2025 GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid Ultra Review

The updated Haval Jolion from GWM has just hit the hybrid SUV market. With a lower starting price and a sporty revised exterior design, this model aims to appeal to value-oriented buyers seeking modern comforts, efficient driving and good technology inclusions.

How much does the 2025 GWM Haval Jolion cost?‍

Pricing for the 2025 Haval Jolion Hybrid starts with the Premium at $32,990 drive-away, making it one of the most affordable hybrid SUVs available in Australia. The petrol variant starts at $26,990 drive-away, with the hybrid variant offering improved fuel efficiency and more power and torque.

2024 Haval Jolion Pricing

• 2025 GWM Haval Jolion Premium: $26,990 Driveaway (-$1500)
• 2025 GWM Haval Jolion Lux: $29,990 Driveaway (-$1000)
• 2025 GWM Haval Jolion Premium Hybrid: $32,990 Driveaway
• 2025 GWM Haval Jolion Lux Hybrid: $35,990 Driveaway (-$1000)
• 2025 GWM Haval Jolion Ultra Hybrid: $38,990 Driveaway (-$2000)

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What’s the exterior like of the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid?

The hybrid variants of the Jolion range have had pretty significant exterior styling changes. The Jolion Hybrid Ultra features an aggressive front with a grille similar to AMG's Panamericana.

The front also features a large splitter and unique cowlings, which are intended to improve aerodynamics and enhance the visual appeal, for certain buyers. The Lux and Ultra specs get LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and chrome accents around the grille. The lower bumper features a very large splitter, adding to the aggressive look.

On the side, the Jolion Hybrid Ultra is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Kumho Solus tyres. The vehicle has a 360-degree camera, integrated into the side mirrors, as well as keyless entry (limited to the driver’s door) and privacy glass from the factory, adding to the premium feel.

The lower side skirts and blacked-out door handles and accents give the vehicle a "boy racer" vibe, which may appeal to some.

The rear of the Jolion Hybrid Ultra features a wider stance than before, with elements including an LED light bar that runs across the tailgate and a sculpted bumper with fake exhaust tips. The LED lights add a modern touch, while the oversized black rear spoiler gives the vehicle an… interestingly distinctive look. The rear bumper also includes a very aggressive diffuser with more aerodynamic splitters extending to the sides.

What’s the interior like of the GWM Haval Jolion?

The interior of the Jolion Hybrid Ultra greets you with a mix of soft-touch materials, ambient lighting, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster up ahead. The display is customisable enough, and displays essential driving information. However, the digital instrument cluster is not always intuitive, requiring you to hold down the ‘ok’ button to navigate between functions such as switching themes.

You also get a heads-up display, which is bright and projects information like speed, navigation, and safety warnings (foreshadowing) directly onto the windshield.

The infotainment system features a 12.3-inch (on the Lux and Ultra trims) central touchscreen that is responsive and supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The lack of wireless connectivity for these features may be a drawback for some users. 

While the system is generally quick, accessing certain controls, such as air-conditioning, involves multiple steps, including pressing a button first before making adjustments, which can be cumbersome and distracting while driving.

Additionally, adjusting settings like the cooled seat requires deep navigation into vehicle settings, making it less convenient for on-the-go adjustments. Physical shortcut buttons for frequently used functions would have significantly improved the user experience.

The seats are upholstered in faux leather and provide a good level of comfort for daily commuting. Both the driver and front passenger seats are heated, and the driver's seat also features a cooling function, though only the driver’s seat has this feature. The lack of lumbar adjustment may be a downside for those seeking more support on longer journeys. The power adjustment of the driver's seat helps to easily find a comfortable driving position, but the limited support may impact comfort during extended trips.

In terms of ergonomics, the steering wheel is wrapped in leather and features multifunction buttons for easy access to media and cruise control settings. The centre console is well laid out, with ample storage compartments, cup holders, and a wireless charging pad. 

The panoramic sunroof that comes on the flagship Hybrid Ultra level contributes to the airy feeling inside the car, enhancing the overall cabin experience.

Practicality in the front is well thought out in most areas, with plenty of storage spaces, including large door bins, a spacious glovebox, and a centre console compartment.

Overall, it is a well executed interior with attention to detail, though it lacks a few key features and some of the technology feels unrefined.

What about the back seats?‍

The back seats of the Jolion Hybrid Ultra provide great legroom, headroom, and toe space, making them comfortable for taller passengers. The seats are well-cushioned, offering good support for longer journeys.

Rear seat passengers also get air vents and two USB-A ports. The seatbacks feature map pockets for additional storage, and the rear doors have large bins suitable for water bottles and other items.

The overall packaging of the rear seats ensures a comfortable experience in the rear, with good visibility and a well-thought-out seating angle.

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What’s boot space like in the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid?

The boot space in the Jolion Hybrid Ultra is 255 litres, which is smaller compared to similar SUVs. The introduction of the multi-link rear suspension and hybrid battery in the rear has significantly reduced the available space, resulting in a raised boot floor that limits practicality.

This reduction in boot space is one of the major drawbacks of the changes made to the new Jolion, as it impacts the vehicle's usability for carrying larger items or accommodating luggage for family trips.

Despite the improvements in ride comfort due to the suspension changes, the compromised boot capacity may be a concern for potential buyers who prioritise cargo space.

What’s under the bonnet of the 2025 GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid?‍

The Jolion Hybrid Ultra is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 70 kW of power and 125 Nm of torque. The electric motor adds 115 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque, resulting in a combined output of 140 kW and 375 Nm of torque.

It has a pretty trick transmission that allows the hybrid system to operate in different modes, either parallel or series depending on the speed and driving conditions.

The Jolion Hybrid Ultra is front-wheel drive only and offers a claimed fuel efficiency of 5.1 L/100km, making it a relatively economical choice for a mid-sized SUV.

How does the GWM Haval Jolion Drive?‍

The Jolion Hybrid provides a nice level of acceleration from the hybrid powertrain, with the electric motor delivering a noticeable boost at lower speeds.

The multi-link suspension is one of the highlights, enhancing ride comfort by absorbing road imperfections well, making the Jolion particularly suitable for urban driving.

The light steering makes it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces, which is ideal for city use. However, the steering lacks feedback, which might be a concern for those looking for a more connected driving experience on twisty roads.

One of the major drawbacks of the driving experience lies in the implementation of driver assistance features. The driver attention monitoring system frequently issues unnecessary alerts, reacting to normal driving behaviour, which can be frustrating, especially on longer trips where the driver is attentive but still receives frequent warnings.

The adaptive cruise control, while useful, maintains an unnecessarily large following distance, even when adjusted to its closest setting. This feels more like a software bug than a feature of safe driving.

While the driver assistance features are comprehensive, their overly intrusive nature detracts from the overall driving experience. Improvements in calibration and sensitivity could greatly enhance their practicality and user-friendliness.

Overall, while the Jolion Hybrid Ultra provides a comfortable and efficient drive, the safety systems could benefit from improvement to enhance the overall driving experience.

What do you get with the GWM Haval Jolion?‍

The Jolion range consists of five distinct variants, including two petrol models with the previous generation styling and three hybrids that feature the updated design.

The Haval Jolion Hybrid Ultra comes packed with an extensive list of features, offering:

Jolion Premium and Premium Hybrid standard equipment:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Space saver spare
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Torsion beam rear suspension
• Electric parking brake
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Hill descent control
• Keyless entry with push-button start
• 3.5-inch digital instrument display
• 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Air-conditioning with rear vents
• Cloth seats

Jolion Lux and Lux Hybrid add:

• 12.3-inch infotainment display (Hybrid)
• LED headlights
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 6-speaker audio system
• Rear privacy glass
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• Leatherette seating surfaces
• Heated front seats
• Faux leather-wrapped steering wheel

Jolion Ultra Hybrid adds:

• Ventilated driver’s seat
• 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Head-up display
• Ambient lighting
• Parking assist
• Panoramic sunroof
• Roof rails
• Wireless charging pad

Is the GWM Haval Jolion safe?‍

The previous Haval Jolion earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2021. However, the updated Hybrid models has not yet been officially rated.

The Jolion Hybrid Ultra is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features to enhance driver and passenger protection. These include:

Standard safety equipment:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Driver drowsiness detection
• Lane-keeping assist
• Lane centring assist
• Emergency lane-keeping assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Pedestrian detection
• Cyclist detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Safe exit warning
• Traffic sign recognition
• Seven airbags
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors

How much does it cost to run the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid Ultra?‍

Fuel efficiency for the Jolion Hybrid Ultra is claimed at 5.1 L/100km, though we saw real world figures of around 6.7 L/100km. The car is covered by GWM's five-year warranty and capped price servicing:

• 10,000 km first service
• Every 12 months or 15,000 km
• Total cost $1650 after 5 years

Final thoughts on the 2025 GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid‍

The Haval Jolion Hybrid  is an affordable option in the hybrid SUV market, offering a solid set of features that deliver good value for money.

Its strengths include a comfortable ride quality, thanks to the multi-link suspension, and an extensive range of modern technology and safety features.

However, the boot space is very limited, particularly for the segment, and some of the exterior design cues might not be everybody’s cup of tea.

The vehicle's infotainment system and driver assistance features could also benefit from improved user-friendliness, but overall, the Jolion Hybrid remains a viable choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking comfort and hybrid efficiency.