GWM Haval Jolion 2024 review: Hybrid long-term | Part 2

This month the Jolion Hybrid settled into its daily driving routine after last month’s chapter where we compared it to its sporty S counterpart. 

The question I was aiming to answer for this chapter is whether the hybrid can possibly live up to the initial glowing impression I had when I swapped into it out of the pure combustion version.

After all, I was immediately impressed with the improvement in ride quality and the comparatively effortless hybrid drivetrain in this version of the car, plus it had less annoying software features, or at least ones which you could permanently turn off.

Now with a solid 760km of daily duties on the clock, let me share what I’ve found.

Is the Haval Jolion hybrid a good price?

Let’s see. In an environment where seemingly every storied small SUV from Japan, Korea and Europe is getting more expensive with every update and facelift, it’s no wonder people are turning to promising new arrivals like the Jolion out of China.

We covered where the Jolion hybrid sits in the Haval range last chapter (this Ultra one, at $40,990 drive-away is the most expensive), but how does it shape up to the Hondas, Subarus and Toyotas of the world? The answer is, reasonably well.

The ever-popular Toyota Corolla Cross in hybrid form is comparably priced ($40,230 before on-roads), although this is for a GXL grade with considerably less stuff and before we start talking about this car’s exceedingly long waiting list.

Meanwhile, the Honda HR-V e:HEV doesn’t arrive until an eye-watering $47,000 drive-away, and the Nissan Qashqai is a similar story, with the just-announced e-Power variant starting from $51,590.

It’s smooth, and sleek on take off, and it’s hard to notice the transition between the electric motor and the combustion engine. (Image: Tom White)

Only the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid L can be had with a number starting with a three, although at $38,590 before on-roads it’s also less well equipped and significantly smaller than our Haval and it doesn’t have a reputation for being a stellar hybrid, either.

So yes, our Jolion Hybrid Ultra continues to stack up well on price, and from what we hear, they’re in good supply.

I can understand why this car has bubbled to near the top of its segment, especially since the two cars outselling it, the Mazda CX-30 and MG ZS are not available with a hybrid powertrain.

The Jolion Hybrid is very appealing, which is why it’s no surprise the brand is selling loads of them.

Is the Haval Jolion a good hybrid? Is it nice to drive?

In short, yes. The Jolion is the ‘good kind of hybrid’. Let me explain, because not all hybrids are built equally.

There are real hybrids, which aren’t the best because while the electric parts drive the wheels. (Image: Tom White)

You see, some hybrids aren’t hybrids at all. I’m referring to the 48-volt kind, which are often marketed as mild hybrids or MHEVs.

In this set-up, the electric motors are simply a starter assist and while they can alleviate some strain from the engine, they generally make a minor impact on your fuel bill.

Then, there are real hybrids, which aren’t the best because while the electric parts drive the wheels, they’re too weak to make a significant difference (see: Subaru Crosstrek and Forester), or they introduce annoying driving characteristics because the transmission is too complex (see: some Hyundai and Kia hybrids).

Often people associate the ‘good kind of hybrid’ with Toyota thanks to its brilliant 'Hybrid Synergy Drive', which seamlessly blends the electric and combustion drive bits together with a clever hybrid transaxle system.

The Jolion uses a similar kind of system, although it has a more powerful electric motor, and to drive it shares much of the same characteristics.

It’s smooth, and sleek on take off, and it’s hard to notice the transition between the electric motor and the combustion engine.

It’s smooth, and sleek on take off, and it’s hard to notice the transition between the electric motor and the combustion engine. (Image: Tom White)

Anyone searching for a Toyota-style hybrid at a fraction of the cost then, need look no further. Confirming my suspicions from the first chapter of this review, this is the most impressive hybrid drive system for an end-user outside of Honda or Toyota.

Now, over a month in, I still very much enjoy how the Jolion feels to drive. It doesn’t quite have the same polish as Honda or Toyota which do the whole package when it comes to ride and handling. 

The Jolion is simply okay at these characteristics. The steering is a tad dull and wooden, lacking the direct performative flair of a Honda or the effortlessness of a Toyota, but it’s not as disconcerting as an MG ZS.

That said, the ride can be a little on the hard side, and misses the resolve of its Japanese and Korean rivals. Still, it’s more balanced than some of its Chinese rivals, and the fact it earns a comparison at all to the greats of the industry deserves some applause.

What is the Haval Jolion hybrid’s fuel consumption?

Being the best kind of hybrid and comparatively nice to drive is one thing, but does the Jolion hybrid save you any fuel? This is the (literally) million dollar question in a world where it looks like fuel over two dollars a litre is becoming the norm.

Again, the Jolion delivers. Over some 760km in my first month with the hybrid, it has produced an impressive consumption of just 4.5L/100km. It’s a little over half what the combustion S used in my month with it (7.2L/100km), and the best bit is you can use entry-level 91RON unleaded fuel.

Again, the Jolion delivers. Over some 760km in my first month with the hybrid, it has produced an impressive consumption of just 4.5L/100km. (Image: Tom White)

It even lines up well compared to its rivals, with the Subaru Crosstrek hybrid claiming a lackluster 6.5L/100km (in real testing is much higher), and even the Corolla Cross, which has a claimed figure of 4.3L/100km.

Another big benefit of the Jolion’s fuel-sipping nature is not needing to refuel it yet. I’ll get over 800km on a single tank! There’s nothing better for staving off fuel pump pain than having to fill up once a month or less.

Does the Haval Jolion have any issues?

Okay, surely there are some downsides. Surely a cheap Toyota-style hybrid in plentiful supply is too good to be true?

In my time with the car I’ve run into a handful of irritations. Chief among them is the way-too-overzealous lane keep software, which I have to go through the rigmarole of switching off via a clunky touchscreen sub-menu every time I’m going to drive this car for longer than 10 minutes.

Another big benefit of the Jolion’s fuel-sipping nature is not needing to refuel it yet. I’ll get over 800km on a single tank! (Image: Tom White)

I’ve driven Kias and Hyundais with similarly annoying systems. Hell, even the standard-bearing EV6 had the same issue, but at least in most of the Korean cars the system is comparatively easy to switch off with either a button or through the little menu on the digital dash which you can use easily while you’re driving.

I think the ideal solution for Haval would be a software update to either make this system less annoying or let you permanently turn it off. At least in the hybrid version you can permanently switch off the invasive driver monitor, which frankly ruins the experience in other variants, as mentioned in the last chapter.

The other primary irritation is the touch menu for some of the climate functions. Feedback from the initial versions of the Jolion had the brand swap out a touch-based climate panel in favour of actual buttons, but they didn’t go far enough!

There are still some things, like switching on air recirculation or swapping from manual to auto mode which can only be done from the touchscreen.

The same goes for the volume adjustment. There’s a toggle on the steering wheel, but passengers can only adjust it through a clumsy slide-out touch interface on the main screen. Annoying.

Most people like its flashy design and alluring paint colour, and passengers have been impressed by its rear seat space. (Image: Tom White)

Finally, there's the rotary gear shifter. It freely rotates and doesn't just lock to the three available positions, so you have to be very careful to check it has actually engaged the gear you want. It makes the centre console look clean, sure, but it almost presents a safety hazard.

I must admit, though, these irritations are most confronting because they’re so easily avoidable. On the whole I’ve quite liked my time with the Jolion hybrid. It feels like a veritable ‘Hyundai i30’ moment for Haval. The first car which can hold a candle to its more mainstream rivals.

What do others think of the Haval Jolion hybrid?

Most people like its flashy design and alluring paint colour, and passengers have been impressed by its rear seat space.

Others I’ve chatted to about it are particularly impressed with the fuel consumption number. No surprise given the prices they’ll be seeing at the pump.

Next chapter we’ll keep an eye on said fuel consumption and update you with any other issues or notable developments in our Jolion hybrid journey. Stay tuned to see what we find, and drop any questions in the comments below!

Haval Jolion Hybrid Ultra

Acquired: September 2023 (swapped from Jolion S had since August)

Distance travelled this month: 757km

Odometer: 9502km

Average fuel consumption this month: 4.5L/100km