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:

• Average Hippo insurance premium: R1,296

• Cost to fill the tank: R1,000

• Monthly repayment: R8,959

• Purchase price: R414,800

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:

• Average Hippo insurance premium: R1,262

• Cost to fill the tank: R740

• Monthly repayment: R4,965

• Purchase price: R227,900

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:

• Average Hippo insurance premium: R1,257

• Cost to fill the tank: R900

• Monthly repayment: R5,905

• Purchase price: R271,900

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:

• Average Hippo insurance premium: R1,265

• Cost to fill the tank: R740

• Monthly repayment: R6,717

• Purchase price: R309,900

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:

• Average Hippo insurance premium: R1,615

• Cost to fill the tank: R1,436

• Monthly repayment: R12,383

• Purchase price: R575,000

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

Quick January takeaways:

• Interest rate down to 10.25% = lower repayments

• Petrol price down = cheaper running costs

• Top five unchanged, but GWM and Jetour are closing the gap

• Insurance premiums largely flat, meaning savings are still hiding in the comparison

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.

Compare Car Insurance quotes today.

Hippo Comparative Services (Pty) Ltd is an authorised FSP 16357. *Average savings and research findings are based on independent research by KLA 2025. Premiums are risk profile dependent and subject to annual review. The vehicle values referenced are obtained from external automotive brand websites and are provided for general guidance only.