‘Contented’ has to be the first word that comes to mind when I sit with flashbacks of the time I spent in the all new Jolion by Haval. There will always be rides, and then there will be the Jolion ride. I am yet to experience a smooth driving experience, with technology from here to NASA, that is perfect for the modest, yet slightly smug driver.
After the creation of the H-series, you would expect that Haval would struggle to topple their previous range, because I am sure we can all agree that they really put their best foot forward, especially as a newbie in the industry. The Jolion is definitely Haval’s cheeky declaration to say “we can bring all of that and more!”
With a wide 12,3-inch infotainment touchscreen, I didn’t know whether to continue driving or just park the car and enjoy a super high-res movie under the wide panoramic sunroof. It is clear that the concept of the design was minimalistic, contemporary and very executive in its nature. The leather finishes in the car constantly reminded me that I am being treated to a one-of-a-kind sophisticated experience that I would probably never enjoy elsewhere but in the Jolion.
After not having gone hiking for a while, my first destination to Xplore simply had to be the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Pretoria. The terrain can be slightly tricky for your fly by night baby car, but the Jolion handled it like an effortless home ground sports match. The 18-inch wheels and relatively higher suspension manage smoothly both on gravel and tar road and the handle does not change as you alternate between the two surfaces.
We cannot ignore the really spacious interior that practically wants to make you want to live in the car forever. I am a little disappointed that it did not have heated seats, but with a spaceship priced at under R400k, there is no way you can have it all at such an affordable price. What really hit the home run for me, was the 360-degree camera system that immediately kicks in as you switch to reverse, a common feature on higher, more lavish vehicles.
I could go on and on about the innovative technology, but what stood out for me, is the interesting lane departure mechanism that quickly nudges your steering wheel as you steer off a lane. Built with a key-less, push to start ignition, I could feel the car coming to life every time I pushed START. With some much technology in the vehicle, you’d expect a multitude of buttons that drive you crazy when trying to field your way through the features. This is not the case with the Jolion. The designers have done away with most buttons and left all the control to the driver on the steering wheel.
What I will be honest about however, is its love for fuel. I don’t want to call it a guzzler, but it did dissuade me from taking unnecessary trips to the mall and to friends who live on the other side of town. The 1,5 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine performs at optimal levels and it rewards itself accordingly. Considering how it responds as you accelerate on the freeway, I wasn’t really surprised that the designers did not prioritise a Sport function on the gear.
After a fun photoshoot in the sun and peaceful trails in Groenkloof, I had to accept that the Jolion was unquestionably the star of the moment. At this point, I still cannot decide if the interior or the exterior is the winner as they are both the perfect match for such a competitive vehicle.
Could this be your next choice if you’re in the market for a crossover SUV? By all means. It is the ideal one-stop shop that provides you with a driving experience worth remembering and its affordability just makes it that much more inviting. I undoubtedly recommend the Jolion to the young booming young professional who may even have a little kid in the picture. But if you’re also a cute family that wants something comfortable and smart, you can surely consider this beautiful vehicle. Happy driving and here’s to many more miles!
Model & Pricing
- Jolion 1.5T City Manual R299 900
- Jolion 1.5T Luxury Manual R332 900
- Jolion 1.5T Premium 7DCT R339 900
- Jolion 1.5T Luxury 7DCT R367 900
- Jolion 1.5T Super Luxury R398 900
