2022 Haval Jolion Hybrid new car review

This new petrol-electric family car from an emerging brand promises to cut your fuel bill dramatically and throws in plenty of desirable features, too.

2022 Haval Jolion Hybrid SUV.

The GWM Haval Jolion is a well-priced offering in the popular small SUV segments, with a long seven-year warranty and cheap running costs.

But does a new hybrid version push its luck at $40,990 drive-away? Our family of testers find out.

The Jolion Hybrid claims fuel use of 5.0L/100km, but you’ll likely do more in the real world.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

IAIN: Hybrid small SUVs are in demand and hard to find. Fresh to market is this GWM Haval Jolion Ultra HEV.

JULES: Catchy name and it looks good inside and out.

IAIN: Haval’s designers deserve kudos. Even anti-Chinese keyboard warriors must admit they’re easy on the eye.

JULES: It’s chunky yet elegant and the lights are spectacular. Up front are giant teardrop daytime running lights, 11 stacked bars for indicators and three blue-surround LED headlights.

IAIN: And all in one cluster unit! Can you imagine the cost to replace a damaged one?

JULES: Black and silver 18-inch alloys, a giant sparkly grille and racy rear bumper add sportiness.

IAIN: But the rear’s tarnished with giant badges explaining what it is. Less is more, Haval.

JULES: How much is it and what are the rivals?

IAIN: It’s $40,990, a fair jump from non-hybrid Jolions, which start from $27,490. The hybrid in Ultra grade costs $8000 more than the petrol version. It will be cross-shopped against hybrid versions of Honda HR-V ($47,000), Kia Niro S ($44,380), Toyota Corolla Cross GXL ($39,250) and Toyota C-HR Koba ($37,665). A pure electric MG ZS costs $44,990.

JULES: You save money on fuel, but those are big entry prices for small SUVs.

The cabin is well appointed.

THE LIVING SPACE

IAIN: If I’m paying $40k for an emerging Chinese car brand, I expect to be blown away. I’m impressed and disappointed in equal measure.

JULES: Okay. What’s the good stuff?

IAIN: It’s loaded. The aforementioned rivals can’t match the Jolion’s kit. Comfy faux leather, a glass roof, heated front seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and 7-inch digital driver readout and head-up display.

JULES: Now have your grumble …

IAIN: There’s no steering wheel reach adjustment, which meant I couldn’t get comfy, the door tops are hard plastic, the USB ports are near-impossible to reach and only the driver’s seat’s electric. And there’s no wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto despite wireless charging.

JULES: Are you done?

IAIN: No. Its rotary gear selector barely illuminates what gear you’re in. Reverse? Drive? It’s a mystery until you hit the throttle. Not ideal.

JULES: Your points are valid, but the cabin design’s clean, minimalist, spacious and presents really well.

It’s not the most refined hybrid on the road.

THE COMMUTE

IAIN: Having driven the non-hybrid Jolion, this is a far better experience.

JULES: There’s an instant torque hit, I presume due to the hybrid?

IAIN: Yep. There’s a small battery and electric motor backing up the otherwise tardy 1.5-litre petrol engine. The hybrid works in the background – you don’t need to do anything – and it runs only on electricity at slow speed.

JULES: I love that. Silent cruising in traffic and when you floor it there’s decent, instant zip.

IAIN: There are three levels of regenerative braking to choose from, helping you to recharge the battery. Time it right on the most aggressive setting and you’ll come to a stop without touching the brakes.

JULES: It rides well, is easy to drive and quite smooth, although the brakes can be grabby.

IAIN: Haval’s confusing operating system and assist systems drive me nuts.

JULES: Agreed. You adjust temperature through the screen, but if you press the “AC” button to access it, the climate control turns off. To turn on the heated seat you press an “Off” button on the screen. Madness.

IAIN: A Big Brother camera monitors your eyes to check you’re watching the road; dare cross a line and you’re ordered: “Hey, don’t stray!” while the active cruise control gives up on corners. This all needs work.

THE SHOPPING

JULES: The boot’s reasonable, but where’s the auto tailgate?

IAIN: You’d expect it at this price. The turning circle’s terrible, but the surround view camera’s superb.

It also commands a big premium over the petrol version.

SUNDAY RUN

JULES: I found it more fun in town than on a country drive. Silent electric urban travel for me and it’s good-looking enough to park outside boutiques.

IAIN: It corners well enough and fat tyres help absorb bumps. The steering’s a bit lifeless and it’s no dynamic joy, but it feels controlled, safe and easy … if you can tolerate its warning beeps.

THE FAMILY

JULES: It has excellent rear space – more like a medium SUV’s.

IAIN: It’s lovely and light with the glass roof, too. Air vents and rear USBs kept out kids happy.

JULES: There are lots of safety aids, even if some lack finesse: emergency lane keep, blind-spot monitor and auto braking front and rear.

IAIN: It’s a lot more efficient than the standard petrol version; a claimed 5.0L/100km compared with 8.1L/100km. We returned 6.4L/100km. The warranty’s an excellent seven years, while services are pleasingly cheap.

THE VERDICT

JULES: The hybrid Jolion is a much nicer, perkier urban drive than the purely petrol version. I’m impressed with the included kit, but it can infuriate in ways a $40k car shouldn’t.

IAIN: The hybrid brings better economy and a smoother and punchier ride, especially in town. But the $8000 premium is too much.

Originally published as 2022 Haval Jolion Hybrid new car review