Geely E5 EM-i 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.

Geely E5 EM-i in South Africa

Geely E5 EM-i

Apex Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 679,999 ex-showroom
⚡ 73 kW 🔧 125 Nm
VS
GWM Jolion in South Africa

GWM Jolion

1.5T Hybrid LT Hybrid Current
ZAR 519,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 115 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 17.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Geely E5 EM-i vs GWM Jolion: the short answer

E5 EM-i and Jolion are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Jolion starts ZAR 190,099 cheaper E5 EM-i from ZAR 599,999 · Jolion from ZAR 409,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification E5 EM-i Jolion
Maximum Power E5 EM-i73 kW Jolion115 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque E5 EM-i125 Nm Jolion250 Nm
Engine Size E5 EM-i1499 cc Jolion1497 cc
Combined Fuel Economy E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed Jolion17.9 km/l
Ground Clearance E5 EM-i172 mm Jolion190 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

E5 EM-i

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Jolion

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

E5 EM-i

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Jolion

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec E5 EM-i Jolion
Model Introduced Year 2025 2021
Generation Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published 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 No applicable South African facelift history established 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 Not Applicable 2024
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active published
Segment Passenger vehicle SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - 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
Tare Mass Kg - 1500 kg
Spec E5 EM-i Jolion
Length 4740 mm 4472 mm
Width 1905 mm 1841 mm
Height 1685 mm 1628 mm
Wheelbase 2755 mm 2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 172 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed -
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 55 l
Boot/Cargo Space 528 l 340 l
Kerb Weight 1770 kg 1500 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Not Officially Disclosed 2200 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed -
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 1500 kg
Seating Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 5 seats
Number of Rows Not Officially Disclosed -
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed 11.4 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 990 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 960 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1050 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 890 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This E5 EM-i and Jolion comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: E5 EM-i 39 vs Jolion 51.

Efficiency index: E5 EM-i 79 vs Jolion 73.

Safety-equipment index: E5 EM-i 91 vs Jolion 93.

Practicality index: E5 EM-i 71 vs Jolion 60.

Ownership-cover index: E5 EM-i not separately scored vs Jolion 65.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

E5 EM-i leads by 1 points

E5 EM-i and Jolion are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 55% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

E5 EM-i

55% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 39
Performance 39
Efficiency 79
Safety 91
Practicality 71
Leads by 1 points
68
#2

Jolion

96% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Performance 51
Performance 51
Efficiency 73
Safety 93
Practicality 60
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Jolion +12 Efficiency E5 EM-i +6 Safety Jolion +2 Practicality E5 EM-i +11

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

E5 EM-i

Performance 39/100
Efficiency 79/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 71/100

Jolion

Performance 51/100
Efficiency 73/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 60/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Geely E5 EM-i leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 68 pts for Jolion

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, E5 EM-i leads. However, Jolion may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

E5 EM-i vs Jolion questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.