These are the 10 cheapest PHEVs available in Australia in 2026

Aussies are always looking for a bargain, and given the current concerns around fuel prices and availability, some may be looking to step away from combustion-powered vehicles.

Not everyone is ready to make the jump to a fully electric vehicle (EV) though, and a plugless hybrid may not be a big enough step for some. Enter the plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), which offers short-range electric-only driving with the benefit of a combustion engine for longer distances or when the battery runs out of charge, eliminating range anxiety.

As such, we've compiled a list of the 10 cheapest PHEVs you can buy in Australia right now. We did the same in early 2025, but the list looks drastically different in 2026.

The list is now entirely populated by Chinese vehicles, since models like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have been drastically undercut, and all of the models here are priced below $50,000. For context, just two PHEVs in the 2025 list were under that threshold – and only one including on-road costs.

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Brands often list prices before on-road costs, excluding statutory charges such as registration and stamp duty. We've therefore ranked this list by estimated drive-away prices for a buyer in New South Wales (Australia's most populous state), using each brand's online configurator where available.

We've also chosen to avoid ranking them based on temporary discounts and deals, as they can vary dramatically, but we've included any current price changes where relevant.

Note that we've also included the Leapmotor C10 Hybrid EV in this list of PHEVs, even though it's an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). Our reasoning is simply that it's a hybrid vehicle with plug-in charging capability.

BYD Sealion 5

As was the case 12 months ago, BYD still sells the cheapest PHEV in Australia. The difference is that it's now the Sealion 5 mid-size SUV, which is priced from $37,396.52 drive-away in NSW.

That's makes it nearly $10,000 cheaper than BYD's previous cheapest PHEV, the Sealion 6, which still appears on this list, though there's more than just one digit setting the Sealion 5 apart. It's front-wheel drive only and has a smaller 12.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for a maximum EV driving range of 71km in the Essential variant, or an 18.3kWh unit with 100km of EV range in the Premium.

It still has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, and peak system outputs are quoted at 156kW and 300Nm, which along with exterior dimensions are the closest similarities between the Sealion 5 and Sealion 6

The base-spec Essential comes standard with niceties like a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and leatherette upholstery, while stepping up to the Premium gets you a larger screen, seat heating and ventilation, and a wireless phone charger.

With comparable equipment lists and much lower prices, the Sealion 5 seems like a strong choice over the Sealion 6 for those looking to save a buck on a BYD PHEV SUV.

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MORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 5 showroom

BYD Seal 6

The Seal 6 is Australia's cheapest PHEV sedan by a long way. It's costs $38,426.52 drive-away in NSW, but its list price of $34,990 before on-road costs is a whopping $54,910 less than the next-cheapest PHEV sedan, the Audi A5 e-hybrid.

Granted, the two cars couldn't be further apart in market positioning, but it still puts things into perspective. The Seal 6 Touring, meanwhile, is not only the cheapest PHEV wagon available in Australia, but also the cheapest wagon overall. Both are cheaper than a Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Both mid-sizers use a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine at the heart of their powertrains, but has different batteries. The Sedan Essential has a 10.08kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, and the Touring Premium gets a larger 19kWh pack.

Pure-electric range is therefore 55km on the WLTP cycle in the sedan, jumping to 100km in the wagon.

Of course, standard equipment still includes an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment system, along with a full suite of active safety gear.

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MORE: Explore the BYD Seal 6 showroom

Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid

The first non-BYD model on this list is the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid mid-size SUV, available for a national drive-away price of $39,990.

However, you can currently buy a Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid Urban for as little as $34,990 drive-away, as part of a deal active until June 30, 2026. The top-spec Ultimate is also available for $38,990 drive-away.

Chery's Super Hybrid system utilises a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, providing a claimed EV-only driving range of 93km.

Inside, the Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid is fitted with dual 12.3-inch displays, synthetic leather upholstery, and wireless smartphone mirroring, while the Ultimate adds seat heating and ventilation, as well as a panoramic sunroof.

Interestingly, the Tiggo 7 took the crown for Australia's cheapest PHEV when it was launched in mid-2025, only to be outdone by the Sealion 5 just a few months later.

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MORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 7 showroom

Geely Starray EM-i

Another arrival in late 2025 was another mid-size SUV, the Geely Starray EM-i, which was launched with a compelling price of $37,490 before on-road costs, or $40,859 drive-away for NSW-based buyers.

Powering the Starray is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an 18.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, delivering a peak total power output of 193kW. That battery is claimed to provide up to 83km of EV-only range based on WLTP testing.

Standard features in the base Complete include a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, a 15.4-inch infotainment system, heated front seats, and wireless smartphone mirroring.

Stepping up to the Inspire adds a panoramic sunroof, a 13.4-inch head-up display, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, and a 16-speaker Flyme sound system.

The Starray EM-i made news for its record-breaking Sydney-Melbourne coastal drive, in which it recorded the lowest fuel consumption for a PHEV SUV. The catch was that the test car was fitted with a larger 29.8kWh battery that isn't available in Australia.

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MORE: Explore the Geely Starray EM-i showroom

Jaecoo J7 SHS

The first PHEV here with a drive-away price above $40,000 is the Jaecoo J7 SHS. It's sold with a nationwide drive-away price of $43,990.

That price excludes a $3,000 drive-away discount, which is in effect until June 30, 2026. As part of that deal, the J7 SHS Track is available for $40,990 drive-away, while the Summit is reduced to $44,990 drive-away.

Both Jaecoo J7 SHS variants feature the same powertrain: a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a maximum EV-only range claim of 90km on the WLTP cycle.

The Track is fitted with a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone mirroring, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and ventilated front seats, and a strong range of safety tech.

The Summit, meanwhile, gets a 14.8-inch touchscreen and a Sony sound system, and adds conveniences like a head-up display, power tailgate, and wireless phone charger.

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MORE: Explore the Jaecoo J7 showroom

GWM Haval H6 PHEV

The Australian-tuned GWM Haval H6 PHEV (yes, yet another mid-size SUV) is available in three grades, the cheapest of which is priced at $44,990 drive-away nationwide.

GWM has a current drive-away pricing offer active until May 31, 2026. That means the H6 Lux PHEV 2WD is available for $40,990 drive-away, the H6 Ultra PHEV 2WD for $43,990 drive-away, and the H6 Ultra PHEV AWD for $45,990 drive-away.

Available in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations, the H6 PHEV utilises a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 19.09kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. This offers up to 106km of claimed NEDC range.

Front-wheel drive models produce 240kW of power and 540Nm of torque, while all-wheel drive versions bump that to 268kW and 760Nm. Inside, you'll find a 14.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, leatherette upholstery, and a full suite of safety tech as standard.

The H6 was GWM's first model to go on sale with an Australian-developed chassis tune, and the PHEV sports a bespoke suspension setup to better manage its increased weight compared with other variants.

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MORE: Explore the GWM Haval H6 showroom

Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid

Chery's Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid was launched at the same time as the smaller Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid, and it's slightly pricier at $45,990 drive-away across Australia.

That price excludes a current 'Factory Bonus Offer' that takes $2000 off the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid range until June 30, 2026. That means the base Urban is available for $43,990 drive-away, while the flagship Ultimate is available for $47,990 drive-away.

Both variants utilise the same powertrain as the Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid, meaning they're fitted with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and an 18.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack.

Claimed NEDC driving range is the same at 93km, and it's also front-drive only. Inside, there’s a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, along with synthetic leather seat trim and a 10-speaker sound system.

The Ultimate adds front seat heating and ventilation, while both variants get a full suite of active safety gear.

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MORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 8 showroom

BYD Sealion 6

Not much has changed since BYD introduced the base-spec Sealion 6 Essential in 2025, which means the range still starts at $46,666.52 drive-away for buyers in NSW.

That said, there have been some tweaks further up the range. Both the Dynamic and Premium get the 'Extended' battery option, which brings a 26.6kWh lithium iron phosphate battery for a claimed NEDC driving range of up to 140km.

The Essential, meanwhile, continues to use an 18.3kWh LFP battery, with a claimed NEDC electric driving range of 92km. All variants use a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, though the Premium adds a turbocharger.

The Premium is also the only all-wheel drive variant, with the Essential and Dynamic being front-drive-only. Of course, the Premium comes with a higher price tag, with its drive-away pricing setting NSW buyers back $57,148.52.

Inside, you'll find 12.3-inch and 12.8-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system respectively, along with synthetic leather upholstery and front seat heating and ventilation, while the Dynamic upgrades to a 15.6-inch touchscreen.

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MORE: Explore the BYD Sealion 6 showroom

Leapmotor C10 Hybrid EV

The Leapmotor C10 Hybrid EV (previously known as the REEV) is an outlier on this list, as it's technically an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) rather than a PHEV. Regardless, it's priced at $47,541 drive-away in NSW.

The EREV designation applies because the C10's 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine doesn't directly drive the wheels; instead, it acts only as a generator to charge its 28.4kWh battery on the move. Of course, you can still plug in to charge the battery and fill it up with petrol, like you would with a PHEV.

On the NEDC test cycle, Leapmotor says the C10 Hybrid EV has a combined driving range of up to 1150km. That's quite far for an affordable SUV that drives like an EV.

Inside, all variants get a 10.25-inch digital instrument screen and a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, along with a wireless phone charger and 12-speaker sound system. Stepping up to the flagship Design variant brings heated and ventilated front seats finished in synthetic leather.

It's worth noting that this generation of C10 will not get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, with Leapmotor instead opting to rely on its own native software.

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MORE: Explore the Leapmotor C10 showroom

MG HS Super Hybrid

Rounding out the list is yet another mid-size SUV, the MG HS Super Hybrid, priced from $48,990 drive-away nationally.

The HS Super Hybrid is currently eligible for a drive-away offer that expires on June 30, 2026, bringing the base Excite down to $42,990 drive-away and the Essence to $46,990 drive-away.

Both are substantial discounts on the SUV's typical national drive-away pricing, which is already down on the model's starting price of $52,990 drive-away when it was launched in 2025.

Powering the HS Super Hybrid is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a 24.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. MG says it can cover up to 135km (NEDC) on electric power alone.

Inside, it has two 12.3-inch screens for its instrument cluster and infotainment system, the latter offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a full suite of safety gear. Heated seats and a surround-view camera are added for the top-spec Essence.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new MG HS. Click here to get a great deal.

MORE: Explore the MG HS showroom