2024 GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid v Hyundai Kona Hybrid: Spec battle

Small SUV sales are booming, and GWM and Hyundai are fighting it out on the sales charts.

Here we have the GWM Haval Jolion and Hyundai Kona – specifically, their hybrid versions.

They’re similar in size, shape, and price, and both were strong sellers on the VFACTS sales charts in 2023.

To be specific, 11,252 examples of the Jolion and 11,183 of the Kona were sold, making them the third and fourth best small SUV sellers in Australia for 2023. They were behind only the MG ZS and Mazda CX-30.

The new-look Jolion is coming here only as a hybrid, taking the place of the ‘old shape’ Jolion Hybrid models.

Not only does it have a fresh look (for Australia), the new Jolion Hybrid also brings multi-link independent rear suspension, previously exclusive to the sporty Jolion S.

The sportier styling does result in reduced boot space, which shrinks from 337L to 255L. Updated Jolion Hybrid models are also up to $2000 cheaper than the models they replace.

Meanwhile, the new Kona is more expensive than its predecessor at the bottom end.

There are four variants for sale, with a hybrid powertrain available for each. They all also offer a 2.0-litre petrol-only option, while a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine is available in both performance-oriented N Line variants.

Unique to the hybrids is a dual-clutch transmission, compared to the CVT included with 2.0-litre engines or automatic in the 1.6-litre turbo. The range is completed by three electric models, though their starting price is nearly $9000 higher than the most expensive petrol Kona.

For this comparison we’re interested in the two hybrid lineups. Let’s see how they stack up on the spec sheet.

Pricing

The GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid has been updated for 2024, and brings with it a price reduction of up to $2000 over the model it’s replacing.

The Premium Hybrid is a new model in the lineup, which has brought the entry price below $33,000 drive-away. That makes it a competitive offering, as it’s more than $4000 cheaper than the entry-level Kona Hybrid.

For the remaining two hybrids in the range, prices have been decreased by $1000 and $2000 respectively. That means the Jolion tops out at just under $39,000 drive-away, which is more expensive than just one Kona Hybrid.

As mentioned, the Kona Hybrid range is generally more expensive than its Chinese rival.

Starting at $36,000 before on-road costs and extending to at least $46,500 before on-roads, only the base Kona Hybrid is placed to compete with the Jolion on price alone.

There are four hybrid models on offer, and two of those are N Line versions bringing sportier aesthetics.

There’s a difference of nearly $8000 between the base Kona Hybrid and the Premium, while N Line versions add up to $4000 on their standard counterparts.

Drivetrains and efficiency

The Kona Hybrid offers a slightly larger engine than the Jolion Hybrid, and it’s claimed to be considerably more efficient.

It consumes more than 1.0L of fuel less than its Chinese counterpart every 100 kilometres, and produces less carbon dioxide. It does pack less overall power and torque, though.

Additionally, the Kona packs a smaller capacity battery and a smaller fuel tank.

Both cars send their power through the front wheels only, and drink 91 RON petrol.

Dimensions

On the outside, the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid is the larger of the two cars here, though there’s not a huge difference.

The Jolion is 120mm longer than the Kona Hybrid, but the N Line styling package decreases the difference ever so slightly with its larger unique bumpers.

Despite being larger, the Jolion lacks in boot capacity compared to the Kona. It’s not a small difference either, with the Jolion packing up to 325L less space with its second row of seating folded flat.

Both vehicles have the same braked towing capacity of 1300kg.

Servicing and warranty

GWM offers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre for its range, including the entire Haval Jolion lineup.

GWM offers five years of capped price servicing with the first service required after 10,000km. All subsequent services occur every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Servicing is marginally more expensive for Jolion Hybrid models compared to the Jolion petrol over five years, though it still works out to be significantly cheaper than the Kona.

Hyundai backs its Kona with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km for hybrid models, and under Hyundai’s capped-price service program the first five visits to the dealer will each set you back $399.

Hyundai offers a free complimentary service with new car purchases, including the Kona Hybrid. That occurs after six weeks or 1500km, whichever comes first.

Safety

The pre-update GWM Haval Jolion earned a five-star safety rating from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2022, but the new model doesn’t have a rating yet.

GWM has submitted the relevant documents for approval, and is awaiting its result.

Standard safety equipment on the Jolion Hybrid includes:

• 7 airbags
  • Driver and front passenger
  • Front side
  • Front centre
  • Side curtain
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver drowsiness detection
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane centring
• Emergency lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Safe exit warning
• Traffic sign recognition
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors

Lux and up gain a surround-view camera, while the Ultra Hybrid also has front parking sensors.

The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023.

It received an adult occupant protection rating of 80 per cent, a child occupant protection rating of 84 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection rating of 64 per cent, and a safety assist rating of 62 per cent.

Standard safety equipment on the Kona Hybrid includes:

• 7 airbags
  • Driver and front passenger
  • Front centre side
  • Front side (thorax and pelvis)
  • Side curtain
  • Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Driver attention monitoring
• Blind-spot monitoring and assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane following assist
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Safe exit warning
• Reversing camera
• Front and back parking sensors
• Virtual engine sound system

The Premium Hybrid adds:

• Blind-spot view monitor
• Reverse autonomous emergency braking
• 3D surround-view camera
• Side parking sensors
• Remote parking assist
• Parking collision avoidance assist

Standard features

Three ‘new look’ hybrids have joined the GWM Haval Jolion range this year.

The Jolion Premium Hybrid comes standard with the following equipment:

• 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 tyres
• Space saver spare wheel
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Halogen headlights
• Multi-link rear suspension
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Electronic park brake
• Hill descent control
• Proximity entry with push-button start
• 3.5-inch instrument cluster screen
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 4-speaker sound system
• Air-conditioning
• Rear air vents
• 4-way manual steering wheel adjustment
• Cloth upholstery
• Paddle shifters
• Launch control

The Lux Hybrid adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 tyres
• LED headlights
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Rear privacy glass
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 6-speaker sound system
• Dual-zone climate control
• 6-way power driver’s seat
• Leatherette upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
• Illuminated vanity mirror
• Auto-dimming interior mirror
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors

The Ultra Hybrid adds:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Roof rails
• Wireless phone charger
• Ventilated driver’s seat
• 4-way power passenger seat
• Head-up display
• Multi-colour ambient lighting
• Semi-autonomous parking assist

MORE: Everything GWM Haval Jolion

There are four variants with the option of hybrid power in the Kona range, though the Hybrids have some exclusive gear.

Standard equipment on the Hyundai Kona Hybrid includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 tyres
• Space saver spare wheel
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• LED headlights and daytime running lights
• LED tail lights
• Multi-link rear suspension
• Electronic park brake
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry and start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear air vents
• 4.2-inch digital instrument display
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• 6-speaker sound system
• Bluelink connected services
• Paddle shifters
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Cloth upholstery
• Illuminated vanity mirror
• Roof rails

The Premium Hybrid adds:

• Blind-spot view monitor
• Reverse autonomous emergency braking
• 3D surround-view camera
• Side parking sensors
• Acoustic front windscreen
• Rear privacy glass
• Dark grey cladding/silver skid plates
• LED dual-projector headlights
• LED front/rear indicators
• ‘Seamless Horizon’ full-width LED front light strip
• Power tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Factory satellite navigation
• Bose 8-speaker sound system
• Leather upholstery
• 10-way power driver’s seat
• 8-way passenger seat
• Premium relaxation front seats
• Heated/ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• Auto-dimming interior mirror
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Ambient lighting
• Leather-appointed door trim inserts, door armrests and dashboard tray

The optional N Line Package adds to Hybrid models:

• Exterior
  • Unique bumpers/skid plates/side skirts
  • Gloss black rear spoiler
  • N badging/wheel caps
  • 18-inch wheels with 235/45 tyres
  • Chrome twin exhaust
  • Black mirror caps/beltline
  • Body coloured cladding

• Interior
  • Leather/Alcantara trim
  • N steering wheel
  • Red air vents/seat highlights
  • Dark metal trim highlights
  • Black headlining
  • Alloy pedals
  • Sports scuff plates

MORE: Everything Hyundai Kona