As plug-in hybrid cars gain more ground in South Africa, we’ve rounded up the seven most affordable PHEVs you can buy in SA as of April 2026.
5=. Jetour T1 1.5T i-DM PHEV – R689 900
Image: Jetour
In April 2026, Jetour rolled out the plug-in hybrid T1 and T2 models in SA – and the T1 is the one on this list at R689 900. The T1 PHEV uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 100 kW/220 N.m and an electric motor of 150 kW/310 N.m, paired with an 18.4 kWh battery. Combined, the PHEV setup outputs 250 kW and 530 N.m. Jetour claims a 100 km electric-only range and a total range of about 1 200 km.
5=. Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV – R689 900
Image: Peet Mocke
Like the next model on the list, the new-energy J7 uses Chery’s SHS (Super Hybrid System) plug-in powertrain. It produces a combined 255 kW and 525 N.m. With an 18.3 kWh battery, the J7 SHS PHEV offers an electric-only range of 90 km and a total range of 1 200 km. In CAR magazine’s road test in 2025, it posted a tested combined fuel consumption of 4.6 L/100 km, earning it a top spot among the five most fuel-efficient vehicles tested that year.
5=. Omoda C7 1.5T SHS PHEV – R689 900
Image: Omoda & Jaecoo
The Omoda C7 SHS’s PHEV setup delivers the same combined outputs as the Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV. It carries a claimed fuel consumption of 4.9 L/100 km and offers a petrol-electric operating range of over 1 200 km, with an electric-only range of about 105 km.
4. BYD Sealion 6 – from R639 900
Image: Peet Mocke
The Sealion 6 impressed CAR in its 2025 road test, scoring 87/100. This BYD midsize new-energy SUV topped the list of five highest-scoring Chinese vehicles CAR tested in 2025 and earned a place among the year’s overall high scorers. The Sealion 6 is available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The FWD Comfort model delivers a claimed 80 km of electric-only driving and a combined range of about 1 080 km; AWD versions push power up to 238 kW/550 N.m.
3. Chery Tiggo 7 1.5T CSH PHEV – from R619 900
Image: Peet Mocke
The Tiggo 7 CSH (Chery Super Hybrid) uses a 1.5-litre PHEV setup with combined outputs of 265 kW and 530 N.m, sent to the front wheels via a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). Geared for electric-only and combined ranges of 93 km and 1 200 km respectively, it’s priced from R619 900.
2. Geely E5 EM-i – from R599 999
Image: Geely
Geely relaunched in SA in November 2025 with the E5 EM-i. This model pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor, delivering a combined 160 kW and 262 N.m. Geely claims an all-electric range of 103 km from an 18.3 kWh battery, and a combined range of 943 km.
1. BYD Sealion 5 – from R509 900
Image: BYD Sealion
At the bottom of the price ladder is BYD’s Sealion 5, the most affordable PHEV currently on sale in SA. Its 1.5-litre PHEV powertrain puts out a combined 156 kW and 300 N.m, enough to sprint from 0-100 km/h in about 8.47 seconds. BYD quotes an electric-only range of 52 km and a total range of just over 1 000 km.
