Decoding South Africa’s Love Of The SUV Or “Bakkiewagen”.

Many South Africans are caught between whether to buy a station wagon, a minibus or a bakkie. In our collective consciousness, the family station wagon or a Kombi represents endless holiday roads to the coast, school runs, sports days, padkos, picnics, visits to far-flung family functions and kids falling asleep in the back on the way home.

A solution was found to combine the three, and South African roads are starting to resemble SUV showrooms. From the school drop-off in Sandton to a gravel shortcut in the Karoo, there’s always another shiny SUV muscling its way into your lane. And it’s not hard to see why. We are a nation that loves space, presence, and the option of going off-road even if we never will.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

South Africa’s SUV obsession didn’t happen overnight. The seed was planted decades ago with hardy legends like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, and Isuzu Trooper. These were proper, go-anywhere beasts that earned their keep on game farms and long, dusty family road trips into the wild. There’s probably still a Land Cruiser 70 still going somewhere in the Karoo with about a billion kms on the clock.

But over time, something happened. SUVs got softer. Comfier. Techier. And most importantly, sexier. They became less about overlanding and more about overcompensating. Enter the modern South African SUV buyer.

SIZE MATTERS

We’re a country that doesn’t mind taking up space. Our roads are wide, our families are big, and our weekend plans often involve packing the entire boot, trailer, and possibly the dogs. An SUV doesn’t just offer space. It offers status. Height. Visibility. And just the right amount of intimidation in the Woolies parking lot.

Driving an SUV makes you feel important. Even if you’re just nipping to Builders to return a faulty hosepipe.

SA ROADS ARE WILD

There’s a reason we like our cars tall and tough. South African roads throw everything at you: potholes, flash floods, sinkholes, roaming livestock, rogue taxis, and the occasional off-road detour thanks to a GPS that believes in your vehicle more than you do.

SUVs promise peace of mind. A bit of ride height. A hint of adventure. The feeling that even if the tar ends, your journey doesn’t have to.

AFFORDABILITY

The Chinese invasion has changed the game. Brands like Chery (Tiggo 4, 7 and 8 Pro), BAIC, Omoda, Jaecoo, and GAC are offering seriously specced SUVs at prices that make your wallet breathe a sigh of relief. You can now drive a turbocharged, touchscreen-filled, leather-clad spaceship for the price of an entry-level hatchback a few years ago.

And because you’re smart, you’ll use Hippo to compare insurance quotes on your new ride and probably save an extra R455* a month.

PRACTICALITY

SUVs are the Swiss Army knives of modern motoring. Need space for the school run? Done. Long-distance comfort? Absolutely. Throwing in a camp fridge, mountain bikes and half your kitchen for a weekend away? Easy.

From the compact but capable Suzuki Vitara to the seven-seat Tiggo 8 Pro Max, there’s an SUV for every lifestyle, life stage and luggage load. If you feel like you’re not quite ready to let go of your youth even though your hairline disagrees, you could go for the Alfa-Romeo Stelvio or Tonale.

DESIRABILITY

There’s a reason luxury brands have jumped onto the SUV “bakkiewagon”. Porsche kicked off the trend with the Cayenne, and now everyone from Jaguar and Maserati to Aston Martin and Lamborghini has followed suit.

Why? Because even if you never use the ‘Sport’ or ‘Off-Road’ buttons, it’s nice to know they’re there. The Lamborghini Urus, for example, is a favourite of international footballers who now have kids and responsibilities beyond their Insta reels.

DURABILITY

Let’s be honest, South Africans keep their cars for a long time. We expect them to go the distance. And with SUVs, we expect a little more. That means high mileage, hard work, family holidays, boot parties, and the occasional off-road rescue mission. Whether it’s a Fortuner, an Everest or an Outlander, these family workhorses need to go the distance, no matter what Mzansi goois at them.

SENSIBILITY

Despite the swagger, most SUV buyers are just being sensible. You’re buying one car to do it all. And it shows. The most popular SUVs in South Africa today are practical, reasonably priced, and designed to handle whatever Mzansi throws their way.

MZANSI’S TOP SUV CHOICES?

• Toyota Fortuner: Our unofficial national SUV. Can be found outside every rugby field, mall and braai owned by people in puffer jackets.
• Ford Everest: For those who want their SUV to have the heart of a bakkie.
• Chery Tiggo 7/8 Pro: Packing features usually found on cars twice the price.
• Omoda C5: For the TikTok generation who want their car to look like the future.
• Haval H6: For the value hunter who’s also a secret soft-roader.
• Lamborghini Urus: For people who use private jets but want their kids to know the price of petrol.
• Audi Q-Series (Q2 to Q8): From compact sophistication to full-on CEO spec, Audi’s Q range has become the ultimate flex in the suburbs. Whether you’re in a Q3 Sportback or an RS Q8, there’s a model designed more for Umhlanga Rocks than actual ones.
• Mercedes-Benz GLA / GLC / GLE / GLS: Luxe meets lifestyle. Perfect for Sandton moms, Mpumalanga lodge-hoppers, and anyone who enjoys an AMG badge.
• BMW X-Series (X1 to X7): Business class with a kidney grille. From practical X1 to full-blown X7, there’s a Bimmer for every bracket and budget.

IN CONCLUSION?

SUVs aren’t just cars. They’re lifestyle statements. They say you’re ready for anything: school runs, road trips, potholes, flash floods, and surprise picnics. And no matter which one you choose, hippo.co.za can help you compare car insurance quotes and get the best insurance deal.

Because even if you’re driving a luxury off-roader that never leaves the tar, you still shouldn’t be overpaying for car insurance.

*Average savings when comparing car insurance quotes on Hippo.co.za is R455.