04 Dec South Africa’s Most Targeted Vehicles: New Data Highlights High-Risk Models for 2025
The latest crime statistics highlight South Africa’s current vehicle-theft and hijacking trends, revealing the top 10 most stolen cars of 2025 and the models most frequently targeted by criminal syndicates.The analysis, compiled by MoneyToday using SAPS crime statistics, insurance data, and tracking company records, comes amid persistently high levels of vehicle-related crime across the country.
According to the latest SAPS quarterly report, 4,533 hijackings took place in the most recent three-month period, averaging 50 hijackings per day. Despite a 15.1% year-on-year decline, South Africa continues to face widespread vehicle theft, with certain makes and models emerging as prime targets.
Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in South Africa (2025)
New data identifies the following vehicles as the most commonly stolen or hijacked:
- Toyota Hilux – 8,742 thefts
- VW Polo Vivo – 6,834 thefts
- Ford Ranger – 5,923 thefts
- Toyota Corolla – 4,756 thefts
- Hyundai Grand i10 – 4,234 thefts
- Isuzu D-Max – 3,892 thefts
- Nissan NP200 – 3,445 thefts
- BMW 3 Series – 2,987 thefts
- Renault Kwid – 2,756 thefts
- Kia Picanto – 2,534 thefts
The Toyota Hilux remains the most stolen vehicle in South Africa, driven by high demand for parts, strong resale value, and organised cross-border smuggling networks. The VW Polo Vivo and Ford Ranger also feature prominently, reflecting long-standing theft patterns across the country.
Hijacking Hotspots and Provincial Crime Trends
The report confirms Gauteng as the highest-risk province for both car theft and hijackings, aligning with SAPS crime trends. Key hotspots include:
- Johannesburg CBD
- Soweto
- Alexandra
- Pretoria Central
While Gauteng dominates most categories, the Isuzu D-Max bucks the trend, with most thefts occurring in Limpopo, underscoring regional variations in criminal activity.
Insurance Impact for High-Risk Vehicles
Industry data shows that vehicles regularly appearing on stolen-vehicle lists can attract 15% to 30% higher insurance premiums. Many insurers now require:
- Approved tracking devices
- Secure overnight parking
- Physical anti-theft devices such as steering locks
- Higher excess payments for stolen-vehicle claims
Models such as the Hilux, Polo Vivo, and Ranger often carry the most stringent insurance requirements due to repeated targeting.
Why Criminal Syndicates Prefer These Models
Security experts say thieves focus on vehicles that are:
- Common on South African roads
- Easy to resell or strip for parts
- Less conspicuous to law enforcement
- Highly demanded within black-market supply chains
In 2025, Blue Hawk Tactical reported a surge in targeted attacks on the Toyota Corolla Cross across Johannesburg and the West Rand — reinforcing the trend that criminals prefer popular, everyday vehicles over luxury or niche models.
These cars often disappear quickly into chop shops, re-registration networks, or cross-border smuggling routes, making recovery rates relatively low.
Full police precinct-level crime statistics reports for South Africa can be purchased at CrimeStatsSA.com.