By Sala Masindane

We are well and truly in the hybrid era. To drive the message home, hybrids are no longer the weird or quirky looking option but have managed to blend in with the rest. The Toyota Prius is a perfect example of how it has evolved through the years. Haval has also joined the competitive segment of hybrid SUVs and we spent some time with the hybrid version of the popular compact SUV, the Haval Jolion HEV in range-topping Super Luxury guise.

Exterior

It sets itself apart from the rest of the range with a unique front end that features a standout diamond front grille, animated LED headlights and daytime running lights, a redesigned front bumper, a sporty rear diffuser, and dual vent rear spoilers. The Haval Jolion 1.5 HEV Super Luxury perfectly embodies this distinctive design with its appealing aesthetics.

Interior

Inside, you are met by a well laid out cabin with soft-touch materials. Entertainment is taken care of by a 12.3-inch multimedia touch display infotainment that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other comfort features include smart keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof and Head-Up Display to mention a few.

The cabin is a great place to be in thanks to commendable build quality, comfortable leather seats and sufficient space for all occupants. On the tech front, it’s easy to navigate the infotainment system but physical controls for driver modes and climate control are much needed.

Safety and driver assistance systems

The Jolion HEV feature an Electronic Stability System, Traction Control, ABS and EBD. Passenger safety is ensured thanks to dual front, side and curtain airbags. All models are also fitted with Anti-Roll System and Secondary Collision Mitigation, Uphill and Downhill Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Rear Parking Sensors.

In addition, the Jolion HEV Super Luxury features a 360-degree panoramic camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist and Intelligent Turning Assist, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Intelligent Dodge (smart collision avoidance system), Rear Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking.

Performance

The Jolion HEV features a 1.5-litre hybrid drivetrain that combines a petrol engine with a self-charging electric motor delivering a total system output of 140kW and 375Nm. It’s paired with Haval’s Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) and has a claimed fuel consumption of 5.0l/100km.

Daily driving

The 1.5-litre engine delivers smooth power and seamless acceleration. The ride quality is good and the Jolion HEV is quiet for most part, with a droning sound coming through during quick acceleration or continuous inclines. Our stint in the compact SUV mostly comprised of city and highway driving which returned a fuel consumption of 5.8l/100km. This is good news in the times of high fuel prices and is a much better reading compared to non-hybrid Jolions.

Pricing for the Haval Jolion HEV starts at R549,950 and our test model is priced at R579,950. The Jolion HEV is sold with a 5 year/ 60 000km service plan, a 5 year/100 000km warranty and an 8 year/150 000km hybrid battery warranty.