Plug-in hybrids have gone from a niche luxury option to one of the most practical vehicle categories in South Africa. With rising fuel costs, growing home solar adoption, and still-limited public charging infrastructure, PHEVs offer a realistic bridge between traditional petrol cars and full electric vehicles.
As of January 2026, South African buyers have more PHEV options than ever before. The market now spans affordable compact SUVs under R600 000, powerful performance hybrids, and premium European luxury models. Below is a complete snapshot of every PHEV currently available for sale locally, with estimated pricing and real-world technical details.
PHEVs Available in South Africa – January 2026
| Model | Segment | Estimated Price | EV Range (km) | Combined Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Sealion 5 | Compact SUV | R499k–R540k | 60–90 | ~145 kW |
| Chery Tiggo 7 CSH PHEV | Mid-size SUV | R600k–R680k | 80–90 | ~265 kW |
| Chery Tiggo 8 CSH PHEV | 7-seat SUV | ~R730k | 70–90 | ~250–270 kW |
| Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV | Mid-size SUV | R690k–R730k | 80–90 | ~255 kW |
| Haval H6 GT PHEV | Performance SUV | R790k–R830k | 80–100 | ~321 kW |
| OMODA C9 PHEV | Premium SUV | ~R1.0m | 140–160 | ~440 kW |
| BMW X1 xDrive30e | Premium compact SUV | ~R1.05m | 80–90 | ~160–170 kW |
| BMW X3 xDrive30e | Premium SUV | ~R1.26m | 85–95 | ~215 kW |
| Volvo XC60 T8 | Premium SUV | R1.5m+ | 35–50 | ~335 kW |
| Volvo XC90 T8 | Large premium SUV | R1.8m+ | 35–45 | ~335 kW |
| Lexus NX 450h+ | Premium SUV | R1.4m+ | 70–80 | ~225 kW |
| Lexus RX 450h+ | Large premium SUV | R1.7m+ | 60–70 | ~230 kW |
| Range Rover Evoque P300e | Premium compact SUV | R1.2m+ | 55–65 | ~227 kW |
| Range Rover Velar P400e | Premium SUV | R1.9m+ | 45–55 | ~297 kW |
| Discovery Sport P300e | Premium family SUV | R1.3m+ | 55–65 | ~227 kW |
Individual Model Overviews
BYD Sealion 5
The Sealion 5 is a milestone for the local market as South Africa’s most affordable PHEV. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, focusing more on efficiency than outright performance. The electric-only range is enough to cover most daily commutes, making it very appealing for buyers with home charging or solar. This is the entry point into PHEVs for many first-time hybrid buyers.
Chery Tiggo 7 CSH PHEV
The Tiggo 7 PHEV is one of the strongest value propositions in the segment. Its turbocharged petrol engine and dual electric motors deliver serious combined power and torque, while still offering close to 90 km of EV driving. It feels noticeably quicker than most rivals in its price range and has become a popular alternative to traditional petrol SUVs.
Chery Tiggo 8 CSH PHEV
This is essentially the Tiggo 7’s larger, more family-focused sibling. With seven seats and a slightly heavier setup, it sacrifices a bit of outright efficiency but gains practicality. It suits buyers who need space but still want to minimise fuel usage during daily driving.
Jaecoo J7 SHS PHEV
The J7 focuses heavily on efficiency and total range rather than headline performance numbers. It offers smooth power delivery, good electric-only driving capability and very competitive fuel consumption figures. For buyers doing frequent long-distance trips, this model strikes a good balance between petrol and electric use.
Haval H6 GT PHEV
The H6 GT PHEV is one of the quickest PHEVs on sale locally. With over 300 kW combined output, it delivers strong straight-line performance while still functioning as a practical daily driver. It’s aimed at buyers who want performance without giving up efficiency.
OMODA C9 PHEV
This is the flagship of the mainstream Chinese PHEV offerings. The standout feature is its very long electric-only range, which allows many owners to operate it almost like a full EV during the week. Combined power output is extremely high, putting it into performance-SUV territory while still offering excellent efficiency when driven sensibly.
BMW X1 xDrive30e
The X1 is BMW’s entry-level plug-in hybrid SUV. It prioritises refinement, handling and premium interior quality rather than raw power. Electric-only driving is more than sufficient for daily errands, making it popular among urban premium buyers.
BMW X3 xDrive30e
The X3 builds on the X1 formula with more space, more power and greater comfort. It remains one of the most balanced premium PHEVs, offering a refined drive, good efficiency and strong brand appeal.
Volvo XC60 T8
Volvo’s T8 models lean more toward performance than efficiency. While the electric-only range is shorter than newer Chinese rivals, combined power output is very strong. The XC60 T8 is aimed at buyers prioritising safety, performance and interior quality.
Volvo XC90 T8
The XC90 T8 is a large, comfortable family SUV with plug-in hybrid capability. It’s not designed for long EV-only trips, but it offers smooth power delivery, premium comfort and reduced fuel consumption compared to a pure petrol equivalent.
Lexus NX 450h+
The NX 450h+ offers a more conservative, reliability-focused take on PHEVs. It emphasises smoothness, build quality and long-term ownership confidence. Electric-only range is competitive, making it a strong daily commuter in premium form.
Lexus RX 450h+
This larger RX variant is aimed at comfort-focused buyers. It delivers a relaxed driving experience, good fuel economy for its size, and the quiet operation Lexus hybrids are known for.
Range Rover Evoque P300e
The Evoque PHEV suits urban premium buyers who want luxury styling with lower fuel usage. Electric-only range is adequate for short daily trips, while the petrol engine handles longer journeys comfortably.
Range Rover Velar P400e
The Velar P400e blends performance and luxury but is less efficiency-focused than newer mainstream PHEVs. It appeals mainly to buyers wanting a premium badge with hybrid capability rather than maximum electric driving.
Discovery Sport P300e
This model targets families who want a premium badge with some electrification benefits. EV-only driving is practical for school runs and errands, while the petrol engine supports longer trips.
Final Thoughts
By January 2026, plug-in hybrids have firmly established themselves as one of the most sensible vehicle choices in South Africa. With prices now starting below R500 000, meaningful electric-only ranges, and no dependency on public charging networks, PHEVs suit local conditions exceptionally well.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable electrified commuter, a high-performance SUV, or a premium family vehicle, there is now a PHEV option that makes sense. As charging infrastructure improves and battery technology advances, this segment is only going to grow.
If anyone spots a model missing from this list or has real-world ownership feedback, drop it below — always good to keep this thread updated.
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