GWM Haval Jolion vs MG HS

What's the difference?

The GWM Haval Jolion Lux offers affordability in a modern, attractive package. However, the execution of some of its features isn’t always convincing. So yes, it’s sharply priced but it also feels underdone in some respects which doesn’t necessarily equate to value. But if affordability is at the top of your priority list and one or two shortcomings doesn't mean the end of the world, this could be the urban SUV you're looking for.

The MG HS Excite is a mixed bag and difficult to score. What it does well, it does really well. And what it does poorly, well...

The pricing is great, the driving is pleasant (when those alerts are switched off) and the new design is sharply styled. Plus the space in the cabin will offer even larger families room to move.

However, the overall comfort, technology and some of the big safety systems need serious work and let down an otherwise decent mid-sized SUV.

The Jolion is now longer and wider than it's rivals at 4472mm long, and 1874mm wide. The next largest 'small' SUV is the Kia Seltos at 4385mm long and 1800mm wide which does the Jolion a whole lot of favours for internal passenger space and kerb-side appeal.

The Jolion looks substantial and well-shaped, with enough bells and whistles in the design to keep it fresh; like the swoopy LED DRLs at the front and a curvy behind that’s accentuated by a black spoiler.

The interior has interesting features, like the rotary-dial gear selector, push-button starter and minimalist button panel that sits below the large technology screen.

The dashboard juts out into the cabin and the low-key design is too pared back for my taste. But the cabin looks nice and new with lots of tactile accent panels and shiny screens.

There is still too much plasticky-looking styling to elevate it properly, but for its grade level this is almost luxurious.

The previous shape of the HS was pleasant, if unremarkable but the new-gen model offers bigger dimensions being 81mm longer, 14mm wider and riding on a 45mm longer wheelbase.

A new grille with slim LED headlights headlines the redesign but the body features crisp pleating that runs into a shapely rear. It's bolder, more distinct on the road and far sharper than before.

The new design should make it a firm competitor against rivals like the Sportage and CX-5, which offer a sportier vibe for the segment.

Head inside and the interior has had a thorough look-in, as well. Additional soft touchpoints are scattered throughout to elevate the premium feel. There's a new steering wheel and a heavier use of soft materials versus harder plastics.

The dashboard is slick-looking and features an eye-catching technology panel that houses the dual 12.3-inch screens.

There is still a lack of personality inside that seems inherent with these more affordable Chinese makes but it looks far more premium than its grade level might suggest.

It's a running theme but the practicality of the Jolion doesn't always land. However, what it does well, it does very well.

Take the access and space for passengers. Both rows offer class-leading head- and legroom for its occupants, even middle seaters should be happy considering the transmission tunnel isn't tall.

Despite the manual passenger seat being set too high and both seats lacking lumbar support, front seaters still enjoy the most comfort. The heated front seats are also a pleasant surprise for the grade level, although their function is buried deep within the multimedia system and I mostly forgot about them.

The rear seat is fairly hard and doesn't offer much side bolstering, although the middle armrest helps to secure outer passengers in corners.

Storage is solid throughout the cabin with a reasonably sized glove box that can hold a thick manual, middle console and dedicated phone shelf, as well as a second phone 'slot'.

There is a sunglasses holder (sunnies rattle when stored, though) and a cubby underneath the centre console that can hold a small handbag but anything stored might interfere with the USB ports housed there.

There are two cupholders up front but you can't fit two cups side by side. Two cupholders, a couple of map pockets and storage bins finish up the storage in the back seat.

The boot capacity sits at 337 litres and while large enough for a good grocery haul it falls on the lower end for the class. By comparison, the Kia Seltos offers 433L.

Now, on to what the Jolion doesn't do all that well. It's new 10.25-inch multimedia screen and 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster look the part - all shiny and new-looking - but their usability falls somewhat short.

The media touchscreen is responsive but a punish to use on the go as most functions, including climate control, are accessed via the screen. A few dedicated buttons would be welcome, so changing bits on the road doesn't leave you flustered.

The digital instrument cluster isn't customisable and is set to a dark display screen with a typeface that looks blurry on some key displays, especially the speedometer.

There is a rather large and in-your-face driver monitoring camera installed on the A-pillar which feels too much like you're under surveillance while driving (not a fan, clearly).

Charging options include four USB-A ports and a 12-volt socket but that's it and it would be good to see a newer, faster USB-C port somewhere in the car.

A feature the Jolion does get right is the wired Apple CarPlay as it maintains a steady connection and is very quick to set up. The Lux also has wired Android Auto.

You don't get a powered tailgate and you might miss it as the boot lid is fairly heavy.

Access and space for both rows would have to be class-leading and you don't feel like you're in a 'mid-sized' SUV.

When it comes to comfort you're bang out of luck, though, as the front seats aren't the most comfortable, even on shorter trips.

The driver's side is the better of the two (the front passenger seat isn't as wide) but both are too hard, narrow and the front passenger side sits too high. Limited adjustments are available and you miss out on lumbar support, which is crucial on a longer trip.

The and higher than drivers side and no height adjustment is available on the passenger side.

The back seats are marginally better with more padding under the butt but there's still a bench-seat element in cornering, which means you'll be jostled in turns.

The back seat is wide, though, so you can take advantage of the three top-tether points if you have a few tots in tow.

Storage is average for the class and the cabin lacks some of the clever cubbies competitors feature but the glove box and storage bins are XL and there is a dedicated phone tray up front.

Four cupholders, two drink bottle holders and two map pockets round out the individual storage.

The boot now offers 507L of luggage capacity and that’s plenty big enough for a decent grocery haul but it is on the lower end for the class.

You get a temporary spare tyre under the floor but no powered tailgate, and the lid is heavy to open and close.

The technology isn't great despite looking flash because the touchscreen on the multimedia system is slow to respond and most systems are accessed via the menu screens with limited physical buttons available.

That means its a punish to access climate control or music while on the go.

Climate control is a bit dodgy as the AC function seems to dip in and out and will just blow air occasionally despite the car not having an auto start/stop function which might have explained it.

The built-in satellite navigation is clear, however, and easy to use but it alerts loudly whenever you enter a new suburb and in the city, that means it chimes a lot.

Coupled with all of the other alerts this car bangs out, which I'll get to in the Safety section, it’s a bit much.

You only get wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means a messy cable in the cabin and charging options are basic with four USB-A ports and a 12-volt socket. Big brand rivals have it beat on that front.

The model line-up for the new HS includes three petrol-powered variants, the version on test for this review being the two-wheel-drive mid-spec Excite.

There are hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants arriving in 2025, to offer further choices.

Its direct rival is the Haval H6 Lux, which has the same drive-away price of $36,990, but the nearest and similarly-specified big-name competitor, the Kia Sportage SX+ 2WD, costs $42,050 MSRP while the Mazda CX-5 GT-SP starts at $50,310 MSRP.

While it offers better value than most, the price point for the HS has jumped $5000 for the new-gen model but some great features are included as standard like synthetic leather upholstery, a 360-degree view camera system, satellite navigation, dual 12.3-inch tech screens and MG’s 'iSmart Connect' app.

Other standard features include keyless entry and start, wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, fog lights, LED exterior lights, a temporary spare tyre, a retractable cargo cover and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Jolion Lux has a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that produces 105kW of power and 210Nm of torque.

The Lux is a 2WD and has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which isn’t always smooth with its gear changing but power is sufficient if you don't expect it to be zippy.

The new HS has a 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine that produces 125kW of power and 275Nm of torque, outputs that are both slightly up from the old model.

If that combo doesn't ignite any passion, there are new hybrid and plug-in hybrid models coming in 2025.

The HS is front-wheel drive only and has a new seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission that is very smooth with its gear changes.

The Haval Jolion Lux has an official combined (urban/extra-urban) fuel cycle figure of 8.1L/100km and based on its 55L fuel tank, theoretical driving range is around 680km, which is respectable for a little SUV.

My real-world usage came in at 7.8L/100km after mostly open-road driving, with a smattering of urban stuff. Overall, it's a solid result.

The Excite has a low official combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel economy figure of 6.9L/100km and based on its 55L fuel tank, you should see a theoretical driving range of up to 797km, which is respectable for a family SUV.

My real-world usage sat at 6.6L/100km after mostly open-road driving with a smattering of urban stuff thrown in. It's a great result but may be higher in a straight urban environment.

The Jolion's on-road experience is underwhelming and unsophisticated most of the time. It's strictly an A to B style car, which will work well for some people.

The power and its delivery are okay but this car doesn't get close to zippy and its well of performance feels decidedly shallow on the open road.

The engine whines loudly when trying to get up to speed and its gear changes can come a tad too swiftly, especially between first and third.

The accelerator and brakes are touchy, and until you get used to them the Jolion can feel a little jerky in the city. But the steering is on the right side of firm and that at least feels direct and responsive. 

Suspension is hard and you get all the bumps which also translates into a loud cabin. Your senses take a battering on a longer trip and kids in the back will ask you to repeat yourself.

The Jolion is redeemed somewhat by an excellent 360-degree view camera system but you miss out on front-parking sensors.

It’s small enough that it’s not hard to park and for an urban dweller that is a big plus as it's quite suitable for a dash to a busy shopping centre car park. 

The new HS is better than the previous model with power delivery and on-road performance. You feel like you have a decent well of power to dip into and it’s delivered promptly - making the Excite a pleasant open-roader and a fun urban dweller.

The handling is well-tuned with good suspension that lets you ride over bad bumps without too much fuss and the steering is direct, which makes it feel nimble and sure footed.

The cabin is more refined with very little road or engine noise creeping in, even at higher speeds. Visibility is excellent thanks to wide windows and none of the pillars get in the way.

It’s great to see the addition of the 360-degree view camera system and although it’s not the best quality it’s a bonus for a family SUV.

The reversing gear is pretty much the only blip on an otherwise great transmission, though, as it tends to judder and feels hesitant when you are reversing into a spot.

The new-gen HS just received a five-star ANCAP safety rating. It has seven airbags, including a front centre bag.

The Excite also includes a long list of crash-avoidance features like AEB, blind-spot monitoring, rear and front cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure alert, emergency lane keeping, forward and rear collision warning, tyre-pressure monitoring and a 360-degree view camera system.

It's nice to see MG includes a full suite of safety features for even it's base model which, frustratingly, is not always the case across the segment.

However, several systems are the most intrusive I've experienced in everyday driving. I’m looking at you driver monitoring system, but the speed sign recognition tech is a culprit, too. And there are too many chimes, alerts, bings and bongs to distract you. Both of these technologies were also called out by ANCAP in its assessment.

It's awesome to see such a great safety features list but it's not enough to just tick the box of inclusion... these systems do have to work well otherwise they become a distraction rather than helpful.

The Jolion is offered with an excellent seven-year/unlimited km warranty.

There is a five-year capped priced servicing program and services average $310 which is mid-range for the class.

The first service is before 10,000km but thereafter, servicing intervals are at every 12-months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.

The HS is offered with an excellent 10-year/250,000km warranty which is the best unconditional warranty offer in this segment at the moment!

The five-year servicing program is a bit expensive as it averages at $507 per service but the servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12-months or 15,000km whichever occurs first.

The HS loves a premium drink, though, and only takes 95 RON fuel.