Dear Drive… Do I buy a GWM Haval Jolion or a GWM Haval H6?

29/10/2022 02:25

Dear Drive… Where we answer reader, viewer, and listener questions. Something on your mind? Call us on the radio show or email us at contactus@drive.com.au.

Steve asks:

I have been considering the Haval Jolion or the H6, and I was wondering if you had an opinion on which one would be worth the buy?

A great and timely question Steve – I’ve just spent a week doing back-to-backs in a 2022 GWM Haval Jolion Ultra Hybrid and 2022 GWM Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid.

Both cars are great value-for-money propositions that are readily available in Australia. As you may be aware, similar Japanese hybrid vehicles currently have a 12 to 24-month wait time.

So, it makes sense to consider either hybrid model if your budget stretches that far. We’ll start with the Jolion, as it’s the smaller and cheaper car of the pair.

Although a small SUV, second-row legroom is up there with the class’s best. If you have kids, grand-kids or plan to use the second row more than the boot, then it’s right-on for the money.

If you lead an active lifestyle and love cycling, as an example, then the GWM Haval H6 is probably more appropriate.

On test, I found the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid to use 5.8L/100km – versus an official claim of 5.0L – not a bad result at all.

The performance is decent, too, from the Jolion Hybrid with 139kW/375Nm on offer.

The onboard advanced driver assist package is comprehensive across all Jolion models with blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking all coming as standard.

They can be a bit overzealous, however, so you’ll have to get used to the mollycoddling. For reference, the 2022 GWM Haval Jolion comes in four trim levels – Premium, Lux, Ultra, and Ultra Hybrid. They each start from $28,480, $30,990, $33,990 or $40,990 drive-away respectively.

The GWM Haval H6 is a bigger and ‘better’ car, but it comes at a cost. The brand’s H6 medium SUV comes in the same four grades – Premium, Lux, Ultra, and Ultra Hybrid – and costs $33,990, $36,990, $39,990 or $45,990 respectively. That means the step up from a GWM Jolion to a GWM H6 is a $5000 affair at the same trim level.

Not only is the boot bigger, as I just mentioned, but the overall cabin too. Whereas the GWM Jolion can feel a bit cramped in the first row for a taller-than-average driver, the H6 has no such problem.

And if you’re after kerb appeal, they even make a coupe-inspired version called the Haval H6 GT. It’s a bit more expensive again at $40,990 and $46,990 – and also doesn’t come as a hybrid – but it does look the part.

So, if you prioritise boot space, exterior styling and performance, go for the H6. If you want an affordable package with a huge second row for your offspring, the Jolion may just cut the mustard.

Get out and test-drive the range and let us know how you go!

Have a question about your next set of wheels or just need some car advice? No query is too big, small or obscure! Call in to the radio show (Trent on 2GB Sydney 1:30pm Monday and 9:00pm Wednesday, 5AA South Australia 1:30pm Tuesday, and James on 3AW Melbourne 9:00pm each Thursday), or contact us by email here: contactus@drive.com.au.

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