As off-roaders and overlanders, we have a special place in our hearts for tough-as-nails vehicles like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Land Cruiser 70 Series. But these trusted workhorses aren’t just favourites on rugged trails or towing off-grid rigs through the Richtersveld. Turns out they’re also the top choices for something a little more hardcore – ballistic protection.
SVI Engineering, South Africa’s leading armoured vehicle specialist, recently crunched the numbers to reveal the 10 most popular vehicles its customers have opted to bulletproof. And yes, our beloved bakkies and ladder-frame SUVs dominate the list. Only one unibody vehicle managed to sneak in, and even that might raise a few eyebrows.
SVI has been armouring vehicles since 2004, and they’ve tackled everything from private and corporate builds to mining fleet protection and government contracts. While the odd exotic like a Maserati Levante has passed through their workshop in Bashewa, Gauteng, they generally stick to what works – mainstream models for which they’ve already done extensive development. That makes the process quicker and more cost-effective.
The big guns: SA’s most armoured rides
Top of the pile is the Toyota Hilux – no surprise there. As the country’s best-selling vehicle, it leads the way in armouring too. Whether it’s B4 protection (which handles handguns up to .44 Magnum), B6 (resisting assault rifles like the AK47), or SVI’s new B2 “SVI LITE” partial kit, the Hilux is the most common canvas for the company’s discreet armour or their semi-discreet Stopgun V2.0 system. Toyota even officially approves some versions of the Stopgun kit under its commercial-vehicle partner programme.
Hot on the Hilux’s heels is the Ford Ranger, now SA’s top-selling double cab. Thanks to SVI’s long-standing relationship with Ford, they can armour everything from the locally built standard models to the imported Raptor. Options range from the B2 partial kit to full B4 and B6 discreet packages, as well as the Stopgun V3.0 kit. Best of all, your warranty and service plan stay intact thanks to Ford’s Pro Convertor programme.
Third spot goes to the Fortuner, built alongside the Hilux at Toyota’s Prospecton plant. It’s not just a school run hero – it’s also a regular at SVI, with customers favouring it for full B4/B6 packages or the lighter B2 setup.
The Land Cruiser 300 (and by extension the Lexus LX) takes fourth. SVI snapped up one of the first units in 2021 to kick-start development, and now offers everything from luxury VIP-style seat conversions to hardcore ballistic protection.
Then there’s the Amarok. Now twinned with the Ranger and built by Ford, it benefits from the same know-how. SVI wasted no time developing full 360-degree discreet kits and partial armour for the German-badged bakkie.
The Ford Everest also makes the cut, as expected. Like the Ranger, it’s covered by Ford’s Pro Convertor scheme, making it a sensible (and well-protected) choice for anyone wanting a family SUV with a little extra peace of mind.
We couldn’t leave out the legendary Land Cruiser 79 – and neither could SVI customers. With its old-school body-on-frame toughness and newer 2.8 GD-6 auto powertrain, the Cruiser 79 remains a top pick for high-risk applications. SVI even offers a Stopgun V2.0 Plus kit with extra firewall protection.
The wildcard entry is the Mercedes-Benz V-Class – the only unibody model in the top 10. But it’s not here by accident. It’s a popular people-mover for VIPs, and SVI’s B4 anti-hijack package (and optional B2 kit) is fully supported by Mercedes-Benz, thanks to their VanPartner status.
The new Land Cruiser Prado slots in next. Only recently launched, the J250-series Prado has already earned its place in the top 10, with plenty of interest from customers wanting rugged reliability and retro flair with armour to match.
The Nissan Patrol rounds off the top ten. The current Y62 model might be heading out soon, but it’s still in demand for B2 to B6 protection, thanks to its V8 brawn and ladder-frame strength. SVI even makes a bespoke bullbar for it.
About SVI Engineering
Founded in 2004, SVI Engineering has grown into one of Africa’s most respected names in vehicle armouring. It caters to a wide spectrum of clients, from private individuals to corporates, security services and government agencies. With ISO 9001:2015 certification and a Level 2 B-BBEE rating, they offer both engineering credibility and local expertise.
While the vehicles on this list are familiar faces to us off-roaders, seeing them ranked as South Africa’s most armoured machines brings a new appreciation for their versatility and resilience. It turns out, whether you’re chasing sunsets in the Kalahari or needing protection on the road, sticking with a bakkie or body-on-frame SUV might just be your best bet.
