7 most-affordable plug-in hybrid vehicles in SA in 2026
From the record-breaking BYD Sealion 5 to the adventure-ready Jetour T1, we explore seven PHEVs that prove fuel-efficient technology is finally becoming accessible.
As the South African fuel price continues its upward trend in 2026, many motorists are seeking the middle ground between internal combustion and full electrification. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) offer the perfect compromise, providing substantial electric-only range for daily commutes alongside the long-distance peace of mind of a petrol engine.
Here is a roundup of the seven most affordable models you can buy in SA as of April 2026:
5 (1): Jetour T1 1.5T i-DM PHEV – R689 900
Image: Jetour
In April 2026, Jetour introduced the plug-in hybrid T1 and T2 models to our market – the former of which making making this list with its R689 900 sticker price. The PHEV version of the increasingly popular T1 features a 100 kW/220 N.m 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and a 150 kW/310 N.m electric motor, fed by an 18.4 kWh battery pack.
The new-energy T1’s PHEV setup produces combined system outputs of 250 kW and 530 N.m. Jetour claims a 100 km electric-only operating range and a combined range of 1 200 km.
5 (2): Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV – R689 900
Image: Peet Mocke
Similar to the next vehicle on this list, the new-energy J7, which we evaluated for a road test in the July 2025 issue of Car Magazine, is equipped with Chery’s SHS (Super Hybrid System) plug-in powertrain. This model from Chery sub-brand Jaecoo produces combined system outputs of 255 kW and 525 N.m.
With a fully charged 18.3 kWh battery, the J7 SHS PHEV offers a claimed electric-only operating range of 90 km and combined range of 1 200 km. Noteworthy, with a tested combined fuel consumption of 4.6 L/100 km, the J7 SHS PHEV claimed top spot among the five most fuel-efficient vehicles Car Magazine tested in 2025.
5 (3): Omoda C7 1.5T SHS PHEV – R689 900
Image: Omoda & Jaecoo
The Omoda C7 SHS’s PHEV setup produces the same combined system outputs as the Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV. With a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.9 L/100 km, the new-energy C7 offers a petrol-electric operating range of over 1 200 km, its maker claims. The electric-only range is a claimed 105 km.
4: BYD Sealion 6 – from R639 900
Image: Peet Mocke
The Sealion 6 impressed the Car Mag team in its 2025 road test. With its 87/100 test score, BYD’s midsize new-energy SUV not only claimed the top spot among the five highest-scoring Chinese vehicles Car Magazine tested in 2025, but also garnered itself a place among the overall highest-scoring vehicles Car Magazine tested in 2025.
Our Top 12 Best Buys winner in the ‘new-energy vehicle’ category, the Sealion 6 is available in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations – the former and latter producing a combined 160 kW/300 N.m and 238 kW/550 N.m, respectively. The least expensive of the trio comes in the shape of the FWD Comfort model, which offers a claimed 80 km of electric-only driving and a combined 1 080 km.
Also read: 5 most-affordable hybrid vehicles in SA in 2026
3: Chery Tiggo 7 1.5T CSH PHEV – from R619 900
Image: Peet Mocke
The Chery Tiggo 7 CSH (Chery Super Hybrid) is priced from R619 900. The new-energy Tiggo 7’s 1.5-litre PHEV setup produces combined power and torque outputs of 265 kW and 530 N.m, delivered to the front wheels via a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). The Wuhu automaker claims electric-only and combined operating ranges of 93 and 1 200 km, respectively.
2: Geely E5 EM-i – from R599 999
Image: Geely
The launch of the Geely E5 in November 2025 marked this Chinese brand’s return to the SA market. The E5 EM-i employs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol mill and single electric motor; producing a combined 160 kW and 262 N.m. Geely claims an all-electric operating range of 103 km from a fully charged 18.3 kWh battery, and a combined range of 943 km.
1: BYD Sealion 5 – from R509 900
Image: Peet Mocke
Priced from R509 900, the BYD Sealion 5 is the most affordable PHEV currently available in SA. The 5’s 1.5-litre PHEV powertrain produces a combined system output of 156 kW and 300 N.m – good for a tested 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.47 seconds. BYD claims an electric-only operating range of 52 km and a combined range of just over 1 000 km.
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