Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 7, Geely Coolray: comparison of bestsellers

Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 7 and Geely Coolray are three leaders of the Russian market, each of which offers its own unique approach.

Chinese crossovers have confidently dominated the Russian car market in recent years - and not without reason. Stylish design, rich equipment, modern engines and an attractive price have made them favorites among buyers looking for a practical, technologically advanced and inexpensive car for the city and trips beyond its borders. Among the variety of models, three stand out in particular - Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 7 and Geely Coolray. All of them are sold in tens of thousands of copies, are regularly included in the top 10 most popular new cars in Russia and are rightfully considered bestsellers. But how do they really differ from each other - and which one is the best choice for a particular driver?

Haval Jolion is the embodiment of a discreet, almost European approach to design and comfort. Its appearance is distinguished by clear lines, a massive radiator grille and expressive lighting technology. The interior features minimalism, high-quality materials and one of the most unusual features on the market: two separate digital screens (dashboard and multimedia) located under a common glass cover. Under the hood, most versions have a 1.5-liter turbo engine with 150 hp. paired with a 7-speed DCT robotic gearbox. The Jolion's ride is composed, the suspension is tuned for comfort, and the sound insulation is among the best in the class. What’s particularly impressive is that even in the base trim levels, Haval offers adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and blind spot monitoring – technologies that competitors only offer in top-spec models.

Chery Tiggo 7 relies on versatility and the price-features ratio. It is slightly larger than its rivals, offers more space for passengers and luggage, and in top versions even a panoramic roof and an electric trunk lid. The design of the Tiggo 7 is more aggressive: massive air intakes, LED optics and expressive wheel arches give it a sporty look. Under the hood is the same 1.5-liter turbo engine (147–156 hp), but paired with a CVT, which makes acceleration smooth, although less dynamic compared to the Haval robot. But the CVT is more reliable in frequent traffic jams and easier to maintain. The interior of the Tiggo 7 is one of the brightest: a vertical multimedia screen, digital tidy, two-tone trim and even a head-up display in top versions. Chery is also actively introducing smart functions: voice control without buttons, over-the-air updates and L2 level driver assistance systems.

Geely Coolray is the youngest and most driver-friendly of the three. It's shorter and lower than its competitors, but it looks bold and sporty: an aggressive front mask, hidden rear door handles, and an exhaust system with chrome tailpipes. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbo engine with 177 hp, the most powerful in the segment, paired with a 7-speed robotic gearbox. Thanks to this, the Coolray accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds - faster than both rivals. However, you have to pay for the dynamics: the suspension is stiffer, sound insulation is more modest, and fuel consumption is higher. But when cornering, the Coolray feels more confident, and the steering wheel provides more feedback. The interior is designed in the style of a “digital cockpit”: two screens, sports seats with red stitching, ambient lighting. Geely also does not lag behind in technology - it has a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise, and even a facial recognition system.

All three crossovers are assembled in Russia (Haval - in the Tula region, Chery and Geely - in Kaliningrad), which has a positive effect on prices, delivery times and availability of spare parts. All have a warranty of at least 5 years, service networks are actively developing, and the build quality is consistently high.

So who is the winner?
If comfort, silence and advanced security systems are important - Haval Jolion.
If you need space, versatility and rich equipment at a reasonable price - Chery Tiggo 7.
And if you want drive, bright design and maximum dynamics - Geely Coolray.

In fact, there are no losers here. Each of these crossovers is the result of many years of work by Chinese engineers who have learned not just to copy, but to create cars that ideally meet the needs of the modern buyer. And the fact that all three models are so strong in their niche speaks not only of their individual merits, but also of how far the Chinese auto industry has come in recent years.