartmann urged motorists to remain alert and take simple precautions to reduce their risk.
He advised drivers to watch their surroundings closely, especially near intersections, traffic lights, and driveways, and to avoid stopping if they suspect they are being followed.
He recommended varying daily routes, keeping valuables out of sight, and leaving space to escape when arriving at home.
If confronted by hijackers, he said the safest response is to comply, as resisting increases the risk of harm.
Bartmann also suggested carrying a panic device such as Fidelity’s SecureMe or SecureMe Plus, which sends an instant alert to a 24-hour control room in an emergency.
