GWM's Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid could just be the best value Qashqai-class SUV you've never heard of. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
Chinese maker GWM expands its reach in the UK market substantially with this lower mid-sized SUV, the Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid. It enters an over-crowded Qashqai class for family crossovers, but costs thousands less than some of its more commonly-chosen segment rivals. Yet includes frugal running costs and decent equipment levels for your money and a long warranty. Could be worth a look.
Background
GWM - Great Wall Motors - was one of the very first Chinese brands to enter our market back in 2022 with a small electric supermini, the ORA Funky Cat. ORA is just one of GWM's various sub-brands, the others being Wey, Tank, Poer and the conglomerate's most successful global nameplate, Haval. And it's Haval who provide the second of GWM's offerings in the UK - the Jolion Pro Hybrid mid-sized SUV.
It was a sign of the times that the ORA Funky Cat (more recently re-named the 'ORA 03') was an EV. And it's probably also a sign of the times that this Haval model isn't. Power comes instead from a full-Hybrid petrol engine better suited to those still unconvinced by the EV revolution. This combination has worked well for the Haval brand in other markets - the Jolion Pro is the third best seller in its class in Australia for instance. As for what that class is, for rivals, think frugally-focused lower mid-sized crossovers like the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER or the Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 and you won't be too far out. Let's take a closer look.
Driving Experience
One of GWM's most proven engines, a petrol 1.5-litre four cylinder full-Hybrid with 188bhp, sits beneath the bonnet, able to propel this Jolion Pro to 62mph in a reasonable 8.5s. It's been coupled with a smooth 7-speed dual clutch auto transmission and with 210Nm of torque, there should be enough mid-range pulling power to keep you up with the flow of traffic without having to strain the little turbo petrol unit unduly.
Don't expect engaging handling, but few lower mid-sized Hybrid crossovers of this kind provide that. What you might hope for given this Haval model's suburban journeying remit is a supple quality of ride - and you shouldn't be disappointed. The relatively lightweight (but unfortunately named) L.E.M.O.N. platform provides a strong anchor point for the MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension designed to soak up bumps. Expect light steering - great for town use but not so good for twisting secondaries.
Design and Build
This Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid has been available in some other global markets since 2021. Which you might just guess from a glance at a shape which though smart, does bear all the hallmarks of something styled in the last decade. Still, elements like the faux front air dams, the prominent roof spoiler, the chrome grille and the rear 'single eyebrow' LED tail lights separated bv a full-width strip all look nice. And black plastic-clad wheel arches housing 17 or 18-inch alloy rims supply the required SUV vibe. Length is 4,470mm; to give you some segment perspective, a Nissan Qashqai is 4,425mm long.
Inside, the dashboard is topped by a 12.3-inch central screen, complete with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. Through the wheel, you view a 7-inch digital gauge cluster. Switches haven't been completely banished though. There's a panel of physical buttons beneath the centre screen, with several more on the steering wheel and centre console. We prefer to have seen more because the centre screen has small icons that are fiddly to use while you're driving. And you'll find that some of the functions you want regularly are buried in sub-menus. It's easy to find a comfortable driving position thanks to the reach and rake adjustable steering wheel that wasn't fitted to earlier versions of this car.
What might sell this model to you is its relative spaciousness at the back - there 615mm of rear seat legroom. The boot capacity isn't anything to write home about though, 255-litres available - extendable to 916-litres with the 60:40-split backrest flattened.
Market and Model
There are three versions of the Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid SUV available and all are very affordably priced. Things kick off with the base 'Premium' version which costs around £24,000. Next up is the 'Lux' version costing around £28,000, with the top 'Ultra' version costing around £30,000. You get the same Hybrid engine with all three variants. And across the range, you get diamond-cut alloy wheels of either 17 or 18-inches in size. There are four exterior colour options.
The entry-level 'Premium' trim features dynamic front LED headlights, a high-definition touchscreen, advanced driver assistance systems, keyless entry, 'a digital instrument display and a 12.3-inch central screen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. The mid-level 'Lux' trim builds on the 'Premium' spec, adding upgraded materials, enhanced comfort-focused technology like heated front seats and conveniences like powered seating. At the top of the range, the 'Ultra' trim includes an electric panoramic glass roof, premium upholstery, a head-up display, a wireless 'phone charger, ventilated front seating, a 360-degree camera, auto parking assist and exclusive design elements.
As for safety, well GWM says that over 100 active and passive cutting-edge safety features have been built into this car, include Driver Drowsiness Protection, a Brake Override System, Secondary Collision Mitigation and Automatic Rear Cross Traffic Braking. The vehicle's safety systems also include Auto Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Detection. All ADAS functions are fitted as standard, even on the entry-level 'Premium' specification.
Cost of Ownership
Let's get to the efficiency stats. GWM Haval quotes around 55mpg on the combined cycle; and 118g/km of CO2. The brand reckons a full tank would give you a driving range of around 620 miles. All Haval models come with GWM's 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. To give you some segment perspective, a rival Nissan Qashqai e-POWER manages up to 55.4mpg and up to 116g/km.
What else? Well you might worry about residual values from an unknown brand, but they should be OK. With GWM's other product, the Ora 03, industry experts predict a residual of 44% of its original value after 3 years and 60,000 miles. There's also a five year / 60,000 mile paint warranty and 12 years of anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are in-line with best-in-class competitors.
Summary
The market doesn't need another mid-sized SUV but for the UK market, GWM does and the Jolion Pro provides that in an efficient, value-priced package. No, it's not a particularly exciting segment choice, but you get plenty of practicality, lots of kit and a pretty low running costs. The problem for the brand is that quite a few other segment contenders provide that same kind of combination too - though admittedly, not at such an affordable price.
In other markets, the Jolion Pro has overcome class opposition to become one of its segment's strongest sellers. That's unlikely to happen here, but this car should carve out a useful niche for itself amongst those who've taken the trouble to find out it exists. Which only leaves that strange name. Perhaps it provides what this car really needs. A real talking point.
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