What is a Hybrid Car?
A hybrid vehicle uses two or more distinct types of power, such as submarines that use diesel when surfaced and batteries when submerged. Other means to store energy include pressurized fluid in hydraulic hybrids.
Hybrid Cars In South Africa
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS – From R458 300
The Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XS is priced at R458 300, making it the cheapest hybrid car in South Africa. A range-topping XR hybrid derivative can also be had for R497 000.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid uses a 72 kW/142 Nm 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle engine in combination with an electric motor and battery.
The electric motor provides a supplementary 53 kW and 163 Nm of torque (at full capacity) to boost the overall system output to 90 kW (the combined figure is not an aggregate of the two power sources, due to transmission reduction losses). A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is standard across the range.
Honda Fit Hybrid – From R519 900
The new Honda Fit (also known as the Jazz) is perched at the local range’s top and priced from R519 900.
The Fit Hybrid combines a 1.5-litre petrol motor with a battery and electric motor to produce combined outputs of 80kW and 253Nm of torque.
The hybrid’s claimed fuel consumption figure is just 3.7L/100km. With the hybrid system, most of the fuel consumption benefits are reaped in town when the electric motor can do most of the propulsion work.
Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XS – From R528 100
The Corolla Hybrid came to market in 2021 and it’s powered by the same hybrid powertrain as the Corolla Cross Hybrid (see above).
That means it employs the same 72 kW/142 Nm Atkinson-cycle 1.8-litre petrol 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor (that produces 53 kW and 163 Nm) in combination with a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that drives the sedan’s front wheels.
Haval Jolion 1.5T HEV Luxury – From R549 950
The new Haval Jolion Hybrid came to market earlier in 2023 to rival the above Toyota Corolla Cross and comes paired with a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver total outputs of 140 kW and 375Nm. A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission drives the front wheels.
Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury – From R669 950
The Haval H6 is hugely popular in South Africa and the Chinese firm recently welcomed the H6 Hybrid to the local market.
Equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine which pairs up with an electric motor and self-charging hybrid battery, the H6 Hybrid produces 179 kW and 530 Nm of torque. Haval claims an average fuel consumption figure of 5.2 L/100km.
Are hybrid cars better than electric vehicles for South African drivers?
But for point-to-point driving in South Africa, PHEVs offer some electrification benefits without the range anxiety.
For the South African driver, PHEVs operate to purpose – enhancing overtaking performance and reducing fuel consumption on traffic-dense routes.
Do hybrid cars last long?
But with advancements in battery technology, it’s not uncommon to see some hybrids last 200,000 miles or more.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), we drive 13,476 miles per year on average. So, if your hybrid lasted 200,000 miles, you could get nearly 15 years out of it!