The Most Popular SUV in South Africa, Ranked

Choose the SUV you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:51
In South Africa, the demand for SUVs continues to grow, as these versatile vehicles are well-suited to both the bustling city streets and rugged rural landscapes. Choosing the right SUV can be a significant decision for many individuals and families, aiming to find a balance between comfort, functionality, and cost-effectiveness. By casting a vote for your preferred SUV, you help form a real-time list that reflects current preferences and trends among South African drivers. This feedback assists prospective buyers in making informed decisions, guided by the experiences and opinions of fellow drivers.

What Is the Most Popular SUV in South Africa?

  1. 1
    57
    votes
    Toyota Fortuner
    Wilzz99 · CC BY-SA 4.0
    The Toyota Fortuner is the most popular SUV in South Africa due to its reliability, durability, and off-road capabilities. It is also known for its spacious and comfortable interior.
    The Toyota Fortuner is a mid-size SUV that offers a perfect blend of comfort and off-road capability. It is designed to handle various terrains with ease while providing a spacious and comfortable interior for its occupants.
    • Engine: 2.8L Turbo Diesel
    • Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
    • Seating Capacity: 7
    • Off-Road Capability: 4x4 with low-range transfer case
    • Suspension: Independent double-wishbone front, 5-link coil spring rear
    Toyota Fortuner in other rankings
  2. 2
    32
    votes
    Ford Everest
    Navigator84 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Ford Everest

    Ford Motor Company
    The Ford Everest is a close second to the Toyota Fortuner in popularity, offering excellent off-road capabilities, a comfortable ride, and a spacious interior. It is also known for its safety features.
    The Ford Everest is a mid-size SUV manufactured by Ford Motor Company. It combines rugged off-road capabilities with the comfort and versatility of a family vehicle. With its stylish design and advanced technology, the Everest offers a premium driving experience.
    • Engine: 2.0L Single-Turbodiesel or 3.2L Turbocharged Diesel
    • Transmission: 10-speed automatic
    • Seating Capacity: 7
    • Cargo Capacity: up to 2010 liters
    • Ground Clearance: 225 mm
    Ford Everest in other rankings
  3. 3
    26
    votes
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    M 93 · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

    Volkswagen Tiguan

    Volkswagen
    The Volkswagen Tiguan is a popular choice for those who want a stylish, comfortable, and practical SUV. It offers great handling, fuel efficiency, and safety features.
    The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that offers a perfect combination of style, versatility, and performance. It provides a comfortable and refined driving experience for both urban and off-road adventures. With its sleek design and advanced technologies, the Tiguan stands out in the highly competitive SUV market.
    • Engine: Available in various petrol and diesel options
    • Power: 110 - 240 horsepower
    • Transmission: 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic
    • Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
    • Cargo Capacity: 615 - 1,655 liters
    Volkswagen Tiguan in other rankings
  4. 4
    19
    votes
    Hyundai Tucson
    Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Hyundai Tucson

    Hyundai
    The Hyundai Tucson is a popular choice for its affordability, reliability, and fuel efficiency. It is also known for its spacious interior and safety features.
    The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV that combines comfort, versatility, and style. With its spacious interior, advanced safety features, and smooth ride, it offers a pleasant driving experience for both daily commutes and longer journeys. The Tucson is designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable ride for all passengers, making it an ideal choice for families and individuals seeking a compact SUV that prioritizes comfort.
    • Engine: 2.0L inline-4 or optional 2.4L inline-4
    • Seating Capacity: 5
    • Curb Weight: 3,309 - 3,551 lbs
    • Cargo Space: 31.0 - 61.9 cu.ft.
    • Fuel Efficiency: City: 23-25 MPG, Highway: 28-30 MPG
    Hyundai Tucson in other rankings
  5. 5
    22
    votes
    Kia Sportage
    Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Kia Sportage

    Kia Motors
    The Kia Sportage is a popular choice for its stylish design, spacious interior, and fuel efficiency. It also offers good value for money.
    The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that offers reliable and comfortable transportation for families and individuals. It has a stylish design, spacious interior, and a range of features to enhance the driving experience.
    • Engine Options: Various petrol and diesel engines
    • Transmission: 6-speed manual or automatic transmission
    • Fuel Efficiency: Up to 54.3 mpg combined
    • Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
    • Cargo Capacity: Up to 1,492 liters with rear seats folded
    Kia Sportage in other rankings
  6. 6
    9
    votes
    Nissan X-Trail
    Rudolf Stricker · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The Nissan X-Trail is a popular choice for its spacious interior, good performance, and off-road capabilities. It is also known for its safety features.
    The Nissan X-Trail is a popular compact SUV designed and produced by Nissan. It offers a comfortable and spacious interior, making it ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts. With its versatile design, the X-Trail provides a balance between a reliable city car and an off-road capable vehicle.
    • Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder
    • Power: 169 horsepower
    • Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
    • Fuel Efficiency: Combined 7.4 L/100km
    • Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
  7. 7
    4
    votes
    Mitsubishi Pajero
    TTTNIS · Public domain

    Mitsubishi Pajero

    Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
    The Mitsubishi Pajero is a popular choice for its off-road capabilities, spacious interior, and durability. It is also known for its reliability.
    The Mitsubishi Pajero is a popular SUV in Armenia known for its rugged performance and off-road capabilities. It boasts a stylish design, spacious interior, and advanced features, making it a versatile choice for both city driving and outdoor adventures. The Pajero is highly regarded for its durability and reliability, making it a preferred choice among car enthusiasts and families alike in Armenia.
    • Engine Type: 3.2L Turbocharged Diesel
    • Transmission: 5-speed automatic
    • Power: 192 horsepower
    • Torque: 441 Nm
    • Seating Capacity: 7
    Mitsubishi Pajero in other rankings
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    BMW X3
    Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0

    BMW X3

    BMW
    The BMW X3 is a popular choice for its luxury features, excellent handling, and performance. It also offers good fuel efficiency.
    The BMW X3 is a compact luxury SUV manufactured by the German automaker BMW. It is a versatile vehicle that offers ample space for passengers and cargo, combined with a sporty driving experience. The X3 is designed to provide comfort and convenience for drivers and passengers, with a range of advanced features and technologies.
    • Engine Options: 2.0L 4-cylinder, 3.0L 6-cylinder
    • Horsepower: 248-382 hp
    • Torque: 258-365 lb-ft
    • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
    • Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (xDrive)
    BMW X3 in other rankings
  9. 9
    10
    votes
    Mercedes-Benz GLC
    Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Mercedes-Benz GLC

    Mercedes-Benz
    The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a popular choice for its luxury features, comfortable ride, and excellent performance. It also offers advanced safety features.
    The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a luxury compact SUV that offers a combination of performance, comfort, and cutting-edge technology. It boasts a sleek and elegant design, along with a well-crafted interior that provides a plush and refined driving experience. With its reliability and versatility, the GLC is highly regarded as one of the most reliable performance SUVs on the market.
    • Engine: 2.0L turbocharged inline-4
    • Power: 241 horsepower
    • Transmission: 9-speed automatic
    • Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds
    • Fuel Efficiency: City: 22 mpg, Highway: 29 mpg
    Mercedes-Benz GLC in other rankings
  10. 10
    10
    votes

    Audi Q5

    Audi
    The Audi Q5 is a popular choice for its luxury features, excellent handling, and performance. It also offers good fuel efficiency and advanced safety features.
    The Audi Q5 is a compact luxury crossover SUV that offers a perfect combination of comfort, performance, and style. It features an elegant design, a spacious and well-crafted interior, and advanced technology for an immersive driving experience.
    • Engine: 2.0L Turbocharged 4-cylinder
    • Power Output: 248 horsepower
    • Transmission: 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic
    • Quattro All-Wheel Drive: Standard
    • Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
    Audi Q5 in other rankings

Missing your favorite SUV?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular SUV

  1. Sales figures
    The number of SUVs sold in the country is a good indicator of popularity.
  2. Brand reputation
    The reputation of the car brand in the country and the perceived quality of its products can also play a role in determining popularity.
  3. Features and specifications
    The features and specifications of the SUV, such as fuel efficiency, safety features, performance, and comfort, can influence its popularity.
  4. Price
    The affordability and value for money of the SUV can also play a significant role in its popularity.
  5. Customer reviews and ratings
    The reviews and ratings given by customers who have owned or used the SUV can also give an indication of its popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular SUV in South Africa. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or SUV is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3866 views
  • 191 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each SUV once every 24 hours. The rank of each SUV is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular suv in south africa

South Africa is a country known for its diverse terrain and scenic landscapes. With a growing population and a thriving automotive industry, it's no surprise that SUVs have become increasingly popular in the country over the years. These versatile vehicles have proven to be the go-to choice for many South Africans who value comfort, style, and practicality. In recent times, the competition among SUV brands in South Africa has intensified, with various models boasting unique features and impressive performance capabilities. From the rugged and reliable Toyota Fortuner to the sleek and stylish Range Rover, the choices are endless. But with so many options to choose from, which SUV takes the crown as the most popular in South Africa? This is a question that has sparked much debate and discussion amongst automotive enthusiasts and consumers alike. In this article, we'll explore the most sought-after SUV brands in South Africa and reveal the top pick according to the votes on StrawPoll.

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