Jolly popular, say what, old chap… Yes, this is what the Haval Jolion has become in the three years since it was introduced as replacement for the H2 in the compact SUV segment. GWM has increased its presence in this market by introducing an enhanced, marginally bigger Pro version of the Jolion and a City derivative as continuation model for the current range.
For Haval, the differentiation between the upsized Jolion Pro and the City version is intended to make the Jolion appealing to a broader range of customers in the growing small SUV segment. The Jolion Pro is the first model to be introduced locally under the new unified One GWM philosophy and brings a new dimension to the realigned range.
PRO MODEL
From the front, the Pro is distinguishable from its contemporaries by a new hexagonal grille with fourteen chrome-tipped vertical bars and a discreet Haval badge positioned between a pair of multi-angle height-adjustable follow-me-home daytime running headlights (LED in higher-spec models).
At the rear, LED taillights linked by a bar across the width of the car, a black spoiler mounted atop the tailgate, a pair of market lamps in side pods and a faux diffuser with low-level lamps round off the design. Even so, the Pro models – standing slightly wider and taller than the regular models – still ride on the same platform with the same wheelbase.
The Pro models also share their power units with the current series, consisting of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with different outputs, as well as a hybrid petrol-electric drivetrain, and are available with Premium, Super Luxury, Ultra Luxury, Ultra Luxury S, and HEV Ultra Luxury specification levels.
Besides white, black, and light grey body colours, the Pro is also available in exclusive HD Blue, and all the derivatives come standard with gloss black door handles, sideview mirrors, wipers front and rear, plus a shark fin antenna. The Premium models ride on 17” alloys, and the Super Luxury and Ultra Luxury derivatives come with 18” wheels, a panoramic sunroof, gloss black roof rails, automatic headlights, and automatic windscreen wipers.
In the Premium, Super Luxury, and Ultra Luxury models, the turbo petrol engine – mated with a seven-speed DCT driving the front wheels – delivers 105 kW and 210 Nm of rotational force, and in the Ultra Luxury S model, it is rated for 130 kW and 270 Nm.
The powertrain in the flagship 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury model, consisting of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and battery-powered electric motor that can alternate from electric to series hybrid, parallel hybrid, and recharge modes, coupled with a two-speed hybrid transmission, has a total system output of 140 kW and 375 Nm of torque.
Most noticeable on the road were the smooth gear changes of the DCT (a winner in a class dominated by CVTs) and the sensitivity of the accelerator pedal (now slightly improved but still hard to control, even with modulation).
IMPROVED INTERIOR
Like the exterior, the cabin of the Pro models has been refreshed with dark upholstery and high-quality trim elements. The central touch screen of the infotainment system (ranging from 10.25” to 12.3”, depending on model grade) is now positioned above a row of one-touch control buttons (thank you for that) with the air vents below.
The rotary bezel gear selector has been retained in all the models, and the base Pro Premium model is specified with cloth fabric seats with six-way adjustment for the driver and four ways for the front passenger, a four-way adjustable multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifts and 3.5” instrument cluster. Luxury models gain a leatherette finish on the steering wheel and seats, a six-way power adjustment for the driver, a four-way for the front passenger, a central armrest, a four-speaker sound system, and a bigger 7” LCD instrument cluster.
The Ultra Luxury variants receive a head-up display projected onto the windscreen, heated front seats and driver seat ventilation, dual-zone climate control (also for rear passengers), a six-speaker sound system, ambient interior lighting, a cordless smartphone charger, and panoramic camera view as part of the infotainment system.
Keyless entry, alarm, and anti-theft system are also included, as is an immobiliser, a car locating function, and push-button start. Speed sensor door locking and a child safety lock are also standard. Ultra Luxury models have an Auto Parking System controlled by parking sensors and the panoramic view camera system.
The infotainment systems take some getting used to but are easy to operate. However, it did not take long before the multitude of warning signals and bells for the driver safety systems started intruding on our enjoyment of the car. The worst is, even if you disable them, they are reactivated when the engine is switched on again.
In the new Pro range, though, Haval assured us the safety systems can be deactivated permanently by saving and storing the settings in the driver’s personal profile.
CITY MODELS
With the Pro derivatives moving upmarket (also in terms of price), GWM has introduced two entry-level City models – in six-speed manual and seven-speed DCT Plus guise – with subtle styling differences compared to its predecessors, including a vertical front grille and revised rear light clusters. Interestingly, the City Plus DCT model shares the fully automatic parking function with the top model in the Pro line-up.
Also, to pay tribute to the Jolion legacy, 120 exclusive Limited Edition models based on the City range have been introduced. These models feature leatherette seats, a panoramic sunroof, 18” rims, and a commemorative badge.
LAST WORD
Whatever the reason, given the success of the Jolion range in the local market, the new realigned line-up with its improved aesthetics, high-quality trim, and excess of equipment will continue this trend – even at a higher price point for the Pro models, that now include a new seven-year warranty.
PRICING
Jolion 1.5T City R345,950
Jolion 1.5T City Plus 7DCT R370,950
Jolion Luxury 7DCT (Limited Edition) R420,950
Jolion Pro 1.5T Premium 7DCT R391,150
Jolion Pro 1.5T Super Luxury 7DCT R425,950
Jolion Pro 1.5T Ultra Luxury 7DCT R462,950
Jolion Pro 1.5T S Ultra Luxury 7DCT R495,950Jolion Pro 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury DHT R516,950