Times Five

Hybrids are largely mainstream these days. Here are some of the cheapest new ones you can buy, writes Nile Bijoux.

Suzuki Swift Hybrid (from $26,500)

Suzuki launched its electrified Swift in New Zealand a few weeks ago. 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 isn’t a huge fuel saving, it’s still an improvement.

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

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.

Yaris outguns Swift as well, 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 95.

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.

The latest Corolla Hybrid is powered by a 1.8-litre economytuned four-pot alongside an electric motor. 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 Toyota New Global Architecture platform has improved the ride and handling by quite a bit over previous versions.

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

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 CompactHigh 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 sixspeed 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?