According to AutoTrader’s 2026 Mid-Year Industry Report, used new-energy vehicle sales in South Africa rose 92% year on year to 4,703 units between January and June. This growth significantly outpaced the wider used market, which grew by 8% during the same period. The report highlights the increasing popularity of electrified vehicles, albeit from a smaller base. Hybrids accounted for 3,915 of the sales, leaving 788 for fully electric cars.
The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid was the best-selling model, finding 1,416 buyers, more than every fully electric model combined. Its average selling price of R422,276 was almost identical to the wider used car market average of R421,499. Notably, the Corolla Cross Hybrids sold were substantially newer and had fewer kilometres than the wider market average, with an average model year of 2024 and 25,071km.
Other popular hybrid models included the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which sold 236 units at an average price of R642,198, and the Haval H6, which sold 200 units at R469,170. The Chery Tiggo Cross and Haval Jolion Pro also featured among the top sellers, with 102 and 66 units sold, respectively. These models offer a range of options for buyers looking for family-friendly crossovers with hybrid powertrains.
The used hybrid market showed a 4% increase in average price, rising to R724,857 from R696,169 a year earlier. This growth outpaced the 1% increase in the wider used car average. Despite being more expensive than the average used car, hybrids have become increasingly accessible to buyers. The category as a whole still commands a premium, but models like the Corolla Cross Hybrid offer a relatively affordable entry point.
Fully electric sales nearly doubled, rising 98% against 91% for hybrids. The Volvo EX30 led electric sales with 80 cars at an average R889,305, while the BYD Atto 3 and Geely E5 brought the electric SUV price point closer to that of a RAV4 Hybrid. The BYD Atto 3 averaged R670,035 across 28 sales, while the Geely E5 was almost level at R668,541, with 27 sold.
The most affordable car in the electric top 10 was the BYD Dolphin Surf, which averaged R359,989 and recorded 70 sales. It was also one of the most-listed EVs, ahead of the EX30 and XC40. The Dolphin Surf offered a more affordable option for buyers looking for a fully electric vehicle, with an average model year of 2025 and 4,199km.
Despite the growth of the used new-energy vehicle market, it still represents only about 2.4% of the total used vehicle market in South Africa. The data suggests that, for now, hybrids occupy a relatively accessible middle ground between conventional used cars and the generally higher prices of used EVs.
Key points
- Hybrids account for 83% of used new-energy vehicle sales in South Africa.
- The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is the best-selling model, with 1,416 units sold.
- The used hybrid market shows a 4% increase in average price, rising to R724,857.
