GWM Haval’s second hybrid SUV is firming for a launch this year.
The company says the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid is still under consideration, but CarExpert understands the small hybrid crossover will arrive in the fourth quarter of this year.
It was recently approved for sale here by the Australian Government, with the approval documents listing a single variant.
That echoes GWM Haval’s approach with the local-spec H6 Hybrid, which is available in a single trim level that corresponds with the top-spec Ultra.
The Jolion Hybrid was revealed late last year at the company’s new plant in Rayong, Thailand where it’ll be built – though CarExpert understands our hybrid models will be sourced from China.
Power in the Jolion Hybrid comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor, sending a combined 140kW and 375Nm to the front wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Claimed fuel economy is 4.2 litres per 100km in Thailand, compared to the 8.1L/100km the non-hybrid Jolion uses on the combined cycle test.
Government approval documents list a braked towing capacity of 1500kg, the same as its petrol counterparts, and a tare mass of 1500kg, compared to the 1340-1464kg weights of other Jolions.
The same hybrid powertrain in the H6 Hybrid makes 179kW and 530Nm, but even in detuned form the hybrid Haval Jolion comfortably outguns most of its Japanese and Korean rivals like the Kia Niro, Subaru XV and Toyota C-HR hybrids.
It’ll also face competition from the 146kW Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, due in the second half of 2022, which will be the only one of the Jolion’s rivals to best it in outright power.
Externally, you’ll be able to differentiate the Jolion Hybrid from its petrol-only brothers by its unique grille, tweaked headlights, and bolder daytime running lights.
Inside, the electrified crossover has a similarly long list of standard equipment to its petrol brothers.
In Thailand, it features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
It was also revealed there with a striking two-tone black-and-cream interior featuring orange accents.
Pricing for the Jolion currently tops out at $33,990 drive-away. Expect to pay a premium for the Hybrid, although it’s not clear exactly how much that premium will be.
The hybrid H6 is priced at $45,990 drive-away, a cool $6000 over a front-wheel drive petrol H6 Ultra.
Of the Jolion Hybrid’s rivals, the most affordable Niro hybrid costs $44,380 before on-roads, the cheapest C-HR hybrid costs $37,665 before on-roads, and the cheapest XV hybrid costs $36,790 before on-roads.
The Jolion is GWM Haval’s best-seller in Australia. To the end of June, the company has sold 3025 examples, ahead of the GWM Ute (2894 sales) and Haval H6 (2619 sales).
The small crossover is outselling the likes of the Honda HR-V (2723), Suzuki Vitara (859) and Volkswagen T-Roc (1216).
Haval H6 Hybrid 
Tank 500 Hybrid
It isn’t just Great Wall Motors’ Haval brand that’s releasing hybrids.
The company has also revealed a hybrid version of the body-on-frame Tank 500 SUV, with a 180kW/380Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
It’s expected to be one of the first Tank-branded models to arrive in Australia.
MORE: Everything Haval Jolion
