HAVAL Jolion HEV
February 06, 2023
The Chinese motor manufacturing giant HAVAL has done it again. HAVAL has now included a Jolion Hybrid variant to its popular Jolion SUV lineup.
For those not familiar with the brand, HAVAL is one of the four brands of GWM, and became independent brand back in 2013, HAVAL has a strong product matrix covering basically all SUV segments. HAVAL is the first Chinese SUV brand to join the Five-million-sales Club globally.
Hybrid powertrain vehicles are becoming more popular here in SA and some big hitters have already came to the party, with the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Honda Fit Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Jolion’s big brother the Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury
With emission laws getting more and more strict globally, manufactures have realized that change is necessary and a lot of time and money has been spent in producing technologically advanced Hybrid, Plug in Hybrid and full Electric vehicles
The Chinese motor manufactures has of late offered affordable vehicles, but with profound levels of luxury and built quality. The Jolion HEV one such example.
It is basically a self charging hybrid vehicle, that consistently adapts to its driving environment. Switching between Electric motor and the internal combustion engine is seamless and effortless, one does not even notice the transition.
When driving in traffic or coasting along in town, the Jolion HEV would relay mostly on the Electric motor, making the urban commutes exceptionally fuel efficient. With real world fuel consumption averaging around 5.0 to 5.8 liter per 100km
On the outside there is not much setting the Jolion HEV aprt from its Jolion sublings, miner syling accents would be the blue trim around the headlights and obviously the HEV badge at the back.
The rest of the styling remains familiar like the Diamond Front Grille, Silver Roof Rails that, Flared Rear Brake Lights, Sports Alloy Wheels and Dual Vent Rear Spoilers.
The Jolion HEV is available in two trim levels Luxury and Super Luxury which HAVAL owners will be familiar with.
Smart Keyless Entry with a Push Start Button is standard for both Luxury and Super Luxury.
The Panoramic Sunroof is a bonus and makes the cabin feel larger than it is. The 10.25-inch Multimedia Touch Display works well and is easy to use, easy to connect to Android Auto and Apple Car Play. The screen pixel quality is crisp and clear.
In general the drive is solid and the power delivery in Electric and ICE modes are smooth and effortless.
Its not a sports car at all, but performance is superb. Combined power output is a respectable 140kW and 375Nm
As mentioned above the Panoramic Sunroof is one of the highlights for me, just makes the cabin feel more spacious and letting in all that natural light.
Pricing:
HAVAL Jolion HEV 1.5T DHT Luxury – R549,950
HAVAL Jolion HEV 1.5T DHT Super Luxury – R579,950
Service Plan - 4 years / 60,000km
Warranty – 5 years / 100,000km
Hybrid Battery Warranty – 8 years / 150,000km
Pricing and specs as at February 2023
So how does the Jolion HEV stack up against its rivals ?
Its biggest competitor is the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid which starts at around R480,000
The Toyota is a naturally aspirated 1.5 4 cylinder Hybrid producing 72kW and 142Nm where the Jolion HEV is a 1.5T 4 Cylinder Hybrid producing 140kW and 375Nm as mentioned above.
So for around R70,000 more you could get into the Jolion which has about double the power and has all the gadgets you could imagine.
The Toyota is definitely a popular solid offering, but the Jolion is just much more bang for your hard earned bucks.
