Recent years have seen a big increase in the number of electric cars on our roads, but did you know that hybrid cars have been part of the Australian driving landscape for more than 20 years?1
It was the year 2000 when Australia first laid claim to its own hybrid car, when Holden launched its ECOmmodore concept car.2 Not long after, Honda’s Insight and Toyota’s Prius became the first hybrid cars available for Aussie motorists to purchase.3 Fast forward to August 2023, when hybrid vehicles accounted for 10.5% of new car sales, according to data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).4
These days, established manufacturers such as Toyota and Hyundai boast some of the cheapest hybrid cars on the market and, as the hybrid and electric vehicle industry grows, it‘s possible motorists will see prices drop even further.5 Not to mention the various Federal and State incentives and rebates that could be available to you.
So what exactly is a hybrid car?
Put simply: a hybrid vehicle can run on both petrol or diesel and electric power.
According to the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide,5 hybrids are a cheaper alternative to fully electric vehicles, while still providing the benefits of better fuel economy and reduced environmental impact compared to petrol or diesel cars.
There are two types of hybrid cars:5
- Non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) use the electricity generated by driving the car, such as from the braking system or kinetic energy when you stop accelerating, to recharge the battery.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have a battery that can be plugged into a power outlet or charging station, as well as a petrol or diesel engine, allowing you to refuel at a traditional service station.
Why get a hybrid and not an electric vehicle?
Other than the generally cheaper price tag, hybrid cars might appeal to motorists with ‘range anxiety’ – the fear that your electric car won’t have the capacity to reach your destination without a recharge.
They might also be a good option for people who don’t have ready access to charging infrastructure, such as apartment dwellers.
What are some of the cheapest hybrid cars in Australia?
Looking for a new hybrid car? Although it’s a fast-moving market and this list – including prices – may change as new models become available, we’ve uncovered some of the cheapest hybrid cars on the market as of September 2023.6
Toyota Yaris SX from $33,8627
The Yaris SX is an HEV that charges as you drive and is Toyota’s entry-level hybrid. It comes with alloy wheels, LED headlights and privacy glass.8
Toyota Yaris Cross GX from $34,3259
Another HEV, this 5-seat hybrid compact SUV is available with optional all-wheel drive.10
Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hatch from $35,90811
Toyota rounds out its top three cheapest hybrid cars with the non-plug-in Corolla Ascent Sport Hatch, which comes with the option of a 1.8L 103kW hybrid electric engine.12
Hyundai Kona Hybrid from $39,90513
The Kona Hybrid is another non-plug-in model and features a G1.6 GDi hybrid engine.14
Toyota Corolla Cross GX from $40,40715
This SUV has a 2.0L 146kW hybrid engine that continues to generate power during deceleration and braking, helping you to go further on one tank. According to Toyota, the hybrid model has 4.3L/100km fuel consumption compared with 6L/100km for the petrol version.16
GWM Haval H6 Lux Hybrid from $41,99017
GWM’s non-plug-in HEV has a turbo 1.5L dedicated hybrid transmission engine.18
Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid L from $43,37219
Subaru’s hybrid offering has a 2.0L petrol engine and electric motor, and comes with all-wheel drive as standard.20
Honda HR-V e:HEV L from $47,00021
The non-plug-in hybrid version of Honda’s popular HR-V SUV has a fuel consumption of 4.3L/100km.22
MG HS Plus EV Excite from $48,99023
The first PHEV on this list, the MG HS was the best-selling plug-in hybrid car in Australia for the year to June 2023 according to the Electric Vehicle Council.1
Kia Niro Hybrid S from $49,41124
Kia’s self-charging Niro has a 1.6 GDI petrol engine which works in tandem with the transmission-mounted electric motor.25
With the ever-expanding range of new hybrid and electric vehicles available in Australia, there are more and more opportunities to slash fuel costs while reducing your environmental footprint.
If that appeals, our make and model pages provide a useful indication of what you might pay to keep your new hybrid covered with Youi while out on the road.26
Note: Information in this article is relevant as of September 2023 and by its nature will change over time. Check relevant vehicle manufacturer websites for price and specification updates if this information is important to you.
1 Source: Electric Vehicle Council – State of Electric Vehicles, 2023
2 Source: State Library of South Australia – 20 years ahead of its time – Australia’s own green car
3 Source: WhichCar? – Toyota Prius: 25 years of a pioneering petrol-electric car, 2022
4 Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries – Record Breaking New Vehicle Sales in August, 2023
5 Source: Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide – Hybrid vehicles
6 Note: these prices are subject to change and are based on each manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the lowest-priced variant, quoted for postcode 2000, and may not include costs such as stamp duty, other government charges and options.
7 Source: Toyota – Yaris Prices
8 Source: Toyota – Yaris
9 Source: Toyota – Yaris Cross Prices
10 Source: Toyota – Yaris Cross
11 Source: Toyota – Corolla Hatch Prices
12 Source: Toyota – Corolla Hatch
13 Source: Hyundai – Car Price Calculator
14 Source: Hyundai – Kona Hybrid
15 Source: Toyota – Corolla Cross Prices
16 Source: Toyota – Corolla Cross
17 Source: GWM – Configure your H6
18 Source: GWM – Haval H6
19 Source: Subaru – Crosstrek Pricing
20 Source: Subaru – Crosstrek
21 Source: Honda – HR-V Pricing
22 Source: Honda – HR-V
23 Source: MG – HS Plus EV
24 Source: Kia – Build & price
25 Source: Kia – Niro Hybrid
26 See our Car PDS for full details
