South Africa’s Car Revolution: The 5 Chinese Passenger Cars Taking the Roads by Storm—and What It Means for Your Next Buy

Thendo

13 April 2026

South Africa's Car Revolution: The 5 Chinese Passenger Cars Taking the Roads by Storm—and What It Means for Your Next Buy
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We’ve rounded up the five best-selling Chinese passenger cars in South Africa for March 2026. See the full list below…

5. Jetour T1 — 437

Jetour launched in South Africa in October 2025, with the T1 and T2 models quickly gaining popularity. Even though 21 fewer new T1 units left showrooms in March 2026, the T1 still finished in fifth place among SA’s best-selling Chinese passenger cars for the month. A total of 437 T1s were sold in March, helping Jetour crack the top 10 among SA’s best-selling car brands.

Priced from R514 900, the T1 offers two four-cylinder turbo petrol engines: a 1.5-litre and a 2.0-litre. The 1.5-litre engine makes 125 kW and 270 N.m and drives the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 2.0-litre engine puts out 180 kW and 375 N.m, with the torque available across a broad 1 750–4 000 r/min range. The 2.0-litre version is paired with an all-wheel drivetrain and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

4. Jetour T2 — 646 units

The T2, which we sampled in March 2026, took the fourth spot among the best-selling Chinese passenger cars in March. It sold 646 units, making up 36.5% of Jetour SA’s total sales for the month.

Like the T1, the T2 comes with 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbo petrol engines, with AWD available on the 2.0-litre. The local T2 lineup runs from R569 900 for the 1.5‑litre model up to R639 900–R704 900 for the 2.0‑litre derivatives.

3. Omoda C5 — 845 units

The C5 accounted for 58.9% of Omoda & Jaecoo’s overall March 2026 local sales figure (1 433 units) and grabbed third place on the podium. An X derivative (pictured) joined us on our 2025 SUV shootout. The C5 is priced from R339 900 to R465 900.

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2. Haval Jolion — 1 262 units

Starting from R348 950, the Jolion continues to lead GWM’s sub-brand Haval’s local sales, with 1 262 new units sold in March 2026. That figure accounts for 63.5% of GWM’s overall passenger-car sales for the month (1 987 units). The Haval line’s second-best seller was the H6, with 434 units sold.

1. Chery Tiggo 4 — 1 888 units

In March 2026, the Tiggo 4 held a podium spot among SA’s best-selling passenger cars. Chery sold 1 888 new Tiggo 4 Pro/Cross units that month. Of Chery’s total new passenger-car sales (2 390 units), the Tiggo 4 accounted for nearly 79% of sales. The Tiggo 4 Pro is priced from R269 900 to R344 900, with the Tiggo Cross priced from R279 900 to R469 900.

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