More and more hybrid cars are joining the fray in South Africa, and here is our list of the five most affordable ones. (Please note that we didn't include the cars with mild-hybrid systems like the new top-spec Suzuki Grand Vitara.)
If you want to spend money on a new hybrid that will save you fuel like crazy, these fit the bill:
1. Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS, R486 100
The petrol-electric Toyota Corolla Cross, first introduced in SA in 2021, offers a total of 90 kW from its 1.8-litre powerplant and electric motor and power is driven via a CVT gearbox. The Corolla Cross may be a compact SUV, but it has an above-average-sized boot of 440 litres, along with impressive legroom on the rear bench and all the safety features and creature comforts that modern families need. (Did you know that a hybrid-powered Hilux and Fortuner are destined for SA?)
2. Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR, R527 200
XR models have everything the XS models do but add a few extras, such as Toyota Safety Sense, which comprises:
- Adaptive Cruise Control,
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- Lane Trace Assist (LTA)
- Pre-Collision System (PCS)
The XR also has seven airbags compared to the XS model's five, and R18 wheels instead of the R17s on the XS. Other extras in the XR include electric seat adjustment, high beam assist, and an auto-dimming interior mirror.
Related: Toyota Corolla Cross (2021): Pre-launch hybrid test drive
3. Toyota Corolla hatch 1.8 Hybrid XS, R531 200
This new-generation Corolla hybrid model, which was released towards the end of 2022, also has a 1.8-litre petrol engine combined with an electric motor, offering 103 kW from both systems. A newly created, lighter 18.1 kW lithium-ion battery also supports the hybrid system.
Toyota claims 3.5 litres / 100 km for the Corolla Hybrid hatchback, and this is very achievable. Our testing returned 4.8 litres, but we were not attempting to save fuel at all. If you consider that low-speed driving is very common in rush hour traffic and city streets, you’re likely to save a substantial amount of fuel over the lifespan of the vehicle. - Lawrence Minnie
Here are 8 features that set the Toyota Corolla hatch 1.8 Hybrid XR apart from its competitors.
4. Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS sedan, R543 900
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid sedan now features the same improved powertrain specifications as the Corolla hybrid hatchback (ie. 103 kW combined) and a massive cargo area if you need vast amounts of space. Martin Pretorius had the previous 90kW model on test; you can read his review here:
Toyota Corolla Hybrid review: A real-world economy champion
5. Honda Fit Hybrid e.HEV, R544 900
The Honda Fit hybrid is equipped with Honda's 1.5-litre MMD e-CVT hybrid system for a decent amount of pulling power and low fuel consumption. Thanks to the versatile Magic Seat system, the Honda Fit hybrid, as with all Honda Fit and previous Jazz models, makes excellent cars for those with little ones. (Which is better, petrol or hybrid? Find out here.)
The Fit Hybrid features the latest in safety features, such as collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and automatic high-beam headlamps. It's not cheap but beautifully designed and solidly built, and it comes with minimalistic Japanese flair.
Interested in the non-hybrid version of the Fit? I had the 1.5 Executive CVT on the test beginning of December 2021. Read my review here:
Honda Fit 1.5 Executive CVT Review: Fit for a king?
Who just missed the Top 5 list?
The Haval Jolion narrowly misses the Top 5 list with a price of R549,950. See below:
5. Haval Jolion 1.5 HEV Luxury, R549 950
The Haval Jolion HEV joined the hybrid lineup in January 2023. My colleague, Taye Mbiri, had the Jolion hybrid on test. Here's what he had to say about it:
The HEV utilises a self-charging hybrid system. You have a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor in front with a supporting battery pack in the rear. The transmission on offer here is Haval's Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) which combines the outputs from the combustion engine and electric power and sends it all to the front wheels.
In action, the transmission feels like a CVT. The total output is 140kW of power and 375Nm of torque. How does it feel? When driving gently and cruising about in town, the HEV is smooth and responsive with seamless changeovers from electric to petrol power depending on the speed and amount of power needed in a particular situation. The HEV provided impressive performance when you put your foot down. I found that the power and torque caught me off guard a few times during my tenure.
Read his full review on the Haval Jolion HEV here.
Related: Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid GX (2021) Review: Half-electric, full-on value
Disclaimer: Please note that pricing was correct when this article was published but may increase without prior warning. Please visit each respective website for the latest prices.
