The 10 cars least likely to be hijacked in South Africa
King Price’s data over two years notes 10 car models that are at low risk of being hijacked in South Africa, and the reasons for this are all about demand and available parts.
According to Ernest North, the co-founder of Naked Insurance, some car makes and models are more susceptible to theft or hijacking, with some being 10 % to 20% more prone to such incidents.
This aligns with the sentiments of Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann, who told BusinessTech that vehicle hijackings are primarily a business driven by demand and supply.
This is why vehicles manufactured by brands such as Toyota and VW remain high-risk targets.
Models such as the Toyota Hilux and the VW Polo are often among the top 10 most-sold cars in South Africa, meaning there is a higher probability of these cars being hijacked.
Additionally, North added that the availability of parts significantly influences a vehicle’s attractiveness to thieves.
This is a big part of why Toyota is especially targeted, given its popularity across Africa and the availability of its parts.
These reasons why certain cars are targets for hijackers also apply to cars at low risk of being stolen or hijacked.
Compiling reported incidents of hijackings from January 2021 to April 2023, King Price Insurance put together a list of 10 car brands and models that were the least hijacked cars within their footprint.
These cars, as outlined by King Price and in no particular order, are:
- Audi Q3
- Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
- Ford Fiesta
- Ford Figo
- Hyundai Creta
- Nissan Almera
- Nissan Magnite
- Subaru Forester
- Suzuki Vitara
- Renault Clio
Unlike cars such as Toyotas, many of these cars may not be desirable to hijackers because of their popularity in the rest of Africa and the lack of parts availability.
For example, the Ford Fiesta, Figo, and Nissan Almera have been discontinued and are no longer being built, making parts difficult to source and unpopular.
Additionally, the Subaru Forester is a very uncommon vehicle among South African motorists, and parts could also be an issue across the rest of Africa.
Another interesting factor that could contribute to the reasons for this list is the fact that the Fortuner and Hilux vehicles are stolen mostly for their engines because these vehicles are well-equipped to handle African roads.
Evidence of interest in cars that can manage the harsh road conditions in Africa by criminals was also mentioned by insurer Santam.
Its report noted a shift from older, low-value vehicles with limited security requirements to more expensive double cabs and SUVs, including Toyota Landcruisers and Prados.
Bartmann also noted that approximately 30% of all stolen and hijacked vehicles within Fedelity’s footprint last year were taken across the South African border.
It must be noted that while the 10 cars listed have a lower risk of being targeted by criminals, no vehicle can guarantee complete immunity from theft or hijacking attempts.
Additionally, the list is relevant to King Price’s experiences and only provides a good indication of the cars that carry low risk.
The number of hijacking incidents should be considered relative to the total number of cars on the roads in South Africa. This will provide a more accurate idea of which cars are targeted the least across the country.
