Hijackers in Gauteng have lately zeroed in on the Toyota Corolla Cross, security experts say the compact SUV’s ubiquity on local roads has made it an attractive target for organised car-theft syndicates.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Why the Corolla Cross is an easy pick
The Corolla Cross’s popularity works against owners. It has moved steadily up South Africa’s sales charts this year, which both helps stolen examples blend in and boosts demand for replacement parts on the black market. Recent industry tallies show the Corolla Cross among the country’s top-selling models in 2024–2025, with some monthly reports placing it at or near the top of the passenger-vehicle list.
What security firms are seeing
Blue Hawk Tactical and other security outfits say a small, mobile syndicate has been active across parts of Gauteng for several months, focusing on Corolla Cross vehicles in areas including Johannesburg, the East and West Rand, and southern suburbs. The groups typically scout and follow targets before striking.
The broader pattern: which models are most at risk
Local community and security monitors including Paul Visser of the Pretoria ICE Community Network list the VW Polo, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Toyota Corolla Cross and Toyota Fortuner among the most sought-after vehicles for hijackers. These models are prized for their resale value, steady parts demand and, increasingly, use in cross-border smuggling.
Has hijacking gone up or down?
Nationally, reported carjackings fell year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025: authorities logged 4,533 incidents from January to March, down from 5,338 in the same period of 2024 a decline of roughly 15.1%. Still, that overall drop masks persistent trouble spots where hijacking remains common.
Pretoria hotspots and common tactics
Pretoria continues to register high numbers of carjackings. Precincts repeatedly flagged include Pretoria West, Mamelodi East and West, Sunnyside, Akasia and Temba. Incidents often happen at traffic intersections and lights, outside shopping centres and transport hubs, and sometimes in residential driveways when people arrive or leave their homes.
Criminals usually operate in small armed groups and favour “follow-home” methods. They may observe daily routines, use electronic jamming to defeat alarms or immobilisers, and choose moments when drivers are distracted or stationary.
What drivers can do (practical precautions)
- Avoid stopping in places where you can be boxed in (keep distance at lights and junctions).
- Vary routes and arrival times when possible; don’t make your schedule predictable.
- Park in well-lit, monitored areas and avoid isolated spots at night.
- If followed, don’t drive home stop in a busy, secure place or at a police station.
- Consider an audible alarm, steering-wheel lock, and vehicle-tracking service.
(These are general safety measures suggested by security experts and community groups responding to the recent uptick in targeted thefts.)
The trend underlines a painful reality: as a model becomes common and desirable, it also becomes a target. Owners of Corolla Crosses and of the other high-risk models named by community safety forums should be extra vigilant and consider both behavioural and technological measures to reduce exposure to hijackers.
Related article: The Most Hijacked Cars in 2025: Sedans
