Toyota

Corolla’s legacy of reliability and ease of ownership. In a trendy crossover body style.

Typical Toyota build quality, but Corolla Cross’s popularity makes them a theft risk.

Cabin infotainment screens can’t match the Chinese for graphics quality. Reasonable luggage space, but folded second-row seating doesn’t create a flat load area.

Hybrid version very light on fuel. But a fully loaded Corolla Cross is much slower when overtaking at Gauteng altitudes, than turbocharged rivals.

GR-S versions with lower profile tyres are silly. HEV if you live at the coast and standard 1.8 for the Highveld. XS versions best value.

Vehicle of choice for upper income South Africans with families. With good reason.

Much safer to be in, if you hit a pothole a speed, than a crossover or Germany luxury car.

Fortuner’s Hilux platform and engines are proven, but all the Hilux designing ageing issues, are also present.

Cabin architecture and infotainment feel old. Third-row seating storage, folding up and to the sides, is a terrible design. Ruining the Fortuner’s load capacity.

Regardless of colour or spec, Fortuners are always in demand and hold their value well.

Theft and hijacking risks are real. Which insurance companies remind you of with hefty monthly premiums.

Successful enough to be a brand on its own. But theft and hijacking risks are high.

Due for replacement in 2026. Ageing cabin design lacks wireless- or USC-C charging.

Engines, dynamics and comfort aren’t class leading anymore. Still uses rear drum brakes.

But Hilux is engineered to a standard that prioritizes durability over sophistication.

Toyota has more cash than any other global car company. They contract the best suppliers. Use the best tooling. And that’s why Hilux is so well built.

Dedicated dealers and excellent build quality makes Hilux the best bakkie to own. If not drive. Raider spec offers best value.

Best large luxury car for South African conditions. That just happens to be a Toyota, too.

Unlike other luxury SUVs, the 300 can be both a long distance Gauteng-to-coast N7 tourer. And a three-week exploration vehicle, for that Namibian breakaway.

Proven body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle, with a clever hydraulic cross-link suspension for optimized wheel travel across severe terrain. No air-suspension to fail and leave you stranded.

Diesel V6 is powerful enough for effortless cruising and tows with ease. And it is as reliable as the Japanese bullet train timetable.

No other limousine or large SUV keeps its value better. GR-S model, with the 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tyres, is the one to own.  

A global icon for its survivability in harsh terrain.

Three diff locks and a hand throttle give it amazing traction and control, in technical terrain, for skilled drivers.

Noisy and uncomfortable for highway journeys. Underpowered brakes a real issue at higher speeds, especially when fully laden or towing.

Rear track is narrower than front. Creating instability risk at high speeds and additional drag in sand.

Unrivalled durability – even by military standards. Engineered and built for a 25-year ownership cycle, which makes that initial purchase price cheap. If you amortize the cost.

No other 4x4 operates fully loaded on poor quality diesel across harsh terrain. Like these 70s.

Effectively a slightly smaller Land Cruiser 300. Without the excellent V6 engines.

Looks amazing and inside the cabin is comfortable with intuitive controls and functions. Unlike many rival luxury SUVs. Build quality rivals and exceeds German brands.

Land Cruiser 300 platform means more off-road ability than you’ll ever need.

Only weakness is the engine. The 2.8 diesel feels slow at highway speeds. And has much poorer overtaking acceleration than 6-cylinder rivals.

Prado is heavy and that old-school 2.8 engine isn’t going to be amazing for dune driving.

Much easier to live with in a city than the larger ‘Cruiser 300. Similarly depreciation proof.