Top 6 most affordable hybrids you can buy in South Africa right now

November 6, 2022 Duncan Vermeulen

Prospective car buyers looking for a more future-proof vehicle will find comfort in the wide range of hybrid cars on offer in South Africa – especially amid the run-away petrol and diesel prices the country is currently facing.

While fully electric cars (EVs) are first prize if you want to free yourself from the record-high fuel prices, it exposes you to other potential annoyances unique to South Africa.

Apart from load shedding hindering your charging time at home, South Africa’s EV charging infrastructure is still in its infancy, meaning you’ll still have to carefully plan your schedule and long-distance travel routes.

Additionally, EVs aren’t cheap. South Africa’s cheapest “full-size” entry-level EV is the Mini Cooper SE – which will set you back R723,000.

Alternatively, hybrid cars still provide you with the convenience of filling up at a fuel station combined with greater efficiency thanks to additional power provided by an electric battery. The cars on this list are also much cheaper than South Africa’s entry-level EVs, as they all offer a price tag of below R700,000.

Toyota currently offers the most affordable hybrid car on the South African market with the Corolla Cross compact SUV, which is priced at R425,400. This hybrid model uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and has a 1.8-litre petrol engine combined with an electric motor.

The Corolla Cross also produces 90kW and gives the car a combined fuel consumption of 4.3l/100km. It has daytime running lights, LED headlights, front fog lights, retractable side mirrors, an automatic light control system with follow-me-home functionality, rain-sensing wipers, and black roof rails.

Another notable mention on this list is the Honda Fit Hybrid, which is priced at R509,600. Honda’s hybrid hatch runs on a 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, which puts out 80kW and 253Nm. This allows the car to consume 3.7l/100km using a CVT.

The Fit has LED headlights, front LED fog lights, rear fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, leather seats, and a 9-inch display with four speakers, and Apple Carplay and Android Auto support.

Other features include cruise control, automatic climate control, six airbags, emergency brake assist, agile handling assist, and driver attention monitoring.

Interestingly, due to the hybrid’s popularity in South Africa, several manufacturers offering hybrid cars in South Africa are updating their line-ups with new models in the beginning of 2023.

Haval, Nissan, Suzuki, and Toyota are set to bring new hybrids to the market that should sell for well below the price of the luxury brands, which include hybrid models for the Haval Jolion, Nissan Qashqai, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara – among others.

For now, the top six most affordable hybrids you can buy in South Africa right now are listed below.

Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS