The Haval Jolion S is the rather sporty variant of the popular family crossover SUV but is it good for new drivers? Let's check that here.
The Haval Jolion has been a popular choice in the South African market. The Jolion S, on the other hand, isn’t exactly just a Jolion with lipstick on it, but has some sporty substance. My colleague Lawrence Minnie had the Jolion S on test, and you can watch his thoughts here.
The Jolion S still maintains a high specification standard. You’ll find some unique styling elements in the form of gloss black accents to compliment various parts of the car’s exterior. Such accents include front and rear bumper trim, door trims and 18-inch wheels. The sporty treatment extends to the powertrain. A new-generation 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine and some other bits make the adornment of the ‘S’ seem apt in this instance. However, is the Jolion S good for new drivers?
The Size
The Jolion S isn’t a behemoth when it comes to size. This is a crossover, so it’s not much bigger than your average C-Segment hatchback, ala Volkswagen Golf, but it is higher off the ground and broader. There are driver assistance systems like 360-degree parking cameras and such to help you with driving, so it’s manageable for new drivers to manoeuvre. The Jolion S has assistance in the form of electric power steering wheel and such. You can see how roomy the Jolion is here.
Performance and Efficiency
The new generation 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine churns out 130kW and 270Nm to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with launch control to spice things up. The driving experience can be further enhanced with selectable driving modes from Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow, along with dynamic steering modes to suit your driving style. There is a claimed fuel consumption of 7.5l /100km as well.
Price
The Haval Jolion S, in comparison to other crossover SUVs, isn’t that expensive. Still, when you look at it through the lens of a new driver, which in many cases tends to be students or new first-time car owners, it can be relatively expensive as it’s not only the initial purchase price you have to worry about but also maintenance of the vehicle too. Even despite the Jolion S coming with a service plan and warranty. If you can afford the above-mentioned, then by all means, you shouldn’t sweat too much about pricing and maintenance.
Haval Jolion 1.5T S Super Luxury | from R489 550* |
The Haval Jolion S price includes a standard 5-year/60 000km service plan and a 5-year/100 000km warranty.
*Pricing stated here was correct at the time of writing this article and can change without prior notice.
Is it good for new drivers?
Even if you’re able to afford the Haval Jolion S for new drivers, purely because of the sporty aspect, it makes a bit more of a handful. Also, because it’s a sporty variant, insurance companies may be unwilling to insure you as a new driver, or the premiums may be exorbitant. Also, the pricing and maintenance costs may be a bit much for some. We’d advise looking at perhaps the non-sport Jolion if you have the bucks for it or an entry-level vehicle. However, if you’re keen on a Jolion S, you can search AutoTrader for the latest used and new offerings. If you want to sell your current car quick and easy, why not try out our Instant Offer tool?
Keyword: Is the Haval Jolion S good for new drivers?