Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are the most expensive of all the powertrain options in South Africa, with only four distinct models costing less than R500,000 new.
While pure electric vehicles (EVs) grant buyers complete independence from South Africa’s energy uncertainty, including price and supply, hybrids are more popular in our market.
This is likely because our EV charging infrastructure is not yet widespread enough to warrant greater adoption, and, for some, installing at-home charging infrastructure represents an additional headache.
As a result, South Africans are turning to HEVs to save them from rising fuel prices, without having to change their driving patterns or ownership habits too much.
The biggest winner in this increasing trend of moving towards new energy vehicles (NEVs) is the Toyota Corolla Cross, which is the cheapest hybrid offered by South Africa’s favourite carmaker.
That being said, it falls barely outside the R500,000 mark, with a price tag of R501,100 for the 1.8-litre crossover in XS guise.
The cheapest option in the sub-R500,000 category, the Chery Tiggo Cross CSH, is R60,000 cheaper than the Corolla Cross and is the most affordable HEV in our market, at least until the GWM Ora 5 hybrid arrives.
BYD’s Atto 2 DM-i – the country’s cheapest PHEV – also finds itself at under R500,000, retailing for R449,900 in its entry-level guise.
Unsurprisingly, every HEV under the threshold originates in China, and all but one of the options are crossover SUVs – the most popular vehicle segment in the market.
The Chery is fitted with a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a single electric motor, combining for power outputs of 150kW and 310Nm.
The most powerful of the four is the Omoda C5 SHS, fitted with a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine and a single electric motor, which together make 165kW, but only 295Nm.
Every one of the sub-R500,000 HEVs is fitted with an automatic transmission and averages under 5.5l/100km fuel consumption.
The cheapest hybrids in South Africa
Chinese brands are opening the door for South Africa’s motorists to escape fuel price uncertainty with their budget offerings.
Below is a list of every distinct HEV model that sells for less than R500,000 in its entry-level guise in South Africa. Click on their underlined prices for more information about each.
1. Chery Tiggo Cross CSH
- Starting price – R439,900
- Power – 150kW/310Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.4l/100km
2. BYD Atto 2 DM-i
- Starting price – R449,900
- Power – 122kW/300Nm
- Fuel consumption – 5.1l/100km
3. MG MG3 Hybrid+
- Starting price – R469,900
- Power – 155kW/425Nm
- Fuel consumption – 4.3l/100km
4. Omoda C5 SHS
- Starting price – R469,900
- Power – 165kW/295Nm
- Fuel consumption – 4.9l/100km
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