By Prashirwin Naidu
Cars are more than just machines; they tell stories—some good, some bad, and occasionally ugly. The Jolion Pro was mostly good. The market is flooded with a great variety of choices from Chinese automakers, each offering plenty of features at a competitive price. Last year, I drove several Chinese-made vehicles. One common issue was the constant beeping from the safety features, which I found rather annoying.
Did the Jolion Pro impress me? It did, as I was quite taken with the overall package.
The design of our range-topping S Ultra Luxury caught my eye, though it felt a bit
over the top despite some standout features. The grey paint, black 18-inch wheels, matching black mirror caps, and door handles were striking, but the spoiler on a family SUV seemed unnecessary. The front and rear bumper splinters were a nice
touch, and the grille had a hint of resemblance to a Mercedes A45s. Some may like the sporty allure, and some won’t.
The cabin was a pleasant place to be, with solid build quality and standout features
like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and heated leatherette seats that offer comfort and help you forget the worries of the world.
Our top-of-the-range Jolion Pro S Ultra Luxury came with wireless phone charging,
automatic parking with multiple sensors, a 360º camera system, and a head-up display. It also featured advanced safety systems, including lane departure warning,
intelligent cruise assist, automatic emergency braking, and six airbags for added peace of mind. The in-house speakers were equally impressive, delivering stunning
sound quality.
On dusty, sandy roads, the car felt composed. The suspension was reasonably
comfortable, though the steering could be more precise. The gear ratios were
average — neither bad nor exceptional.
The S Ultra Luxury offered sufficient power, featuring a 1.5-litre four-cylinder
turbocharged petrol engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
It’s lively and responsive, hitting the sweet spot with a fuel consumption of
9.7l/100km when driven moderately and conservatively. The Jolion Pro’s interior is a significant improvement—simple, family-friendly, and spacious. However, the boot space is smaller than that of the previous generation Jolion.
The Jolion Pro competes with the Toyota Corolla Cross, Volkswagen T-Cross,
Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda HR-V, and Suzuki Grand Vitara. Loaded with features, it is attractively priced at R495 000.
