Haval Jolion Pro drive by Steve Rogers
Meet the Haval Jolion, the latest Chinese invader looking for a chunk of the UK car market.
With around 15 companies plying their trade this is the biggest invasion since the Roman conquest. At least this one is friendly although Ford, Vauxhall and the rest of the pack would probably disagree because they cannot understand how the Chinese brands can sell cars so cheaply, taking huge chunks out of their sales.
Haval has slipped in under the radar without the same fanfare as BYD or Jaecoo. It is an offshoot of Great Wall Motor, a technology and automobile company with a handful of brands although Haval and Ora are the only ones to come to Europe, so far.
Great Wall, or GWM as it is now branded, dipped a toe in British waters more than a decade ago with a cheap as chips pick up. It didn’t work out but they are having another go with a new pick up in the new year.
Jolion Pro is a mid-sized hybrid SUV with the same DNA as its Chinese brethren: Shed loads of kit and rock bottom pricing. You can pick up the entry Premium model for around £24k but unlike the aforementioned this isn’t going to provide Ford and co with too much of a headache.
So what’s the problem? It is not bad looking but not one that is going to turn heads for any other reason than peering at the over-large Haval name bar on the front grille. I had quite a few ‘never heard of this one before’.
Styling is conservative, too conservative compared to offerings from the likes of Kia, MG, BYD and Jaecoo. Wait till you see the sensational X-Peng in next week’s road test.
Things improve in the cabin which is typically Chinese: Minimalist, neat and tidy, and dominated by a 12.3in touchscreen. You won’t find many switches, just a few quick keys for heating, then it is a case of diving into the telephone directory style menus and sub menus. Last week I wrote how Volvo had turned complicated into simple and Haval could do with taking a fresh look at the Jolion interface. It’s complicated and can be distracting for the driver.
At least voice control is helpful as well as amusing. Say ‘hey GWM’ and a female’s voice replies ‘I’m coming’. I continued the chat with a risque comment and was told ‘you can’t say that’.
I seemed to spend my time being irritated by little things. I could not work out how to get the cabin lights to come on when opening a door, wipers don’t come on with the screen wash, the only volume control for radio is on the steering wheel.
My wife searched everywhere from the passenger seat and eventually gave up and used voice control, but a simple switch would be better. Oh, and the radio does not have DAB stations.
On the mechanical side the ride is not up to standard. This is no bucking bronco but the slightest road blemish is felt in the cabin. If we Brits are too fussy it is because we are used to better.
The steering is too light for me and lacked feel although Mrs Rogers enjoyed driving the Jolion and she is not alone because Haval is a huge hit in Australia where it is the third best seller in its class.
Jolion is a hybrid with a 1.7kW battery, which is good, and has a similar setup to Nissan Qashqai with an electric motor doing the heavy lifting supported by a 1.5 litre petrol engine. Don’t worry, you will be paying a lot less than the Nissan.
It’s no slouch either and after some annoying front wheel spin pulls away smartly. With a two speed automatic gearbox the engine note resembles a muted siren that can be turned into a wailing siren by dipping the accelerator. Ok, that’s the child in me coming out.
What should be better is the economy. I ended the week in the mid forties which is no better than a straight petrol. Hybrids featured in these columns this year have been in the mid fifties.
On a positive note Jolion is well equipped even at entry Premium grade with the top of the range Ultra gaining things like a 360 degree camera with excellent definition, auto parking assist, heated and ventilated seats. All models have a full suite of safety features.
The cabin is a good size but the boot is small and has less space than a smaller Volkswagen Polo or Toyota Yaris.
The kindest observation I can make is that Jolion is a work in progress and bound to get better.
Favourite feature: I struggled to find one, but let’s say a spacious cabin. I’m feeling generous.
Fast facts
Jolion Pro Ultra
£30,590 (starts £23,995)
Electric motor 148bhp
1.5 litre petrol 95bhp
0-62mph 9secs; 115mph
47mpg combined
133g/km. 1st VED £540
Boot: 255-916 litres
Warranty: 5 years
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