South Africa’s 10 best‑selling bakkies in 2026 so far (Jan–Feb)
If you want to know where South Africans are putting their hard-earned bakkie money, Naamsa's sales data is the clearest guide. Using official January and February 2026 figures, here’s how the bakkie race looks so far this year.
Related: The team picks their best bakkies for 2025
How this list was compiled
We used NAAMSA’s January and February 2026 new‑vehicle sales data.
We listed the top 10 best‑selling bakkies for each month.
We only utilise the January and February volumes to create a simple year‑to‑date (YTD) ranking up to the end of February 2026.
March data is not out yet, so it’s not included.
Related: Toyota Hilux GR-Sport Review
January 2026: Who started strongest?
January 2026 new bakkie sales (units):
Toyota Hilux – 2 475
Ford Ranger – 2 071
Isuzu D‑Max – 1 331
Mahindra Scorpio Pik Up – 1 018
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 694
GWM P‑Series – 677
Nissan NP200 – 646
Nissan Navara – 528
Volkswagen Amarok – 471
JAC T‑Series – 256
Hilux opened the year in front, with Ranger close behind and D‑Max firmly in third. A big talking point was Mahindra’s Scorpio Pik Up breaking the 1 000‑unit mark in a single month.
February 2026: same leaders, stronger numbers
February 2026 new bakkie sales (units):
Toyota Hilux – 3 362
Ford Ranger – 2 091
Isuzu D‑Max – 1 951
Mahindra Scorpio Pik Up – 1 076
Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 842
GWM P‑Series – 770
Nissan NP200 – 678
Nissan Navara – 612
Volkswagen Amarok – 507
JAC T‑Series – 298
The February rankings mirror January’s top 10, but volumes jump at the sharp end. Hilux stretches its lead, Ranger stays comfortably second, and D‑Max moves closer to Ranger on total units. Scorpio Pik Up again clears four figures, confirming that its January result was part of a trend, not a once‑off.
Top‑10 best‑selling bakkies in SA for January and February (combined)
Add January and February together, and you get the year‑to‑date ranking:
Hilux, Ranger and D‑Max are still the “big three”
These three account for most bakkie sales so far in 2026. That usually means:
Strong dealer and parts support, even in smaller towns.
Plenty of used stock across different price points and specs.
Healthier resale values because demand stays high in the second‑hand market. (We hunted for the big 3 bakkies on AutoTrader and couldn't believe how much Isuzus are actually going for; a solid investment!)
Mahindra and GWM have gone mainstream
The Mahindra Scorpio Pik Up and GWM P‑Series (read our 2025 P300 review) both post four‑figure totals over just two months. That suggests:
Value‑focused buyers and fleets are taking them seriously.
Parts availability and brand familiarity will keep improving.
They’re worth a look if you want maximum spec and capability for the money and are open to newer contenders.
Land Cruiser 79 is still a cult favourite
Despite being expensive and old‑school, the Land Cruiser 79 still cracks the top five. It remains the default choice for buyers who care more about toughness and simplicity than comfort – farmers, overlanders, and remote‑area users.
Related: Toyota Land Cruiser 76 Review
The Toyota Land Cruiser 79 is arguably SA's coolest bakkie.
Navara, NP200, Amarok and JAC round out the picture
NP200 continues to appeal to fleets and small businesses that want a compact, affordable workhorse.
Navara’s steady numbers show it remains a serious one‑tonner option even as competition intensifies.
Amarok’s volumes are solid, given its more premium positioning.
JAC’s presence in the top 10 shows Chinese workhorse brands are slowly gaining traction with cost‑conscious operators.
How to use sales charts as a buyer
Sales numbers don’t tell you which bakkie is “best”, but they do help you:
Gauge likely resale values (high‑volume models tend to be easier to move on).
Judge running‑cost risk (popular bakkies are usually easier and cheaper to keep on the road).
Spot rising stars (rapid climbers like Scorpio Pik Up and P‑Series show where value‑driven buyers are heading).
In conclusion
If you follow the numbers, South Africans are sending a clear message in 2026: they still trust proven, well‑supported and easy-to-live-with bakkies. Hilux, Ranger and D‑Max remain the core of the market, but the surge of Mahindra’s Scorpio Pik Up and GWM’s P‑Series shows how quickly value‑rich newcomers can earn their place in the top 10. For buyers, these charts are more than trivia – they’re a shortcut to understanding which bakkies will be easiest to buy, run and eventually sell on, whether you’re chasing a long‑term workhorse, a lifestyle double‑cab or maximum spec for your money.
