GWM Jolion vs Changan UNI-S

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.

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
VS
Changan UNI-S in South Africa

Changan UNI-S

1.5T AT CE Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 469,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 138 kW 🔧 300 Nm ⛽ 14.49 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM Jolion vs Changan UNI-S: the short answer

Jolion and UNI-S are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

UNI-S starts ZAR 20,000 cheaper Jolion from ZAR 409,900 · UNI-S from ZAR 389,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Jolion UNI-S
Maximum Power Jolion115 kW @ 5500 rpm UNI-S138 kW
Maximum Torque Jolion250 Nm UNI-S300 Nm
Engine Size Jolion1497 cc UNI-S1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Jolion17.9 km/l UNI-S14.49 km/l
Ground Clearance Jolion190 mm UNI-SNot Officially Disclosed

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Jolion

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

UNI-S

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

Which One's Right for You?

Jolion

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

UNI-S

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Jolion UNI-S
360 Degree Camera Yes 540-degree HD panoramic view
Active Engine Braking No -
Adaptive Cruise Control Yes Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control Yes Yes
Around View Monitor Yes 540-degree HD panoramic view
Attention Assist Yes -
Autonomous Emergency Braking Yes Yes
Automatic High Beam Yes -
Auto Highbeam Yes Yes
Auto Lights Yes -
Auto Park Assist No -
Auto Wipers Yes Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring Yes Yes
Blind Spot Warning Yes Yes
Cruise Control Yes Cruise Control
Driver Fatigue Alert Yes Not Officially Disclosed
Eco Mode Yes -
Emergency Braking Yes -
EV Mode Yes -
Forward Collision Warning Yes Yes
Front Camera Yes -
Lane Departure Warning Yes Yes
Lane Keep Assist Yes Yes
Park Assist Yes Straight-in/straight-out automatic parking
Parking Distance Sensors Front and Rear -
Parking Sensor Front and Rear -
Parking Sensors Front and Rear Rear (6 sensors)
Pre-Collision System Yes -
Rain Sensor Wipers Yes -
Rear View Camera Yes Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Yes Yes
Rear Parking Sensors Yes Yes
Rear View Camera Yes -
Reverse Camera Yes Yes
Reverse Camera Type Yes -
Reversing Camera Yes -
Sport Mode Yes -
Surround View Camera Yes 540-degree HD panoramic view
Traffic Sign Recognition Yes Yes
Spec Jolion UNI-S
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles No Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout FWD Not Officially Disclosed
Clutch Type Wet Multi-Disc Dual-clutch
Differential Lock No Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Type Front Not Available -
Differential Type Rear Not Available -
Drive Mode Selector Yes -
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive FWD
Drivetrain Layout Front Engine Front Wheel Drive Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Position Front Transverse -
Final Drive Ratio 3.73 Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears 2 7
Gear Shift Indicator Yes Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type Automatic Automatic
Gearbox DHT Hybrid Transmission 7-Speed DCT
Gearbox Type DHT Hybrid Transmission Dual-Clutch Automatic
LSD Available No Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters No Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Reverse Gear Warning Yes -
Steering Turns Lock to Lock 14.7:1 -
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case Guard Not Available -
Transmission Speeds 2 7
Transmission Type Automatic DCT

In depth: how these cars differ

This Jolion and UNI-S 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: Jolion 51 vs UNI-S 59.

Efficiency index: Jolion 73 vs UNI-S 55.

Safety-equipment index: Jolion 93 vs UNI-S 92.

Practicality index: Jolion 60 vs UNI-S 68.

Ownership-cover index: Jolion 65 vs UNI-S not separately scored.

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

UNI-S leads by 1 points

Jolion and UNI-S are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 67% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

UNI-S

67% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 55
Performance 59
Efficiency 55
Safety 92
Practicality 68
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 UNI-S +8 Efficiency Jolion +18 Safety Jolion +1 Practicality UNI-S +8

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

UNI-S

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 68/100

Jolion

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan UNI-S leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 68 pts for Jolion

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

Jolion vs UNI-S 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.