January 2026’s top 5 car brands in South Africa: rates ease, fuel drops, and the rankings hold (for now)

January arrived with a basket of goodies for South African motorists: borrowing is a little cheaper, and filling up won’t sting quite as much either. 

Let’s start with the interest rate. Prime has eased down to 10.25%, shaving a bit off those monthly car repayments. It’s not the kind of drop that changes your life overnight, but you might suddenly find a bit more breathing room in other spending categories like groceries or petrol. 

Speaking of which, petrol prices have dipped too. That means your car now costs slightly less to own and slightly less to run. If we weren’t so far away from April Fool’s Day, we’d be suspicious - but instead we’re just feeling blessed. 

The Naamsa rankings, however, are holding steady. The top five brands are unchanged this month, though there’s some movement worth watching lower down the table. GWM is edging ever closer to Ford, and Jetour’s steady climb over the past few months suggests the mid-table could get far more interesting as the year goes on. 

For now, though, here’s how South Africa’s top five are shaping up and what owning them means for your budget. 

1. Toyota 

Top quoted model: Corolla Cross – Still the safe bet 

Toyota remains firmly in first place, with the Corolla Cross continuing to tick all the sensible boxes. Lower interest rates help bring repayments down noticeably compared to last year, while the fuel price drop gives you another small win at the pump. 

Key costs: 

Still the kind of car you choose when you value peace of mind more than surprises. 

2. Suzuki 

Top quoted model: Swift – The budget hero 

Suzuki’s Swift keeps its second-place spot, and it’s easy to see why. Cheap to buy, light on fuel, and easy to insure, it remains one of the most affordable cars in the top five. 

Key costs: 

Proof that small cars can still deliver big savings. 

3. Volkswagen 

Top quoted model: Polo Vivo – Mzansi’s favourite son 

No movement here either. The Polo Vivo stays in third place, continuing its long-standing role as South Africa’s comfort choice. The lower petrol price helps keep running costs reasonable, while repayments remain manageable under the reduced interest rate. 

Key costs: 

Like ordering the same thing every time you're in the drive-thru - you know exactly what you’re getting (and you love it). 

4. Hyundai 

Top quoted model: i20 – Steady as she goes 

Hyundai stays in fourth, with the i20 offering a solid balance between price, features, and fuel efficiency. The petrol price drop benefits this segment more than most, keeping monthly running costs comfortably in check. 

Key costs: 

A practical choice that doesn’t feel like a compromise. 

5. Ford 

Top quoted model: Ranger – Not leaving without a fight 

Ford holds onto fifth place for now, but the pressure is on. The Ranger remains hugely popular, though it comes with the highest fuel and insurance costs in the top five - something buyers are increasingly weighing up as newer rivals close in. 

Key costs: 

Big presence, big capability, and a bigger monthly bill to match. 

Quick January takeaways: 

Lower rates and cheaper fuel help, but the easiest win is often insurance. If you haven’t compared in a while, now’s a good time to check. Head to hippo.co.za and see whether your same car could cost you less to insure this year.