Performance SUVs and bakkies in South Africa

Every vehicle we track that its maker sells under a performance division or badge — BMW M, Mercedes-AMG, Audi Sport, Porsche GTS and Turbo, Ford Raptor and the rest. The maker’s own designation, never a power threshold of ours.

We track 2 performance SUVs and bakkies on sale in South Africa, from R1 222 500 to R1 280 267; prices last checked October 2026.

Tell us what you need

The three cheapest here

Diesel and electrified options

1 of these offer a diesel: BMW X1 M35i xDrive. Show diesel only

Recently reviewed

How the “use” categories are worked out

These are not opinions. Each is a rule applied to the figures on the record, and a vehicle earns a category only when the figure behind it is settled:

  • Family — six or more seats, or at least 450 litres behind the last row.
  • Road trips — a published range of 800 km or more.
  • Off-road — low range, or a differential lock, or 4x4 with at least 200 mm of ground clearance.
  • City — under 4 400 mm long.
  • Towing — a braked towing capacity of 2 000 kg or more.