Haval has been on a roll of late and one of the key factors in its success is the Haval Jolion. The Jolion is available in 5 models and 6 colours.
Against all odds, Haval has managed to secure a large amount of local market share courtesy of its competitively priced and well-specified range of SUVs.
SA consumers have shown little appetite for low-quality Chinese cars in spite of their bargain price tags. This saw firms such as Chana, Chery and Geely sent packing after failing to gain a local foothold.
However, this has not been the case with Haval. Haval Motors has bucked the trend with its GWM bakkies and Haval SUVs making a decent sales impact over the past several years.
Last month, here in SA, Haval sold 1 112 passenger vehicles, more even than Mazda and Mercedes-Benz.
Introduced earlier in 2021, Haval’s Jolion is taking the local compact crossover segment by storm, offering a nearly unbeatable amount of car for the money.
Each of the Haval Jolion features embodies innovative and fashionable design trends.
Before we take a detailed look at some of the Jolion’s features, let’s take a look at some quick facts.
Quick Facts
- Model Reviewed: Haval Jolion 1.5T Super Luxury
- Price: R398 900 (July 2021)
- Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol
- Power/Torque: 105 kW/210 Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
- Fuel efficiency: 7.5 L/100 km (claimed)
- Load capacity: 337 litres
Exterior Features
The Jolion is certainly a good-looking car. The 6 exterior colour options available to choose from are HB Blue, Hamilton White, Crystal Black, Mars Red, Ayers Grey and 4Z Green.
The front end is dominated by the large grille and LED Vision headlamps that include split design DRL’s that ensure optimal visibility on the road, day and night.
On the rear, the C-Shaped LED taillights are uniquely expressive & highly visible for safety.
Sporty diamond cut 18” Alloy wheels will turn heads with style.
The lower bumper features fog lamps with a chrome surround, rounding off a fantastic exterior design that is far superior to the generic H2 that the Jolion replaces.
Interior Features
The cabin is the best we’ve yet experienced in a Chinese car, with a look and feel that, at first glance, matches or exceeds any rival in this market segment. How well it will age is an unknown factor, but first impressions are good.
Jolion features a 2700mm super long wheel-base that of a midsize SUV ensuring overall spatial demands are met through excellent head, leg room & luggage capacity. It has a 337L boot which can expand to 1,133L when the rear seats are folded down.
The cabin is digitised as per the modern trend, with a dynamic steering, rotary shift dial and a 12,3” infotainment screen and touch panel.
The interior also features an array of storage areas, with a handy storage area complete with USB ports below the centre console, large door bins, a handy storage area near the drivers left elbow and two USB ports at the rear. The model on test also features a wireless smartphone charger, which is a nice touch.
The Haval Jolion interior surpasses user expectations in terms of luxury and intelligent equipment.
Performance and driving impression
According to Autotrader when they took it for a spin, the powertrain and driving impression of the Jolion is where they find a chink in the Haval’s armour.
On paper, the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox appear sufficient, with 105kW and 210Nm of torque propelling a car weighing 1 370kg. The problem is that out on the road, the engine and gearbox prove to be the Jolion’s weakest attribute, with relatively poor fuel returns, sluggish acceleration, and a general sense that this is not a particularly good four-cylinder powerplant.
The powertrain’s shortcomings are only irksome when pressing on, meaning that for the average owner that sits in traffic and does a combination of urban and suburban driving, the engine and gearbox will be sufficient.
Pricing (July 2021)
- City: R299 900
- Luxury: R332 900
- Premium: R339 900
- Luxury: R367 900
- Super Luxury: R398 900
Concluding Thoughts
The Haval Jolion on first impression is a vehicle that has been well thought out and ticks many boxes. It’s been designed to compete in a highly competitive segment and is built to cost without neglecting consumer expectations regarding practicality, performance, on-board technology and safety kit.
We like: Value for money, safety features, design, space, fit and finish.
We don’t like: Thirsty when pushed, drivetrain not as refined as some rivals.
Whilst we cannot make a judgement on the mechanical bits and pieces’ long-term endurance, there’s thousands of Havals already on the road and you don’t see any of them standing with their bonnets open. Do you?
The Haval Jolion is well priced. If you are shopping for a small crossover/compact family car in the R300 000 to R400 000 price bracket we encourage you to give this newcomer a closer look!