Hybrid vs petrol: fuel savings calculator

At the national averages on 4 Nov (U91 239.1 c/L), the hybrid costs less to run in 20 of the 20 models sold both ways, saving $179 to $1,363 a year in fuel over 15,000 km on official figures.

U91, national average
239.1c
a year, Kia Carnival hybrid
$1,363
less fuel, typical hybrid
30%
The car
Official combined fuel use (Green Vehicle Guide). Or enter your own below.
Pump prices
Your driving
The price difference between the two versions, for the payback time.

Example: Toyota Corolla Cross at the national averages

Example

The hybrid version costs less to run

$645.57 a year

Per 100 km: petrol $14.35, hybrid $10.04, over 15,000 km a year.

Toyota Corolla Cross petrol: U91 at 239.1 c/L × 6.0 L/100km
$14.35/100 km
Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid: U91 at 239.1 c/L × 4.2 L/100km
$10.04/100 km
Hybrid fuel use that costs the same per kmThe hybrid uses 30% less fuel; at these prices it needs to use 0% less to break even.
6.0 L/100km
  • Toyota Corolla Cross petrol$2,151.90/yr
  • Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid$1,506.33/yrCheaper to run
Fuel only: purchase price, servicing, rego and resale are extra.

Example: Toyota Corolla Cross at the national averages. The hybrid version costs less to run. $645.57 a year. Per 100 km: petrol $14.35, hybrid $10.04, over 15,000 km a year.

The hybrid version costs less to run · Petrol $14.35 · Hybrid $10.04 per 100 km$645.57 a year

Details

Hybrid or petrol: the same model at current prices

What each version costs in fuel over 15,000 km a year at the national average for the grade it takes.

  1. GWM Haval Jolion · Hybrid $1,023 less

    Petrol 7.5 L/100km $2,852 · hybrid 5.1 L/100km $1,829 a year

  2. Honda CR-V · Hybrid $574 less

    Petrol 7.1 L/100km $2,546 · hybrid 5.5 L/100km $1,973 a year

  3. Honda HR-V · Hybrid $681 less

    Petrol 6.2 L/100km $2,224 · hybrid 4.3 L/100km $1,542 a year

  4. Hyundai i30 Sedan · Hybrid $789 less

    Petrol 6.1 L/100km $2,188 · hybrid 3.9 L/100km $1,399 a year

  5. Hyundai Kona · Hybrid $968 less

    Petrol 6.6 L/100km $2,367 · hybrid 3.9 L/100km $1,399 a year

  6. Hyundai Santa Fe · Hybrid $1,219 less

    Petrol 8.6 L/100km $3,084 · hybrid 5.2 L/100km $1,865 a year

  7. Hyundai Tucson · Hybrid $1,004 less

    Petrol 8.1 L/100km $2,905 · hybrid 5.3 L/100km $1,901 a year

  8. Kia Carnival · Hybrid $1,363 less

    Petrol 9.6 L/100km $3,443 · hybrid 5.8 L/100km $2,080 a year

  9. Kia Sportage · Hybrid $1,148 less

    Petrol 8.1 L/100km $2,905 · hybrid 4.9 L/100km $1,757 a year

  10. MG MG3 · Hybrid $610 less

    Petrol 6.0 L/100km $2,152 · hybrid 4.3 L/100km $1,542 a year

  11. MG ZS · Hybrid $717 less

    Petrol 6.7 L/100km $2,403 · hybrid 4.7 L/100km $1,686 a year

  12. Nissan Qashqai · Hybrid $494 less

    Petrol 6.1 L/100km $2,320 · hybrid 4.8 L/100km $1,825 a year

  13. Nissan X-Trail · Hybrid $334 less

    Petrol 7.4 L/100km $2,654 · hybrid 6.1 L/100km $2,320 a year

  14. Subaru Crosstrek · Hybrid $266 less

    Petrol 7.2 L/100km $2,738 · hybrid 6.5 L/100km $2,472 a year

  15. Subaru Forester · Hybrid $610 less

    Petrol 7.9 L/100km $2,833 · hybrid 6.2 L/100km $2,224 a year

  16. Subaru XV · Hybrid $179 less

    Petrol 7.0 L/100km $2,511 · hybrid 6.5 L/100km $2,331 a year

  17. Toyota Corolla · Hybrid $809 less

    Petrol 5.9 L/100km $2,243 · hybrid 4.0 L/100km $1,435 a year

  18. Toyota Corolla Cross · Hybrid $646 less

    Petrol 6.0 L/100km $2,152 · hybrid 4.2 L/100km $1,506 a year

  19. Toyota RAV4 · Hybrid $441 less

    Petrol 6.0 L/100km $2,152 · hybrid 4.5 L/100km $1,711 a year

  20. Toyota Yaris · Hybrid $502 less

    Petrol 4.9 L/100km $1,757 · hybrid 3.5 L/100km $1,255 a year

Fuel use is the official combined lab figure from the Green Vehicle Guide (Australian Government), checked 18 Oct 2026; real driving uses more. Priced at the national P95, U91 averages, updated .

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Hybrid vs petrol questions

How much fuel does a hybrid save?

On official figures the hybrid uses 30% less fuel than the petrol version of the same model in a typical case, and costs less to run in 20 of the 20 models sold both ways. Hybrids save most in stop-start traffic and least at steady highway speeds.

How long does a hybrid take to pay for itself?

Divide the extra purchase price by the yearly fuel saving. At the current national U91 average a hybrid using 4.5 L/100km instead of 7 saves $897 a year over 15,000 km, so each $1,000 of extra purchase price takes 1.1 years to pay back on fuel alone.

Which hybrid saves the most fuel money?

Of the models sold both ways, the Kia Carnival hybrid (5.8 L/100km) saves the most against its petrol version (9.6 L/100km): $1,363 a year over 15,000 km at the current national averages.

Does a hybrid need premium fuel?

Some do. Check the fuel flap or handbook: several hybrids on the list take premium 95, which narrows the saving. The calculator prices each version at the grade you choose.