The range of hybrid vehicles has grown rapidly in recent years. The technology, inexpensive and easy to integrate, allows manufacturers to easily reduce their CO2 emissions. Thanks to competition, the price of the models is more and more accessible. Here are the top 5 cheapest hybrid vehicles in 2022 in France.
How to drive more frugally when you can’t buy electric or plug-in hybrid car ? The “classic” hybrid is an interesting alternative. In addition to a main gasoline block, the technology embeds an active low-speed electric motor. It is powered by a small battery recharged during the braking and deceleration phases. Thus, for a controlled price, even identical to the internal combustion engine through discounts, trade-ins and promotions, you can obtain a vehicle that saves fuel and maintenance.
Based on these advantages, the classic hybrid vehicle is increasingly popular. From the city car to the SUV, we have identified the 5 most affordable hybrid cars on the market.
1/ Renault Clio E-Tech – 22 350 €
Marketed in the summer of 2020, the Clio E-Tech is the very first hybrid Renault. It uses an original engine articulated around a claw gearbox. Thus, the 91 bhp 1.6l 4-cylinder powers the vehicle in association with a 48 bhp electric motor and a powerful starter alternator. The set offers 145 hp for 144 Nm of torque. A small 230 V 1.2 kWh battery stores the kinetic energy of braking to release it at low speeds, up to 75 km/h.
Thus, the Renault Clio E-Tech claims a consumption of 4.2 l/100 km in the combined cycle. A significant gain compared to the 5.1 l/100 km displayed by the 90 hp petrol Clio. While it had in its debut a higher starting price than that of the Yaris, the Clio now starts lower with the “equilibre” finish. The Renault costs €22,350. The difference with the 90 hp manual transmission petrol engine is only €2,450.
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2/ Toyota Yaris HSD – 22.900 €
If the Yaris exists with “classic” gasoline engines, the hybrid version represents a very large share of sales in France, customers not being scared by the price difference. It is indeed necessary to add 3,750 euros to drive in Yaris hybride 116 ch rather than gasoline 70 hp. A modest difference for a more powerful, more economical vehicle, which consumes 3.8 l/100 km in the combined cycle against 5.2 l/100 km for 70 hp petrol (the latter also being a manual gearbox).
The fourth generation of the hybrid Yaris released in the summer of 2020 starts at € 22,900 in the catalog. Made in France, the city car has undergone a major overhaul to face the emerging competition. It features a 91 hp and 120 Nm 3-cylinder petrol engine associated with an 80 hp 140 Nm electric motor. The small lithium-ion battery replaces the old Ni-Mh technology and gains 16% power while reducing its weight by a few kilos.
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3 / Honda Jazz e: HEV – 23 520 €
Taking advantage of a fourth renovation, the Honda Jazz goes hybrid. Available since summer 2020, the city car has a 97 hp petrol unit associated with an electric motor for a total of 109 hp and 131 Nm of torque. So much the better for consumption, which displays 4.5 l/100 km in the WLTP combined cycle.
The starting price is higher than competitors from Toyota or Renault, but the Jazz is very well equipped, with for example standard from the base the adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams or heated seats. With its small MPV look, it also relies on roominess and modularity. By overlapping the segments and benefiting from the Japanese robustness, the Jazz diversifies the hybrid offer.
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4/ Toyota Yaris Cross – 26.900 €
A newcomer to the ranking. Appearing in dealerships at the end of 2021, the Yaris Cross duplicates the recipe for success of the Yaris in the very buoyant segment of urban SUVs. The technical sheet is the same as that of the city car, with a 3-cylinder petrol engine of 91 hp and 120 Nm associated with an electric motor of 80 hp 140 Nm. The maximum cumulative power is 116 hp. Privilege of this model: a four-wheel drive version thanks to a second electric motor on the rear axle.
The Yaris Cross is 4.18 meters in length, 24 cm longer than the Yaris. But the wheelbase is the same. The ground clearance is raised by 30 mm. The advantage is therefore a higher driving position. The trunk is larger (397 liters against 286 liters).
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5/ Hyundai Kona hybrid – 27 000 €
Available as a hybrid since mid-2019, the Hyundai Kona recovers existing technology on the Ioniq and the Kia Niro. We therefore find a 1.6 liter petrol unit with 105 hp and a 43 hp electric motor providing a total of 141 hp and 264 Nm of torque. Well known for its successful 100% electric and thermal versions, the Kona offers an interesting alternative to a classic hybrid. It consumes 4.9 l/100 km in the combined cycle against 5.5 l/100 km announced by the 120 hp petrol engine with light hybridization.
Alas, the additional cost for an equal finish is substantial. You have to add €4,100 to get a hybrid Kona rather than a Kona gasoline 120 hp. The discount is however a little more generous on the hybrid (2,000 € against 1,800 € for the thermal).
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