Haval

Scarily good Chinese crossover. Premium cabin build quality and everything mechanical is supported by 7-year/200 000km warranty.

H6 avoids the oversaturated UX and digital interface that can make some Chinese vehicles intimidating to buyers who aren’t deeply tech-savvy.

The entry-level 2.0 turbo engines aren’t particularly powerful or fuel-efficient. All H6s ride surprisingly well on coarse South African road surfaces.

Mid- and top-trim hybrid and PHEV 1.5s have a near-perfect balance between performance and fuel economy. But you sacrifice a full-size spare wheel.

H6 GT PHEV has 30% less luggage capacity than the standard H6’s 560-litres. H6 GT PHEV offers incredible performance for the price, with 321kW at only R800k. And 100km of real-world EV driving range.

Exciting mid-sized SUV from Haval. Front design looks part-Mustang/part-Jeep, with those round headlights.

H7 has decent ground clearance (210mm), and the all-wheel drive version also features a locking rear differential. This is very rare for a vehicle without low-range to have.

There’s no low-range gearing, but with a powerful 170kW 2-litre turbopetrol engine, it’s reasonably capable on mild sand tracks.

Fuel consumption is heavy. And that 9-speed DCT transmission might be very responsive, but it also has many more vulnerable clutches than a conventional torque-converter automatic…

The cabin isn’t wildly spacious, but equipment levels are generous, with six airbags and 14.3-inch infotainment screens.

The 483 litres of luggage space is relatively small for a vehicle of H7’s size. And you don’t get a full-size spare wheel under that luggage area floor cover, either.

Wildly popular Chinese crossover offering a comprehensive spec at a reasonable price.

Unlike many other Chinese vehicles, Jolion features reasonably conservative styling and a cabin that combines lots of traditional physical touch controls. Which South Africans prefer.

Even entry-level trims have a 10.25-inch touchscreen with embedded Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. And four airbags. Pro spec adds a bigger 12.3-inch screen and curtain airbags.

All versions are powered by GWM’s 1.5 turbopetrol engine, which means power loss on the Highveld isn’t an issue. These engines are heavier on fuel than you’d expect, though.

Besides the entry-level City trim with a 6-speed manual gearbox, other Jolions use a 7-speed DCT, which has a lot of moving parts for future servicing as mileages build-up to six figures.

Demand for these entry-level Jolions remains strong, creating excellent residual values for a Chinese vehicle.