With the April 2026 fuel price hike, we take a closer look at the five most affordable hybrid vehicles available in SA.
5. Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV – from R501 100
Image: Toyota South Africa
Compared to the other cars here, Toyota’s Corolla Cross HEV packs the largest internal-combustion engine. The petrol-electric version of the local-built compact SUV uses a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine plus an electric motor, powered by a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery. It puts out 90 kW and 142 N.m, sent to the front wheels only through a CVT. Toyota claims an average fuel consumption of 4.3 L/100 km, making the Corolla Cross HEV one of SA’s most fuel-efficient compact SUVs.
4. BYD Sealion 5 – from R499 900
Image: BYD
Introduced to our market in December 2025, the BYD Sealion 5 is the most affordable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in SA … and the only PHEV on this list. Its powertrain pairs a single electric motor with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. The combined output is 156 kW and 300 N.m, with a claimed fuel consumption of 5.2 L/100 km. The Sealion 5 also has a 12.96 kWh lithium-ion battery offering about 52 km of electric-only range.
3. Omoda C5 SHS hybrid – R479 900
Image: Omoda & Jaecoo
Launched in SA in April 2026, the C5 SHS (Super Hybrid System) leads Omoda’s local C5 lineup. The new-energy powertrain combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, powered by a 1.83 kWh battery. The hybrid system delivers a combined 165 kW and 295 N.m. The C5 SHS is claimed to return 4.9 L/100 km.
2. MG MG3 1.5 Hybrid+ Luxury – R469 900
Image: MG Motor
The MG3 Hybrid+ pairs a 75 kW/128 N.m 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with an electric motor, fed by a 1.83 kWh battery, for a combined 155 kW and 425 N.m of torque. MG says the compact hybrid hatchback averages about 4.3 L/100 km.
1. Chery Tiggo Cross 1.5 CSH Hybrid – from R439 900
Image: Peet Mocke
The most affordable “traditional” HEV on the SA market today is the Chery Tiggo Cross CSH (Chery Super Hybrid). Its setup combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and a 1.83 kWh battery. The powertrain delivers 150 kW and 310 N.m, with a claimed fuel consumption of 5.4 L/100 km. The new-energy Tiggo Cross was one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles CAR magazine tested in 2025.
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