It is easy to tell how a hybrid drives — you notice the engine turn off once the battery gets enough charge to power the motor for propulsion. That is how most hybrids work, including this Jolion, Haval’s top-of-the-line crossover SUV. Before I get ahead of myself, let me start from the outside in.
The unimpressive nose does not do the exterior package any favors. It has a plain grille with the badge name over a blue background to signify it is a hybrid. The body is not sleek, nor does it bear sharp features to signal that it has advanced tech. In fact, without the fancy stuff like LED lighting (headlamps, taillights, and third brake lamp), side mirror with blind spot detection, and the panoramic sunroof, it looks like a small SUV from the mid-2000s.
Designers should broaden the grille, stretching it to the underbody garnish for a more striking appearance on the facelift, but retain the seven-shaped headlamp assembly because I like how it borders the façade nicely. Haval should also give it a power tailgate in the future because that will give it a leg up over the competition. This Jolion still has a long way to go regarding design and shape, but its exterior features are up to par with competitors in the segment.
Like most modern models, it has a smart key. You just need to have it on your person to unlock the doors by being in close proximity and reaching for the handle. It is roomier than most crossovers, and you can tell quickly by the wide center tunnel. The upholstery is a combo of off-white and black using upscale materials like leather and soft plastic. It has a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen monitor (with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth), a heads-up display, a rotary gear shifter, and two USB ports.
Haval cleaned up the cabin nicely by reducing the number of switches and buttons to a minimum, but the catch is that the aircon control is a couple of clicks away, more if you are in CarPlay. It feels luxurious because of the padded surfaces, the bronze accent (on the two-tier dashboard, door panels, and center stack), and the expansive panoramic sunroof. The second row has generous legroom, a drop-down center armrest with cupholders, air vents, and additional USB ports.
This Jolion’s power comes from a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and an electric motor drawing energy from a 12-volt battery. The system sends 186-Ps and 375-Nm of torque to the front wheels via a DHT (dedicated hybrid transmission). Over seven days of mixed driving, it returned a superb 20.5 km/l.
Now, to the fun part. What makes this Jolion different from other hybrids is its transition from the engine to the motor; it is more seamless and smoother. It is probably the NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) insulation, but I barely heard or felt the changes as they happened during the drive. It felt more seamless than any other hybrid I have driven to date. Plus, it packs more torque than the Kicks e-Power or even bigger hybrid rivals like the RAV-4 and CR-V, which made accelerating (and overtaking) immensely fun and exciting.
Handling is perfect. It is not too light to numb feedback nor too heavy to tire out your arms. Steering is pinpoint accurate and reacts promptly to driver input, which makes the drive sporty. Comfort is far better than base or even mid-variants of other Japanese brands. The suspension is a little stiff to handle the load, but it comes off bumps and humps softly.
If that is not enough, for its price of ₱1.588 million, it has a full suite of advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, cross-traffic alert & brake, among many others.
The 2023 Haval Jolion HEV DHT Supreme is a hybrid, which means owners will be exempt from number-coding, and yet it drives like a crossover with a turbo engine minus the lag. Add its outstanding safety features and modern creature comforts, and you are looking at one of the top choices in the segment.