Many of us are looking at hybrids with fuel prices burning a hole in our pockets. We've spent some time with two of the most talked-about options: the powerful Haval H6 1.5T DHT Luxury Hybrid at R641 500, which was launched in SA recently, and the efficient Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV GR-Sport at R561 700. This is the flagship model with tuned suspension and sportier looks.
While we're not quite comparing the two (the Corolla Cross would traditionally be compared to the Haval Jolion HEV Ultra Luxury at R519 950 instead), we highlight differences in price and ownership experiences of these two very different cars.
Related: Corolla Cross HEV vs. Haval Jolion HEV vs Kia Seltos CRDi
Two different approaches
The Haval H6 is a proper mid-size SUV with a powerful engine setup that combines petrol and electric power to give you 179kW and a massive 530Nm of torque. In plain English: it's quick off the mark and has plenty of pulling power.
The Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport takes a different route. It's a compact SUV that focuses on using less fuel. With its sporty GR badges and special suspension, it looks cool and handles nicely, but with 90kW, it's not trying to win any drag races.
Which Corolla Cross should I buy, petrol or hybrid?
The difference in power is huge. The Haval has nearly double the power of the Toyota. This matters if you like to overtake confidently or need to tow a trailer (the Haval can pull 1 500 kg).
But power comes at a price. At the petrol pump, the Toyota wins hands down. The Haval uses about 7.0 L/ 100 km in real-world driving compared to the Toyota's 5.4 litres. Today's fuel price of R21.87 per litre for 95 unleaded at the reef adds up to about R583 saved every month on fuel.
For a family doing the usual school runs, shopping trips and occasional longer journeys, the Toyota will save you around R6 999 a year just on petrol. That's more than enough for a nice family weekend getaway. Remember, though, that those longer journeys will be much heavier on fuel, because hybrids are not as efficient when you travel far regularly.
Gadgets and space
Its massive 14.6-inch touchscreen is bigger than some laptops, and it has comprehensive safety features and driver assistance systems. Still, the advanced 540° camera system is only available on the more expensive Ultra Luxury trim.
The Toyota has all the tech we need, including a touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a good safety package, but it doesn't quite have the Haval's "wow factor."
Haval H6 GT First Drive 2025
If space is important to you, the Haval has it in spades. Being a bigger car (about 24 cm longer), it has more room for passengers and luggage. The Toyota is fine for a family of four, but the Haval gives everyone more elbow and legroom, especially on longer trips.
Let's talk money
Here's where things get real. The Toyota is nearly R80,000 cheaper to buy; realistically, given the H6's size, it should be pitted against the RAV4, but the most affordable hybrid in the RAV4 range will cost you R763 800.
The price difference between the smaller Corolla Cross and Haval H6 is also a lot of money, enough for a decent home renovation or a good start to your child's education fund.
Then, there are insurance costs, too, and here's where things get interesting. I spoke to a knowledgeable gentleman from Auto & General who quoted me on gold-coloured cars for a middle-aged driver living in Sandton with decent security. Even though the Haval H6 is considered a high-performance car, and is considerably larger and more expensive, the final quote for insurance on both cars came to around R1500 per month. Why? Because Toyotas are on the hijackers' hit lists, while Haval is much less popular with thieves.
The sensible choice (still XR trim), if you don't need too much space.
Still, our number-crunching shows that the Toyota will cost about R251,000 less to own over five years than the Haval.
In monthly terms, the Toyota costs about R8 200 per month to own versus around R11 000 for the Haval. That's around R2 800 less coming out of your pocket every month!
Related: Is the Haval H6 expensive to maintain?
The picture is similar if you're buying on finance (as most of us do). On a typical 72-month loan with 11% interest, you'll pay R10 980 monthly for the Toyota versus R12 540 for the Haval, saving R1 560 monthly.
The practical stuff
The Haval does offer a better warranty, 7 years compared to Toyota's 3 years. That's impressive and gives good peace of mind. It also has a 7-year service plan versus Toyota's 6-service plan.
But here's something to consider: Toyota has service centres everywhere in South Africa. If something goes wrong in the middle of nowhere, you'll find help relatively easily. The Haval network is growing, but isn't as widespread yet.
Also, everyone knows Toyotas hold their value well. When it's time to sell, you'll likely get a better portion of your money back with the Toyota.
Top 3 things you need to know about the Toyota Corolla Cross
Who should buy which car?
The Haval H6 Hybrid is for you if:
- You have the budget for a bigger, more powerful car
- You need to tow occasionally
- You love having the latest tech and gadgets
- You do mostly short trips where fuel economy isn't as important
- You don't mind paying extra for premium features and higher running costs
- You can handle the potential depreciation knock
- You want the longest possible warranty
The Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport is for you if:
- You want to keep your monthly costs down
- You do lots of urban driving, and fuel savings matter
- You like the sporty look, but don't need massive power
- You value Toyota's proven reliability
- You want better resale value
- You like the idea of owning a locally-built car, which provides several benefits.
The verdict
The Haval H6 Hybrid is an impressive machine with power and features that can match much more expensive European cars. If performance and space matter most to you, it's worth considering.
The smaller Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport is a sensible choice that still manages to be interesting with its sporty touches. The money you'll save, plus/minus R251 000 over five years, could pay for many other things your family needs.
Remember, the best car isn't always the one with the most features or power; it's the one that best fits your lifestyle and budget.
