Compact crossovers dominate South African roads, combining practicality and style. With fuel costs rising, these vehicles deliver impressive economy.

Here are the eight most fuel-efficient sport utility vehicles (SUVs):

8. Renault Kiger 1.0 Techno AMT– 5.2l/100km

The naturally aspirated Kiger employs a 1.0l, three-cylinder petrol engine producing 53kW and 96Nm. The atmospheric unit is available with the choice of two transmission options: A five-speed manual and automated manual transmission (AMT) with the same number of cogs. Equipped with the latter, the Kiger returns a claimed 5.2l/100km. The AMT-equipped Kiger is priced from R254 999, making it the most affordable car featured here.

7. BYD Sealion 5– 5.2l/100km

Photo: BYD

Priced from R499 900, the most affordable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in SA has a claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 5.2l/100km. The BYD Sealion 5’s PHEV powertrain pairs a single electric motor with a 1.5l naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. The setup produces a combined system output of 156kW and 300Nm.

6. Haval Jolion Pro 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury– 5.1l/100km

Photo: Haval

The petrol-electric Haval Jolion Pro has a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 5.1l/100km. The flagship powertrain in the Jolion Pro lineup, the 1.5l hybrid unit, is endowed with 140kW and 375Nm.

5. Omoda C7 1.5T super hybrid system (SHS) – 4.9l/100km

Photo: Omoda

Introduced to SA in November 2025, the Omoda C7 super hybrid system (SHS) spearheads the local C7 model lineup. The C7 SHS’s PHEV powertrain pairs a 1.5l turbocharged petrol engine with a single electric motor for a combined system output of 255kW and 525Nm. Omoda claims an average combined fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km.

4. Chery Tiggo 7 CSH PHEV – 4.9l/100km

Photo: Chery

Despite being endowed with a healthy 265kW and 530Nm of torque, the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH’s (Chery Super Hybrid) 1.5l PHEV powertrain offers a claimed combined average fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km.

3. Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS PHEV – 4.7l/100km

Photo: Peet Mocke

The Jeacoo J7 SHS was one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles CAR magazine tested in 2025. In fact, with a tested combined fuel consumption figure of 4.6l/100km, we bested the Chinese automaker’s claim by 0.1l/100km. The plug-in hybrid J7, which we evaluated for a road test in 2025, has a claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 4.7l/100km. The J7 SHS’s PHEV arrangement produces 255kW and 525Nm of torque.

2. Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV – 4.3l/100km

Photo: Toyota South Africa

The hybrid variant of Toyota’s ever-popular Corolla Cross is powered by a 1.8l naturally aspirated four-pot with an electric motor, producing 90kW and 142Nm. The new-energy Corolla Cross has a claimed average fuel consumption of 4.3l/100km.

1. Geely E5 EM-i – 4.3l/100km

Photo: Geely

The Geely E5 EM-i’s PHEV powertrain produces a combined system output of 160kW and 262Nm. The Chinese marque claims a combined fuel consumption of 4.3l/100km.

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The post 8 most fuel-efficient compact SUVs in SA in 2026 appeared first on CAR Magazine.

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