What’s South Africa’s Most Loved Car Ever?

As a country that loves its motor vehicles, there have been many fan favorites. But which is officially South Africa’s most loved car ever?

Before we get to the most loved, let’s go through all the classics South Africans have a soft spot for.

 

VW Golf Mk1

Everyone knows someone who owned a Golf or Citi Golf. And they’ve been around forever.

The Germans stopped producing the Golf Mk1 in 1983 and had already created the newer Mk2 Golf when the South African factories were just getting up to speed with production. However, the Mk2 left the local VW guys with an issue: they didn’t have an entry-level, affordable vehicle.

Volkswagen South Africa realized that they still had the tooling for the Mk1 Golf in place and could use it to produce “new” vehicles. After extensive market research, VW rebranded the old/new car as the Citi Golf.

The original Citi Golfs were painted red, yellow, and blue, with white wheels, bumpers, and decals.

There have been several reiterations of Citi Golfs over the years, but one thing is for sure: South Africans loved them.

VW South Africa manufactured and marketed the Citi Golf from 1984 to 2009. When it came time to say goodbye to the legend after 25 years, VW released its final 1,000 Citi Mk1 with a few unique features.

The following year, VW South Africa released the Polo Vivo, which uses the tooling from the Polo Mk4.

History does repeat itself.

 

BMW 3 Series

BMW has always been a symbol of luxury, performance, and status in South Africa. Whether it is the E30 (Box-Shaped), E36 (Dolphin-Shaped), or the E46 (G-String), South Africans have always loved a good 3 Series.

With rear-wheel drive, sporty performance, and luxury refinement in the interior, it’s a no-brainer why this is a firm favorite.

But it’s the 3 Series’ performance in the motorsport of spinning that sets it apart. The BMW 325i E30 is an icon in the sport and is known as the “gusheshe” for its rear-wheel drive, stability, and affordability.

It is also a reliable car, so it’s easy to understand why many South Africans love the BMW 3 Series.

 

Toyota Corolla

The E90 Toyota Corolla was introduced in May 1987, and South Africans loved it. Often referred to as the Kentucky Rounder in the local market, this generation of Corollas was in production until 2006!

One reason for its longevity in the market is that it is mechanically bulletproof and is a vehicle that gets passed down to younger family members.

And because it was a vehicle ahead of its time, it is still fuel-efficient. The Toyota Corolla makes the list of best-loved South African cars simply because it has been around forever.

 

Nissan 1400 (Champ)

Again, a vehicle produced in South Africa for an enormous length of time, the Nissan 1400 began production in 1971 and ended in 2008. This petite legendary workhorse underwent multiple changes throughout its production run; however, its essential parts and elements remained the same.

They were:

• Engine with carburettor
• Leaf springs
• Rear-wheel drive

In 1985, the Champ was 100% locally made, which also helped extend its production run.

Production eventually ended when stricter emissions and safety regulations were enforced. The last production run of the Nissan 1400 ended with 150 units of the Heritage Edition being sold.

Now, let’s go to South Africa’s most loved car or bakkie.

 

The Toyota Hilux

No matter the job, you can always get it done with a Toyota Hilux. Introduced to the South African market in the late 1960s, the bakkie quickly earned a reputation for being indestructible — a point made by the Top Gear crew in the early 2000s.

Over the decades of its evolution, the Hilux has held onto its core qualities: it is reliable, durable, and always ready to go further.

Locally, the Toyota Hilux is more than just a car; it’s a cultural icon.

It’s been immortalized in music, with songs celebrating its toughness and reliability. The Hilux has become a symbol of resilience, a quality that resonates deeply in a country with a complex and challenging history.

In a country where cars are more than just a means of getting from point A to point B, the Toyota Hilux has earned its place as South Africa’s most loved car ever.

As a battery brand that has been in the South African market for 70 years, we’re sure we’ve helped start every one of these cars.

If you want to install a car battery that is also a locally loved legend, you can do so here.