Every plug-in hybrid you can buy in South Africa

There are 23 different plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars on sale in South Africa right now.

PHEVs are a sought-after car type that ostensibly offers the best of both worlds, as it combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a large battery.

While other forms of hybrids use a small e-motor to assist the engine, PHEVs are able to run entirely on the e-motor for short distances, effectively turning them into an electric car with no fuel usage.

As great as this option can be, PHEVs are also incredibly expensive as motorists are essentially paying for a car with two powertrains, so while they may be the best type of hybrid, they are also the most exclusive.

This is certainly the case in South Africa’s market, as there are currently no PHEVs that cost less than R1 million.

The “cheapest” PHEV is the BMW X1 xDrive30e, but prices for this sort of car can easily climb into the multi-millions, depending on the brand.

On the opposite side of the spectrum are models like the Lamborghini Revuelto, which retails for a cool R12.8 million.

However, once you get into supercar territory, the hybrid system is typically less focused on saving fuel as it is enhancing performance, which is why the most expensive PHEVs usually have a much lower range than the comparatively mass-market ones.

The Revuelto, for example, can only travel for 16km on its battery as the e-motor’s primary function is to boost the car’s output to an impressive 607kW and 725Nm.

If range is your primary concern, the best option is the Range Rover Sport, which can do approximately 121km before the battery needs topping up.

Of course, even if you do run out, a PHEV can just switch back to its petrol engine to get where it’s going, meaning it is not reliant on charging infrastructure the same way a fully-electric car is.

Best of both worlds

Below is a list of every plug-in hybrid car available in South Africa right now.

Click on the underlined prices for more information.

BMW X1 xDrive30e

• Starting price – R1,050,000
• Power – 110kW/230Nm
• Electric range – 89km

BMW X3 xDrive30e

• Starting price – R1,260,000
• Power – 140kW/310Nm
• Electric range – 90km

Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge

• Starting price – R1,314,000
• Power – 340kW/709Nm
• Electric range – 81km

Lexus NX 450h+

• Starting price – R1,336,200
• Power – 227kW/227+e Nm
• Electric range – 66km

Lexus RX 450h+

• Starting price – R1,650,400
• Power – 227kW/227+e Nm
• Electric range – 65km

Range Rover Evoque P300e

• Starting price – R1,688,400
• Power – 227kW/540Nm
• Electric range – 48km

Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e

• Starting price – R1,718,300
• Power – 227kW/540Nm
• Electric range – 47km

Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge

• Starting price – R1,807,300
• Power – 340kW/709Nm
• Electric range – 77km

BMW X5 xDrive50e

• Starting price – R1,880,000
• Power – 230kW/450Nm
• Electric range – 110km

Range Rover Velar P400e

• Starting price – R2,071,600
• Power – 297kW/640Nm
• Electric range – 64km

Land Rover Defender 110 P400e

• Starting price – R2,261,200
• Power – 297kW/640Nm
• Electric range – 45km

Porsche Cayenne e-hybrid

• Starting price – R2,443,000
• Power – 346kW/650Nm
• Electric range – 74km

Porsche Panamera 4 e-hybrid

• Starting price – R2,654,000
• Power – 346kW/650Nm
• Electric range – 93km

BMW M5

• Starting price – R2,690,000
• Power – 430kW/750Nm
• Electric range – 69km

Range Rover Sport P460e

• Starting price – R2,716,700
• Power – 338kW/550Nm
• Electric range – 121km

BMW M760e xDrive

• Starting price – R3,090,000
• Power – 420kW/800Nm
• Electric range – 90km

Mercedes-Benz S580e

• Starting price – R3,288,651
• Power – 270kW/500Nm
• Electric range – 100km

BMW XM

• Starting price – R3,400,000
• Power – 480kW/800Nm
• Electric range – 88km

Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid

• Starting price – R4,520,000
• Power – 400kW/750Nm
• Electric range – 40km

Mercedes-AMG S63

• Starting price – R4,742,191
• Power – 450kW/900Nm
• Electric range – 33km

Lamborghini Urus SE

• Starting price – R4,875,000
• Power – 456kW/800Nm
• Electric range – 60km

Bentley Continental GT

• Starting price – R7,500,000
• Power – 441kW/800Nm
• Electric range – 81km

Lamborghini Revuelto

• Starting price – R12,800,000
• Power – 607kW/725Nm
• Electric range – 16km