South Africa's most affordable hybrid vehicles

In South Africa, hybrid and electric vehicle sales increased dramatically in 2022, with conventional battery hybrid (BHEV) sales growing by nearly 320%.

In the first three quarters of 2022, combined traditional hybrid sales were 2,638 — a significant rise from the 627 sold in 2021.

According to data from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) in its third quarter business assessment.

According to Naamsa, plug-in hybrids, traditional hybrids, and electric vehicles are new energy vehicles (NEVs), with South African sales expected to increase by about 250% by 2022.

In all, 896 NEVs were sold in South Africa in 2021, with 3,092 sold in 2022.

The following is a breakdown of NEVs sold in South Africa this year:

• Plug-in hybrids: 104
• Traditional hybrids: 2,638
• Electric vehicles: 350

Naamsa supplied sales figures from 2017 to the third quarter of 2022 to demonstrate the rise of NEV sales in South Africa over the last five years.

Over the years, traditional hybrids have outsold plug-in hybrids and electric cars, outselling plug-in hybrids every year except 2018.

However, plug-in hybrids employ newer technology, and until recently, the selection of electric car models available in South Africa was quite restricted.

Traditional hybrid use looks to have risen in South Africa after 2020. BHEV sales averaged only 143 units per year from 2017 to 2020.

As previously stated, this will expand to 627 BHEVs in 2021.

Sales increased to 1,257 units in the first quarter of 2022. Despite a minor decline in sales in the second and third quarters of the year, BHEV sales remain quite strong in comparison to previous years.

Toyota’s Corolla Cross 1.8XS Hybrid is the cheapest BHEV available in South Africa, with pricing starting at R425,400. It has a power output of 72kW, a peak speed of 170km/h, and a consumption figure of 4.3l/100km.

It should be noted, however, that all consumption estimates in the article are given by the manufacturer and are based on a combined cycle.

The following are the cheapest hybrid automobiles in South Africa, along with their pricing and specifications.

Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS

• Price: From R425,400
• Top speed: 170km/h
• Consumption: 4.3l/100km
• Power: 72kW/142Nm

Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS

• Price: From R502,600
• Top speed: 180km/h
• Consumption: 3.9l/100km
• Power: 72kW/142Nm

Honda Fit Hybrid

• Price: From R509,600
• Top speed: 175km/h
• Consumption: 3.7l/100km
• Power: 72kW/127Nm

Haval H6 HEV

• Price: R669,950
• Top speed: Not specified
• Consumption: 5.2l/100km
• Power: 179kW/530Nm

Toyota Rav4 Hybrid

• Price: From R685,000
• Top speed: 180km/h
• Consumption: 4.8l/100km
• Power: 131kW/221Nm