With the opening quarter of the year gone, which cars and crossovers are leading SA’s passenger-vehicle sales charts? We’ve tallied up the numbers for Q1 2025…
South Africa’s new-vehicle market enjoyed a strong opening quarter of the year, with total industry sales increasing 10.5% year on year to 144 426 units. So, which cars and crossovers led the charge in Mzansi’s all-important passenger-vehicle space in Q1 2025?
Well, before we dive into the figures, it’s worth noting SA’s passenger-vehicle segment accounted for as many as 102 268 sales in Q1 2025, representing impressive year-on-year growth of 20.6% and translating to 70.8% of the total market.
Interestingly, as many as 6 models inside the top 10 were sourced from India, while 2 came from China and 2 were produced here in South Africa. While the Volkswagen Polo hatchback placed 6th in Q1 2024, the Kariega-built model was relegated from the list in Q1 2025 (ending this latest reporting period in 12th position), with sales falling 16.8% year on year to 2 518 units.
Two other nameplates that placed inside the top 10 in the opening quarter of 2024 also failed to make the cut in the first 3 months of 2025: the likewise locally built Toyota Fortuner (down 20.7% to 2 079 units) in 14th and the Indian-made Toyota Vitz (down 3.9% to 1 698 units) in 18th.
Swift grabs lead and Starlet reaches podium
But the big news for SA’s passenger-vehicle sales in Q1 2025? The Suzuki Swift took pole position, with local registrations of the Indian-built hatchback surging 42.4% year on year to 6 587 units. That saw the Swift – which entered a new generation in the final quarter of 2024 – gain 2 places compared with its ranking in Q1 last year.
Just how far off the pace was perennial favourite, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo? Well, though the Kariega-made hatch enjoyed a 10.5% year-on-year increase in sales, its Q1 2025 tally of 6 439 units put it 148 sales behind the Swift, meaning it had to settle for the runner-up position. Meanwhile, the Toyota Starlet – based on the Baleno and built by Suzuki in India – moved up a ranking to secure the final spot on the podium, attracting 4 534 registrations (+7.5%).
Toyota Corolla Cross slips as Tiggo 4 climbs
Having placed 2nd in the corresponding reporting period in 2024, the Toyota Corolla Cross – remember, the Prospecton plant switched to a facelifted version early this year, perhaps briefly impacting supply – slipped off the podium to 4th in Q1 2025, with local sales falling 25.2% year on year to 4 231 units. Fascinatingly, the Corolla Cross was the only model in the top 10 to suffer a year-on-year decline.
Meanwhile, the Indian-built Hyundai Grand i10 held steady in 5th spot, growing its sales 12.6% year on year to 3 760 units. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro was again the highest-placed Chinese model, climbing a ranking to 6th thanks to an 18.2% year-on-year improvement to 3 371 units. Note that the Grand i10 and Tiggo 4 Pro figures above exclude sales of converted panel vans in the light-commercial vehicle space.
Jolion returns as Starlet Cross and Fronx debut
After failing to rank inside the top 10 in Q1 2024, the Haval Jolion made a strong return in Q1 2025, boasting 95.3% year-on-year growth to finish on 3 183 units and take 7th place. The Toyota Starlet Cross (3 010 units) and Suzuki Fronx (up a whopping 158% year on year to 2 946 units) twins, meanwhile, both climbed into the top 10, with just 64 sales separating them in 8th and 9th, respectively.
Finally, despite sales increasing 16.7% year on year to 2 729 units, the Nissan Magnite dropped a ranking to 10th. As with the Grand i10 and Tiggo 4 Pro above, note that the Magnite’s figure excludes light-commercial vehicle sales of the brand’s fresh Move-badged panel van.
So, which models were bubbling under in the opening quarter, falling just short of making the top 10? Well, the Kia Sonet (2 520 units) was 11th ahead of the Polo hatchback, while the Toyota Urban Cruiser (2 471 units), Fortuner and Suzuki Ertiga (2 013 units) rounded out the top 15. Next came the Mahindra XUV 3XO (1 925 units), Renault Kwid (1 799 units), Vitz, Omoda C5 (1 628 units) and Volkswagen T-Cross (1 485 units).
SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles in Q1 2025
1. Suzuki Swift – 6 587 units (+42.4%)
2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 6 439 units (+10.5%)
3. Toyota Starlet – 4 534 units (+7.5%)
4. Toyota Corolla Cross – 4 231 units (-25.2%)
5. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 3 760 units (+12.6%)
6. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (excluding LCV) – 3 371 units (+18.2%)
7. Haval Jolion – 3 183 units (+95.3%)
8. Toyota Starlet Cross – 3 010 units (no sales in Q1 2024)
9. Suzuki Fronx – 2 946 units (+158%)
10. Nissan Magnite (excluding LCV) – 2 729 units (+16.7%)
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