[imagesource: Ford]

It’s still January, which means there is still time to take a step back and look at the year that we left behind.

Don’t worry, petrolheads, we’re not going to be taking you through a retrospective. We all know that 2020 was hellish.

Instead, let’s take a happy moment for the 31 263 South Africans who snapped up a Toyota Hilux, which is the perfect vehicle for getting out of the city and into the open air, away from it all.

The Hilux scored the top spot on the top 10 best-selling bakkies list for 2020.

BusinessTech rounded up the top 10, with the numbers sold (in brackets) and price points. We took a closer look at the top three to see what made them fly off the showroom floor.

1. Toyota Hilux (31 263)

• Single cab priced from: R298 400
• Double cab priced from: R449 200

Motorama notes that while the overall shape didn’t change much from previous versions, the 2019 model that has become South Africa’s best-selling car of 2020, introduced a new look styled by an Australian design team based in Port Melbourne.

Adding to its appeal, it comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance, giving it a five-star 2019 ANCAP safety rating.

Combined fuel consumption was cut by 0,2l/100km to 7,9l/100km, while all diesel models feature a Diesel Particulate Filter switch to manually initiate a “burn” to cleanse the system and reduce harmful emissions.

It drives like a dream, regardless of the terrain.

2. Ford Ranger (18 846)

• Single cab priced from: R328 000
• Double cab priced from: R462 900

Per Car and Driver, the Ranger is powered by a turbocharged 2,3-litre four-cylinder engine and offers a 10-speed automatic transmission. They’re available in both rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive models.

There’s enough muscle in this beast of a car, which generates 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, to take you from cruising down the street to playing in the sand without a hitch. It’s surprising agility, and shifts that are both smooth and quick, make it easy to handle.

It’s little wonder that it’s one of South Africa’s most popular cars.

3. Isuzu D-Max (12 704)

• Priced from: R195 000

Rounding out the top three, we have the Isuzu D-Max.

The Extended Cab seen above combines the efficiency of a single cab and the spacious comfort of a double cab at an attractive price point.

As Autoexpress describes it, it’s geared more towards work than family life, but has enough space and comfort if you want to take the kids along.

The Japanese firm’s reputation for building hardy vehicles that stand up to rough and rugged outdoor life has endeared the brand to demanding industries like agriculture, forestry, and construction.

The remainder of the top 10 are as follows:

4. Nissan NP200 (10 480), from R195 000.

5. Nissan NP300 (5 043), with the single cab starting at R269 500, and the double cab from R365 400.

6. Mahindra Scorpio Pik Up (3 093), with the single cab starting at R212 499, and the double cab from R322 499.

7. Land Cruiser Pickup (2 475), with the single cab starting at R876 200, and the double cab from R700 900.

8. Hyundai H100 Bakkie (2 197), from R298 500.

9. GWM Steed (1 675), with the single cab starting at R192 900, and the double cab from R212 900.

And rounding off the top 10:

10. VW Amarok (1 528), priced from R704 100.

South Africans love a sturdy bakkie.

[sources:businesstech&motorama&caranddriver&autoexpress]