Another hybrid small SUV has just been confirmed! 2023 GWM Haval Jolion locked in as alternative to Nissan Qashqai, Toyota C-HR hybrids, plus GWM's hybrid plans

The number of hybrid small SUVs is growing rapidly in Australia and a new, affordable option has just been added to the segment.

GWM Australia has officially confirmed the Haval Jolion will now be offered in hybrid guise, joining the four petrol-only variants that start from $27,490 drive-away.

It will become the flagship variant, priced from $40,990 drive-away.

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As expected, the Jolion hybrid uses the same setup as the H6 hybrid, but with a lower tune. That means it’s a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor, offering up 139kW and 375Nm. It’s paired with a “dedicated hybrid” transmission and is front-wheel drive only.

GWM says it will sip just five litres of petrol per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.

Standard gear includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, head-up display, wireless phone charging, a panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a suite of active safety features.

The Jolion Hybrid will line up against established hybrid and plug-in hybrid small SUVs like the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Toyota C-HR, Subaru XV, Kia Niro, Honda HR-V, and the forthcoming Nissan Qashqai.

But GWM isn’t stopping at the Jolion, or the larger H6 SUV when it comes to hybrids.

CarsGuide understands that the Chinese automotive giant is preparing to roll out a number of hybrids in the next two years, which will lift its hybrid offering from one model to five or six.

Beyond the Haval-branded Jolion and H6 hybrids, GWM is expected to launch its Tank off-roader brands in Australia, offering the 300 and 500 SUVs.

And both of those models come with hybrid variants which will be made available Down Under.

The 300 medium SUV shares its body-on-frame platform with the GWM Ute and uses a 167kW/387Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine driving all four wheels.

As well as a diesel that’s reportedly being developed, the 300 will also be offered with 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid system paired with a nine-speed automatic. According to international reports, this powertrain is good for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.9 seconds.

The hybrid version of the 300 could be cross shopped with other hybrid and even plug-in hybrid medium SUVs like the MG HS, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4, Peugeot 3008, Ford Escape, Subaru Forester and the coming new-generation Nissan X-Trail and Honda CR-V.

The larger Tank 500 is also locked in and will also come with hybrid power. The big off-roader will have a couple of powertrain options, including a 3.0-litre petrol V6 mild hybrid pumping out 260kW/500Nm.

Meanwhile the series hybrid 500 uses the same 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and hybrid setup combo as the 300.

Timing and pricing is unclear, but expect the 500 to be more affordable than larger off-roaders like the Toyota Prado, and possibly even the Ford Everest, Isuzu M-UX and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

The hybrid rollout - and coming EV brand Ora - signals a major focus on electrification, but GWM globally is yet to commit to a full transition to electric vehicles.

However, GWM Australia head of marketing Steve Maciver said that “there's a huge focus on development of those alternative powertrains that will form a bigger part of our future, but no specific timelines of them”.

Mr Maciver said the take-up of hybrid variants of the H6 is, so far, looking positive, with the expectation that it will make up about 40 per cent of total H6 sales.