Five Things: the cheapest hybrids you can buy right now

Monday, 10 August 2020

Here are the five cheapest brand-new hybrids you can buy in New Zealand today.

Hybrids are becoming increasingly mainstream these days, with most major manufacturers committing to offering electrified versions of most - if not all - of their future models.

But what if you fancy some frugal driving on a budget? Well, today we take a look at the five cheapest brand-new hybrids you can buy in New Zealand today.

Suzuki Swift Hybrid (from $26,500)

The Swift Hybrid is the cheapest brand-new hybrid on the market today, starting at just $26,500.

Suzuki launched its electrified Swift in New Zealand a few weeks ago and, as you’ve no doubt already seen, it’s a good Swift. But maybe not a great hybrid.

Suzuki says the ultra-mild hybrid system cuts fuel consumption by 15 per cent and while 15 per cent of 4.8L/100km doesn’t equate to huge fuel savings, it’s still an improvement.

Plus it’s the cheapest brand-new hybrid you can buy today, undercutting the second-cheapest by around $1500. However, it comes with a CVT transmission and less power than the Swift GL’s petrol-only powertrain. The new electricals do add 50Nm of torque at lower speeds to compensate, though.

3.3L/100km might sound outlandish but, based on Toyota’s proven claims with the RAV4 Hybrid, we’re inclined to believe it.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid (from $27,990)

The second-cheapest is Toyota’s electrified Yaris that has just landed in New Zealand.

It’s cheap and it’ll be even easier on the tank than the Swift, with Toyota claiming fuel consumption of just 3.3L/100km thanks to an electrified 1.5-litre triple. Based on our experience with the hybrid RAV4 and Corolla, that claim is probably bang on the money too.

Still looks good, two years after it launched.

Yaris outguns Swift too, boasting 85kW of total output as opposed to 66kW, with an identical 120Nm of total torque. It’ll also run happily on 91 octane while the Euro-spec Swift demands at least 95RON.

Toyota Corolla Hybrid (from $33,690)

Hey look, another Toyota. This one is a familiar entry, with the locally offered Corolla coming in hybrid form since 2012.

To be honest, the swoopy styling has aged quite well, though it’s still not for everyone.

The latest Corolla Hybrid is powered by a 1.8-litre economy-tuned four-pot alongside an electric motor. If it sounds familiar, it’s because that’s the same powertrain as in the Prius. Total system power output is 90kW, not bad considering the 4.2L/100km combined fuel consumption.

It looks good too, with the current Corolla getting a tangible effort from Toyota to make it less boring, while the TNGA platform has improved the ride and handling by quite a bit over previous versions.

Toyota C-HR Hybrid (from $36,490)

It’s the most expensive on the list but the Niro Hybrid EX is still a sub-$40k hybrid. Just.

The last Toyota on this list (promise) is the C-HR Hybrid, which has the same electrified 1.8-litre inline four as the Corolla and Prius.

The name stands for Compact-High Rider and is essentially a lifted and restyled Corolla. Those new looks might not be for everyone, but they certainly make the C-HR stand out in a crowded segment.

Factor in 4.3L/100km of consumption and the driveability of the aforementioned Corolla and the hybrid C-HR becomes something of a jack of all trades. As long as you don’t mind a bit of staring, of course.

Kia Niro Hybrid (from $39,990)

The Niro Hybrid combines a 1.6-litre inline-four with a small electric motor to generate 104kW/265Nm. Not mind-bending stats but plenty for a family-sized crossover.

Kia says it won’t consume more than 3.8L/100km of fuel as well, thanks to a 1.56kWh battery. A six-speed dual-clutch transmission is a nice change of pace too. Plus, it’ll lug the kids to school and back, do the shopping and cruise halfway down the country on one tank of gas, all for less than $40k.

Of course, if you still want more Toyota, the Prius actually also starts at $39,990, but we couldn’t let Toyota hog the whole list, right?