South Africa sees an alarming rate of 66 car hijackings daily, marking a 34% increase from pre-pandemic levels.
While no vehicle is entirely safe from this threat, recent data from the South African Police Services (SAPS), insurance groups, and private security companies highlight 13 models that are particularly at risk (alphabetical order):
Toyota Etios
Most Common Targets
Toyota tops the list as the most hijacked vehicle brand in South Africa. Eight of its models, spanning bakkies, SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks, are frequently targeted. This trend aligns with Toyota’s status as the largest automaker in the country and the high demand for its vehicles in the black market, according to Fidelity Services Group.
“Hijackers target specific vehicles for specific purposes and markets. The demand for Toyotas, VWs, Fords, and Nissans remains high on the black market”
Tracker and Naked Insurance also caution that thieves tend to prefer vehicles well-suited to South African roads, such as bakkies, SUVs, and 4x4s. Toyota's popularity across Africa further makes its models prime candidates for being stripped for parts to be sold on the black market.
While some models like the Toyota Hilux and Fortuner have been long-standing targets, newer entries such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and RAV4 have seen a surge in hijackings in 2024, driven by their growing popularity. The Corolla Cross, in particular, has become one of South Africa’s best-selling cars.
The BMW 3 Series and VW Polo are local favourites, while the discontinuation of the Nissan NP200 has increased its appeal among criminals seeking affordable compact bakkies. Interestingly, when models are available in both sedan and hatchback versions, such as the VW Polo, hijackers seem to favour the hatchback, possibly due to its greater popularity.
Emerging Hijacking Trends
A new trend among hijackers is to target light commercial vehicles, such as delivery vans used by popular retail services. In these cases, the cargo in transit is often more valuable than the vehicle itself, increasing the risk of hijackings.
Understanding these trends and the most targeted models can help vehicle owners take preventive measures and remain vigilant in protecting their assets.