HAVAL H6 ULTRA HYDRID

By EWAN KENNEDY

Haval H6 Hybrid has a distinctly different frontal styling to the non-hybrid variants.

Haval H6 Hybrid was our road test vehicle for the past week. It teams with other models in the range from the Chinese marque and offers owners strong performance with the combination of good looks and a practical carrying capacity.

As with all Havals the H6 Hybrid comes with a seven-year / unlimited kilometre warranty. This is a very strong selling point and, as we have commented on in the past, it’s surprising that most competitors haven’t tried to match or exceed it.

STYLING

Haval H6 Hybrid has a distinctly different frontal styling than the non-hybrid models in the range. Two body-coloured side panels extend the grille to the edge of the vehicle.

All front lights are LED. There are slim rectangular headlights that go part way around the front guards. Running lights and foglights below the grille blend nicely into the shape.

The rear features a large lighting panel which spans the entire width of the vehicle. Twin brake lights sit at the top of the rear window.

There are HAVAL badges in large, bold letters at the front and rear.

Being based on the H6 Ultra spec, the Hybrid gets 19-inch alloy wheels as well as a panoramic sunroof.

INTERIOR

Inside the H6 Hybrid Ultra with a nice feeling of quality throughout. The Comfortek front leather seats are heated and ventilated.

The driver has an eight-way power adjustment on the seats. There is a heated leather steering wheel.

There is good storage space with two adjustable drink holders and a large storage bin in
the centre console.

There’s dual-zone air conditioning which, together with a flat rear floor, good foot, leg and headroom, and the panoramic sunroof make for a pleasant environment for rear passengers. There’s a centre armrest with two cupholders and air vents.

The powered tailgate opens out to a 600-litre cargo space, expanding to
1485 litres with the rear seatbacks folded.

INFOTAINMENT

Access is through two large colour displays, a centrally-mounted 12.3-inch touchscreen for
the infotainment features and a 10.25-inch instrument cluster behind the steering wheel for
driving data.

The absence of raised physical controls for the most commonly-used features such as
audio system and air conditioning meaning a series of taps on the screen for adjusting
sound. However, it can be adjusted through controls on the steering wheel.

As is the growing trend, there is no embedded satellite navigation so access needs to be
made through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (both wired) or direct from the smartphone
via Bluetooth. There is a wireless smartphone charging on the front console. There are five USB ports, three in the front and two at the rear.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS

Unlike the naturally-aspirated petrol engines in the rest of the H6 range the Hybrid combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and a two-speed 130 kW electric drive motor.

The engine has outputs of 110 kW and 230 Nm while the battery adds 130 kW and 300 Nm to provide a combined total of 179 kW and 530 Nm.

The two systems work together with the battery providing instant torque at take-off and the turbo-petrol kicking in at higher revs.

While the petrol-only H6 Ultra comes with all-wheel drive the hybrid version is driven through the front wheels.

Power is sent to the front wheels through GWM’s two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission electronically controlled transmission with two separate CVTs that work together.

SAFETY

The Haval H6 Hybrid comes with an impressive suite of safety features that have contributed to it getting the maximum five-star ANCAP rating.

There are seven airbags; enhanced ABS brakes with brake assist, cornering brake control and brake override; roll movement intervention; hill descent and hill-start control; front and rear parking assist; high resolution rear view and 360-degree cameras; automatic parking; adaptive cruise control with stop and go; intelligent cornering control; rear cross traffic alert and braking; forward collision warning and secondary collision mitigation; lane departure warning and correction; autonomous emergency braking including pedestrian and bicycle at crossroads; traffic sign recognition; blind spot detection; rear collision warning;
driver drowsiness detection; and two IsoFix child seat anchors.

DRIVING

Haval H6 is at the larger end of its segment and entry is quite easy. While the seats are adjustable in most directions the base can’t be tilted and we found them a little uncomfortable.

Take-off is by battery only with the instant acceleration that we love. The engine kicks in at around 30 km/h and moves between the two modes for optimum efficiency.

The combination of the smaller turbo engine and battery means that the H6 Hybrid cruises quietly. Brake regeneration can be adjusted and monitored on the driver’s display.

In the rural segment of our test route the H6 Hybrid provides a surprisingly enjoyable drive with plenty of punch when needed. The ride was a bit spongy at times and handling was typical of most SUVs in that they are aimed at family car motoring.

Haval H6 Hybrid only comes with front wheel-drive and there’s a relatively modest 170 mm ground clearance. So not suited to any serious off-road ventures.

Fuel consumption is listed at 5.2 litres per 100km, we average 6.3 per hundred during our test week with the H6 Hybrid.

SUMMING UP

The Haval H6 is an impressive piece of the latest developments in engineering its relatively small petrol engine works well with electric motor to make driving enjoyable. Well worth considering if you’re in the market for an SUV and don’t want to spend a fortune on fuel.

RATINGS

Looks: 9/10

Performance: 9/10

Safety: 8/10

Thirst : 8/10

Practicality: 8/10

Comfort: 8/10

Tech: 8/10

Value: 7/10

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
H6 2.0 Premium 2WD: $32,990

H6 2.0 Lux 2WD: $35,990

H6 2.0 Ultra 2WD: $38,990

H6 2.0 Vanta 2WD: $39,990

H6 1.5 Hybrid Ultra 2WD: $45,990

H6 2.0 Ultra AWD: $41,990

H6 2.0 Vanta AWD: $42,990
Note: These are driveaway prices and include all dealer delivery and government charges.

SPECIFICATIONS (GWM-Haval H6 Hybrid Ultra 1.5-litre / battery five-door wagon)

ENGINE / BATTERY:
Capacity: 1.497 litres / 1.8 kWh
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Combined Maximum Power: 179 kW
Combined Maximum Torque: 530 Nm
Fuel Type: 91RON unleaded petrol
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 5.2 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 186 g/km

DRIVELINE: Two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4653 mm
Wheelbase: 2738 mm
Width: 1886 mm
Height: 1724 mm
Turning Circle: Not supplied
Kerb Mass: 1555 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: Not supplied

BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Seven years / unlimited kilometres