Here are the 7 cheapest hybrid cars in South Africa! If you are considering buying a hybrid vehicle, you now have some options to consider!
In recent years, hybrid cars have typically been a pricy proposition for new car buyers and as such the technology hasn’t really taken off in South Africa and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars remain dominant. However, hybrid cars are now becoming more popular as buyers seek to bridge the gap between ICE cars and EVs.
Global demand for hybrid cars, including micro-hybrid, mild-hybrid, full-hybrid and Plug-in hybrids, is on the increase. China and the Asia Pacific region is leading in terms of hybrid adoption and hybrid uptake is currently surging in Europe too alongside Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Globally, the top hybrid car brands include Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Kia.
In South Africa, Toyota is by far the most successful hybrid car brand and in 2023 the Japanese firm’s hybrid sales increased by an impressive 22% year-on-year.
Earlier in 2020, Toyota announced that its Prospecton assembly facility in KZN would produce the Corolla Cross, including the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which is currently South Africa’s cheapest hybrid car. More so, with fuel prices surging, demand for more efficient vehicles (including hybrids) has risen sharply and Toyota will look to capitalise on that demand with additional hybrid products such as the Corolla Hybrid and the RAV4 Hybrid. Toyota is also testing the feasibility of introducing the RAV4 PHEV in South Africa.
Sadly though, Toyota experienced a major setback in 2022 with the floods in KZN causing massive destruction at its Prospecton facility, temporarily halting production and disrupting the supply of vehicles for both local and international markets. Earlier in 2023, Toyota announced a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) strategy that will seek to increase local hybrid uptake from 3% to 20% by 2030.
Prior to the above developments, the now discontinued Toyota Prius was once one of the cheapest hybrid cars you could buy in South Africa, but with the recent hybrid introductions from Toyota as well as the arrival of the Haval Jolion Hybrid, H6 Hybrid and the new Honda Fit, buyers have more choice now than ever before.
With fuel prices remaining high and with most electric vehicles positioned out of financial reach for most consumers, many are turning to hybrids as a way to reduce fuel consumption.
Note that pricing is accurate as of February 2024.
6 Cheapest Hybrid Cars in South Africa
1. Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS – From R486 100
The locally-produced Toyota Corolla Cross is proving to be very popular in South Africa.
The Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS is priced from R486 100, making it the cheapest hybrid car in South Africa. A range-topping XR hybrid derivative can also be had for R527 200.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid makes use of a 72 kW/142 Nm 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle engine in combination with an electric motor and battery. The electric motor provides a supplementary 53 kW and 163 Nm of torque (at full capacity) to boost the overall system output to 90 kW (the combined figure is not an aggregate of the two power sources, due to transmission reduction losses). A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is fitted as standard across the range.
Toyota claims a fuel consumption figure of 4.3 L/100km for its Corolla Cross Hybrid.
See specification details for the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Buy a Toyota Corolla Cross on Cars.co.za
2. Toyota Corolla 1.8 XS Hybrid Hatchback – From R536 500
Toyota introduced its updated Corolla sedan and hatchback in late 2022 and took the opportunity to expand the range with the Corolla Hybrid Hatchback.
The Corolla Hybrid comes equipped with an Atkinson-Cycle 1.8-litre petrol engine combines with an electric motor to offer 103 kW and 142 Nm of torque and is paired with a CVT. The hybrid system is also supported by a lighter, newly developed 18.1 kW lithium-ion battery. Fuel consumption is claimed at 4.0 L/100km.
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid Hatchback can be had in base XS guise priced from R536 500 or you can opt for the XR trim priced from R577 600.
See specification details for the Toyota Corolla Hybrid Hatchback
Buy a Toyota Corolla on Cars.co.za
3. Honda Fit Hybrid – From R544 900
The new Honda Fit (also known as the Jazz) is perched at the top of the local range and is priced from R544 900.
The Fit Hybrid combines a 1.5-litre petrol motor with a battery and electric motor to produce combined outputs of 80kW and 253Nm of torque. The hybrid’s claimed fuel consumption figure is just 3.7L/100km. With the hybrid system, most of the fuel consumption benefits are reaped in town when the electric motor can do most of the propulsion work. A fixed-gear continuously variable transmission (CVT) with ‘simulated shifts’ is fitted.
See specification details for the Honda Fit Hybrid
4. Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS Sedan – From R549 300
The Corolla Hybrid sedan came to market in 2021 and it’s powered by the same hybrid powertrain as the Corolla Cross Hybrid (see above).
That means it employs the same 72 kW/142 Nm Atkinson-cycle 1.8-litre petrol 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor (that produce 53 kW and 163 Nm) in combination with a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that drives the sedan’s front wheels. The derivative’s overall system output is 90 kW (note: the combined figure is not an aggregate of the 2 power sources, due to transmission reduction losses).
See specification details for the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS
Buy a Toyota Corolla on Cars.co.za
5. Haval Jolion 1.5T HEV Luxury – From R549 950
The new Haval Jolion Hybrid came to market earlier in 2023 to rival the above Toyota Corolla Cross and comes paired with a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver total outputs of 140 kW and 375Nm. A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission drives the front wheels. Haval claims 5.0L/100km for the Jolion Hybrid.
The Jolion Hybrid can be had in Luxury or Super Luxury trim grades.
See specification details for the Haval Jolion 1.5 Hybrid
Buy a used Haval Jolion on Cars.co.za
6. Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury – From R679 950
The Haval H6 is hugely popular in South Africa and the Chinese firm recently welcomed the H6 Hybrid to the local market. Equipped with a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine which pairs up with an electric motor and self-charging hybrid battery, the H6 Hybrid produces 179 kW and 530 Nm of torque. Haval claims an average fuel consumption figure of 5.2 L/100km. Watch the video below to see how the new Haval H6 Hybrid performs out on the road.
See specification details for the Haval H6 Hybrid
7. Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid GX – From R748 700
Launched in conjunction with the above-mentioned Corolla Hybrid, the RAV4 Hybrid features a larger 131 kW/221 Nm 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine which combines with a pair of electric motor-generators (that can produce up to 88 kW/202 Nm) in combination with a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery. Total power output is pegged at 160 kW. The RAV4 Hybrid is also equipped with a CVT and Toyota claims a fuel consumption figure of 4.8 L/100km.
See specification details for the Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid GX
Buy a Toyota RAV4 on Cars.co.za
