Few countries demonstrate such loyalty to the ‘bakkie’ (one-ton pickup) as SA. Over time, the role of the bakkie has evolved alongside the values of the consumer. While single-cab variants remain vital tools across the agriculture, mining and logistics sectors, the double cab has emerged as the defining product of the segment.

These vehicles now straddle two worlds: commercial utility and lifestyle mobility. Increasingly, they are chosen not only for work capability but also for their versatility as everyday family vehicles and adventure-ready transport.

They also play an outsized role in the local automotive economy, forming a significant portion of the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment. The category is still dominated by a handful of long-standing models but continues to shift as established leaders update their platforms and new entrants, particularly from Asia, attempt to break into what is arguably the most fiercely defended market segment in the country.

According to sales data derived from Naamsa (formerly the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa), the LCV segment – which includes single-cab, extended-cab and double-cab bakkies – is still overwhelmingly led by the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, which are consistently among the best performers in SA’s vehicle sales charts. In 2025 alone, the Hilux recorded more than 36 500 units sold locally, maintaining its position as the country’s best-selling vehicle and opening a lead of more than 11 000 units ahead of the Ranger. Nevertheless, variety is the spice of life, and a few other notable manufacturers stake their modest, albeit important claims, on the beloved segment, while new entrants further diversify the double-cab offering.

Toyota Hilux

The Hilux has long been the benchmark against which every new bakkie is measured locally. Built in Durban, the Japanese pickup has established a reputation for durability, resale value and broad usability that few competitors have managed to match.

The model’s success is thanks largely to fleet purchases across industries such as agriculture, construction and security, but the double-cab versions remain particularly popular with private buyers who use them as lifestyle vehicles.

The double-cab variants in particular illustrate how the modern bakkie has evolved into a lifestyle product while retaining the durability that originally built its reputation. The Hilux GR-S and the Hilux Legend 55 refreshed the Hilux’s double-cab offerings in 2024 and 2025 respectively, but in 2026, customers can expect a brand-new update.

The Hilux and its SUV sibling, the Fortuner, traditionally follow long product life cycles, with major generational updates spaced roughly a decade apart. A refreshed Hilux arrives in 2026, and while the core platform remains familiar, Toyota has introduced improvements in safety systems, connectivity and interior design that position the bakkie closer to the brand’s more premium offerings, such as the Land Cruiser Prado and Land Cruiser 300.

Toyota has faced criticism for a lack of technological advancement and overall luxury as the lifestyle-bakkie race has escalated in recent years. Yet the Hilux continues to dominate sales, illustrating a defining characteristic of the SA market: brand trust still matters. Even as new competitors arrive, many buyers remain reluctant to abandon a vehicle with such a long and proven track record.}

Ford Ranger

Manufactured at Ford’s Silverton plant in Pretoria, the Ranger has grown into one of the most globally significant bakkies in the industry. The current generation is exported to markets around the world and forms the basis of several related vehicles, including the Volkswagen Amarok.

In SA, the Ranger has long been the Hilux’s closest rival. Naamsa-based sales figures place it second in the segment, consistently selling several thousand units per month and, in 2024 and 2025, outselling the Hilux specifically in the double-cab segment.

That success is closely linked to Ford’s focus on the lifestyle side of the market. The Ranger has traditionally differentiated itself through technology, interior design and driving refinement, positioning its double-cab derivatives as premium multipurpose vehicles rather than purely utilitarian tools.

An updated Ranger line-up is expected to arrive in the country in 2026, continuing Ford’s strategy of evolving the platform through new derivatives and technology upgrades. Among the expected changes are the discontinuation of the brand’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and the introduction of a 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol engine to the line-up.

For Ford, the Ranger’s importance extends beyond the local market. SA has become a key manufacturing hub for the model, with exports contributing significantly to the country’s automotive industry.

This dual domestic and export role underscores how strategically important the Ranger remains, not only to Ford but also to the broader SA automotive economy.

Isuzu D-Max and Volkswagen Amarok

Behind the two market leaders, the Isuzu D-Max remains the third pillar of SA’s bakkie market. Naamsa sales data for 2025 shows the D-Max reaching 21 194 units, comfortably holding third place behind the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.

Built in Gqeberha, the pickup continues to appeal to buyers who value durability and straightforward workhorse capability. However, as the lifestyle-bakkie segment evolves with increasingly sophisticated interiors and technology, the D-Max continues to lag drastically in comparison with its rivals. A substantial update will be required in the coming years if Isuzu hopes to maintain its strong position in the double-cab market.

Occupying a more premium niche is the Volkswagen Amarok, which shares its platform with the Ford Ranger but positions itself as a more refined, luxury-leaning double cab. While its volumes are smaller – with 4 290 units sold locally in 2025, according to Naamsa reporting – the Amarok continues to attract buyers looking for comfort and powerful engines, particularly in its V6 diesel derivatives. Volkswagen has confirmed further updates for the Amarok range in SA, including powertrain changes aligned with the Ranger line-up and new derivatives such as the Dark Label and Walkinshaw models, reinforcing its role as a premium lifestyle bakkie.

Kia Tasman

Perhaps the most intriguing arrival in the bakkie segment is the Kia Tasman.

For decades, Kia built a strong reputation in passenger vehicles and SUVs but stayed away from the traditional pickup segment. The Tasman marks the brand’s first serious entry into the global one-ton bakkie category.

As SUVs and pickups continue to dominate global markets, many manufacturers are expanding into segments that historically belonged to a smaller group of specialised brands. Kia’s introduction of the Tasman mirrors this broader shift within the automotive industry.

The Tasman has been designed to compete directly with established models such as the Hilux and Ranger, combining rugged capability with the technology and design language Kia has become known for. Stylistically, it presents a distinctive alternative to the generally homogeneous design language found across the segment.

Anticipation around the model is growing as it prepares to enter one of the most competitive vehicle segments in SA. The challenge facing Kia is clear: breaking into a category defined not only by performance and capability, but also by deep-rooted brand loyalty among double-cab buyers.

History shows that disruption is possible. Several brands that were once considered outsiders have gradually carved out market share by offering strong value propositions and modern features. If the Tasman manages to combine competitive pricing with credible off-road capability, it could become a challenger in the years ahead.

Chery Himla

Over the past decade, Chinese brands have dramatically expanded their presence in SA, largely through SUVs and crossovers that offer strong specifications at competitive prices. The Himla marks Chery’s entry into the double-cab pickup segment and is expected to arrive in SA in 2026.

Chery has steadily been gaining trust in the local market, and with the Himla styled similarly to traditionally favoured models such as the Hilux, Ranger and Isuzu D-Max, the newcomer may appeal to buyers looking for a more affordable entry point into the lifestyle-bakkie market as prices across the segment continue to rise.

Early drives of the double-cab in China in 2025 indicated an impressive first effort from Chery, with motoring publications reporting positively on the perceived build quality and the technology-rich, leather-trimmed cabin.

Historically, the segment has been dominated by a small group of manufacturers with long histories in bakkie manufacturing. Chery now joins fellow Chinese manufacturers such as GWM, BYD and Changan in attempting to compete with established brands in the lifestyle-bakkie segment.

The Himla, therefore, represents part of a broader shift in the SA market. As the double-cab bakkie continues to evolve from a purely utilitarian vehicle into a lifestyle product, new brands see an opportunity to attract buyers who prioritise technology, comfort and value alongside traditional off-road capability. Pricing, however, will remain fundamental to its success.

By Oliver Keohane
Images: Toyota, Ford, Isuzu, Volkswagen