Hello everyone! Today I wanted to share my honest review of the Haval Jolion from 2023. I fell in love with this car when I visited the showroom, and I'm glad I gave it a chance.
My Story
Things have been tough for car dealerships lately, with many of them closing down. That's put my dreams of owning a red Mazda 6 and a white Skoda on hold for now. However, I decided to look into supported vehicles instead. I was surprised by the price range, which is influenced by the presence of middlemen in our city.
Mazda 6, 2015, 202,000 km - 1,600,000 rubles;Skoda Octavia, 2017, 87,819 km - 1,955,000 rubles;Skoda Octavia, 2017, 138,730 km - 1,620,000 rubles.I mean, what's the guarantee that a used car won't break down on you the next day? A 2015 model has a lot of defects, and for that, you'd have to pay almost 2 million rubles? That's just ridiculous! And people actually buy it.
It's hilarious to hear that Chinese cars aren't reliable and will break down soon. But have you ever seen how people treat their used cars? I just don't get it.
After analyzing the market for Chinese cars, I started considering brands like:
Haval Jolion; Changan;Exeed VX;Chery Tiggo 7 Pro.I've got to say, the Haval Jolion is the most optimal choice when it comes to quality, looks, and price.
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The name Haval Jolion is a combination of the words Joy and Lion, which roughly translates to 'Happy Lion' or 'Joyful Lion.'
Haval is a brand that's been around since 2013, so they've got over a decade of experience under their belt. And they've definitely made a good impression! The Jolion, on the other hand, was first introduced in 2020. By 2023, they'd already sold over 59,175 units. That's a pretty impressive number, if you ask me.
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Configuration and Purchase
I already knew what I was looking for in a car and which trim level I wanted. For me, the following features are a must-have in a vehicle:
The dead zone alert system is a lifesaver - it warns you when a car is approaching too close, and the mirrors light up with a signal;The parking sensors are super helpful when you're parallel parking, as they alert you to the curb, fence, or whatever's nearby, and you can hit the brakes right away;The AC is a must-have in our region, especially during the hot summer months;The airbags are a given, but I'm glad they're included;The heated seats for all passengers are a nice touch, especially on chilly mornings;I wanted a car with a light or bright color, and this one delivers;The spacious interior and trunk are perfect for road trips or grocery runs;I opted for a car with a high roofline to avoid scraping the bottom on bumps and potholes;I chose an automatic transmission, even though I'm used to driving a manual, for the convenience factor;The lack of a center console divider between the rear seats is a nice bonus;The rearview cameras are a game-changer for parking and reversing.I posted some photos of the car's specs above - it's really easy to pick and choose what you want.
As you can see, with these features, there aren't many car options to choose from. But I found one that caught my eye. The manager of a Ufa car dealership sent me some photos via WhatsApp, and I fell in love. Plus, I didn't have to pay any deposits upfront - I only paid when the car was ready. Although, the car was waiting for me for 2 days without any deposits.
Just look at the color and wheels!
The front bumper is simply amazing!
I've got to say, the red and blue colors of the Haval look super stylish. I'd love to get my hands on a red one, but for now, that's not happening.
Even when the Haval Jolion is dirty, it still looks awesome! We picked it up in April, and let me tell you, it was the perfect time to get a dirty car – we were already dealing with mud, slush, rain, and snow.
The interior of the Haval is seriously luxurious!
The seats are super comfy and wide – I love them!
There's even a little screen that shows you who's behind and beside you when you're parking – and if there's any danger, the car will beep at you. It'll even beep if you're leaving the lane – talk about peace of mind!
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The boot space is massive – I'm so impressed!
Honestly, I was hoping for a cooler tone in the cabin, just like in the front seats. But let's be real, it's not a big deal.
The dashboard is seriously impressive!
The steering is super light.
The automatic transmission is a nice touch - it's been done really well.
The seat heating is perfect. You just press a button and it starts warming up. It's a total game-changer on cold winter days.
I love that the seats aren't cloth, which is a huge plus for me. There are little pockets where you can stash your snack packets, tissues, and other essentials.
I drink a lot of water, and I'm also a fan of the fact that there's no 'threshold' at the back like you find in other cars.
The air conditioning works great. Sometimes I don't even notice it's on. The only thing is, you need to adjust it to your liking – it can be a bit finicky.
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On rough roads, the 'Haval' (that's what I call it) is a champ! We've driven on some pretty rough terrain, and it's handled it like a pro. In contrast, the 'Skoda' and 'Mazda' we've driven have taken a beating. So, I wouldn't recommend this sedan for off-roading – unless you're just driving around the city. On the highway, we're getting around 7-8 liters per 100 kilometers, which is pretty standard for a car of this size. The 15-liter car we've driven has a much higher fuel consumption, despite being smaller.
I've gotta say, I love everything about this car: the package, the looks, the ride. Now, taking a taxi feels like a whole different story.
We wash the car ourselves at a self-service car wash. We don't trust the staff. We've had a bad experience before. Self-service car wash only from now on!
After our trip to the 'Kuk-Karauk' waterfall (you can read about it here), the car got dusty. So, we headed straight to the car wash.
We also have the 'Isofix' system for a child's car seat (we actually got this seat, and I'm absolutely thrilled with it). The little one slept the whole time. The soundproofing is incredible. I just can't put into words how amazing the rides are. Now, I'm hooked on driving.
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I didn't find any minuses in the 'Haval H6'. On the other hand, there are plenty of pluses:
I was impressed by how spacious the interior is - it can fit four people comfortably without a child seat.The design is really nice.The car is smart too - it beeps if something's off.It's got good soundproofing.It's a breeze to drive.The interior is absolutely luxurious.The sound system is top-notch.There's a heated seat right next to you.It's got air conditioning.I've even taken naps in this thing - it's that comfortable.Plus, it handles rough terrain like a pro - I didn't get stuck like I have in other cars.I've driven this car through all seasons, and it's performed flawlessly every time. I just can't find anything to complain about. In the winter, it's warm and cozy; in the summer, it's cool and refreshing... it's perfect!
Of course, my opinion might not be the same as yours. I'm just sharing what this car did for me - it left me speechless. I've driven Skodas, Logans, Dusters, and VAZ 2115s, but this little number beats them all.
As a passenger, I've been on my fair share of rides - from Porsches to Audis, Mercedes to Beemers, and even some lower-end models. But this car is on a whole different level - it's practically a luxury vehicle. Don't believe the haters - Chinese manufacturers know what they're doing. After owning a Haval, I'm not looking back at buying used cars.
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Some Final Thoughts for Those Looking to Buy:
If you're thinking of getting a Lada or a Chinese car, go for the latter - it's way more value for money;If you're considering a used or new Chinese car, choose the used one and don't listen to those 'experts' who claim to know everything about cars;Avoid buying a used car with more than 50,000 km on the clock or a price tag over $1 million - trust me, I've got friends who've made that mistake;Make sure to ask for a test drive at the dealership, and you'll know exactly which car to choose;Buy your car in the spring, and you'll get a nice bonus - a set of winter tires;Choose a dealership based on online reviews - it's a surefire way to get a good deal and some nice perks. You can find reviews for dealerships on Google, Yandex, and AYREKA, or just write your own - I do it all the time!Get a dashcam and a car alarm installed right away;Don't skip on the KASKO insurance - it's pricey, but it's worth every penny;Listen to your gut feeling - it's the best advice you'll ever get!xa0
Haval Jolion - 2023 in its full trim is a solid choice, and I'd give it 5 stars!
Thanks for reading!