Hybrids are the hot ticket for new-vehicle sales in New Zealand at the moment. We're talking about the ones you don't plug in, also sometimes called "full hybrids", "self-charging hybrids" or HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles).
They combine a combustion engine with a small battery and electric motor. They work by eliminating waste: energy normally lost in braking or deceleration is captured (it's called "regeneration") and stored in the battery for later use; or sometimes the engine is even used to charge the battery, when it's under light load and has some power to spare.
Hybrids are a no-fuss way to save 20-30% in fuel consumption and even enjoy enhanced performance when you want it (you get an extra kick from the electric motor). Over 40% of new-vehicle sales year-to-date are electrified vehicles, and of those nearly three-quarters are HEVs.
"The growth in hybrid vehicles reflects their increasing availability at lower purchase prices, improved fuel efficiency and suitability across a wide range of everyday uses," says the MIA, the organisation that represents new-vehicle distributors. "As a result, hybrids are emerging as a practical sweet spot for many buyers, delivering emissions reductions without the higher upfront cost, charging or infrastructure considerations associated with full electrification."
Well said, but we can't all afford brand-new cars. The good news is that thanks mainly to Toyota, HEV technology has been around for the best part of 30 years and has certainly been very mainstream for the last decade. So there are plenty of used cars around that offer petrol-electric powertrains at a budget price.
Because Toyota has been dominant in this technology for so long, any list of top used hybrids would be mostly (okay, all) Toyotas: the likes of Prius, Corolla, Camry, Fielder, Yaris, Aqua (also NZ's most stolen car!)... the list goes on. Feel free to buy one of those. But what if you want to be a bit different? Let's look at the best $20k hybrids that don't start with a T.
Mazda Axela hybrid (2013-18)
This is one of our favourites, but also probably one of the least-known affordable-hybrid models around. Back in 2013, Mazda took its Axela 2.0-litre (Mazda3 to us here in NZ), borrowed the Toyota Prius battery and hybrid-electric technology, and put them together.
At the time, Mazda said its aim was to combine proven hybrid tech with the fun-to-drive character its brand was known for (and let's face it, what the Prius wasn't known for). It was never sold new in NZ, but it is around as a used import.
We drove this model in Japan back in 2014, and we can confirm it's a good thing. Claimed fuel consumption at the time was 3.2l/100km, but the 4-5l/100km bracket is probably more realistic in the real-world.
What will $20k buy? Because the Axela hybrid ended production in 2018, a $20k budget should get you anything right up to that date. They're not always easy to find, but they're out there.
Lexus CT200h (2010-22)
We might be cheating a bit here, given Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand. And, ahem, the CT200h is really just a Prius in drag: same platform and powertrain.
But that's a good thing, right? Proven reliability and fuel economy, and while the exterior styling is a bit odd to some eyes, you cannot deny the interior is right up to (high) Lexus standards. It's a smooth, silent little luxury car. Typical fuel economy from Rightcar for a NZ-new example is 4.5l/100km.
What will $20k buy? Look for a pre-2015 model that hasn't gone too far beyond 100,000km, although the Prius powertrain can certainly handle hard use if it's been looked after. Later models (especially NZ-new) are less likely to be within budget.
Subaru XV/Crosstrek (2014-)
Yes, you can have a capable hybrid-SUV for $20k. Subaru is a favourite brand for Kiwi outdoorsy types and the XV/Crosstrek is a great blend of compact size, capable AWD and good ground clearance.
The XV "e-boxer" was launched as a NZ-new model in 2020 and later changed to the Crosstrek name with a new generation in 2023. But there are older used-import XV hybrid examples dating back to 2013.
The electric motor is built into the transmission, so it's smooth to drive and there's no compromise to the AWD system. But that does also mean it isn't the last word in fuel economy, if that's your priority. Rightcar rates the 2017 model at 7.2l/100km.
What will $20k buy? Early cars are down around the $12-$15k mark, so our budget should take you to a used import, right up to the 2020 launch date for the NZ-new model.
Nissan Note e-Power (2016-)
We've been talking about Nissan's e-Power technology a bit lately, mostly in relation to the Qashqai and X-Trail SUVs. But Nissan has actually been using it for a decade now, starting with the Note city hatchback.
Never sold new in NZ but familiar as a used import, Note features 100% electric drive, but with power generated from a 1.2-litre petrol engine. There's no plug-in capability. It fits the hybrid brief, but if you want to sound clever you can call it a "range extender".
The second-generation Note gained e-Power in 2016 and it's carried through to the 3rd-gen model, launched in 2020.
What will $20k buy? Shop carefully and you'll be able to secure a new-shape (post-2020) Note e-Power for less than our $20k budget.
Kia Niro (2016-)
In 2016, Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia produced their own ranges of electrified vehicles in HEV, PHEV and BEV configurations, on a shared platform. The Hyundai Ioniq HEV (not to be confused with the later Ioniq 5) is a worthy model, as long as you don't mind the Prius-alike looks.
But we reckon the Kia Niro is the more appealing version, with SUV-like styling and broader driving appeal. There's even a Plus version with a tall roof if you need more room (it looks a bit weird, though).
Niro entered its second generation in 2022 with more futuristic looks, although those are a little out of our budget here.
What will $20k buy? They're not that easy to find, to be honest: people tend to hang onto them, which is a good sign. But you'll be shopping for a pre-2020, first-generation model.