We Drove It: Falling For The Haval Jolion And Haval H6

There are few cars released every year that make quite the impact Haval as a brand has made, considering it has reinvented itself in quite an impressive way with the Haval Jolion and Haval H6, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

The Haval Jolion and Haval H6 have been a game-changer for the Chinese car maker.
Translated from Chinese, Chulian or Jolion means ‘first love’.
Haval has used these two models to open the door to a myriad of stunning releases in 2022/2023.
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Haval, certainly one of the most popular Chinese brands in South Africa, has been on our roads for quite some time, but like an unexpected school reunion, something changed from the last time we saw this brand. Leading the way with the Haval Jolion ahd Haval H6, anyone having tried to get behind the wheel of one, will know how much in demand these models are.

Haval Jolion Haval H6 — The Haval Jolion comes in a range of colours including silver, white, black, blue, grey, red, and green. Image: The Sandton Times

Now ranking in SA’s Top 30 Selling Vehicles for November 2022, the Haval Jolion and Haval H6 continue to command a notable presence on dealership floors. This car brand is experiencing such a surge in demand, you might find yourself paying new car prices for a demo or ending up on a very long waiting list to secure one. Yet, it is the Haval Jolion, which debuted early in 2021 to replace the H2, which is responsible for this sales surge.

The first thing about the Haval Jolion and Haval H6 is its head turning design, unlike any previous Haval models. The man behind this striking new look is the brand’s new design director and vice president, English-born Phil Simmons with more than 29 years of experience in the automobile design industry.

He was the Studio Director for Land Rover Exterior Design before working with Haval. Under his direction, the 2018 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, 2017 Range Rover Velar and 2016 Range Rover Exoque, as well as the Discovery and Discovery Sport, were all produced. Additionally, Phil oversaw the design group that created the 2014 Range Rover Sport and 2013 Range Rover’s exterior and interior. The new design leader’s primary responsibilities have been to assemble a top-notch design team and develop the distinctive designs for each Haval model in order to strengthen the company’s position in the global SUV market – and what a marvellous job he has been doing!

One of the unarguable factors with Haval is not only the quality of this respectable-looking vehicle but the price at which you get it for. Although the front may give off some European car design vibes as well as the the side and back views, it’s a stylish package that checks all the appropriate aesthetic and driving boxes. The Haval Jolion and Haval H6 are very similar in ride quality, layout and execution, with a few differences, but they’re equally incredible rides with a well thought through cabin including one of the best camera systems to assist with parking, intelligent use of space for mobile phones and charging, along with ample storage slots and spots.

All Haval Jolion variants have a 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine under the hood, which is a carryover from the previous H2 and generates 105kW and 210Nm. The Haval H6 enjoys a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 150kW and 320Nm of torque which is located under the grille and drives all four wheels with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Performance is not particularly sporty but it is sufficient for a contemporary SUV used in metropolitan areas. At every touchpoint, Haval have given close attention to detail, with embroidered leather seats and divine finishes with no concerns about construction quality.

The rear legroom is very impressive, feeling almost limousine like compared to many of Havals competitors. The top of the range Havals we had the pleasure of test driving, boasted a panoramic sunroof, selectable driving modes, a digital instrument cluster, leather seats with electronic adjustment for the driver, and LED headlights, as well as some of the most advanced active safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Assist, Lane Departure Alert, Blind Spot Detection, 360-degree panoramic camera and Pre-Collision warning with auto-braking.

There are a few minor details that might need some attending to, but overall, it is hard to beat what Haval has to offer, given its aggressive pricing. In-fact, the Haval Jolion was so impressive, we didn’t just drive it, we actually went out and bought one too.