A fresh breakdown of national hijacking trends has exposed which vehicles criminals are hunting most in 2025, and several unexpected models have now climbed into the danger zone.
Data gathered from police records, major insurers and leading tracking firms shows that South Africa’s hijacking problem, although down year-on-year, remains deeply entrenched. SAPS reported 4 533 hijackings in just three months, averaging around 50 cases every day, highlighting how widespread the crime continues to be despite a 15.1% drop compared to the same period last year.
MoneyToday has compiled the latest ranking of the vehicles most frequently stolen, drawing from the combined insights of law-enforcement agencies and private security networks. Their list of the top ten hijacked cars for 2025 includes long-time targets as well as newcomers capturing the attention of criminal syndicates.
According to the publication, the most commonly targeted vehicles are:
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Toyota Hilux
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Volkswagen Polo Vivo
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Toyota Fortuner
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Ford Ranger
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Hyundai H100
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Nissan NP200
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Kia Picanto
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Toyota Corolla Cross
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Isuzu D-Max
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BMW 3 Series
Vehicles such as the Hilux, Ranger and NP200 have been hijacker favourites for years due to their resale appeal and usefulness as workhorses, while the Polo Vivo’s enormous presence on local roads ensures its parts remain in constant demand. The Fortuner has also maintained a strong presence on criminal lists because it can be resold or stripped quickly.
However, 2025 introduced three significant shifts: the inclusion of the Kia Picanto, Isuzu D-Max, and the fast-selling Toyota Corolla Cross. Security firm Blue Hawk Tactical previously flagged a surge in Corolla Cross attacks, particularly in Gauteng, where organised groups have been hunting the model for months.
Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann explained that criminals favour cars that do not stand out. Models like the Corolla Cross – especially in typical colours such as white and silver – blend easily into traffic, giving syndicates a low-risk getaway. Its rapid rise in popularity since its 2021 launch has only intensified interest from criminal markets.
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Industry sales figures back this up: most vehicles on the hijacking list are also among South Africa’s best-selling models, which means demand for spare parts is high. Insurance companies have responded by pushing premiums up, often by 15% to 30%, for drivers of these cars, with many requiring tracking units before policies are approved.
Experts caution that the list must be viewed in context: a car may appear frequently simply because thousands of them are on the road. Still, hijacking patterns have shown only minor shifts in recent months. Bartmann noted a dip from August to September, followed by a small rise in October 2025, with November typically recording an annual spike before numbers ease in December.
He also highlighted a worrying tactic emerging in parts of the East Rand and the Vaal. Criminals are increasingly using hijacked vehicles during home robberies, loading stolen electronics into the victim’s car, transporting the goods to another vehicle, and discarding the hijacked car once finished.
Bartmann urged motorists to prioritise awareness and adopt simple habits that reduce risk. He recommended paying attention at intersections, avoiding predictable daily patterns, keeping belongings out of sight, and leaving enough space to escape when stopping at home. If confronted, he stressed that cooperating is the safest option.
For extra protection, he advised carrying a panic-alert device that can immediately notify a control room in an emergency.
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