Taking everything that is good – and there is plenty – from the Haval Jolion Luxury, the ‘S’ version range-topper adds 25 kW and 60 Nm, which works well for travellers wanting to tow a bit more than a standard trailer.
The Jolion S is fitted with a new generation 1,5-litre engine that features an upgraded turbo-charger, so the total output is 130 kW between 5 500 r/min and 6 000 r/min and 270 Nm between 1 500 r/min and 4 000 r/min and it drives via a seven-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) through the front wheels.
For the more sporty drivers, it also comes with Launch Control, allowing maximum performance from the drivetrain when accelerating from a standstill position.
Driving
In addition, it has four driving modes covering Standard, Eco, Sports and Snow as well as three Dynamic adjustable steering modes, namely Sport, Comfort and Light.
While we did not get to use the Snow setting, the other modes make enough changes to suit their descriptors, tweaking gearshift patterns, steering feel and the like from the long, lazy gearing of Eco where fuel-saving takes precedence to the crisper, shorter changes of Sport and the additional energy that mode implies.
The tweaks are not only at the front and the Jolion S has an upgraded suspension in the form of a multi-link rear setup that does play its part when it comes time to press on a little bit on a quiet mountain road.
The Jolion S stands out from its siblings by virtue of a front grille with a chrome honeycomb pattern. The Jolion S has also been treated to several unique blacked out styling elements including the front and rear bumper garnish, side mirror caps, door beadings and roof rails, to says nothing of the 225/55 R 18 tyres fitted as standard.
Specification
Interior specification includes paddle shifters behind the leather steering wheel, a seven-inch colour instrument cluster, wireless charging, a front 12V power outlet and a dashcam power outlet. Infotainment is catered for by a 12,3-inch multimedia touch display that incorporates Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system.
The front seats are heated and the rear seats fold in a 60:40 configuration, to expand the luggage carrying capacity when needed.
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The Jolion S is fitted with a comprehensive array of safety equipment that includes dual and front side crash bags as well as curtain bags. Active safety equipment includes anti-lock braking with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability System (ESC) and Traction Control, Anti-Roll System and Secondary Collision Mitigation as well as Hill Assist.
Driver aid run to Lane Departure Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane center keeping, Blind spot detection, Lane change assist and Driving fatigue detection. Unique to this model is pre-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
It seems to be common to all Chinese vehicles the safety systems – most notably alarms – are over-sensitive and not all can be turned off in the settings. These are quite irritating but, like mosquitos, are something you simply have to live with.
Convenience
Convenience features include a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Park Distance sensors, a 360-degree panoramic camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Turning Assist and Traffic Sign recognition. Safety and security equipment includes keyless entry, push button start and an anti-theft alarm system.
All-in-all it is a lot of car for your money – which explains the growing numbers visible on the roads – and it is by no means the ‘cheaper’ choice when it comes to standing its ground with other players in the same pricing and performance bracket.
Haval claim a fuel consumption of 5,0 l/100 km but that is somewhat hopeful and, even in Eco mode and driving as if it were an economy run, the best I could manage was 5,4 l/100 km with the complete test cycle (in Normal mode) coming in at 6,1 l/100 km – still, not too shabby for a large car and small capacity engine.
On the road performance returns a stable and comfortable ride with very little tyre or wind noise intrusion and a little unwanted moment on the highway proved the effectiveness of the braking system and its ability to withstand what was tantamount to ‘the moose test’ with two rapid and harsh directional changes.
With all seats in place it has 337 litres of storage space and this grows to 1 133 litres with the rear seats folded flat, meaning it is good for more than just one set of golf clubs.
The Haval Jolion carries the standard 5-year/60 000km Service Plan and a 5-year/100 000km Warranty. Service intervals are every 12 months or 15 000 km.
Colin Windell
proudly CHANGECARS
