A significant shift is occurring in South Africa’s automotive landscape, as reported in the Cars.co.za Industry Report 2025. The data reveals that double-cab bakkies have supplanted German premium sedans as the most aspirational vehicles in the under R1 million market, particularly appealing to consumers in the R500 000 to R1 million range.
According to the report, modern double-cab bakkies, including popular models like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max, are now viewed as the ultimate status symbols for local buyers. This marks a notable departure from the previously dominant German sedans, such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which were once the benchmarks of luxury in South Africa.
The decline of these legacy luxury sedans is stark. Sales figures indicate that models like the 3 Series and C-Class have almost vanished from the new-vehicle sales charts. Their lead share in the used market has also diminished significantly; for instance, the 3 Series and C-Class saw their lead share drop from 3.9% and 3.4% in 2020 to just 2.4% and 2.9% in the first half of 2025, respectively. The overall sedan segment has seen a decrease in lead share from 21.5% in 2015 to 14.33% by mid-2025.
This trend can largely be attributed to the escalating costs of new luxury sedans, influenced by inflation and other economic pressures. As a result, sedans are now competing at unaffordable price points. Moreover, the rise of crossovers and a general decline in the sedan’s appeal both locally and internationally have contributed to this shift. Interestingly, while many of the bakkies are produced locally, only the Mercedes-Benz C-Class remains manufactured in South Africa among the legacy sedans.
In contrast, the demand for double-cab bakkies has surged by an impressive 71.3% since 2015. The increasing sophistication and specifications of these vehicles have made them desirable across various market segments. For instance, cross-consideration data show that buyers of the BMW 3 Series are now looking at the Ford Ranger, while those interested in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class are considering the Toyota Hilux.
Several factors are driving the rise of double-cab bakkies as luxury alternatives. Firstly, consumers are opting for higher-specification models, which reinforces their status as luxury vehicles. The majority of double-cab listings on Cars.co.za are priced above R500 000, which is approximately R100 000 more than the average vehicle loan amount in South Africa.
Additionally, the market penetration of automatic transmissions in double-cab bakkies has increased dramatically, aligning these vehicles with the expectations of luxury buyers. In 2015, only 25.03% of double-cab listings were automatic; this figure has skyrocketed to 70.91% today, reflecting a growth of 183.3%. Correspondingly, demand for automatic models has surged from 20.59% in 2015 to 57.31% in early 2025.
With flagship models like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max maintaining their appeal, these double-cabs have not only retained their lead share in the market but have also grown in popularity between 2020 and 2025. This marks a new era in luxury motoring for South African consumers.