The Haval Jolion outsold the Prado in September with drive away deals from $23,990. Here's whether the petrol or hybrid is worth it, and how it stacks up against the MG ZS.
By Varun Punyamurtula ·
The Jolion gives you a lot of car for the money, a long warranty and cheap servicing. The Premium Hybrid is the pick for low fuel bills, while the Lux petrol is the better buy if you need boot space. Just test the driver assist alerts before you sign.
From $26,990 drive away (Premium), or $23,990 drive away on the October 2026 offer. Hybrid from $32,990 drive away.
You can drive away in a new small SUV with a seven year warranty for $23,990 this month. That's the deal GWM is running on the Haval Jolion, and it explains why 2,018 Australians bought one in September 2026, more than bought a Prado.
But cheap only matters if the car is good. So is the Jolion a bargain, or a false economy next to an MG ZS, a Chery Tiggo 4 or a Toyota Corolla Cross?
Quick answer: The Jolion is one of the best value small SUVs in Australia, and the hybrid is the pick for its low fuel use. Just know that the hybrid's boot is small and the driver assist alerts can be annoying.
GWM sells the Jolion at national drive away prices, which makes comparing easy. Standard prices since 1 January 2026:
October deals: the Premium is $23,990 drive away and the Lux $26,990 drive away until 31 October 2026, each including a $3,000 saving. The Premium Hybrid is $32,990 drive away with either a further $3,000 off or low rate finance on 2026 builds.
This is a facelift rather than an all new car. The Jolion gets reshaped headlights, a rounder rear, refreshed screen graphics with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a connected car app. The old Ultra grade has been replaced by the blacked out Vanta.
A larger Jolion Max has been reported for Australia, but GWM hasn't confirmed timing, so there's no reason to wait for it.
For the money, even the Premium is well equipped. The Lux is the sweet spot for LED lights and heated seats.
There are three powertrains, all front wheel drive.
The hybrid is the one to have. It is noticeably punchier around town, smoother in traffic, and uses a lot less fuel. At current pump prices, driving 15,000km a year, the hybrid's 3L/100km advantage on paper is worth roughly $900 a year in fuel.
The petrol's dual clutch auto is its weak spot. Testers often note it hesitates when pulling away from a standstill, which is exactly where most small SUVs spend their lives.
Winner: Hybrid, as long as you can live with its smaller boot.
The rear seat is a highlight. The flat floor and long 2,700mm wheelbase give good knee and foot room for a small SUV.
The boot is where you need to choose carefully:
That 255 litre figure is small for a family car. A pram and a weekly shop is a squeeze. If your boot gets a workout, the petrol Lux is the more practical buy.
Towing is 1,500kg braked for the petrol and 1,300kg for the hybrid, which is better than most cars this size.
Want one? Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a new, demo, near new or used Jolion. Get the best deal. Got a car to move on first? We can help you sell your car too.
The Jolion has a five star ANCAP rating from 2022 that covers every petrol and hybrid version, with 90% for adult occupants and 84% for children. Its vulnerable road user score of 64% is the weakest part.
That rating is now one of the older ones in the class and it expires at the end of 2028. It doesn't make the Jolion unsafe, but newer rivals have been tested against tougher rules.
The other common complaint is the driver assist tech. The lane keeping and alerts can be over eager, and some buyers find themselves switching them off on each drive.
Service intervals are 12 months or 10,000km for the first visit, then every 12 months or 15,000km. Those are cheap for a new car.
The weak spot is resale. GWM is still building its reputation in Australia, so expect a Jolion to lose value faster than a Toyota.
Winner: the Jolion and ZS are very close. The Jolion has the roomier back seat and better towing. The ZS has the much bigger hybrid boot. Pick the one that suits your family.
Buy it if: you want a well equipped, economical small SUV with a long warranty and low servicing costs, for well under $35,000 drive away.
Skip it if: you need a big boot in a hybrid, want AWD, or plan to sell in two or three years and care about resale.
Our pick: the Premium Hybrid at $32,990 drive away, with the extra $3,000 off if your dealer still has 2026 build stock. If boot space matters more than fuel, the Lux petrol at $26,990 drive away this month is outstanding value.
From $26,990 drive away for the Premium (or $23,990 drive away on the October 2026 offer) up to $39,990 drive away for the Vanta Hybrid.
The official figure is 5.1L/100km, against 8.1L/100km for the standard petrol.
No. Every Jolion in Australia is front wheel drive.
1,500kg braked for petrol versions and 1,300kg for the hybrid.
Seven years and unlimited kilometres, with five years of roadside assistance.
Prices checked on 7 October 2026. GWM prices are national drive away prices for private buyers, and offers end 31 October 2026 unless stated. Fuel savings estimate assumes about $2 a litre. Rival prices change often, so confirm with a dealer before you buy. Images: GWM Australia (manufacturer media).
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