Looking for the most affordable PHEVs on the market in South Africa right now? Here are the 8 most accessible plug-in hybrid options.
South Africa’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) segment has grown rapidly over the past year or so. Several Chinese brands have moved into this space, seeing the segment’s entry point – which not long ago was more than R1 million – drop dramatically. These, then, are SA’s 8 most affordable PHEVs (all pricing is correct as of June 2026).
1. BYD Atto 2 DM-i – from R449 900
The freshly launched Atto 2 DM-i employs a PHEV powertrain comprising a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine, a front-mounted electric motor and a battery pack. The resulting peak outputs come in at 122 kW and 300 Nm. The Comfort grade starts at just under R450 000, though BYD also offers a Dynamic derivative for R489 900.
- Battery pack size: 7.85 kWh
- Claimed all-electric range: 40 km
2. BYD Sealion 5 DM-i – from R509 900
The front-wheel-drive BYD Sealion 5‘s powertrain is also built around a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol motor. With some help from a front-mounted electric motor, this arrangement offers peak system power of 156 kW. The base Comfort version is priced at R509 900, while the better-equipped Dynamic derivative comes in at R569 900.
- Battery pack size: 12.96 kWh
- Claimed all-electric range: 52 km
3. Geely E5 EM-i – from R599 999
Geely‘s recent return to Mzansi started with the launch of the E5 EM-i, which very briefly held the title of SA’s most affordable PHEV. Directing its drive to the front axle, an atmospheric 1.5-litre petrol mill combines with an electric motor to offer a total system output of 193 kW. The Aspire grade is priced at R599 999, while the appropriately named Apex flagship comes in at R679 999.
- Battery pack size: 18.4 kWh
- Claimed all-electric range: 83 km
4. Chery Tiggo 7 1.5T CSH – from R619 900
Like the Sealion 5 above, the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH is front-wheel drive. However, it employs a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine mated with an electric motor to offer a considerably higher system output of 265 kW. The Plus specification comes in at around R620 000, though there’s also an Ultra grade for R679 900.
- Battery pack size: 18.3 kWh
- Claimed all-electric range: 93 km
5. BYD Sealion 6 – from R639 900
The BYD Sealion 6 range offers 2 distinct PHEV powertrain options. The Comfort (R639 900) and Dynamic (R696 900) variants are front-wheel drive, offering 160 kW from a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. Meanwhile, the flagship Premium derivative (R779 900) boasts a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol unit and gains a rear-mounted electric motor, resulting in all-wheel drive and pushing peak power to 238 kW.
- Battery pack size: 18.3 kWh
- Claimed all-electric range: 70 km (Premium); 80 km (Comfort and Dynamic)
6=. Jaecoo J7 1.5T SHS – from R689 900
Interestingly, 6th place on the list of SA’s most affordable PHEVs is shared by 3 models from Chery Group sub-brands. First up is the Jaecoo J7 SHS, which combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol unit with an electric motor to generate total system power of 255 kW. Just a single front-driven derivative is available in Mzansi.
- Battery pack size: 18.3 kWh
- Claimed all-electric range: 90 km
6=. Omoda C7 1.5T SHS – from R689 900
As you might have guessed, the Omoda C7 SHS appears to use the same powertrain as its J7 sibling above (and one no doubt closely related to the Tiggo 7 1.5T CHS above, too, considering all fall under the Chery Group banner). Curiously, however, this likewise front-driven derivative’s claimed all-electric range is 15 km higher than that of its J7 relative, at a listed 105 km.
- Battery pack size: 18.3 kWh
- Claimed all-electric range: 105 km
6=. Jetour T1 1.5T i-DM – from R689 900
The i-DM-badged version of Jetour’s boxy T1 employs a PHEV powertrain built around – yes, you guessed it – a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a single electric motor and a battery pack. The Chinese brand claims the front-wheel-drive T1 i-DM boasts total system outputs of 250 kW and 530 Nm.
- Battery pack size: 18.4 kWh
- Claimed all-electric range: 100 km
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are the entry points and top contenders for the most affordable PHEVs in South Africa?
A: As of June 2026, the local market’s entry point for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) has dropped well below the R500 000 mark. The BYD Atto 2 DM-i leads as South Africa’s most affordable PHEV starting from R449 900, followed by the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i from R509 900 and the Geely E5 EM-i starting at R599 999.
Q: Which affordable plug-in hybrids offer the highest power outputs and electric driving ranges?
A: The Chery Tiggo 7 1.5T CSH offers the highest total system output among the lower-priced options at 265 kW, paired with a 93 km all-electric range. For absolute pure-electric distance, the Omoda C7 1.5T SHS leads this price bracket with a claimed zero-emission driving range of 105 km, closely followed by the Jetour T1 1.5T i-DM at 100 km.
Q: How do the battery sizes and drivetrains compare among the options priced under R700 000?
A: Most models in this entry-to-mid tier utilize front-wheel-drive architectures coupled with battery capacities hovering around 18 kWh (including the Geely E5, Chery Tiggo 7, Jaecoo J7, Omoda C7, and Jetour T1). The exceptions are the budget-oriented BYD Atto 2 and Sealion 5, which keep costs down by using smaller 7.85 kWh and 12.96 kWh battery packs respectively, while the BYD Sealion 6 family provides a choice between front-wheel drive (160 kW) and an all-wheel-drive Premium flagship (238 kW).
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