Hyundai ALCAZAR vs GWM Jolion

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Hyundai ALCAZAR in South Africa

Hyundai ALCAZAR

1.5D Elite AT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 669,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 5.9 km/l
VS
GWM Jolion in South Africa

GWM Jolion

1.5T Hybrid LT Hybrid Automatic
ZAR 519,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 115 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 5.6 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance ALCAZAR
Fuel Economy Jolion
🛡 Safety Jolion
📦 Practicality ALCAZAR
🔑 Ownership Tie
Jolion starts ZAR 499900 cheaper ALCAZAR from ZAR 499,900 · Jolion from ZAR 409,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec ALCAZAR Jolion
Engine Power 85 115
Torque 250 250
Engine Size 1493 1497
Claimed Mileage 5.9 5.6
Ground Clearance 200 mm 190
Boot Space 180 340
Airbags Not Available 6
Kerb Weight Not Applicable 1500
Seating Capacity 7 5
Warranty 5 5

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Jolion has a slight advantage, but ALCAZAR remains highly competitive.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance ALCAZAR +2 pts
Efficiency Jolion +4 pts
Safety Jolion +66 pts
Practicality ALCAZAR +4 pts
Ownership Equal

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

ALCAZAR

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

Jolion

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

ALCAZAR

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Jolion

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ALCAZAR Jolion
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2021
Generation Current South African ALCAZAR listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Jolion sold in South Africa is the first generation under the Jolion nameplate, derived from Haval's L.E.M.O.N. modular platform launched in 2020. Local specification differs from the Chinese-domestic version in suspension calibration (slightly softer for SA road conditions), cabin material grades (higher) and infotainment software localisation.
Facelift History Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle. Haval Jolion received a mid-cycle update in 2023 that brought the 12.3-inch infotainment screen to LT as standard (replacing the original 10.25-inch unit), added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the range, refined driver-assistance calibration, and updated front-end styling with revised headlamp signatures. The hybrid variants were introduced to the South African market in 2024 as a separate trim ladder rather than a powertrain option on existing trims.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2024
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Seven-seat SUV SUV
Color Note Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering. Hamilton White, Crystal White, Pittsburgh Silver, Mars Red, Atlantic Blue and Dignity Black. Some colours are limited to specific trim levels and availability changes annually.
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment SUV SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec ALCAZAR Jolion
Ground Clearance 200 mm 190 mm
Wheelbase 2760 mm 2700 mm
Length 4560 mm 4472 mm
Width 1800 mm 1841 mm
Height 1710 mm 1628 mm
Kerb Weight Not Applicable 1500 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight Not Applicable 2200 kg
Seating Capacity 7 5
Boot Space 180 l 340 l
Towing Capacity Not Applicable 1500 kg
Front Track Width Not Applicable 1560 mm
Rear Track Width Not Applicable 1570 mm
Turning Radius Not Applicable 11.4 m
Load Bed Length Not Applicable Not Applicable
Load Bed Width Not Applicable Not Applicable
Front Legroom Not Applicable 1050 mm
Rear Legroom Not Applicable 890 mm
Front Headroom Not Applicable 990 mm
Rear Headroom Not Applicable 960 mm
Front Shoulder Room Not Applicable 1430 mm
Rear Shoulder Room Not Applicable 1390 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 180 l 540 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload Not Applicable Not Applicable
Boot Volume 180 l 340 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 7 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 l 55 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg Not Applicable 2200 kg
Ground Clearance Max 200 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance Min 200 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 200 mm 190 mm
Height Mm 1710 mm 1628 mm
Length Mm 4560 mm 4472 mm
Loadbox Length Mm Not Applicable Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm Not Applicable Not Applicable
Payload Kg Not Applicable Not Applicable
Cargo Volume 180 l 340 l
Tare Mass Kg Not Applicable 1500 kg
Turning Circle Not Applicable 11.4 m
Turning Circle M Not Applicable 11.4 m
Width Mm 1800 mm 1841 mm
Front Overhang - 880 mm
Load Sill Height - Low
Rear Overhang - 890 mm
Tracking System - Optional
Boot Space Seats Folded 180 l 540 l

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Jolion leads by 14 points

Jolion has a slight advantage, but ALCAZAR remains highly competitive.

Winner 60 /100
Lead 14 points
Data 97% confidence
60
#1 Winner

Jolion

97% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Efficiency 37
Performance 42
Efficiency 37
Safety 94
Practicality 60
Ownership 65
Leads by 14 points
46
#2

ALCAZAR

76% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Ownership 65 Check Safety 28
Performance 44
Efficiency 33
Safety 28
Practicality 64
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance ALCAZAR +2 Efficiency Jolion +4 Safety Jolion +66 Practicality ALCAZAR +4 Ownership Level

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Jolion

Performance 42/100
Efficiency 37/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 60/100
Ownership 65/100

ALCAZAR

Performance 44/100
Efficiency 33/100
Safety 28/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 65/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM Jolion wins with 60 pts vs 46 pts for ALCAZAR

In structured scoring, Jolion emerges as the stronger overall package. However, ALCAZAR may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Jolion edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: ALCAZAR 33 vs Jolion 37. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: ALCAZAR 28, Jolion 94. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: ALCAZAR 65, Jolion 65. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: ALCAZAR 64, Jolion 60. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: ALCAZAR 44, Jolion 42. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Jolion edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Jolion scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between ALCAZAR and Jolion in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: ALCAZAR scores 44 vs 42.

Efficiency: ALCAZAR scores 33 vs 37.

Safety: ALCAZAR scores 28 vs 94.

Practicality: ALCAZAR scores 64 vs 60.

Ownership: ALCAZAR scores 65 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives Jolion the advantage in this comparison.