A mid-sized SUV, the Haval H6 is the best-selling model from Great Wall Motors (now GWM) with total global sales in excess of 4 million.
First sold here in September 2016 the current, second generation, version replaced it in April 2021 with a 3rd Gen due to arrive in January 2027.
Originally powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 1.5-litre turb-
petrol/electric hybrid was added in April 2022 with a new plug-inn (PHEV) hybrid variant as part of an upgrade in mid-2016. The PHEV is this week’s review.
H6 PHEV comes in three variants: Ultra FWD PHEV priced at $47,990, Ultra AWD at $50,990 and Ultra GT AWD PHEV, $52,990. All are driveaway prices.
Petrol H6 models, also driveaway, range from $35,990 to $46,490 and the self-charging conventional hybrids from $40,990 to $43,990.
After a slow start, when most PHEVs attracted a large price surcharge, those such as the H6 are now more competitively priced and have really taken off in the Australian market.
The attraction is their versatility, with their ability to operate in pure electric or fuel-saving petrol-electric mode — without any range fears.
It’s hardly surprising but Haval’s closest PHEV competitors in both size and price all come from China, most notably the Chery Tiggo 7 and BYD Sealion 5.
STYLING
The H6 PHEV GT streamlines the body to the extent that GWM tag it as an SUV Coupe in line with the recent trend adopted by other brands to escape from the traditional boxy profile.
It certainly works and combined with the other styling elements gives it a real premium look that could easily pass, not only for its big-selling Japanese and Korean rivals but even for much more expensive European SUVs.
These styling elements include body-coloured side panels that extend the grille to the edge of the vehicle, LED lighting in twin rectangular headlights that wrap around the front, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights, taillights and a full-width lighting panel.
There are 19-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers.
Up front the cascading grille carries the Haval logo, thankfully no longer in garish red. At the rear, the full-width light bar has been replaced by sharply angled, individual tail lights giving the wagon a more contemporary look with the previous “Haval” badge now replaced with “GWM,” reflecting the brand’s transition to a single, unified identity.
The fuel filler cap is located at the rear left of the vehicle with the battery charge port on the rear right which won’t suit without off-steer parking.
INTERIOR
It’s hard to fault anything inside the H6 Hybrid Ultra PHEV with a real feeling of quality throughout.
Comfortek front artificial leather seats are heated and ventilated with the driver having an 8-way power adjustment, heated leather steering wheel and a head-up display.
PHEVs get a new two-spoke steering wheel with a simplified control button on either side.
There’s good storage space with adjustable twin drink holders and a large storage bin in the centre console.
Rear occupants get the benefit of dual-zone air conditioning, a flat rear floor, good foot, leg and headroom, a centre armrest with two cupholders and air vents and the panoramic sunroof.
At the back there’s a powered tailgate which opens out to a 600-litre boot,
expandable to 1485 litres with the rear seatbacks folded.
The batteries are located beneath the false floor taking up the space where a spare wheel would otherwise be stores leaving a puncture repair kit as the only option.
POWERTRAIN
Haval H6 PHEV AWD comes with a new Hi4 hybrid system that uses front and rear-mounted motors (ie. four-wheel drive), combining three power sources and nine adaptive operating modes.
It uses intelligent torque vectoring control (iTVC) to automatically adjust power distribution across varying road conditions.
The FWD variant uses a dedicated hybrid setup with a 2-speed or 3-speed hybrid transmission that generates a combined output of 240 kW and 540 Nm. Its 19-kWh battery can be charged from 30-80 per cent in 28 mins using a DC charger (at a rate of 34kW), or from 15-100 per cent using an AC charger in under three hours (at 6.6kW).
The AWD models, using the Hi4 system lifts these up to 268 kW and a whopping 760 Nm of torque.
The battery is a 19.0 kWh unit that provides a claimed EV only range of 100 km in the AWD using the NEDC testing system but drops down to 80 km under the more realistic WLTP system.
Towing capacity in either model is 750 kg unbraked and 1500 kg braked.
INFOTAINMENT
Infotainment across the HS6 range consists of a 14.6-inch touchscreen powered by the GWM’s new Coffee OS system and a 10.5-inch instrument display.
There’s Bluetooth, voice control, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, built-in satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus eight-speaker audio. The PHEVs boost the number of speakers to nine and adds wireless phone charging.
Telematics provides remote access and control of various vehicle functions.
Two USB A-ports are provided in the front with an USB-A and USB-C port in the rear. There’s a dashcam port located near the mirror, with 12-volt sockets in the front and in the luggage area, along with wireless phone charging.
SAFETY
All Haval H6 variants from February 2021 onwards come with the maximum five-star ANCAP rating.
Seven airbags are standard, including a centre airbag which provides added
protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes.
There’s also autonomous emergency braking (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User and Junction Assist) and a lane support system (LSS) with lane keep assist (LKA),
lane departure warning (LDW) and emergency lane keeping (ELK), and an advanced speed assistance system (SAS) are standard equipment.
A 360-degree camera with 180 degree overhead transparent chassis view is fitted.
The H6 PHEV comes with rear parking sensors but, despite it coming only in the premium Ultra features, there are no front parking sensors. Useful for new owners to know this advance, rather than finding out the hard way – literally.
Not everyone agrees but we love the feature where driver’s seatbelt must be locked in before the brakes will release and the vehicle can move off.
DRIVING
Haval H6 is at the larger end of its segment making entry relatively easy. While the seats are adjustable in most directions the base can’t be tilted and we found them a little uncomfortable as did the absence of sliding thigh support.
Take-off is by battery only with the instant acceleration that we love. The zero to 100 km/h sprint can be done in just 4.9 seconds.
There are two different EV modes that both default to electric only driving and only switch to the engine when needed for hard acceleration or when the battery charge is low.
The combination of the smaller turbo engine and batteries mean that the H6 PHEV cruises quietly.
The column-mounted gear selector frees up space on the centre console for
additional storage and provides space for the wireless phone charger.
Out in the rural segment of our test route the drive is enjoyable with plenty of punch when needed. The ride was a bit spongy at times and handling was typical of most SUVs.
Steering is well-weighted and ride is firm but comfortable.
Fuel consumption is listed at 5.2 litres per 100km, we average just under 6.0 L/100 km during our test.
Following the lead of Kia and Hyundai, GWM has recruited Australian experts to work on adjusting its vehicles to suit local conditions. The program developed for the AWD H6 PHEV, is called AT-1 and it was headed by the highly-respected former Holden vehicle dynamics engineer Rob Trubiani.
When compared to the FWD PHEV the AT-1 version in the AWD delivers a
significantly better ride with improved body control and steering. It feels lighter when cruising but on twisty roads it comes to life, with braking and handling that is superior
to its Chinese compatriots.
There are also the usual drive mode options: Normal, Eco, Sport or Snow.
Steering weight can be adjusted, with comfortable, sport or light settings.
Adjustable regenerative braking comes with the option of one-pedal driving – although the latter does not bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
Handling is safe, predictable and planted, with strong mid-range throttle response and impressive braking.
Head-up display as usual is almost invisible with polarised sunglasses and the power-operated tailgate often refused to respond to the key fob.
SUMMING UP
Fuel consumption from the AWD PHEV is listed at 1.6 litres per 100 kilometres. However, to achieve anywhere near that number on a trip in excess of 100 kms the battery must be recharged every time the it’s depleted.
So, based on the H6 PHEV’s expected range of 80 km, the petrol/hybrid powertrain will take it the extra 20 km which is how the 1.6 L/100km is achieved.
In GWM’s defence, every other manufacturer of PHEVs uses the same formula.
The biggest attraction for potential PHEV buyers is that they get much of the benefit of an electric vehicle but without the lingering stress of range anxiety.
For someone with a typically daily commute of less than 100 km and access do a home/workplace charging facility it certainly makes sense. Cost savings there can subsidise a couple of annual longer distance holiday trips.
Haval H6 PHEV models are covered by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, along with an 8-year unlimited-kilometre battery pack warranty. There’s also five-year roadside assistance and five-year capped price servicing.
Seven-year unlimited kilometres (8-year unlimited kilometres on battery)
RATINGS:
Looks: 7
Performance: 7
Safety: 8
Thirst: 7
Practicality: 7
Comfort: 7
Tech: 8
Value: 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
H6 Ultra FWD PHEV: $47,990
H6 Ultra AWD PHEV: $50,990
H6 Ultra GT AWD PHEV: $52,990
Note: These are all driveway prices and include government and dealer delivery
charges.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Haval H6 Ultra AWD PHEV five-door wagon
HYBRID POWERTRAIN
Petrol engine: 1.5-litre, four cylinders inline, turbocharged
Maximum power: 110 kW @ 5500-6000 rpm
Maximum torque: 240 kW @ 1800-4000 rpm
Electric motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power: 130 kW
Maximum torque: 300 Nm
Combined power: 240 kW
Combined torque: 540 Nm
Fuel type: Petrol 91 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 1.0 L/100km (with fully charged battery)
Battery: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) 19.09 kWh
CO2 emissions 22 g/km
DRIVELINE:
Dual-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, front-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4703 mm
Width: 1886 mm
Height: 1730 mm
Wheelbase: 2738 mm
Kerb weight: 1895 kg
Turning circle: 11.9 m
Fuel tank: 55 l
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc
