Last week, we flew to Johannesburg to spend time with one of South Africa’s rapidly growing passenger vehicle brands, GWM (Great Wall Motors), for the launch of the refreshed Haval Jolion and the new Jolion Pro.
Since its launch in 2021, the Jolion has become one of the brand’s most popular products, achieving impressive sales figures. In 2023, GWM SA’s Jolion was the top-selling model, with 8,604 units sold, averaging 717 units per month, according to Naamsa.
With money tight these days, drivers are looking for cars that offer great value. GWM SA unveiled an updated Jolion and the impressive Jolion Pro to meet this demand. We got a close look at the Jolion Pro at the launch.
What’s New?
If it didn’t bear the Jolion badge, you might mistake it for a completely different model. The Haval Jolion has undergone a significant design refresh, particularly focused on its exterior. It now sports a sportier look with bold lines and sporty trim details.
The front end showcases slimmer headlights, with daytime running lights moved to the lower bumper. The most eye-catching addition is the lower front lip spoiler with canards, which GWM claims improves downforce and front airflow.
The sporty theme continues with bold body lines flowing to the sides, doors, and rear, which now features a large gloss black painted roof spoiler and a sporty rear diffuser. The rear lights have been upgraded from individual units to a seamless taillight bar, giving the rear end a cohesive look.
Additionally, keen observers will notice the GWM logo at the rear and the Haval logo at the front, part of GWM’s strategy to reinforce that Haval is under the GWM umbrella.
Interior, Tech and Practicality
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
While the exterior received significant updates, GWM designers opted to keep the interior of the Jolion largely unchanged from the pre-facelift version. It maintains a clean and well-organized layout, featuring a digital cluster and infotainment system with wireless phone connectivity and wireless phone charging.
Among the Jolion’s advanced features are fully automated parking, ambient lighting, heated and ventilated seats, adaptive cruise control with traffic sign recognition, and a touch more interior space, perfectly blending modern design with innovative tech.
A notable improvement is the switch from fidgety capacitive buttons to physical buttons for the climate controls, addressing a common consumer request.
One criticism, however, is that despite the remarkable exterior makeover, it still lacks modern touches like USB Type-C ports.
Powertrains and Performance
Under the hood, the HAVAL Jolion Pro offers three engine choices. The Premium, Super Luxury, and Ultra Luxury models feature a 105 kW, 210 Nm turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 7-speed Double Clutch Transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission for the entry-level City Jolion, achieving 8.1 l/100 km.
For more power, the 1.5T S Ultra Luxury boasts a 130 kW engine with 270 Nm of torque and the same transmission, with fuel efficiency of 7.5 l/100 km. The flagship Jolion Pro HEV is powered by a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine paired with an electric motor and battery system, producing a combined output of 140 kW and 375 Nm of torque, sent to the wheels via a CVT transmission.
The 1.5-turbocharged engine felt responsive and sporty, particularly in sport mode, maintaining high revs. The engine and transmission worked well together, providing sufficient torque for highway overtaking manoeuvres.
On the road, the suspension of the Jolion S Ultra luxury felt firm yet controlled, with minimal body roll during sharp cornering and effective damping over bumps or unpaved surfaces.
While Haval claims that the 1.5L Turbo engine in the Jolion Pro S Ultra Luxury could achieve a combined cycle of 7.5L/100km, we were unable to achieve that during our launch drive, only managing an average consumption of 8.7L/100km, even though we mostly drove in Eco and Normal modes. This is expected in a new car, where the engine has not yet fully broken in.
Verdict
I believe that GWM has nailed it with the upgrades to the new Haval Jolion range. Aimed at young professionals and small families, these stylish upgrades and competitive pricing are sure to attract many consumers. It offers excellent value for money, generously equipped with desirable tech and safety features that most buyers seek.
Pricing
The new Haval Jolion and Jolion Pro lineup is priced as follows:
– Haval Jolion 1.5T City – R345,950
– Haval Jolion 1.5T City Plus DCT – R370,950
– Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T Premium DCT – R391,150
– Haval Jolion 1.5T Luxury DCT – R420,950
– Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T Super Luxury DCT – R425,950
– Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T Ultra Luxury DCT – R462,950
– Haval Jolion Pro S 1.5T Ultra Luxury DCT – R495,950
– Haval Jolion Pro 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury DHT – R516,950
These prices include a 5-year/100,000 km warranty, along with a 60,000 km/5-year service plan. The top derivative HEV Hybrid model includes an 8-year/150,000 km battery warranty, a standard 7-year/200,000 km warranty, and a 5-year/75,000 km service plan.
