I was quite taken with the original GWM Haval Jolion in terms of its styling, which in the sea of mediocrity that is the Compact SUV market was – and still is – quite refreshing.
Most in the auto industry would be aware that the development time between one model and its successor are A: much shorter than ever before or B: much more dramatic than ever before or C: a combination of both.
It is this last category which is where I found the GWM Haval Jolion for 2024.
It’s more accurate to say I found it in my driveway, but let’s not split hairs. This is the second generation of GWM Haval’s baby SUV and my, how it’s improved!
GWM Haval’s design teams looked to Europe for inspiration then put their own stamp of individuality on the remarkably affordable SUV, paving the way for the interior design teams to cram everything they could into a smart body while given the one directive of ‘keep the value proposition please’.
To say they succeeded would be an understatement. The first gen Jolion came with oodles of bells and whistles which – given the price of the thing – beggared belief.
But being a first out of the gate model, there were teething troubles: the electronics were a little iffy. Driver and vehicle interfaces were a tad laggy, a bit Atari versus X-Box to quote Cee Lo Green. And the ergos were not very well thought out, especially if one has Cee Lo Green’s Tyrannosaurus Rex arm lengths.
But GWM Haval was just warming up. The Gen One Jolion ruffled some feathers when it rolled out of the showroom floors and when Gen 2 arrived, it positively plucked every one off.
Despite only a few short years in the market, the Jolion looks like it’s been engineered by a brand with a long pedigree of mastering vehicle aesthetics.
It’s a well thought out SUV in terms of innerspace too, with comfortable seating for five Kiwi-sized blokes and where everything feels comfortable, from headroom, shoulder width and the ability to see the corners out of the SUV.
OK, so how did the ‘lectrical team get on with the new model? Well, we’ve now jumped from Atari to X-Box and out to X-Box One.
The widgits and gadgets that make up the expected electronics are right up there when it comes to fluidity and ease of control.
Even the Nanny systems which so many people like to turn off, can be deactivated easily, and they default reset when you switch the Jolion off, so your SUV can be driven safely by the less-experienced driver who might need attention reminders and lane wandering checks.
Engine-wise, the Jolion – did you pick up that it’s a hybrid? Good – is a sweetheart. The turbo petrol is not one of those excitable ones which screams into life once the leccy part has lost its fizz.
It smoothly slips into action and keeps the Jolion ticking along nicely while the battery takes a breather.
It’s fair to say the Chinese really do have a handle on hybrids which some Japanese brands could learn a thing or two from. The Jolion hybrid has all the pep you want regardless of what power source is providing the get up and get outta here.
The Jolion will do everything it can to stay on battery for as long as possible and at the same time, providing willing and spirited performance working with the GWM Dedicated Hybrid Transmission which makes the most out of hybridised power delivery.
Handling is excellent, with minimal body roll, precise steering and the ability to get a little playful when the roads work out the way they should.
And you’ve gotta be happy with the price and package proposition as a fleet manager.
The GWM Haval Jolion ticks so many boxes, it’s impossible to ignore, and begs the question, what will they do for generation 3 to top this?
By Sean Willmot
