The Haval Jolion Is Set To Make Its South African Debut
The Haval Jolion Is Set To Make Its South African Debut. Haval is hoping to gain some ground in the ultra-competitive compact SUV market with its all-new Jolion SUV. Replacing the popular H2, the Jolion is built around a new modular platform and it essentially offers C-segment size for a B-segment price. Five model derivatives are offered, each powered by a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine that produces 105kW and 210Nm. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission, in both cases sending power to the front wheels only.
The Luxury model (available in manual and auto) gains 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather seats with electric adjustment for the driver, a 17.8cm LCD instrument cluster, driver-selectable driving modes, curtain airbags and automatic anti-glare mirrors. As a side note, the manual version loses the rear aircon ducts fitted to the Premium auto model.
It includes a 360-degree panoramic camera, upgraded 31.2cm infotainment system and wireless charging. There’s also a full suite of driver assist gadgets such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Assist, Pre-Collision Warning with auto-brake as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection, Lane Departure Alert, Blind Spot Detection and High-beam Assist.
The Jolion enters the compact crossover segment, going up against heavy weights such as the Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen T-Roc and Kia Seltos but as the pricing revealed, places it in the realm of sub compacts such as the Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite.
South African pricing ranges from R299 900 to R398 900, which places it firmly in the compact SUV fighting ring. Yet with an overall length of 4472mm, it’s literally millimetres shorter than the Opel Grandland and Kia Sportage, while its 2700mm wheelbase actually surpasses theirs. The vehicle was penned by renowned designer, Phil Simmons who has drafted up a number of SUVs in the past few years such as the Range Rover Velar and Evoque. The exterior styling makes for interesting viewing, LED lighting front and rear, 18″ diamond cut alloys and an option to fit an executive dark chrome grille, gives the Jolion a very upmarket sophisticated appearance.
The leather trimmed seats are super comfortable, electrically adjustable on the driver’s side and manual on the passenger. The Heads-up Display is clear and concise and easily seen from the driver’s seat. There is a host of USB ports in the rear for charging devices and plenty of legroom for even the largest of frames. In the rear you get 337l of boot space which increases to over 1000l when you drop the 60:40 rear seats.
