Hybrid vehicles aren’t the most budget-friendly options, and there are only 13 options priced under R1 million in South Africa, with only one priced under R500,000.

Despite this, the appetite for hybrid vehicles has rocketed in South Africa in recent years. According to the latest data from the National Automobile Association of South Africa (Naamsa), there were 678 hybrid vehicles sold in the country in 2021 (both plug-ins and traditional hybrids).

However, this number shot up to 4,172 by the end of 2022, representing a massive 515% increase in demand over a year. Additionally, by the end of February 2023, the number of hybrids sold was already at 1,013 (24% of the total sold in 2022).

“Notwithstanding the geographical disparities in the global pace of New Energy Vehicles transformation, the SA automotive industry, like all other car production markets globally, is currently undergoing an exciting industry re-invention and transformation cycle marked by carbon neutrality goals, cutting-edge technology, and an electrified propulsion moment for transportation,” said Naamsa.

Apart from the global shift in the vehicle industry, the popularity of hybrids in South Africa can also be attributed to other factors, such as reliability and running costs.

While fully electric cars (EVs) are the top prize if you want to free yourself from the costs of fuel, South Afirca’s EV charging infrastructure is still in its infancy. Adding to this is that extended load shedding can also potentially hinder your charging time at home.

Hybrids, however, still provide you with the convenience of filling up at a fuel station combined with greater efficiency thanks to additional power supplied by an electric battery.

Hybrid vehicles are also often more reliable than traditional cars. Because the electric motor provides additional power, the petrol engine does not have to work as hard, which can prolong its lifespan.

However, Hybrids are still new to South Africa, and their asking prices are far out of reach for many South Africans. The cheapest hybrid currently on the market is the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid, with a starting price of R 442,400.

To afford this car, one would have to earn around R40,000 a month if you stick to experts’ recommendations that you should not spend more than 20% of your monthly income on vehicle finance.

Out of interest, the most expensive hybrid in South Africa is the Ferrari 296, with a starting price of a whopping R6,804,200. In contrast, only 13 hybrid vehicles in South Africa cost under R1 million, which are listed below.

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Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid

• Starting price: R458,300
• Fuel consumption: 4.3L/km

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Toyota Corolla Hatch 1.8 Hybrid

• Starting price: R515,700
• Fuel consumption: 4.0L/km

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Honda Fit Hybrid

• Starting price: R519,900
• Fuel consumption: 3.7L/km

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Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.8 Hybrid

• Starting price: R528,100
• Fuel consumption: 3.9L/km

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Suzuki Grand Vitara GLX AllGrip

• Starting price: R529,900
• Fuel consumption: 5.6L/km

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Haval Jolion 1.5 Hybrid Luxury

• Starting price: R549,950
• Fuel consumption: 5.0L/km

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Haval H6 1.5T HEV

• Starting price: R669,950
• Fuel consumption: 5.2L/km

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Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid 

• Starting price: R719,700
• Fuel consumption: 4.8L/km

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Alfa Romeo Tonale 1.5T Hybrid

• Starting Price: R754,900
• Fuel consumption: 5.7L/km

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Lexus UX 250h

• Starting price: R832,900
• Fuel consumption: 4.5L/km

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Lexus ES 300h

• Starting price: R854,800
• Fuel consumption: 4.6L/km

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Lexus NX 350h

• Starting price: R971,000
• Fuel consumption: 5.0L/km

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Lexus IS 300h

• Starting price: R971,000
• Fuel consumption: 5.2L/km

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Read: All-new Toyota Urban Cruiser – pricing and features

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