Head to Head: GWM Haval Jolion vs. Toyota Yaris Cross

Hybrids are heating up this year, and several brands have thrown their hat in the ring looking to be the next big thing. Toyota has been one of the main pioneers in the market for some time now, but because the biggest brand in the country has made its move, it opened up the floodgates for more brands to field hybrid options. 

GWM is one of the brands that has come off Toyota’s big move, and they have a full lineup of hybrids just waiting to compete and surprise prospective buyers. So with that, which is better? The GWM Haval Jolion HEV or the Toyota Yaris Cross HEV? 

Engaging with the exterior designs of the two, what most people might find nice is the Toyota, probably because of the badge. If you take that away, then you’re met with two rather handsome crossovers, though to a certain extent. 

The GWM Haval Jolion HEV looks very decent. A little bigger and a little buffer than the Yaris Cross, it’s got a bigger road presence to it compared to the Toyota. Taking into account the LED headlamps, DRLs, and indicators, you have a very bold front end that’s also paired with a nice grille finished in chrome. The rear probably won’t win many hearts, but it looks well-mannered and in place, except perhaps for the myriad of badges that kind of detract from a totally clean look. Apart from that, we have a car that will match up to a lot of cars’ styling on the road and look better (subjectively) than some. 

Meanwhile, Toyota always manages to grab headlines with its releases. However, is the Yaris Cross an objectively good-looking car? Having seen this model and having done a walkaround, we think that it’s something noteworthy, and a model that complements the larger Toyota Corolla Cross quite well. Looking at the field right now, we have a ton of options in the subcompact crossover segment, but the Toyota Yaris Cross is one standout that we’re happy to see. The model made waves when it was first teased or leaked, depending on how you look at it, but one thing is for certain, the model has appeal more than its badge suggests. LED headlights and DRLs give it a presence, though it does look small in comparison to the GWM. 

Numbers-wise, there are no ifs and buts about it, the Haval Jolion is a bigger car compared to the Yaris Cross. Bigger isn’t always better, however, depending on your preferences, but in terms of just sheer size, the GWM takes the win. You may feel that the Yaris Cross looks and is styled better, but that decision can be quite subjective. If we were to approach this objectively, we have to award the win to GWM for this. 

Winner:Haval Jolion 

When it comes to the interior, there are a few things that you might notice with GWM and Toyota. Playing it safe, the Japanese brand has employed a nice black interior to go with its hybrid model. For the GWM, however, the brand took a bolder approach to interior design, with white leather, copper accents, and stitching that is very different from what we’re normally used to. 

The Jolion makes a valiant effort with its interior design, but it may come off as a little over the top. However, the style itself is rather clean, perhaps a little too clean. Getting to the buttons is not so easy compared to other vehicles, and the interior color selection might not be to everyone’s tastes. Though, you do get a lot of space for the price you pay, and you can get a good amount of comfort and plushness from the Jolion. Digging a little deeper, the Jolion is not so great when it comes to the number of buttons it has to activate a number of functions, but it does keep everything clean and the cargo space is good at 430 liters, but the opening is a little narrower than we like. 

The Yaris Cross, being the smaller car, is going to be a lot more compact compared to the GWM. Legroom is smaller, cargo space is smaller, but not by a lot at 397 liters. The opening is wide enough in relation to its space, but we have to remember that we are about a half segment lower compared to the GWM. In terms of size, the GWM is mid-way between subcompact and compact, which means that it is going to be predictably smaller in all areas. However, the Yaris Cross still manages to do well with the space it has on its platform, but with an interior that is, what we feel, is more ergonomic and intuitive in terms of reaching the buttons and features that you need at a moment’s notice. 

You do get more for your money when you go with GWM. It is a bigger car, and you do get more features and more space, plus a light-colored interior if you like that kind of look. Does it look more interesting than the Yaris Cross? Definitely, but you might run into a bit of subjectivity because not everyone likes that kind of flash. For the Yaris Cross, however, you may say that it might be a smidge too small especially when compared to the GWM. However, the points that the Yaris Cross has against the GWM are with regard to its intuitive interior layout and its more spartan and universally accepted interior design plus color blocking. As such, it’s one or the other in terms of styling, but the GWM does give you more for your money. You just have to get used to it. Though, we definitely cannot discount the value of space that the GWM brings to the table. 

Winner: Haval Jolion 

When it comes to tech, both companies offer a complete package of modern features that play well into the digital age. From smartphone connectivity to features for added convenience.

Coming in with a 12.35-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the GWM Haval Jolion gets a clear display that’s built to showcase the full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto experience. There are no complaints either with the quality of the screen, as it’s quite clear on all sides: Display, 360-camera, and Touch. However, you may take some points off its scorecard because of its rather finicky user interface. Other than that, however, you can expect a full suite of features which include everything from your infotainment as previously mentioned, to your gauge cluster, being all digital as well, to the heated seats, one pedal system, and more. The spec sheet is too long to list, and it might actually make the Toyota look a little bad. 

With the GWM being so equipped, what does Toyota have to offer? Starting out with the infotainment system, 10.1 inches is all you’re getting, though, it’s still pretty sizeable. You also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto here which is a nice feature to have, but your display is going to be smaller. You don’t get a 360 camera, but instead a static one for your reverse. 

The one major thing that both models have is the Advanced Driver Assist System or ADAS. Toyota calls it Safety Sense, however, and GWM chose to go with ADAS. The systems are quite similar across the board, and feature the same pieces that make up the puzzle. We will say that either model has the necessary kit, but we will also state that Toyota’s system is definitely more polished than most other brands. Don’t get us wrong, the ADAS in the GWM is great to have and it works with minor tweaks, but Toyota has its Safety Sense suite sorted. 

After everythig is said and done, however, what’s better than the other? Is it the sheer number of features that makes it worthwhile, or is it the quality that either brings to the table? To us, perhaps there are some features that you really cannot get with the Toyota, but you get in the GWM, though will you use it? Polishing the features that you will use on a daily basis is what we think takes the experience to the next level. That being said, however, the shocker here is that the GWM does well enough, and considering all the features that it carries and the acceptable amount of polish it has, it can definitely trump the Yaris Cross. 

Winner: Haval Jolion 

When it comes to engines, it’s hard to argue with sheer power, which GWM handily wins. Toyota was on top of the mainstream hybrid game for a while, but its powertrains are more for normal driving than anything super exciting. 

As such, with 186 hp and 375 Nm of torque coming from a 1.5-liter Series-Parallel hybrid mated to DHT in the GWM, the Toyota Yaris Cross may struggle to keep up with the Jolion in a straight line as it only has 109 hp and 121 Nm of torque from its 1.5-liter parallel hybrid system. 

Winner: Haval Jolion 

Comparing the two top-of-the-line models in the brands’ lineups, it’s clear that both are looking to make their mark with hybrids that are accessible to many. What we have here is a bit of an impasse in terms of price, as the GWM Haval Jolion HEV DHT Supreme comes in at a price of P1,588,000. 

Meanwhile, Toyota priced the HEV variant of its Yaris Cross at P1,598,000, about P10,000 more expensive than the Jolion. For us, it’s clear that the Jolion offers a lot more features ad as it stands, it’s also cheaper than the Yaris Cross. We cannot argue with the pull that the Toyota brand has in the country, but in a bubble and without considering the brand, the Jolion is the better value among the two specs-wise and size-wise. 

It was pretty easy to come to a conclusion based on the score, but we believe that it wasn’t a fluke. GWM has a legitimately good shot at making a dent in the crossover market, especially for those customers who are looking for a hybrid vehicle. 

Toyota has done well to deliver a downsized version of the Corolla Cross, a popular hybrid as well, though we believe that the Yaris Cross will eventually become the brand’s best-selling crossover with a hybrid system. 

Good job and hats off to GWM for making one of their first models in the country as good and as loaded as it is. There is a case to be made here for the GWM, in a sense that it offers a lot more if you’re willing to give it a chance.