GWM H1 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.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

GWM H1 Discontinued model
GWM H1 in South Africa

GWM H1

1.5 LS Petrol CVT Discontinued model
ZAR 229,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 78 kW 🔧 135 Nm ⛽ 7.0 km/l
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

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Jolion
Fuel Economy Jolion
🛡 Safety Jolion
📦 Practicality H1
🔑 Ownership Jolion
Recorded price context H1: last listed from ZAR 229,900 · Jolion: current from ZAR 409,900

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec H1 Jolion
Maximum Power 78 kW @ 6000 rpm 115 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque 135 Nm @ 4000 rpm 250 Nm
Engine Size 1497 cc 1497 cc
Claimed Mileage 7.0 km/l 17.9 km/l
Ground Clearance 160 mm 190 mm
Boot / Load Bay Not confirmed 340 l
Airbags 4 6
Kerb Weight Not confirmed 1500 kg
Seating Capacity Not confirmed -
Warranty 3 Years / 100,000 km 5 Years / 100,000 km

= leads in this spec

Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.

The Bottom Line

Jolion holds a noticeable edge over H1, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Jolion +21 pts
Efficiency Jolion +38 pts
Safety Jolion +38 pts
Practicality H1 +3 pts
Ownership Jolion +21 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

H1

Strengths
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

Jolion

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

H1

  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Jolion

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec H1 Jolion
Model Introduced Year 2015 2021
Generation Single generation in South Africa from 2015-2019. The H1 was based on an older Great Wall platform and was discontinued without a direct successor. 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 H1 received a single mid-cycle update in 2017 that brought minor exterior styling refinements and an updated infotainment system. No significant mechanical changes through the model life. 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 2017 2024
Body Style Not confirmed SUV
Dealer Stock Note Not confirmed Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Production Status Not confirmed published
Segment Not confirmed SUV
Tare Mass Kg Not confirmed 1500 kg
Vehicle Type Not confirmed SUV
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Color Note Not confirmed 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.
Spec H1 Jolion
LSD Available Not Applicable No
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
Differential Lock Not Applicable No
Paddle Shifters Not Applicable No
Engine Position Transverse Front-Mounted Front Transverse
Gearbox 6-Speed CVT DHT Hybrid Transmission
Final Drive Ratio 3.94:1 3.73
Steering Turns Lock to Lock 3.2 14.7:1
Number of Gears 6 2
Transmission Type Automatic CVT Automatic
Clutch Type Torque Converter Wet Multi-Disc
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox Type Automatic DHT Hybrid Transmission
Transmission Speeds 6 2
4WD Engagement Not confirmed Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range Not confirmed Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Not confirmed Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not confirmed Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Not confirmed No
Differential Type Front Not confirmed Not Available
Differential Type Rear Not confirmed Not Available
Drive Mode Selector Not confirmed Yes
Drivetrain Layout Not confirmed Front Engine Front Wheel Drive
Front Differential Lock Not confirmed Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator Not confirmed Yes
Gear Shift Type Not confirmed Automatic
Low Range Not confirmed Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio Not confirmed Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock Not confirmed Not Applicable
Reverse Gear Warning Not confirmed Yes
Transfer Case Guard Not confirmed Not Available
Axle Layout Not confirmed FWD

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Jolion leads by 22 points

Jolion holds a noticeable edge over H1, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 68 /100
Lead 22 points
Data 97% confidence
68
#1 Winner

Jolion

97% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Performance 51
Performance 51
Efficiency 73
Safety 94
Practicality 60
Ownership 65
Leads by 22 points
46
#2

H1

87% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Practicality 63 Check Performance 30
Performance 30
Efficiency 35
Safety 56
Practicality 63
Ownership 44
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Jolion +21 Efficiency Jolion +38 Safety Jolion +38 Practicality H1 +3 Ownership Jolion +21

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Jolion

Performance 51/100
Efficiency 73/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 60/100
Ownership 65/100

H1

Performance 30/100
Efficiency 35/100
Safety 56/100
Practicality 63/100
Ownership 44/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM Jolion wins with 68 pts vs 46 pts for H1

In structured scoring, Jolion emerges as the stronger overall package. However, H1 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: H1 35 vs Jolion 73. 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: H1 56, 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: H1 44, 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: H1 63, Jolion 60. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: H1 30, Jolion 51. 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 H1 and Jolion in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: H1 scores 30 vs 51.

Efficiency: H1 scores 35 vs 73.

Safety: H1 scores 56 vs 94.

Practicality: H1 scores 63 vs 60.

Ownership: H1 scores 44 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives Jolion the advantage in this comparison.