2024 GWM Haval Jolion facelift? Refreshed Toyota Corolla Cross, Mitsubishi ASX rival appears in government approval documents

This could be our first glimpse at the 2024 GWM Haval Jolion facelift as new pictures of the small SUV appeared in government approval documents. 

It’s clearly a Jolion – the lights are a giveaway – that’s pictured and is likely a facelift of the existing car rather than the Jolion Pro unveiled late last month.

Visually there’s a simpler blacked-out grille with vertical slats, more pronounced front valance with less visual clutter, ‘GWM’ badge in place of ‘HAVAL’ lettering, new lower bumper garnish and raised rear spoiler. 

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There are no images showing what the updated car’s interior may look like, though we’d expect similar architecture and technology to the existing Jolion small SUV. 

There are two variants of the ‘A01 FL’ (presumably short for facelift) both complied with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. One of the two shows a sunroof as standard specification while weighing 60kg more (1400kg). 

CarsGuide sighted these documents and has sought comment from GWM Australia on the new vehicle. This story will be updated when we hear more. 

A tidier front end with new 17-inch alloy wheels for the GWM Haval Jolion facelift.

GWM South Africa confirmed that a new model, the Jolion Pro (or ChiTu in China, which means Red Rabbit), would replace upper-spec Jolion Ultra and Ultra Hybrid variants in the second quarter of the year. 

What we’re probably seeing – and this makes sense owing to the smaller 17-inch alloy wheels with which this vehicle is complied – is a refreshed Jolion that will offer a more affordable small SUV option alongside a new Jolion Pro. 

This wouldn’t be out of the ordinary, with MG choosing that very route with its ZS and ZST range – the ZS offering a price-leader entry point and the ZST a richer specification with more modern powertrains.

The Chinese-market GWM Haval Jolion Pro, known as the ChiTu. (Image: Century Automobile China)

If the right-hand-drive South African market is anything to go by, the Jolion Pro will adopt the same 130kW/270Nm tune as the existing Jolion S, with the facelifted Jolion to stay at 105kW. 

The two vehicles share more than names, with the Pro just 2mm shorter and matching its 2700mm wheelbase – the Pro will also be offered in South Africa with a hybrid powertrain producing 140kW/370Nm. 

Pricing and features will be confirmed closer to when a new Jolion launches. Expect it to start just above $30,990 drive-away where the current Jolion Lux petrol sits.