Suv Hybrid Automatic FWD 5-seat

GWM Jolion

Price in South Africa, real specs & fuel economy — 2026

Model year 2026 Generation 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. Current version 2024 Body style SUV
The Haval Jolion is GWM's volume SUV in South Africa — a compact crossover priced from R409,900 with a choice of pure-petrol or hybrid powertrains, targeting the Hyundai Creta and KIA Seltos segment leaders.
ZAR 519,900
On-road in
ZAR 537,138
Ex-showroom ZAR 519,900
Finance estimate from ZAR 7,258/month Based on 1.5T LS DCT Ex-showroom basis · approx. 20% deposit · 11.5% p.a. · 60 months · no balloon
Engine:1497cc (1.5L) Torque:250Nm (184 lb-ft) Ground Clearance:190mm (7.5″) Power:115kW (154 bhp) Battery:1.8kWh Boot340L (12.0 cu ft)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined 17.9 km/l (42 mpg)
City 14.7 km/l (35 mpg)
Highway 20.4 km/l (48 mpg)

On-road pricing varies by dealer. Fuel figures are manufacturer claims or source-backed estimates where a separate city/highway cycle is not published; your real numbers depend on traffic, terrain and driving style.

Model Range PDF
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Estimate monthly vehicle finance for the GWM Jolion in South Africa. The default illustration uses the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest over 60 months and no balloon payment.

Estimated monthly instalment
ZAR 7,258
Total Interest
ZAR 105,454
Total Payable
ZAR 435,454
Principal Interest

* Illustrative estimate based on the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest, 60 months and no balloon payment, using the 1.5T LS DCT. Excludes initiation fees, monthly service fees, credit-life insurance and vehicle insurance. Your lender quotation may differ.

Source-backed vehicle data • Verified by the Hagalu team

GWM Jolion

The Haval Jolion is GWM's volume SUV in South Africa — a compact crossover priced from R409,900 with a choice of pure-petrol or hybrid powertrains, targeting the Hyundai Creta and KIA Seltos segment leaders.

The Haval Jolion has become Chinese-brand-SUV's most successful product in South Africa. Since its 2021 launch, the Jolion has consistently appeared in monthly top-20 sales tables — a position that no other Chinese SUV has matched at sustained volume. The reason is straightforward: the Jolion gets the basics right, prices itself sharply, and has a dealer network that genuinely supports it. For South African buyers comparing compact SUVs in the R400,000–R550,000 bracket, the Jolion has earned its place on the shortlist alongside the Hyundai Creta, KIA Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross and Volkswagen T-Cross. The product brief is unambiguous. Front-wheel-drive, monocoque, 5-door compact crossover with seating for five and a 340-litre boot. The platform is shared with several other Haval SUVs across GWM's range, and the underpinnings are competent rather than exciting. Suspension is MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent rear — the same architecture used by most rivals in the segment. The chassis is tuned for comfort over outright sharpness, which is the right call for a family SUV. Powertrain choices are the Jolion's interesting differentiation. The petrol-only 1.5T LS DCT and 1.5T LT DCT run a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol producing 105 kW and 210 Nm, paired with a 7-speed wet-clutch DCT (dual-clutch transmission). Fuel economy in real-world mixed driving sits at 7.0–7.5 L/100 km. The hybrid 1.5T Hybrid LS and 1.5T Hybrid LT combine a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol with an integrated electric motor and 1.8 kWh battery, producing a combined 140 kW and 375 Nm. Real-world hybrid fuel economy is 5.5–6.0 L/100 km — meaningful savings versus the pure petrol variants for buyers who do significant city driving. The hybrid variant uses an Aisin-derived single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission rather than a CVT — it's a different architecture to the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Honda CR-V e:HEV systems, but functionally similar in that the petrol engine and electric motor blend torque seamlessly across the speed range. In urban driving, the Jolion Hybrid will operate in EV mode at parking and crawl speeds, with the petrol engine intervening above around 30 km/h or when battery state-of-charge drops. The transition between EV and petrol is smoother than the Toyota system's familiar low-speed engine cut-in. Highway behaviour is petrol-driven with the electric motor providing torque assist during acceleration phases. Pricing positions the Jolion competitively. The 1.5T LS DCT at R409,900 is R30,000 below the equivalent Hyundai Creta 1.5T Executive and R40,000 below the KIA Seltos 1.5T-GDI EX. The 1.5T Hybrid LT at R519,900 is genuinely difficult to find a direct rival for — no other compact SUV in South Africa offers a full-hybrid powertrain at this price point. The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is closer in concept but R30,000 more, and the Honda HR-V e:HEV is R50,000 more. Cabin equipment is where the Jolion takes the equipment-per-rand argument seriously. The base LS DCT at R409,900 includes a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six airbags, electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, cruise control, and dual-zone climate control. The LT trim adds blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, 360-camera, panoramic sunroof, leather seats with 6-way electric driver adjustment, and a 12-speaker premium audio system. Comparable Hyundai and KIA trims at the same prices typically lack the panoramic sunroof and the 12-speaker audio. On the road, the Jolion is competent without being memorable. Steering is light and accurate enough for urban use but lacks the polish of the Volkswagen T-Cross. Ride quality on the standard 17-inch alloys (18-inch on LT) is comfortable on smooth tar but can feel busier than rivals on broken surfaces. The 7-speed DCT in the petrol variants is smooth in normal driving but can occasionally feel hesitant in stop-start traffic, particularly at junctions where you transition from braking to acceleration quickly. The hybrid powertrain handles this scenario noticeably better because the electric motor smooths the torque delivery. Safety equipment on the Jolion is a strong point. The vehicle scored 5 stars in ANCAP testing in 2022, with comprehensive standard safety kit from the entry trim. The driver-assistance systems on LT trim — AEB with pedestrian detection, lane-keep, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition — work as intended in most conditions, though as with other GWM products the lane-keep can be over-eager on rural roads. Long-term ownership in South Africa has settled into a recognisable pattern. The dealer network has matured significantly over the past three years. Service costs are competitive — service intervals of 10,000 km, service plan included for 5 years/75,000 km, warranty 5 years/100,000 km, hybrid battery covered for 8 years/180,000 km. Resale values have stabilised at approximately R30,000–R45,000 below the equivalent Hyundai Creta over a 3-year ownership period — a smaller gap than other Chinese SUVs and one that should close further as Jolion volumes continue to grow. The Jolion's place in the South African SUV market is now well-established. It's not the cheapest compact SUV available — buyers can find lower-priced Indian-built rivals — but for the equipment level, the warranty package and the dealer support, it represents real value. The hybrid variant in particular is positioned uniquely in the SA market — there's simply no other compact SUV at sub-R520,000 with full-hybrid technology. For buyers prioritising fuel economy in a small SUV, the Jolion Hybrid LT is the obvious answer.

GWM Jolion — Quick Facts

GWM Jolion Variants & Prices

Pick up to 3 variants, hit Compare Variants and you'll get a proper side-by-side spec breakdown.

Maximum 3 variants reached
Uncheck one of the selected variants below before choosing another.
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
1.5T LS DCT Base Petrol Automatic ZAR 409,900
1.5T LT DCT Mid Petrol Automatic ZAR 449,900
1.5T Hybrid LS Mid Hybrid Automatic ZAR 479,900
1.5T Hybrid LT Top Hybrid Automatic ZAR 519,900
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
1.5T LS DCT Base Petrol Automatic ZAR 409,900
1.5T LT DCT Mid Petrol Automatic ZAR 449,900
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
1.5T Hybrid LS Mid Hybrid Automatic ZAR 479,900
1.5T Hybrid LT Top Hybrid Automatic ZAR 519,900
2 variants selected

GWM Jolion Specifications

Length
4472 mm
Width
1841 mm
Height
1628 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
Boot/Cargo Space
340 l
Kerb Weight
1500 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2200 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
11.4 m
Front Headroom
990 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
890 mm
Driving fit

Where the GWM Jolion Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

Compact SUV buyers in South Africa who want strong equipment for the money and are willing to consider non-Japanese, non-Korean brands. Suits families, young professionals and first-time SUV buyers. Particularly attractive to buyers who prioritise fuel economy (hybrid) or who want premium kit at sub-R500,000 pricing (LT trims).

City
In typical city driving across Sandton, Cape Town CBD, Durban or Pretoria, the Jolion is comfortable, easy to manoeuvre and easy to park. Light steering, sharp turning circle of 11.0 metres, good visibility forward and rearward. Hybrid variant is particularly strong in stop-start traffic where the electric motor handles low-speed crawling and the engine cuts in only when needed. For the Jolion, city use also means potholes, tight shopping-centre ramps, speed humps, heat-soaked traffic and short trips where fuel use can rise. The most comfortable derivative is the one that combines the right gearbox response, seating position and parking support with tyre sizes that do not punish everyday surfaces.
Highway
On long-distance highway cruising, the petrol DCT variants return around 6.5 L/100 km at a steady 120 km/h. The hybrid returns 5.0–5.5 L/100 km on the same route. Both powertrains have enough overtaking torque for the kind of N1 and N3 climbs that characterise long-distance South African driving. The DCT can occasionally hunt for gears on undulating gradients but the hybrid is consistently smooth. A buyer who drives between provinces or carries family on holiday should also consider noise, seat support, spare-wheel arrangements, overtaking response and how confidently the vehicle holds speed when loaded. Those details often separate two trims that look similar on paper.
Off-Road
The Jolion is a front-wheel-drive monocoque crossover with 190 mm of ground clearance — it handles gravel district roads, light tracks and uneven surfaces well within reasonable limits. It is not designed for serious off-road work. For buyers needing genuine off-road capability, the Tank 300 elsewhere in the GWM range is the proper choice. Where rougher roads are part of ownership, the buyer should check tyres, underbody clearance, approach to traction control and recovery practicality before relying on the body style. If the route is mainly tar, comfort and running costs should take priority over unused off-road image.

GWM Jolion — Should You Buy It?

The Jolion is South Africa's most established Chinese-brand SUV — the hybrid variant in particular has no direct rival at its price point, and the equipment-per-rand story is now backed by maturing residual values.

The Haval Jolion has earned its position in the South African compact SUV segment through consistent execution rather than dramatic innovation. The petrol variants offer Hyundai Creta-style competence at lower prices; the hybrid variants offer Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid technology at R30,000 less. Equipment levels across the range are strong, the dealer network supports the model well in metros, and the warranty package is industry-leading. The residual gap to Korean rivals has narrowed to a manageable level. For most compact SUV buyers, the Jolion deserves a serious test drive. The fairest verdict on the GWM Jolion is therefore use-case driven. It can be a strong South African choice when the buyer chooses the correct derivative for the intended mix of city driving, freeway work, passengers, cargo and rough-road exposure. It becomes less convincing when bought only for styling or badge appeal without checking the practical numbers and ownership costs that will matter after delivery.

What's Good
  • ✓Hybrid variants priced uniquely in South Africa — no direct rival at sub-R520,000 with full-hybrid technology
  • ✓10.25-inch (LS) or 12.3-inch (LT) touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto standard
  • ✓Comprehensive standard safety kit including 6 airbags and AEB across the entire range
  • ✓5-year/100,000 km warranty and 5-year/75,000 km service plan included as standard
  • ✓Hybrid battery covered for 8 years/180,000 km — leading the segment for warranty duration
  • ✓Mature South African dealer network supports the model with parts and service confidence
  • ✓Real-world fuel economy of 5.0–5.5 L/100 km on hybrid variants in typical SA conditions
  • ✓Panoramic sunroof and 12-speaker premium audio standard on LT trims
  • ✓Genuine value alternative to Hyundai Creta and KIA Seltos in the volume compact SUV segment
Watch Out For
  • ✕7-speed DCT in petrol variants can occasionally feel hesitant in stop-start traffic at junctions
  • ✕Residual values still trail Hyundai Creta and KIA Seltos by R30,000–R45,000 over a 3-year horizon
  • ✕Lane-keep assist can be over-eager on poorly-marked rural roads and frequently disabled by daily drivers
  • ✕Front-wheel-drive only — no AWD option for buyers wanting all-weather capability
  • ✕Ride quality on 18-inch alloys (LT) can feel busier than rivals on broken urban surfaces

GWM Jolion FAQs

Current recommended retail prices for the GWM Jolion run from R409,900 to R519,900, depending on the derivative. Compare the exact trim before calculating finance because options, insurance and dealer charges can change the final monthly cost.

The current South African range comprises 1.5T LS DCT, 1.5T LT DCT, 1.5T Hybrid LS, 1.5T Hybrid LT. Prices and equipment are shown by derivative so buyers can compare the actual local range rather than specifications from another market.

The listed ground clearance for the GWM Jolion is 190 mm. Use that number as a practical comparison point against similar cars, especially if you regularly deal with steep driveways, gravel roads or uneven parking areas.

The GWM Jolion engine specification depends on derivative: 1.5T LS DCT, 1.5T LT DCT: 1497 cc, 105 kW (141 bhp); 1.5T Hybrid LS, 1.5T Hybrid LT: 1497 cc, 115 kW (154 bhp). Compare the exact trim because its gearbox and equipment may also differ.

Combined fuel-economy figures differ across the GWM Jolion range: 1.5T LS DCT, 1.5T LT DCT: 14.7 km/l; 1.5T Hybrid LS, 1.5T Hybrid LT: 17.9 km/l.

Compact SUV buyers in South Africa who want strong equipment for the money and are willing to consider non-Japanese, non-Korean brands. Suits families, young professionals and first-time SUV buyers. Particularly attractive to buyers who prioritise fuel economy (hybrid) or who want premium kit at sub-R500,000 pricing (LT trims).

In typical city driving across Sandton, Cape Town CBD, Durban or Pretoria, the Jolion is comfortable, easy to manoeuvre and easy to park. Light steering, sharp turning circle of 11.0 metres, good visibility forward and rearward. Hybrid variant is particularly strong in stop-start traffic where the electric motor handles low-speed crawling and the engine cuts in only when needed. For the Jolion, city use also means potholes, tight shopping-centre ramps, speed humps, heat-soaked traffic and short trips where fuel use can rise. The most comfortable derivative is the one that combines the right gearbox response, seating position and parking support with tyre sizes that do not punish everyday surfaces.

On long-distance highway cruising, the petrol DCT variants return around 6.5 L/100 km at a steady 120 km/h. The hybrid returns 5.0–5.5 L/100 km on the same route. Both powertrains have enough overtaking torque for the kind of N1 and N3 climbs that characterise long-distance South African driving. The DCT can occasionally hunt for gears on undulating gradients but the hybrid is consistently smooth. A buyer who drives between provinces or carries family on holiday should also consider noise, seat support, spare-wheel arrangements, overtaking response and how confidently the vehicle holds speed when loaded. Those details often separate two trims that look similar on paper.

Buyers researching the GWM Jolion often compare it with rivals such as Volkswagen T-Cross , MG ZS Pro , Toyota Corolla Cross , KIA Seltos , Chery Tiggo 7 Pro . Comparing them side by side is the quickest way to see where your money goes — performance, fuel use, price and running costs can differ substantially.

Compare GWM Jolion with Similar Suvs

Tap any card to see a full head-to-head — specs, scores and a clear verdict on which one's worth your money.

GWM Jolion
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Jolion vs Seltos
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Models currently listed for sale in the South African range.

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Archive

Discontinued & Earlier GWM Models

Historical model pages remain available without competing with vehicles currently on sale.

Full GWM range
GWM Cannon discontinued model reference in South Africa Cannon Discontinued Pickup GWM Cannon Alpha discontinued model reference in South Africa Cannon Alpha Discontinued Pickup GWM H1 discontinued model reference in South Africa H1 Discontinued SUV GWM H2 discontinued model reference in South Africa H2 Discontinued SUV GWM Jolion GT discontinued model reference in South Africa Jolion GT Discontinued SUV GWM Ora Good Cat discontinued model reference in South Africa Ora Good Cat Discontinued Hatchback GWM P Series discontinued model reference in South Africa P Series Discontinued Pickup GWM Steed 5 discontinued model reference in South Africa Steed 5 Discontinued Pickup

Showing 8 of 9 archived models. View the complete archive.

Data verified against: GWM Official South Africa Website

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