Haval. One of those brands, rising. Slowly but strong. And then came the Xiaolong. A name hard to pronounce at first. But trust me, easy to remember once you drive it. This SUV isn't just another entry in the long list of Chinese vehicles entering the scene. It's different. Bold. Techy. A bit futuristic too.
The Haval Xiaolong, also called the Cool Dragon by some fans online, is a mid-sized SUV designed to challenge the norms. It blends muscle with class. Feels luxurious, but doesn’t scream for attention. Under the hood? Not your average story. We’ll get there in a bit.
Let me tell you how I felt the first time I sat in this machine. Was it love at first drive? Almost.
First Impressions
Okay. The first look. Straight-up modern. Not overdone. No excessive curves or unnecessary lines. It’s sharp. Boxy edges. But still, very clean.
Front grille? Aggressive. Not scary, though. Just enough to say, “I’m not basic.” The LED DRLs… sleek. Sharp. The headlights melt into the grille. All flows together.
I opened the door. Heavy. Solid. That "thud" sound. Felt secure already. No cheap panels. You can feel the effort.
Got in. Closed the door. Silence.
Dashboard wrapped around like a cockpit. Not too crowded. Not too empty. Just balanced.
One word? Impressed.
Interior & Comfort
Here’s where it started making sense. The cabin layout. Well designed. The leather seats were soft but grippy. Supported well. You sink into them just right.
Center console? Elevated. Not too bulky. Easy to rest your arm. Buttons where they need to be.
12.3-inch infotainment screen. Bright. Quick. Smooth. No lags. And paired with a digital instrument cluster that’s crisp.
Ambient lighting? Tasteful. Not those disco lights. Just calming. Night drives feel premium.
And the space? Oh yes. Front and back. Both. Plenty of room. Even for tall passengers. Rear seats recline. Yes, they recline.
Trunk? Decent enough. Not massive but smartly shaped. Can fit weekend luggage easy.
What about AC? Strong. Dual-zone. Rear vents too. All passengers stay cool.
To sum up the inside: Comfortable. Modern. Peaceful.
Driving Experience
Now the real stuff. How does it drive?
Smooth. That’s the word.
The variant I drove was the hybrid one. 1.5L turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor. Not noisy. Not lazy. Acceleration? Surprisingly good.
Steering? Light in the city. Tighter at speed. Good response. Doesn’t feel dead.
Suspension? Balanced. Soaks up bumps well. Doesn’t float around on turns either.
On highways, it cruises confidently. Feels planted. Doesn’t wobble on quick lane changes.
Brakes? Strong bite. But not jerky. Gives confidence.
Gear shifts? You won’t even feel them. That’s how refined it is. Especially in EV mode. So quiet, you question if it's even on.
Tight U-turns? Easy. Good turning radius. Parking sensors + 360 camera = no stress.
It’s a city-friendly beast. But highway-ready.
Mileage & Fuel Efficiency
Now here’s the tricky part.
Since it’s a hybrid, you expect good fuel economy, right? Well… yes, but depends.
In the city with light foot? 18-20 km/l possible. In EV-only mode, it's a blessing.
On highway, with AC blasting? 14-16 km/l. Still respectable.
Pure petrol mode? Drops slightly. Around 12-13 km/l.
So yes. It saves fuel. But only if you drive it smart. Push it hard, and it’ll drink like any other turbo SUV.
But overall, much better than expected. Hybrid system well-tuned.
Features & Tech
This is where Haval flexes.
• 12.3” Touchscreen Infotainment
• Full Digital Instrument Cluster
• 360-Degree Camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Detection
• Lane Keep Assist
• Heated & Ventilated Seats
• Wireless Charging
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Voice Commands (limited but works)
And yes, Apple CarPlay + Android Auto. Wireless.
Even the base variant is loaded. That’s rare. Usually, base trims feel stripped. Not here.
The safety suite is strong. Multiple airbags. Auto emergency braking. And solid build.
Honestly, for this price point, it gives competition a serious headache.
Variant & Colour
Variants? Mainly two known globally:
1. Base Hybrid
2. Top Trim Hybrid AWD
Both come well-equipped. AWD version has more off-road feel. Extra driving modes. Bit more expensive. Colours? Here are the main ones:
• Glacier White
• Obsidian Black
• Crimson Red
• Neptune Blue (my fav)
• Gunmetal Grey
Each color suits its body. But that blue one—chef’s kiss. Sparkles under sunlight. Aggressive but classy.
Advantages & Disadvantages
No car is perfect.
Advantages:
• Smooth hybrid drive
• Solid build quality
• Feature-loaded, even base model
• Great cabin comfort
• Quiet, refined performance
• Futuristic interior layout
• Good mileage for SUV size
Disadvantages:
• Limited brand service network (for now)
• Slightly confusing infotainment menus
• Heavy curb weight affects handling a bit
But nothing major. Most issues are tolerable or software-fixable.
Personal Opinion
Honestly? I didn’t expect to like it this much.
I thought it’d be like many other "new-gen" Chinese SUVs. Over-designed. Overpromised.
But this one feels mature. Refined. Not trying too hard.
It delivers what it promises. A tech-packed, premium, fuel-efficient, hybrid SUV.
It’s not trying to be a Land Cruiser. Nor a luxury brand. It has its own identity. That’s rare these days.
I drove it through city streets, open roads, traffic jams. It handled all like a champ.
Even people on the road turned heads. Few asked, “which model is that?” That tells you something.
Summary
So here we are. Wrapping it all.
The Haval Xiaolong is a confident step forward. A serious contender in the hybrid SUV world. Combines technology, comfort, and bold styling. Drives well. Saves fuel. Offers peace of mind inside the cabin.
Not perfect. But pretty close.
If you're bored of typical SUVs. Want something bold but not arrogant. Comfortable but not sleepy. Techy but not complicated.
Then maybe... just maybe… this dragon deserves a place in your driveway.
The Haval Xiaolong, also called the Cool Dragon by some fans online, is a mid-sized SUV designed to challenge the norms. It blends muscle with class. Feels luxurious, but doesn’t scream for attention. Under the hood? Not your average story. We’ll get there in a bit.
Let me tell you how I felt the first time I sat in this machine. Was it love at first drive? Almost.
Okay. The first look. Straight-up modern. Not overdone. No excessive curves or unnecessary lines. It’s sharp. Boxy edges. But still, very clean.
Front grille? Aggressive. Not scary, though. Just enough to say, “I’m not basic.” The LED DRLs… sleek. Sharp. The headlights melt into the grille. All flows together.
I opened the door. Heavy. Solid. That "thud" sound. Felt secure already. No cheap panels. You can feel the effort.
Got in. Closed the door. Silence.
Dashboard wrapped around like a cockpit. Not too crowded. Not too empty. Just balanced.
One word? Impressed.
Interior & Comfort
Center console? Elevated. Not too bulky. Easy to rest your arm. Buttons where they need to be.
12.3-inch infotainment screen. Bright. Quick. Smooth. No lags. And paired with a digital instrument cluster that’s crisp.
Ambient lighting? Tasteful. Not those disco lights. Just calming. Night drives feel premium.
And the space? Oh yes. Front and back. Both. Plenty of room. Even for tall passengers. Rear seats recline. Yes, they recline.
Trunk? Decent enough. Not massive but smartly shaped. Can fit weekend luggage easy.
What about AC? Strong. Dual-zone. Rear vents too. All passengers stay cool.
To sum up the inside: Comfortable. Modern. Peaceful.
Now the real stuff. How does it drive?
Smooth. That’s the word.
The variant I drove was the hybrid one. 1.5L turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor. Not noisy. Not lazy. Acceleration? Surprisingly good.
Steering? Light in the city. Tighter at speed. Good response. Doesn’t feel dead.
Suspension? Balanced. Soaks up bumps well. Doesn’t float around on turns either.
On highways, it cruises confidently. Feels planted. Doesn’t wobble on quick lane changes.
Brakes? Strong bite. But not jerky. Gives confidence.
Gear shifts? You won’t even feel them. That’s how refined it is. Especially in EV mode. So quiet, you question if it's even on.
Tight U-turns? Easy. Good turning radius. Parking sensors + 360 camera = no stress.
It’s a city-friendly beast. But highway-ready.
Now here’s the tricky part.
Since it’s a hybrid, you expect good fuel economy, right? Well… yes, but depends.
In the city with light foot? 18-20 km/l possible. In EV-only mode, it's a blessing.
On highway, with AC blasting? 14-16 km/l. Still respectable.
Pure petrol mode? Drops slightly. Around 12-13 km/l.
So yes. It saves fuel. But only if you drive it smart. Push it hard, and it’ll drink like any other turbo SUV.
But overall, much better than expected. Hybrid system well-tuned.
Features & Tech
This is where Haval flexes.
• 12.3” Touchscreen Infotainment
• Full Digital Instrument Cluster
• 360-Degree Camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Detection
• Lane Keep Assist
• Heated & Ventilated Seats
• Wireless Charging
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Voice Commands (limited but works)
And yes, Apple CarPlay + Android Auto. Wireless.
Even the base variant is loaded. That’s rare. Usually, base trims feel stripped. Not here.
The safety suite is strong. Multiple airbags. Auto emergency braking. And solid build.
Honestly, for this price point, it gives competition a serious headache.
Variants? Mainly two known globally:
1. Base Hybrid
2. Top Trim Hybrid AWD
Both come well-equipped. AWD version has more off-road feel. Extra driving modes. Bit more expensive. Colours? Here are the main ones:
• Glacier White
• Obsidian Black
• Crimson Red
• Neptune Blue (my fav)
• Gunmetal Grey
Each color suits its body. But that blue one—chef’s kiss. Sparkles under sunlight. Aggressive but classy.
No car is perfect.
Advantages:
• Smooth hybrid drive
• Solid build quality
• Feature-loaded, even base model
• Great cabin comfort
• Quiet, refined performance
• Futuristic interior layout
• Good mileage for SUV size
Disadvantages:
• Limited brand service network (for now)
• Slightly confusing infotainment menus
• Heavy curb weight affects handling a bit
But nothing major. Most issues are tolerable or software-fixable.
Honestly? I didn’t expect to like it this much.
I thought it’d be like many other "new-gen" Chinese SUVs. Over-designed. Overpromised.
But this one feels mature. Refined. Not trying too hard.
It delivers what it promises. A tech-packed, premium, fuel-efficient, hybrid SUV.
It’s not trying to be a Land Cruiser. Nor a luxury brand. It has its own identity. That’s rare these days.
I drove it through city streets, open roads, traffic jams. It handled all like a champ.
Even people on the road turned heads. Few asked, “which model is that?” That tells you something.
Summary
So here we are. Wrapping it all.
The Haval Xiaolong is a confident step forward. A serious contender in the hybrid SUV world. Combines technology, comfort, and bold styling. Drives well. Saves fuel. Offers peace of mind inside the cabin.
Not perfect. But pretty close.
If you're bored of typical SUVs. Want something bold but not arrogant. Comfortable but not sleepy. Techy but not complicated.
Then maybe... just maybe… this dragon deserves a place in your driveway.
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