As our living standards improve, the age group of car buyers is becoming increasingly younger, with many parents now opting to select vehicles for their children who are just entering the workforce or starting their own families.
For the "Generation Z", who grew up in the new millennium, their parents' aesthetic preferences no longer resonate with them. Their demands for vehicles have shifted, prioritizing impressive appearance, high-tech features, and performance expectations, all of which are increasingly important.
Having focused on the Middle Eastern market for 27 years, Great Wall Motors (GWM)not only offers full-size SUVs such as the Haval H9 and Tank 500 but has also introduced the Haval Jolion, a family SUV that is particularly suitable for young people who are newly married or beginning their careers.
Exterior Design
Shedding the "outdated" and embracing youthfulness.
Although its overall shape still aligns with the traditional SUV design, the Haval Jolion showcases a lot of creativity, especially in the details, including both the front and rear designs.
The front face features a distinctly personalized family design combined with a vibrant mesh pattern that not only rejuvenates but also enhances the car’s individuality and dynamism. The headlights on each side create a visually striking impact.
In terms of dimensions, the Haval Jolion measures 4472×1841×1619mm with a wheelbase of 2700mm.
As a family SUV, interior space is a crucial aspect for many, and with a 2700mm wheelbase, the Jolion offers ample interior space, making daily commutes and weekend trips very convenient. Moreover, the flat-floor design in the rear provides comfort for three passengers, ensuring a pleasant ride experience even for the middle passenger.
To complement the front headlights, the rear taillights of the Haval Jolion feature high-recognition corner taillight design. While ensuring a youthful overall visual effect, the broad vertical lights also add a touch of dominance to the SUV.
Interior and Comfort
For family SUVs, alongside a dynamic exterior, the interior design must also encompass technology, comfort, and practicality—a concept that the Haval Jolion has embraced in its design.
The Haval Jolion features a flexible and ergonomic design language, utilizing warm, enveloping seats that adhere to ergonomic principles. It includes a multifunctional steering wheel, with the left side dedicated to multimedia controls that manage voice commands, track changes, and volume adjustments. The right side hosts controls for the LCD instrument panel menu and intelligent driving assistance features.
In recent years, full LCD dashboards have become incredibly popular in the automotive industry. The Haval Jolion is equipped with a 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel that, compared to traditional dashboards, offers drivers a more diverse array of display options, consolidating entertainment, vehicle information, navigation, and intelligent driving data. This allows drivers to comprehensively monitor vehicle dynamics while on the move.
Regarding the central control, the Haval Jolion employs a 12.3-inch LCD screen, ensuring smooth operation comparable to modern smartphones and is packed with a variety of entertainment features.
In the gear shifting area, the Haval Jolion departs from traditional gear shift designs, opting for a cooler, more sophisticated appearance without altering the overall user experience.
For novice drivers, navigating through narrow roads or fitting into tight parking spaces can be a challenge. While experienced drivers may rely on their skills and perceptiveness to avoid scrapes, newcomers might find it difficult to maneuver with ease.
To assist with this, the Haval Jolion is equipped with a 360-degree panoramic camera system, allowing drivers to visually monitor their surroundings through cameras positioned around the vehicle.
Engine
In terms of engine, the Jolion is equipped with Haval's self-developed 1.5L turbocharged engine, which can deliver 147 horsepower and 220 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DCT transmission.
In actual driving, the combination of the 1.5T engine and 7DCT transmission performs above average compared to other vehicles in its class. It provides ample power during acceleration and overtaking, offering a responsive experience. Additionally, the shifting process is quite smooth with low delay, making it well-suited for aggressive drivers seeking robust power delivery.
Moreover, this 1.5T engine maintains commendable NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) control. Even at engine speeds of up to 5000 rpm, the noise level remains relatively low.
Safety
The Haval Jolion is renowned for its comprehensive safety features, including:
Active safety: adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and rear cross traffic alert.
Passive safety: seven airbags provide thorough protection for all passengers.
Pricing
In Saudi Arabia, the Haval Jolion is available in three models, with prices starting from SAR 71,415.
(Prices are subject to official confirmation.)
Summary
In recent years, the rapid ascent of Chinese automotive brands in the global market has been striking. As a key model from Great Wall Motors, the Haval Jolion demonstrates the competitive strength of Chinese brands in the Middle Eastern market. With its stylish appearance, intelligent technology, and high cost-performance ratio, it offers consumers a fresh choice.
Chinese brands have evolved from winning on cost-effectiveness to focusing on design aesthetics and quality perception. The Haval Jolion’s exterior adopts an international aesthetic with a hexagonal grille and harmoniously designed lights front and back, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship. The interior features such as a touchscreen, digital dashboard, and leather trims not only enhance the luxury within but also reflect a commitment to detail. This design philosophy and manufacturing standard position it on par with mainstream international brands.
It is worth noting that the Haval Jolion represents not just a model, but a microcosm of the globalization of Chinese brands. With deeper technological accumulation and growing brand influence, GWM is set to continue playing a significant role in the Middle East automotive market, offering consumers more choices and surprises.