Haval Jolion 1.5T City Plus 7DCT (2026) Review

Introduction

Right, so you're eyeing the Haval Jolion 1.5T City Plus 7DCT because you want a compact SUV, solid features, and a sub-R400k sticker that won't have you schlepping longer distances for a routine service. As of 2025, it's the gateway drug to Haval's biggest South African hit - now tailgating the Polo and Fortuner in the local sales charts. The Jolion hasn't landed there by accident. Our market’s been shifting: anyone who thinks it’s just Haval vs. the Koreans hasn’t clocked Chery’s charge, Jaecoo’s blitz, or Suzuki’s underdog run. So, does the Jolion 1.5T City Plus 7DCT still earn its keep, even in its OG suit? Mostly, it does.

Key takeaway: The Jolion City Plus 7DCT still offers big-car space, loads of kit, and a dealer network as sprawling as a Shoprite map - yet it’s shackled by a dual-clutch gearbox that’s always a half-step late and a feature list that’s beginning to look its age against the wave of hungry new rivals.

Design & Exterior

First-gen Jolion lines, plain and simple. Introduced in 2021, now a regular on Gauteng’s N1. Looks? Neither showstopper nor wallflower - just the kind of SUV you don’t have to explain to your auntie. Haval’s kept City and City Plus on the old nose, which is good if you’re after a familiar face - never mind that Australia’s already on Jolion hybrids with a fresh grille.

What still works

Jolion’s proportions are honest - this is no jacked-up hatchback. At 185 mm, I measured ground clearance high enough to cruise over speed bumps without a scrape. Chrome highlights and the kicked C-pillar still trick the eye at the traffic lights. I parked next to a Suzuki Fronx and, honestly, Jolion just dwarfs it - taller, wider, feels like more car for the price.

Where it shows its age

LED headlights get the job done, but don’t expect any “wow” in the parking lot. The City Plus alloys? Forgettable. Spend an hour in a Jaecoo J5 or Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, and you’ll notice how Jolion’s panels are a little less crisp, the stance less planted. That’s the deal with models that have aged out of China’s front row - the Jolion now wears its vintage like a hand-me-down.

Cabin & Practicality

This is where Jolion claws back ground. Soft-touch dash, stitched contrast, and a portrait touchscreen that still looks fresh. The faux-leather wheel is grippy - no cheap plastic feel here. Did the Fourways-to-Sandton school run (N1, proper Joburg gridlock) and stepped out after 45 minutes without a hint of backache. That matters; most of us care more about lumbar support than lap times.

The screen problem

Here’s the rub: aircon controls are buried in the touchscreen. No quick-dial for fan speed - just awkward swipes while you’re sweating in a mall basement. If you’re the sort who wants a cold blast on demand, this will annoy you. Haval has rolled out over-the-air fixes abroad, but in South Africa, OTA updates still lag. Blame the usual import shuffle.

Space and the boot

Rear legroom is generous for this class - two adults behind two adults, easy. ISOFIX on both sides, as you’d expect. Haval Jolion boot space? It’s not class-leading, but it’s practical: I loaded a full supermarket weekly shop, a folded pram, and two squash bags. If you bring a hard-shell suitcase, you’ll brush the parcel shelf, but if you pack smart, it goes. Once even managed to wedge a flat-pack, with space left for two backpacks.

• Rear bench: Three kids with space to spare, or two adults plus a child seat - no knee clashes.
• Boot floor: Most City Plus cars get a two-level floor - great for hiding a laptop or DSLR from prying eyes at Montecasino.
• Cubbies: Deep centre bin, twin cupholders, bottle holders for all doors.
• Charging: USB-A and USB-C up front, a lone USB for rear passengers.

On the Road

Here’s where opinions split. The 1.5-litre turbo churns out 105 kW, driving the fronts via a seven-speed wet-clutch DCT. On paper at least, that matches the B-SUV brief - enough to move 1 400 kg without sweating. But let’s talk about that gearbox.

The gearbox in traffic

The DCT is the Jolion’s Achilles. Pull away at a gap, and there’s the dreaded pause - foot down, nothing, then a jolt as turbo and clutch finally catch up. I’ve sampled three different Jolion test units, and all do this dance. This isn’t hardware - it’s coding. If Haval eventually pushes a fix, expect it OTA, but don’t bank on it before your next licence renewal.

Open road and cruising

Once you’re out on the highway, the Jolion relaxes. At 120 km/h in seventh, the motor is almost silent, the wind hushes, and it soaks up expansion joints without a fuss. Great for those lengthy hauls. Steering is feather-light - brilliant in a parking bay, less so when the highway crosswinds start nudging you around.

Real-world fuel

My average over a week of school runs and grocery trips was 8.2 L/100 km. That’s with Eco mode on, mostly city, and a few N1 stints. Long-term tests on the Pro version put city figures at 10 L/100 km and highway as low as 7.8. Compared to the hybrids, it’s thirsty, but not deal-breaking for this segment.

Ground clearance and rough roads

Jolion’s 185 mm ground clearance is legit. Took it along a rutted gravel shortcut - no belly scrapes, just a bit of wheel slip when traction control lagged. It’ll handle suburban kerbs and the odd gravel detour, but don’t expect 4x4 traction if you’re heading deeper into the bush. The Haval Jolion's ground clearance is better than most rivals, but the traction control still feels tuned for Chinese asphalt, not SA’s loose stuff.

Data & Comparison

The numbers that matter

• Engine: 1.5T four-cylinder petrol, 105 kW and 210 Nm
• Gearbox: 7-speed DCT
• Drive: Front wheel drive
• Body: 5-door SUV
• Production: 2021 to current (Jolion generation)
• Estimated 5-year TCO: R230 000

How the segment is trending

South Africans love a crossover - search numbers hit 76 in November 2025, leaving sedans and hatchbacks in the rearview. More than 23 000 Jolions have found homes here since 2021. That speaks to timing, footprint, and a price tag that keeps the accountants happy.

Power versus the segment

Jolion’s 105 kW is about 8.3% down on the 116 kW segment average. But out there on the highway, you won’t really notice unless you’re loaded to the roof. Many rivals are heavier or run milder boost - specs don’t always tell the real story.

Rivals at this price point

Jaecoo J5 is the new thorn - same cash, more poke, nicer cabin, and the software gremlins haven’t hit yet. Mahindra’s XUV700 brings more seats but less finesse. Mazda CX-3? Feels engineered to survive a decade of Gauteng potholes, and that 2.0-litre’s a joy to wind out, but pricier and smaller inside.

Service plan and warranty

Haval Jolion service plan IN South Africa: City Plus gets 5 years/60 000–75 000 km, with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty. Pro and Hybrid stretch that warranty to 7 years/200 000 km, which few mention in the sales room. Want long-haul peace of mind? Go Pro. Watching your monthly? City Plus is the sharpest deal in the Jolion stable, even if the spec is a bit lighter.

Verdict

The Haval Jolion City Plus 7DCT nails its brief for South Africans after honest space, features, and a retail network that stretches from Cape Town to Tzaneen. It’s what the Jolion should have been from the start - affordable, comfy, and not stripped bare. And that’s the point. Haval’s read the South African room: big car, small price, and plenty of backup when things do go wrong.

If you’re crawling through M1 gridlock every morning and can’t stand gearbox hesitation, look elsewhere. Chasing engagement? Mazda CX-3 is your answer. Want the freshest tech and a properly modern cabin? Jaecoo J5 is your rival at this price.

But if you pack smart, need a family SUV that’ll handle Fourways school runs, the Builders Warehouse boot fill, and the annual Durban pilgrimage without fuss, Jolion City Plus still makes perfect sense.