The best-selling double cab bakkies in South Africa right now

New Vehicle Sales stats for May 2023 show a year-on-year increase of 10.1% despite the shrinking disposable income of consumers and crippling load shedding.

For the period under review, aggregate domestic new vehicle sales, recorded at 43,060 units, reflected a significant increase of 3,959 vehicles from the 39,101 new cars sold in May 2022.

A notable contributor to this was utility vehicles’ continued local and global popularity.

Naamsa’s data showed a substantial increase in the sales of light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses – showing a year-on-year increase of 38.5% or 3,564 units.

According to Naamsa, manufacturing the new Ford Ranger and VW Amarok bakkies – which share the same architecture – boosted the vehicle export numbers for May 2023, while the flagship Hilux bakkie kept up with its paces in the local market.

Additionally, another popular bakkie – the next-generation Ford Ranger Double Cab – is the official winner of the 2023 South African Car of the Year Award, securing the win over 21 finalists.

The SAGMJ noted that this was the first time in the 37-year history of the COTY competition a leisure double cab 4×4 bakkie was crowned South Africa’s Car of the Year. 

“Over the past decade, the popularity of SUVs and Double Cabs has skyrocketed at the expense of sedans,” said the chairperson of the 2023 COTY competition, Mabuyane Mabuza.

Bakkies have established themselves as a ubiquitous sight on South African roads, capturing the hearts and preferences of countless individuals across the country. Several factors contribute to the unwavering popularity of bakkies in South Africa.

The bakkie’s robustness and durability perfectly align with the nation’s diverse landscapes and challenging terrains. From urban to rugged rural areas, bakkies effortlessly handle South Africa’s demanding conditions.

Moreover, bakkies offer versatility like no other vehicle. Whether transporting goods, accommodating passengers, or embarking on adventurous off-road escapades, bakkies cater to various needs.

The bakkie’s high ground clearance and formidable towing power make it an essential asset in industries like agriculture, construction, and mining. The ability to haul heavy loads, traverse uneven terrain, and withstand harsh conditions ensures that bakkies remain indispensable tools for many businesses.

Best- and worst-selling models

Despite South Africans’ attraction and fondness for bakkies, some are clearly more popular than others.

According to Naamsa’s data, the Toyota flagship Hilux bakkie is the most popular, selling 2,789 units in May 2023.

This is followed closely followed by the COTY next-gen Ford Ranger in second and the Isuzu D-Max in third – selling 2,104 and 1,555 units, respectively.

More interestingly, however, is the number of options these popular bakkies offer their customer base.

The Hilux offers a whopping 39 variants, from single, super, to double-cab with varying engine specifications and in 4×2 or 4×4. Its pricing ranges from R346,200 to R973,800 – offering a wide variety for all types of customers.

This is also true for the Isuzu D-Max and Ford Ranger, which offer 23 and 24 variations, respectively.

The pricing for the D-Max ranges from R421,200 to R857,700, while the Ranger is priced between R464,200 to R1,094,900 for its top-spec Raptor model.

In contrast, the worst-selling bakkie, the Mazada BT-50, only offers 4 variants with a price tag from R630,400 to R818,400 – selling only eight units in May 2023.

The second worst-selling bakkie, the Jeep Gladiator, only has one model available, with an asking price of R1,329,900 – the most expensive bakkie on this list, which only sold 13 units.

The top five best- and worst-selling double cab bakkies are listed below, with pricing.

Best-selling bakkies

1. Toyota Hilux – 2,789 units sold 

• Starting price: R346,200
• Number of models: 39

2. Ford Ranger – 2,104 units sold 

• Starting price: R464,200
• Number of models: 24

3. Isuzu D-Max – 1,555 units sold

• Starting price: R421,200
• Number of models: 23

4. Mahindra Pik Up – 639 units sold

• Starting price: R249,999
• Number of models: 25

5. GWM P-Series – 494 units sold 

• Starting price: R404,950
• Number of models: 16

Worst-selling bakkies 

5. Mitsubishi Triton – 53 units sold 

• Starting price: R429,995
• Number of models: 9

4. JAC T-Series (T6 and T8) – 35 units sold 

• Starting price: R354,900
• Number of models: 4 (T6) and 2(T8)

3. Peugeot Landtrek – 23 units sold 

• Starting price: R599,900
• Number of models: 2

2. Jeep Gladiator – 13 units sold 

• Starting price: R1,329,900
• Number of models: 1

1. Mazda BT-50 – 6 units sold 

• Starting price: R630,400
• Number of models: 4

Read: Companies still scoring big from e-tolls – thanks to this loophole