Just how much have the Chinese disrupted the family SUV sales race in South Africa? Let’s take a closer look at year-to-date registrations of medium-sized crossovers or SUVs…
Despite many South African consumers having likely been forced to “buy down” into more affordable new-vehicle segments this year, there’s still plenty of sales action in the family SUV category. So, which models are leading the charge? And just how much have Chinese crossovers disrupted the race?
Before we dive into the sales figures, let’s take a step back and explain exactly what we mean by “family SUV”, for you to better understand which models have been included here. Slotting neatly into the Family Car category of the 7th iteration of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards (CarsAwards), this type of vehicle is also classed as a medium crossover or SUV.
Larger than the Compact Family Car (think Haval Jolion, Toyota Corolla Cross and Renault Duster), the family SUV is a practical all-rounder. For a vehicle to qualify for inclusion in this feature, it must have at least one foot in the R600 000-to-R800 000 price bracket, which sees premium contenders such as the Rosslyn-built BMW X3 out of the running.
Based on year-to-date sales figures (up to the end of November 2023), it’s interesting to note every single vehicle in the top 10 bar one is manufactured by a brand hailing from Asia – either China, Japan or South Korea. Right, let’s take a closer look…
Chinese crossovers sandwich Volkswagen Tiguan
Over the past few years, the Volkswagen Tiguan – the 3rd generation of which was revealed overseas in September 2023 – has led the sales charge in its segment here in South Africa. However, that’s not been the case in the first 11 months of 2023. Instead, the Haval H6 is way out in front, with its year-to-date tally of 5 032 registrations putting it a healthy 1 867 units ahead of the 2nd-placed Tiguan (3 165 units, including 7-seater Allspace sales).
Of course, the H6 is one of the more affordable nameplates in this space, a fact that has clearly resonated with increasingly cash-strapped local buyers. Haval’s medium-sized crossover contender (also available in GT guise) is offered with an interesting choice of engines – including a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol motor in 2 states of tune and a turbocharged 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain – though does without a diesel option.
Another Chinese model completes the podium. Despite the updated local range comprising just a pair of turbopetrol derivatives, the 7-seater Chery Tiggo 8 Pro (2 195 units) slots into a commendable 3rd place, though it’s still 970 registrations behind the Tiguan, with a month of 2023 to go.
Tucson takes 4th ahead of CX-5, RAV4 and Sportage
The 4th-generation Hyundai Tucson – which arrived in South Africa in March 2022, complete with distinctive exterior styling – slots into 4th place with 1 767 units (or an average of 161 units a month) registered over the 11-month reporting period. In May 2023, the local range was expanded to include an N Line flagship that combines a turbodiesel engine and all-wheel drive.
The Mazda CX-5 (1 283 units) isn’t too far behind in 5th position, as it continues to play the role of the Japanese automaker’s strongest-selling nameplate locally. Although it’s positioned towards the top of Mazda’s passenger-vehicle range (superseded only by the CX-60), the CX-5 has far outsold the likes of the CX-3 and Mazda2.
Despite the fact the Toyota RAV4 was the world’s best-selling vehicle overall in 2022, it finds itself in a fairly lowly 6th place on the local family SUV list, year to date. So far in 2023, 1 021 units have been registered, though Toyota SA Motors earlier told us it has been grappling with RAV4 “supply constraints”. In addition, base GX models were pulled from the local line-up in 2022, likely to create some breathing space for high-spec versions of the locally built Corolla Cross.
Launching locally in September 2022 in turbopetrol form before turbodiesel derivatives joined the range in May 2023 (with a further line-up tweak in November), the strikingly styled 5th-gen Kia Sportage finds itself in 7th spot, with 863 units sold.
Japanese trio completes the family SUV top 10
Once a decent driver of volume for its manufacturer, the Nissan X-Trail has to be content with 8th position, since only 652 units have been sold around South Africa in the opening 11 months of 2023. The 4th-gen version made local landfall as recently as April 2023 – and hasn’t been quite as popular as its predecessor – so note that this tally includes the outgoing version.
Though it’s easily its maker’s best-selling nameplate year to date, the Subaru Forester (306 units) ranks 9th on the list of SA’s most popular family SUVs. The Forester’s strongest month in 2023 thus far was January, when 46 examples were registered. The new-generation model has already been revealed overseas, though it’s expected to arrive in Mzansi only in the 1st quarter of 2025.
And the final model to crack the top 10? None other than the Honda CR-V, despite just 116 units having been sold. Local registrations hit 22 units last month (the nameplate’s best effort of the year thus far), though we suspect the outgoing model will soon be on runout, ahead of the local launch of the 6th-gen CR-V.
Stellantis models still the left-field choices
What about contenders that didn’t manage to finish inside the top 10? Well, the next 3 nameplates all come from Stellantis-backed brands. Although we’re 11 months deep into 2023, none of these models has yet managed to crack a 3-figure total.
A mere 90 units of the Peugeot 3008 have been sold in South Africa so far this year, with a high of 17 examples in January 2023. Next comes the Citroën C5 Aircross, which finds itself with a tally of just 29 units. Year to date, the C5 Aircross is the French brand’s slowest selling nameplate.
Finally, the Opel Grandland brings up the rear with just 17 units. Of course, we should point out the facelifted version – which ditched the “X” suffix – hit the local market as recently as July 2023, so Opel may have had issues with a lack of stock. That said, not a single unit was registered in 7 of the year’s 11 months so far, making the Grandland its manufacturer’s least popular passenger vehicle locally.
South Africa’s best-selling family SUVs in 2023 so far
1. Haval H6 – 5 032 units
2. Volkswagen Tiguan – 3 165 units
3. Chery Tiggo 8 Pro – 2 195 units
4. Hyundai Tucson – 1 767 units
5. Mazda CX-5 – 1 283 units
6. Toyota RAV4 – 1 021 units
7. Kia Sportage – 863 units
8. Nissan X-Trail – 652 units
9. Subaru Forester – 306 units
10. Honda CR-V – 116 units
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