Best SUV in South Africa 2025
Our definitive guide to the top 10 SUVs worth buying this year.
South Africans love SUVs. They offer the perfect combination of ground clearance for our roads, space for the family, and the capability to escape to the bush on weekends.
But with dozens of options from budget Chinese brands to premium German manufacturers, choosing the right one is harder than ever. We've ranked the top 10 based on value, reliability, features, and real-world ownership costs.
The 2025 Rankings
Toyota Fortuner
Mid-RangeFamilies wanting bulletproof reliability
R654,900
to R844,600
Engine
2.4L/2.8L Diesel, 2.7L Petrol
Fuel Economy
7.0 - 9.5 L/100km
Warranty
3 years / 100,000km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Legendary reliability
- Excellent resale value
- Tough off-road ability
- 7 seats standard
Cons
- Interior feels dated
- Harsh ride on tar
- Long waiting lists
Haval H6
BudgetBudget-conscious buyers wanting premium features
R469,900
to R579,900
Engine
2.0L Turbo Petrol
Fuel Economy
8.5 - 9.5 L/100km
Warranty
5 years / 100,000km
Service
10,000km
Pros
- Exceptional value for money
- Packed with features
- 5-star safety rating
- Modern interior
Cons
- Unproven long-term reliability
- Lower resale value
- No diesel option
Volkswagen Tiguan
Mid-RangeUrban professionals wanting refinement
R599,900
to R899,000
Engine
1.4L/2.0L TSI Petrol
Fuel Economy
6.5 - 8.0 L/100km
Warranty
3 years / 120,000km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Premium build quality
- Refined driving experience
- Strong brand reputation
- Excellent safety
Cons
- Expensive servicing
- DSG gearbox concerns
- Smaller than rivals
Hyundai Tucson
Mid-RangeStyle-conscious buyers wanting warranty peace of mind
R529,900
to R749,900
Engine
2.0L Petrol, 2.0L Diesel
Fuel Economy
6.5 - 8.0 L/100km
Warranty
7 years / 200,000km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Bold design
- Feature-packed
- 7-year warranty
- Good value
Cons
- Firm ride quality
- No 4x4 on base models
- Average resale
Ford Everest
Mid-RangeAdventure seekers needing serious capability
R749,900
to R1,089,900
Engine
2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel, 3.0L V6 Diesel
Fuel Economy
7.5 - 9.0 L/100km
Warranty
4 years / 120,000km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Powerful engines
- Excellent off-road ability
- Premium interior
- SYNC infotainment
Cons
- Expensive
- Ranger-based ride
- High insurance costs
Mazda CX-5
Mid-RangeThose who enjoy driving and want style
R549,900
to R699,900
Engine
2.0L/2.5L Petrol
Fuel Economy
6.5 - 7.5 L/100km
Warranty
3 years / unlimited km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Premium feel
- Engaging to drive
- Excellent safety
Cons
- No diesel option
- Smaller boot
- Limited off-road ability
Kia Sportage
Mid-RangeTech lovers wanting bold design
R519,995
to R799,995
Engine
1.6L Turbo, 2.0L Diesel
Fuel Economy
6.5 - 8.0 L/100km
Warranty
5 years / unlimited km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Striking design
- Tech-loaded
- 5-year warranty
- Good value
Cons
- Firm ride
- No 7-seater option
- Divisive styling
BMW X3
PremiumThose wanting the ultimate driving SUV
R999,000
to R1,450,000
Engine
2.0L Petrol/Diesel, 3.0L Petrol
Fuel Economy
6.5 - 9.0 L/100km
Warranty
2 years / unlimited km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Superb driving dynamics
- Premium interior
- Strong engines
- Status appeal
Cons
- Very expensive
- Options add up quickly
- Costly maintenance
Toyota RAV4
Mid-RangeEco-conscious buyers wanting reliability
R564,400
to R749,200
Engine
2.0L Petrol, 2.5L Hybrid
Fuel Economy
5.0 - 7.0 L/100km
Warranty
3 years / 100,000km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Hybrid option
- Toyota reliability
- Good resale
- Spacious
Cons
- CVT gearbox feel
- No diesel option
- Conservative styling
Isuzu MU-X
Mid-RangeFamilies needing rugged reliability
R699,900
to R859,900
Engine
1.9L/3.0L Diesel
Fuel Economy
7.0 - 8.5 L/100km
Warranty
5 years / 120,000km
Service
15,000km
Pros
- Tough and capable
- 7 seats
- Strong diesel engines
- Good value
Cons
- Basic interior feel
- Truck-like ride
- Less refined
SUV Buying Guide: What to Consider
Size & Seating
5-seater: Tiguan, CX-5, Tucson, Sportage
7-seater: Fortuner, Everest, MU-X
Consider if you'll actually use the 3rd row - they're often cramped for adults.
Petrol vs Diesel
Petrol: Better for city driving, cheaper to service
Diesel: More torque, better fuel economy on highways
If you drive 20,000+ km/year, diesel makes financial sense.
2WD vs 4WD
2WD: Cheaper, better fuel economy, fine for 90% of buyers
4WD: Essential if you go off-road or live on a farm
Don't pay for 4WD if you'll only use it on tar roads.
Resale Value
Best: Toyota (Fortuner retains 65%+ after 3 years)
Worst: Chinese brands (lose 40-50% in year one)
Factor this into your total cost of ownership.
Quick Price Comparison
| SUV | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Haval H6 | R469,900 |
| Kia Sportage | R519,995 |
| Hyundai Tucson | R529,900 |
| Mazda CX-5 | R549,900 |
| Toyota RAV4 | R564,400 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | R599,900 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R654,900 |
| Isuzu MU-X | R699,900 |
| Ford Everest | R749,900 |
| BMW X3 | R999,000 |
Our Verdict: Which SUV Should You Buy?
Best Overall
Toyota Fortuner
Can't go wrong with SA's best-seller. Reliability and resale value are unmatched.
Best Value
Haval H6
Incredible features for the price. The risk is unproven long-term reliability.
Best for Families
Ford Everest
Premium interior, powerful engines, and genuine 7-seat practicality.
Before You Buy
- • Don't buy the base model without checking: Many base SUVs lack essential safety features like parking sensors, reversing cameras, or side airbags.
- • Check insurance costs first: SUVs like the Fortuner and Everest have high theft rates, which means expensive premiums.
- • Test drive multiple options: The best SUV on paper might not suit your driving style or needs.
- • Consider total cost of ownership: Service plan costs, fuel, tyres, and insurance can vary dramatically between models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SUV has the best resale value in South Africa?
Toyota Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado consistently retain the highest resale values, often 60-70% after 3 years. German SUVs depreciate faster.
Are Chinese SUVs reliable?
Brands like Haval and Chery have improved significantly, with good warranties (5 years). However, long-term reliability data is limited. Resale values are considerably lower.
Should I buy a 7-seater SUV?
Only if you'll regularly use the 3rd row. 7-seaters are heavier, use more fuel, and the back seats are often only suitable for children. A 5-seater with more boot space might be more practical.
What's the cheapest SUV to maintain?
Toyotas (RAV4, Fortuner) and Hyundais (Tucson) are known for affordable maintenance. German SUVs like BMW X3 and VW Tiguan have higher servicing costs.
Ready to Buy?
Don't forget to get car insurance quotes before you drive off the lot. Premiums can vary by R500+ per month depending on the insurer.