2023 GWM Haval Jolion S assessment

GWM Haval Australia has added some S-pice to the more and more common Jolion SUV.

Off the again of a really profitable 2022 gross sales yr, GWM’s native division introduced the arrival of the Jolion S in late November as the brand new petrol flagship, bringing the line-up on the time to 5 variants.

The corporate has since added a second Jolion Hybrid variant to bump that vary to 6, based mostly on the Lux trim degree – priced on the similar $36,990 drive-away because the S on take a look at.

The S isn’t like most black packs or ‘Sport Line’ mannequin variants, because it really will get a beefier engine tune and extra refined multi-link rear suspension system in comparison with the broader petrol-powered Jolion vary.

It ought to be faster and deal with higher, whereas that includes some black pack-style exterior appointments to offer a extra athletic look.

It’s additionally acquired a revised panel of buttons forward of the touchscreen infotainment system for higher ease of use in comparison with the contact panel used elsewhere within the vary. In any other case, that’s the extent of the S-specific appointments.

Is that this the brand new candy spot?

Table of Contents

How a lot does the GWM Haval Jolion S value?

The Jolion S is priced from $36,990 drive-away, making it $3000 dearer than the earlier petrol flagship, the Extremely.

Even with latest worth changes throughout the vary, the Jolion continues to be very competitively positioned within the Small SUV phase, aligning top-spec fashions with low- and mid-spec variations of rival fashions.

The Jolion S is much less cash than a one-from-base Mazda CX-30 G20 Evolve (round $37,170 D/A), and is nestled between the marketed drive-away costs of the Kia Seltos Sport FWD ($35,390 D/A) and Sport+ FWD ($38,490 D/A).

Arguably the Jolion’s most direct rivals are fellow budget-focused sport pack SUVs within the MG ZS T Essence ($33,990 D/A) and the Mitsubishi ASX GSR ($35,340 D/A), each of which provide an analogous athletic theme to the Jolion S.

Whereas the worth hole between the S and its opponents isn’t as huge as variants decrease down within the vary, it’s nonetheless mighty sharp given the quoted outputs and the area on supply – extra on that in a bit.

2023 GWM Haval Jolion pricing:

Jolion Premium: $28,490
Jolion Lux: $30,990
Jolion Extremely: $33,990
Jolion S: $36,990
Jolion Lux Hybrid: $36,990
Jolion Extremely Hybrid: $40,990

Costs are drive-away

What’s the GWM Haval Jolion S like on the within?

Very like the Jolion Extremely, with one foremost distinction that gained’t be instantly apparent.

Whereas there’s been some tinkering with the outside and oily bits, the inside of the Jolion S is essentially equivalent to that of the Extremely that’s been on sale regionally for a variety of years.

The one distinction is a brand new panel of laborious buttons underneath the touchscreen for capabilities like fan velocity, A/C, de-mister and air recirculation. It’s an enchancment on the touch-capacitive controls in different fashions, however we nonetheless need bodily temperature controls as nicely.

You continue to have to make use of the touchscreen to regulate the temperature on the transfer. I do know you may simply set and neglect, however given how large that 12.3-inch touchscreen is it may be a little bit of a attain to seek out controls on the passenger facet of the display.

The driving force’s seat is powered, however appears restricted in its adjustment. You may’t alter the angle of the seat base, neither is there a lumbar choice. Moreover, the steering wheel adjusts for top, however not for attain.

I do know everyone seems to be totally different, and I’ve had loads of house owners say they’re very happy with the Jolion’s seating place. Nevertheless, my tall and leggy body feels underneath supported.

My lanky limbs imply I’ve to take a seat pretty far again, however my shorter torso additionally means I prefer to have the steering wheel out farther from the sprint. Within the Jolion, I’ve to take a seat nearer than is snug and imply my knees are somewhat off the seat base, or I’m left feeling like my arms are stretched out greater than normal.

I wasn’t a fan of the driving place within the bigger H6, even with added adjustment in each the seat and steering wheel.

Construct high quality feels fairly stable – don’t assume it’s low-cost simply because it’s Chinese language. All the pieces feels nicely screwed collectively, and the presentation on first look is aggressive for the category. Nevertheless, there are a variety of laborious plastics together with the door tops and higher dashboard, although there’s a good padded insert for the principle sprint fascia.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen is acquainted, and options wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto however not embedded satellite tv for pc navigation like most rivals. It additionally lacks DAB radio, which is rapidly turning into extra widespread.

In the event you’re used to plugging in for smartphone mirroring you need to be effective, however in case you’re the sort that makes use of embedded methods and digital radio, you could be left feeling quick modified. Not less than the wired Apple CarPlay connection labored reliably throughout my time with the automobile.

Automobile capabilities and settings are additionally embedded within the touchscreen, which whereas clearly labelled can really feel convoluted. There are some bits that really feel like common translations from Chinese language to English.

The heated seats and temperature, for instance, are solely adjustable via the touchscreen and toggling numerous driver help settings requires diving via settings menus. Fortunately, there’s a quick-access swipe-up menu for some primary settings, although it requires you exiting smartphone mirroring or going again in.

Not less than the encompass digicam show appears glorious, with a 3D projection that wouldn’t look misplaced in a BMW.

Arguably one of many Jolion’s strongest traits is its rear seat packaging and enormous boot.

Even at 6’1 I can sit behind my very own driving place with loads of room to spare. That may’t be stated for lots of rival autos on this phase.

Two adults will comfortably match within the rear, three at a squeeze. Children ought to be greater than effective, with large home windows, in addition to the requisite ISOFIX and top-tether factors for youngster seats.

You additionally get rear air vents, USB cost ports behind the centre console, rear map pockets, bottle holders within the doorways, and a fold-down centre armrest with further cupholders.

Behind the second row is a 430-litre boot space, which is up there with among the largest within the phase. Petrol fashions quote somewhat greater than the hybrids, which provide 390L because of the hybrid battery being underneath the boot ground.

Drop the rear seats and that expands to a wholesome 1139 litres, with a reasonably flat load space and no step up from the cargo ground to the seat backs. Props to GWM Haval for packaging this so nicely.

Sadly the Jolion can’t match rivals just like the Kia Seltos in that includes a full-size spare wheel underneath the boot ground, although it does supply a space-saver.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The Jolion S options an uprated model of the 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine fitted elsewhere within the vary.

Creating 130kW and 270Nm, the S is 20kW and 50Nm up on the usual vary, which ought to translate to enhanced efficiency – although GWM Haval hasn’t quoted a 0-100km/h time.

As with the broader petrol vary, the Jolion S sends drive to the entrance wheels solely through a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.

Regardless of being extra highly effective, the Jolion S is extra environment friendly than different petrol-powered fashions in keeping with the model. GWM quotes a mixed consumption price of 7.5L per 100km, which is 0.6L/100km lower than the usual variations.

All variations of the GWM Haval Jolion are fitted with a 55-litre gas tank, and are suitable with 91 RON common unleaded gas.

Additional to the drivetrain modifications, the S has seen the torsion beam rear suspension setup swapped out for a brand new multi-link rear suspension to supply “enhanced trip and dealing with efficiency befitting of the S nameplate”.

How does the GWM Haval Jolion S drive?

I used to be fairly to see if the engine and suspension upgrades would translate tangibly on the highway.

I final reviewed the turbo petrol Jolion Extremely a few years in the past, and I bear in mind discovering it somewhat missing in drivetrain refinement. This Jolion S felt extra resolved.

From the second you set off it feels as if some work to the transmission calibration as been achieved to minimise the low-speed lurching and hesitation that plagued different variations of this automobile, and I used to be really impressed with how the S delivers its efficiency.

Is the GWM DCT nearly as good as one thing from VW? No it’s not. Then once more, the VW T-Roc R-Line with 140kW/320Nm is considerably extra money to get that added efficiency and refinement.

In regular driving the Jolion S has first rate pull from down low and isn’t notably jerky or disjointed in visitors, although at occasions it may well sound prefer it’s driving the clutch to clean issues out. Most of my week was spent driving to and from work, and it did the job simply effective.

My solely actual gripe with it’s shifting from D to R throughout low-speed parking manoeuvres, the place often it may well really feel prefer it’s dozing off or unwilling to do what you’re asking on an incline. It’s not all the time simple to inform while you’ve shifted into D or the Guide mode because the rotary simply spins endlessly.

The steering – whereas I couldn’t alter the wheel for attain – is pretty well-sorted, although doesn’t really feel as linked or fluid as one thing like a Mazda CX-30, and the well-sorted chassis means it gained’t collapse in corners.

With that stated, the S doesn’t supply a very sporty suspension tune, which seems to prioritise on a regular basis consolation and compliance. It offers with pimpled metropolis streets moderately sufficient, however there’s a noticeable quantity of physique lean in case you push right into a bend.

The multi-link rear suspension feels higher sorted than the torsion beam, with much less thudding and slapping over sharper hits. It offers with issues like velocity humps simply effective, however successive high-speed undulations on regional freeways can upset the stability somewhat.

The added efficiency is welcome. It’s surprisingly brisk for what it’s, even when the engine notice underneath laborious throttle generally is a little loud and thrashy. It could additionally spin up the entrance wheels in case you plant it from the lights.

You may take management of the transmission through the steering-mounted paddle shifters as nicely. It’s not the kind of automobile or drivetrain that conjures up you to make use of this usually, however fortunately it’s moderately fast to reply to inputs and doesn’t endure from any slurring via ratios like different Haval merchandise.

On the freeway, the Jolion settles properly and its comparatively giant footprint means it feels planted and assured on the open highway. It’s additionally comparatively refined, with minimal engine noise and satisfactory insulation from highway and wind intrusion.

The Jolion options a variety of ordinary driver assists that look good on paper, however have obtained blended evaluations from the CarExpert staff. I complained in regards to the energetic lane centring and adaptive cruise management in my earlier assessment of the Jolion Extremely, as it might continuously shift between overbearing and dim-witted, over-correcting its over-corrections.

This S was higher. I used the cruise help operate (adaptive cruise + lane centring) quite a few occasions and located it far more sorted than earlier than. Sometimes the curve velocity adaption would brake tougher than was needed, however in any other case it was first rate.

Additionally price praising is the Jolion’s encompass digicam show. On the high-resolution show the digicam feeds and 3D animation of the Jolion whereas parking are arguably class-leading.

Rounding out the help suite are blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which assist the driving force when merging lanes or navigating gaps in visitors, even with the Jolion’s first rate outward visibility.

What do you get?

Jolion Premium highlights:

17-inch alloy wheels
Rain-sensing wipers
Roof rails
Hill descent management
Halogen headlights
Material upholstery
3.5-inch driver’s show
Keyless entry and begin
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)
4-speaker sound system
Air-conditioning
Rear air vents
Entrance, rear USB retailers

Jolion Lux provides:

LED headlights
Rear privateness glass
Consolation-Tek leatherette upholstery
7.0-inch driver’s show
6-speaker sound system
Twin-zone local weather management
Energy-folding exterior mirrors
Computerized anti-glare rear-view mirror

Jolion Extremely provides:

18-inch alloy wheels
Panoramic sunroof
12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Head-up show
One-touch up/down for all 4 home windows
Key fob window shut operate

Jolion S provides:

18-inch black alloy wheels
Black exterior mirrors, roof rails, bumper trim
Multi-link impartial rear suspension

Colors

Hamilton White
Golden Black*
Azure Blue*
Mars Crimson*
Smoke Gray*

*Premium paint prices $495 further

Is the GWM Haval Jolion S secure?

The Jolion wears a five-star ANCAP security score, based mostly on native checks carried out in 2022.

It scored 90 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 84 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 64 per cent for susceptible highway customers, and a formidable 92 per cent for security help.

Commonplace security options embody:

7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
AEB with Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
Adaptive cruise management
Driver consideration monitoring
Lane departure warning
Lane maintain help
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
Site visitors signal recognition
Reversing digicam

Jolion Lux provides:

How a lot does the GWM Haval Jolion S value to run?

The GWM Haval line-up is roofed by an above-average seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

5 years of roadside help is thrown in too, in addition to 5 years of capped-price servicing. Intervals are 12 months, with 10,000km for the primary yr and 15,000km from there on.

For petrol Jolion fashions, the primary 5 providers every value $210, $250, $350, $450 and $290 – amounting to $1550 for the primary 60 months or 70,000km of scheduled upkeep. Not unhealthy.

Actual-world gas consumption wasn’t the Jolion S’s sturdy level, regardless of quoting an enchancment over the usual model.

We ended our week of testing with an indicated 9.9L/100km, 2.5 litres up on the model’s mixed declare. That’s not nice contemplating we lined over 370km of blended driving, together with a good portion of freeway use.

Not serving to is the dearth of idle cease/begin, which is customary within the H6. If effectivity is a precedence, I’d recommend wanting on the Jolion Hybrid – the Lux HEV is priced the identical as this S, which appears fairly compelling.

CarExpert’s Tackle the GWM Haval Jolion S

The Jolion S shapes up as the most effective petrol-powered model on supply – but it surely doesn’t come with out caveats.

Whereas the facility bump, suspension upgrades and meaner look are all worthwhile, $3000 is a tough tablet to swallow when it doesn’t actually supply rather more over the Extremely equipment-wise.

And, whereas I’d argue the Jolion S is objectively the most effective petrol variant we’ve sampled, the hybrids are the most effective Jolions on sale… interval.

The recently-introduced Jolion HEV Lux addresses its HEV Extremely sibling’s key criticism of worth, and whereas it misses out on the S’s and Extremely’s bigger 12.3-inch central show and panoramic sunroof, its tools listing doesn’t need for rather more.

Additional, the Jolion Hybrid successfully halves gas consumption based mostly on our real-world testing (Scott managed 5.3L/100km), and resale values will possible maintain stronger given our growing demand for electrified autos.

GWM Haval deserves reward, nonetheless, for providing extra alternative, and for refining the petrol Jolion to offer us this new S variant. Given the Chinese language manufacturers nonetheless commerce largely on sharp pricing and worth, that sparkle diminishes rapidly as you progress up the vary and nearer to established manufacturers.

I’d personally go for an equivalently-priced Kia Seltos or Mazda CX-30 for the extra cohesive tech and drive expertise even on the expense of some options. That’s to not say it’s not price a take a look at drive…