2024 GWM Haval Jolion review – 1.5T & Hybrid (video)

What’s a Jolion? No, it’s not a Pokemon. It’s a small SUV from Great Wall Motors’s (GWM) Haval division, and it is making waves on the Aussie sales charts.

November 2024 VFACTS figures show that the dominance of the (outgoing) MG ZS is eroding, while the Haval Jolion has consolidated its third-place position with 12,547 sales to the end of November.

On paper, the Jolion’s value proposition is undeniable. It’s a spacious offering, loaded to the brim with ADAS features and, importantly for many it has a five-star ANCAP rating.

We borrowed the petrol Lux and Hybrid Ultra for a week to examine each with a fine-toothed comb.

2024 GWM Haval Jolion Lux 1.5T: Specifications

2024 GWM Haval Jolion UItra Hybrid: Specifications

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 GWM Haval Jolion: How much does it cost?

The Lux is currently being offered from $26,990 drive-away. Standard inclusions include powered and heated driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, faux leather seats and steering wheel, and 360-degree camera.

At the top of the Jolion tree is the Hybrid Ultra, currently from $37,990 drive-away. It scores a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen, panoramic sunroof, 18-inch alloys, head-up display (HUD) and wireless phone charging.

The base Jolion petrol has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 105kW and 210Nm, sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DCT automatic. The hybrid, meanwhile, combines a naturally aspirated, 70kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder with an electric motor for a combined output of 140kW and 375Nm.

Servicing intervals are 12 months or 10,000km for the first visit, then every year/15,000km thereafter. Over 5 years or 70,000km, the difference is only $100 between the petrol and hybrid, at $1550 and $1650, respectively.

With a current (at the time of writing) median price of $1.93/L for 91 RON, both cars would cost $106.15 to fill, but the hybrid sips less at an official 5.1L/100km versus the pretty ordinary 8.1L/100km of the base setup. It’s worth mentioning many hybrid rivals require a minimum of expensive 95 RON premium petrol.

2024 GWM Haval Jolion: Interior & packaging

Although they share dimensions of 4472mm in length, 1841mm in width, and 1574mm in height and a 2700mm wheelbase, they are both quite different animals underneath.

Aside from the different powertrains, the two models also have different rear suspension setups. All hybrids get the Jolion Ultra’s multi-link independent rear suspension, in place of the torsion beam of the two entry level models.

First impressions when you clap eyes on the interior are quite positive. It appears to be modern enough with a soft material adorning the dash and a floating console being one of many excellent storage options. Look more closely, and the glossy carbon fibre pattern and fake stitching on the doors exude a somewhat tacky feel.

Accomodation is outstanding for an SUV of this size, with a flat floor in the rear, along with decent head, shoulder, leg and knee room for three adults. Front seats are reasonably comfy, too.

While both models feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, operation of these systems highlight a major flaw with this vehicle; a woefully unintuitive UX. A barely visible ‘home’ icon appears in the top left corner and even operating the climate control is a very distracting affair.

There are menus on top of menus, with ADAS split between two menus, requiring a lengthy procedure to turn off the (overzealous) speed limit and fatigue warnings before setting off. Granted, it’s not the only car in its class that does this, but here it seems to require the most effort to turn them off.

Furthermore, it’s not going to win any beauty contests with the Hybrid Ultra featuring wings, canards and skirts – even with 18-inch alloys, it appears under-tyred and slightly awkward in this configuration in our opinion. At least there are two USB ports and vents for the rear passengers.

Boot space is 337 litres for the non-hybrid, with a temporary spare tyre underneath the floor, while the hybrid makes do with 255 litres and a temporary inflation kit. It’s unfortunate that so many hybrids don’t come with a spare tyre.

2024 GWM Haval Jolion: Powertrain & handling

In this department, there’s actually a bit of good news. Starting with the Jolion Lux, handling is reasonably surefooted and steering is direct, albeit inert. On the freeway is where this SUV shines, with an indicated 2100rpm at 110km/h cruising speed, exploiting the multitude of gear ratios on offer. NVH is better than you might expect too, with scant wind and tyre noise.

Around town, it’s a tale of two very different cars. The base car’s dual-clutch transmission can be jerky at times, allowing revs to hang, with a tendency to hunt when kickdown is called upon. It can be caught off guard and is somewhat hesitant off the line.

On the other hand, the addition of the hybrid’s electric powertrain makes it smooth and responsive when you need, with consistent power delivery (unlike the MG ZS Hybrid+). In fact, the instant torque proves a bit much for the front tyres, with lots of wheelspin when you bury the throttle. Another advantage of this car is one pedal driving. This is very handy around town.

It’s on switchbacks and back roads where the multi-link rear suspension of the hybrid shows far more dexterity handling bumps, potholes and providing a more planted feel at the back. Comparatively, the base setup struggles to walk and chew gum at the same time.

Between the two models, it’s the hybrid which makes the most compelling argument for your dollar. With its responsive powertrain, one pedal driving, superior ride and handling plus one pedal driving, it has plenty going for it at that price.

The non-hybrid, meanwhile, exhibits some annoying characteristics from its DCT gearbox around town, but still offers excellent cruiseability and there is a lot of space and metal for little outlay.

The intervention of both car’s ADAS systems is over the top in our view, with far too much effort required to defeat them. This is a pretty big red flag to a lot of people but perhaps you can live with them. We’d suggest spending a lot of time getting to know these, or you could be saddled with a nuisance for years. Aside from that, the warranty is extensive and running costs are low.

2024 GWM Haval Jolion: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Spacious interior: The cabin offers ample space, especially in the back, with a flat floor enhancing legroom.
• Competitive pricing: Both the 1.5T and hybrid are priced attractively, representing unquestionable value in the small SUV segment.
• Comprehensive safety features: Equipped with a suite of safety technologies, including a wide-angle rear-vision camera, this should be a safe SUV; the 1.5T is rated 5 stars ANCAP, but the hybrid is unrated.
• Features: Lots of features and all as standard, compared with rivals.

2024 GWM Haval Jolion: Key considerations before you buy

• Cheap interior: It might appear modern and premium at first glance, but that notion is quickly dispelled due to tacky materials in many areas.
• Overzealous ADAS safety systems: ADAS features can be overly sensitive and challenging to disable.
• Over-complicated menus: Adjusting settings requires navigating through multiple, unintuitive menus, which can be very distracting.
• Unrefined transmission: The DCT in the 1.5T exhibits lag and confusion during acceleration, and can be stressful to use in busy city conditions.

2024 GWM Haval Jolion: Video