If you’ve been car shopping lately, you’ve probably noticed something: nobody’s bragging about their German luxury badge anymore. Instead, conversations sound more like, “How many kilos? How’s the fuel?” Welcome to South Africa’s new used car reality, where practicality is the new flex.
Toyota Still Rules, But Look Who’s Catching Up
Toyota is still king of the hill, with Volkswagen and Ford holding on tight. But the interesting bit? Suzuki and Hyundai are sneaking into the conversation. These are brands that don’t scream status, but they do scream reliability, and right now that’s exactly what South Africans want.
The August sales scoreboard tells the story:
- Ford Ranger – 1,994 units
- Toyota Hilux – 1,640 units
- VW Polo – 1,400 units
- VW Polo Vivo – 1,312 units
- Suzuki Swift – 813 units
Add the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu D-Max, Corolla Cross, Hyundai Grand i10, and Toyota Starlet to the mix, and you’ve got a top 10 that’s less about showing off and more about making sense.
What the Price Tags Are Saying
Let’s be honest: cars are expensive. Even used ones. But people are clearly willing to pay for cars that hold up.
- A used Ford Ranger? About R484k, with 85,000 km on the clock.
- A Toyota Hilux? Around R471k, but usually with higher mileage at just over 107,000 km.
- A VW Polo? A more palatable R275k, with fewer kilos and a younger feel.
Meanwhile, small hatchbacks and crossovers are coming in fresher and cheaper, making them the go-to for first-time buyers or anyone tired of watching petrol eat their paycheck.
Why Everyone’s Shifting Gears
It’s not rocket science. Money is tight, and South Africans are thinking long-term.
- Budgets matter. The days of stretching for a badge are fading. People want value that lasts.
- Hatchbacks are hot. The Hyundai Grand i10 grew by more than 100 percent year-on-year. Corolla Cross and Suzuki Swift? Up by nearly 50 percent and 36 percent. That’s not a trend, that’s a takeover.
- Luxury brands are cooling off. BMW and Mercedes are slipping out of the top 10. Turns out flexing on your neighbor isn’t worth the monthly payments anymore.
Geekhub’s Take
Here’s the bottom line:
- If you’re a farmer, contractor, or just someone who loves a bakkie, the Ranger and Hilux are still your best bet. Just don’t expect them to be cheap.
- If you’re commuting, juggling school runs, or just want something light on fuel, smaller cars like the Swift, Polo Vivo, or Grand i10 are smarter plays.
- And if you’re still chasing a luxury badge? That’s cool, but the market is telling us most South Africans would rather have peace of mind than prestige.
At the end of the day, the used car market is maturing, and so are we. Less showing off, more smart buying. That’s a win in our books.
Source: BizCommunity
