Haval Jolion

Haval Jolion at a glance

The Jolion is a monocoque crossover with a transverse engine and front-wheel drive. It is sold in many export markets, including Australia, South Africa, Thailand and the Philippines. More Chinese crossovers are listed in our car catalogue.

Exterior

The design follows current trends and borrows ideas from several brands, which gives it a slightly unconventional look; from the front it reminds some of recent Peugeots. A large grille with a diamond-pattern mesh carries the Haval badge in the centre; depending on version the grille is chrome or black, always with a chrome surround. Headlights use halogen or LED units, but even base versions have vertical LED daytime running lights. A lower grille has horizontal slats as standard, with the mesh pattern optional, and the bonnet's leading edge is cut at 45 degrees for a stricter, more aggressive look.

The side has large doors for easy access and well-balanced proportions. Chrome is kept to a minimum - dark window surrounds and black pillars replace it, with chrome only on the lower doors and around the rear side windows. Wheels are 17 or 18 inches. The door-mounted mirrors are power-adjustable and heated with LED indicators, and fold automatically on higher versions. Ground clearance is a useful 190 mm. At the rear, a large tailgate with a spoiler, large L-shaped tail lights mostly on the body, a big chrome "Haval" script, a rear camera, an optional power tailgate, a two-tone bumper with a small diffuser and two horizontal rear fog lamps complete the look. The roof can be solid, with a sunroof or panoramic with a sliding front section.

Interior

The cabin comes in a range of colours and feels better finished than many expect; leatherette seats are reserved for the top-spec version, whose driver's seat has six-way electric adjustment. Space is adequate front and rear. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel has a slightly thin rim and adjusts for height but not reach. Base versions have analogue dials, while higher ones have a 7-inch digital instrument panel and a head-up display. A 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sits in the centre (12.3 inches on the top-spec version) and also controls the climate system, with physical buttons below on most versions and touch buttons on the top one. Automatic versions have a more practical tunnel with side storage and a lower shelf, plus wireless charging. The six-speaker audio system is mediocre.

Three adults fit in the rear, with charging ports, a fold-down armrest with two cupholders and optional three-stage heating for both cushion and backrest. All-wheel-drive versions have a centre tunnel that takes some space. With the rear seat folded, luggage space reaches 1,133 litres with an almost flat floor.

Engines and transmissions

The petrol engine is a 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder with variable valve timing. Published figures give 0–100 km/h in about 9.8 seconds, a top speed of 185 km/h and about 10.4 l/100 km. The HEV uses a 1.6 kWh battery. A six-speed manual was offered in some markets, and the seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic is standard elsewhere. All-wheel-drive versions offered in some markets use a multi-plate clutch that can send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels.

Chassis

The L.E.M.O.N. modular platform, also used by the Haval Big Dog, makes extensive use of high-strength steel and gives a stiff body. Front suspension uses MacPherson struts; front-wheel-drive versions have a torsion-beam rear, and all-wheel-drive versions a multi-link rear. Steering has electric assistance, and the brakes are discs all round (ventilated at the front) with ABS, EBD and other electronic aids.

Safety and equipment

Depending on version, the Jolion offers front and side airbags, curtain airbags, ABS and EBD, stability and traction control, hill-start and hill-descent assist, rollover mitigation, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, tyre-pressure and temperature monitoring, automatic door unlocking after a crash, front and rear parking sensors, a semi-automatic parking assistant, a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, a traffic-jam assistant, cyclist detection, lane keeping, traffic-sign recognition, driver fatigue monitoring, ISOFIX anchorages, a head-up display, LED headlights, Bluetooth, USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, keyless entry and push-button start.

Later developments

The Jolion was facelifted in 2024. The Jolion Pro, the export version of the Haval Chitu, followed in South Africa in April 2024 and in Australia in June 2024, where the hybrid is sold as the Jolion HEV.

Key specifications

Strengths and weaknesses

Owners like the Jolion's attractive design, competitive interior space, modern cabin, many electronic driver aids and large infotainment screen; ground clearance and all-wheel drive allow occasional trips off tarmac. On the other hand, the engine can feel short of power, the steering column does not adjust for reach, some trim feels economised and the dual-clutch gearbox does not inspire full confidence. Rivals include the Geely Coolray, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Kia Sportage, Skoda Karoq, Nissan Qashqai and Renault Arkana.