{"id":653332,"date":"2026-06-11T08:59:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T06:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=653332"},"modified":"2026-06-11T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T07:00:00","slug":"one-of-havals-most-popular-cars-in-south-africa-will-get-a-safety-upgrade-after-2-star-crash-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/motoring\/653332-one-of-havals-most-popular-cars-in-south-africa-will-get-a-safety-upgrade-after-2-star-crash-test.html","title":{"rendered":"One of Haval’s most popular cars in South Africa will get a safety upgrade after 2-star crash test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GWM South Africa will upgrade its entry-level Haval Jolion with curtain airbags after its current model scored two stars in adult occupant protection in the Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, the Automobile Association of South Africa revealed the Jolion was one of two models it sent for recent crash tests in Germany as part of its #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The frontal impact test showed the Jolion offered good protection to the head, neck and chest, while knee protection was marginal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The side movable barrier test showed good protection, but the side pole test was not conducted because side head protection airbags were not fitted as standard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most affordable Haval Jolion in South Africa features driver, front passenger, and two side body airbags. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, unlike the entry-level models sold in markets like Australia and New Zealand, it has no curtain airbags. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In those countries, the Jolion comes standard with seven airbags, helping it achieve a 5-star crash test rating in the ANCAP testing protocol, which is stricter than Global NCAP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global NCAP testing criteria introduced in July 2022 capped vehicles lacking side head protection at a 2-star rating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GWM told MyBroadband that the safety of its customers remained a top priority and that it was committed to continuously enhancing the safety performance and specifications of its vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“As part of our ongoing product enhancement strategy, we are working to align the safety specifications of our entry-level models more closely with those of our higher-grade variants,” the company said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“To this end, future Haval Jolion City and Jolion Pro Premium models will be equipped with curtain airbags as standard, further enhancing occupant protection and overall vehicle safety.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The City and Premium variants are the entry-level models in their respective line-ups. GWM said it valued the role of independent safety assessments in advancing automotive safety standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“GWM South Africa remains dedicated to delivering vehicles that combine quality, innovation, value, and safety for South African motorists,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kia not upgrading its entry-level model<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The AA also bought the entry-level Kia Sonet for Global NCAP testing. It achieved a 1-star rating in adult occupant protection and three stars in child occupant protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 1-star rating was due to a combination of structural issues in the footwell and a lack of side and curtain airbags. The entry-level Kia Sonet LS model features only two airbags. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to the test’s findings, Kia South Africa reiterated that the Sonet met all South African legislative safety requirements as stipulated by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company listed all the standard safety features available in the Sonet LS, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n