The revamped Haval Jolion and its boldly styled sibling, the Jolion Pro, have made a big entrance onto the SA motoring scene. The APEX team took a trip to Jozi, Gauteng, to get hands-on experience with the Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T S Ultra Luxury.

Since its debut in 2021, the Haval Jolion has dominated GWM South Africa’s luxury SUV lineup, replacing the H2 and quickly becoming a bestseller. Even in the tough economic climate we’re currently facing, with constant interest rate hikes, brands like GWM give us access to really great cars at an affordable price point.

In today’s challenging economic landscape, the demand for affordability and value has never been higher. Motorists are looking for vehicles that give them the most bang for their buck. So, is the Jolion Pro one of those “bang for buck” cars?

What’s New?

Haval Motors South Africa has spiced up the market with the Jolion Pro, available in three dynamic trims: Premium, Super Luxury, and Ultra Luxury. Customers can choose from five striking colors: Hamilton White, Sun Black, Light Ayers Grey and HD Blue, to personalize their ride.

Exterior and Interior Styling Upgrade

No matter the trim, the Jolion Pro offers a well-appointed cabin that feels solid and spacious for a compact family car. Its upscale touchpoints and high-quality materials enhance the driving experience. The Jolion Pro boasts a sportier, more sophisticated exterior with almost entirely new bodywork, setting it apart from the standard Jolion, now rebranded as the Jolion City. Inside, while the switchgear and layout are familiar, the Jolion Pro introduces cutting-edge features.

Innovative touches include a USB charging port cleverly integrated into the rear-view mirror for dashcam power and seamless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Jolion Pro blends style, functionality, and technology, setting a new standard in its segment. Additional advanced technologies include fully automated parking, ambient lighting, ventilated seats, adaptive cruise control with traffic sign recognition, and slightly more interior space, seamlessly blending style and innovation.

Powertrain and Drive

Under the hood, the powertrain options from the pre-facelift Jolion continue to impress. The range includes a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine, delivering either 105 kW/210 Nm or a robust 130 kW/270 Nm in the 1.5T S Ultra Luxury. The standout, however, is the top-tier petrol-electric hybrid (HEV), which pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine with a CVT, electric motor, and battery pack to churn out a formidable 140 kW/375 Nm.

Drivers of the entry-level Jolion have the choice of a manual gearbox, but all Jolion Pro models (except the 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury) come equipped with a smooth 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Fuel efficiency figures are commendable, ranging from 8.1 L/100 km to 7.5 L/100 km for the 1.5T S Ultra Luxury, and an impressive 5.1 L/100 km for the 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury.

First Drive Impression

We got behind the wheel of the 1.5T S Ultra Luxury and headed for Muldersdrift, a picturesque rural area situated 27 km north-west of Johannesburg, between Johannesburg and the Magaliesberg mountain range. It was the perfect backdrop for us to sample all the Jolion Pro has to offer, swapping from highways to the road less traveled with ease. The Jolion Pro’s engine and transmission felt well-matched, delivering just what we needed when we needed it.

Disappointingly, as with its predecessors, the Jolion Pro’s fuel consumption was higher than anticipated. On our test, we pulled out all the stops to try and reach Haval’s claimed 7.5l/100km mark, but the closest we could get was 8.9l/100km.

The Jolion Pro 1.5T S Ultra Luxury features a MacPherson strut suspension up front and an independent multi-link setup at the rear. Lesser variants (1.5T Premium and Super Luxury) have a torsion beam at the rear, likely resulting in a less refined ride.

Verdict

In the realm of compact SUVs, the Haval Jolion Pro stands tall as a formidable contender next to the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro.

From the moment you lay eyes on its sportier, more sophisticated exterior, you know you’re in for something special. Step inside, and you’re greeted with a cabin that feels like your own personal oasis – solid, spacious, and brimming with quality.

Sure, it may sip a bit more fuel than expected, but when you factor in its advanced safety features and customizable trims, it’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind it brings.

Pricing

The most exciting part of this story is the price. We can overlook a few minor issues with the Jolion Pro (these issues we had could very much be due to the fact that our test unit only had a couple of 100km’s on the clock and still needed to be “broken” in).

  • Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T Premium: R391,150
  • Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T Super Luxury: R425,950
  • Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T Ultra Luxury: R462,950
  • Haval Jolion Pro 1.5T S Ultra Luxury: R495,950
  • Haval Jolion Pro 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury: R516,950

All Jolion Pro models come with a 5-year/100,000 km warranty and a 5-year/60,000 km service plan. However, the flagship 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury stands out with a 7-year/200,000 km warranty, 8 years or 150,000 km of battery coverage, and a 5-year/75,000 km service plan.

This comprehensive coverage ensures peace of mind, whether you opt for the value-packed Premium or the fully-loaded Ultra Luxury. The Jolion Pro lineup offers exceptional choice and reassurance for South African motorists.