CHINESE car maker Great Wall Motor has introduced an affordable mid-sized SUV to the UK marketplace.
Priced between £23,995 and £29,995, the GWM Haval Jolion Pro comes with lots of standard kit, significantly undercutting several rivals on price.
In terms of looks, interior and performance, it’s a vehicle that doesn’t stand out from the crowd but – equally – isn’t particularly offensive on any of those fronts.
A hybrid powertrain is the only engine on offer. It features a 147bhp electric motor mated to a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine, which produces a less impressive 94bhp.
It takes about nine seconds to get from 0-60mph, which sufficiently brisk for a vehicle of this size.
The steering is trustworthy but doesn’t offer a lot of ‘feel’, while the ride can feel a bit unsettled over uneven surfaces.
In many ways, the Jolion looks more conventional than other Chinese cars on sale in the UK, with styling more akin to some of the European-built SUVs.
The front end is dominated by a large grille in which eye-catching silver strips run vertically, while slim LED headlights provide a contemporary look.
From the side, the vehicle is a bit anonymous, but the rear has more of a distinctive look thanks to a wrapover ‘single eyebrow’ LED light bar and a spoiler.
Inside, the cabin is well laid out and fairly pleasant, with some soft touch surfaces interspersed with harder materials. There’s a mix of switchgear and screens.
A 7-inch full-colour digital cluster sits alongside an LED multimedia touchscreen, measuring up to 12.3-inches depending on specification. The touchscreen looks very busy and can be tricky to navigate at first, but is largely acceptable once you get accustomed to its quirks.
The Jolion has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, plus a Bluetooth hands-free system, smart keyless entry, and push-button start. Ultra trim adds a head-up display and wireless phone charger.
A lack of DAB radio was one drawback, and there’s also no option to have built-in sat-nav.
I liked the space in the central console that your phone can slot into in much the same way that bread slots into a toaster, meaning it doesn’t move around when you go round corners.
The leatherette seats are supple and comfortable, offering plenty of space for front seats occupants, while rear seat passengers also benefit from generous legroom.
The spacious cabin isn’t replicated in terms of the boot, which has a mere 255 litres of capacity – about 150 litres less than many other hybrid SUVs.
Safety-wise, the vehicle benefits from a comprehensive package of over 100 built-in active and passive cutting-edge safety features, including driver drowsiness protection, brake override system, secondary collision mitigation and automatic rear cross traffic braking.
The 360-degree camera on Ultra trim level works well in providing a crisp and clear panoramic view around the car.
All-in-all, the Jolion has plus points and minus points, but the price is bound to attract interest.
GWM Haval Jolion Pro
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph in 9 seconds
ECONOMY: 47mpg and emissions of 133 g/km
ENGINE: 1.5-litre petrol engine combined with 147bhp electric motor
TRANSMISSION: Automatic
PRICE: £23,995 TO £29,995
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