Driven: The Haval H6 Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Brings Another Value-Packed SUV to SA
The refreshed Haval H6 range is making waves in the South African SUV segment. The latest versions of the value-packed SUV feature a bolder design, increased power, and enhanced technology. But, it’s the Haval H6 hybrid that’s stolen the show. Like it’s siblings, the Haval H6 HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is a well-rounded SUV with a little trick up its sleeve thanks to a semi-electric powertrain. This exciting addition to the Haval range opens up the world of hybrid vehicles to a whole new segment of the market thanks to its affordability. But, should you park the Haval H6 HEV in your driveway? We got behind the wheel of this new SUV offering to find out.
The Haval H6 HEV boasts a semi-electric drivetrain, opening up a world of possibilities in hybrid vehicle technology. This family-focused SUV goes beyond the usual fuel-saving goals of hybrid vehicles to offer drivers even more hybrid-only capabilities to help improve performance and comfort. This includes features like electric assistance for faster acceleration, brake energy regeneration, as well as fully-electric driving for short stints at suburban speeds.
The system combines Haval’s 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol engine with a small electric motor and battery that works together to put out 179kW and 530Nm. It’s this potent combination that makes the H6 HEV model the most powerful Haval in the country, because who needs a sports model when you’ve got a hybrid? The Haval H6 range also includes a GT-badged model but after driving the H6 HEV and feeling the sheer power and acceleration underfoot in the hybrid model I’m not sure you would need a GT version. The system is mated to an innovative two-speed “dedicated hybrid transmission” to ensure seamless gear shifts and a smooth ride.
There’s no doubt the H6 HEV is special, this SUV goes far beyond what petrol-only models are capable of, offering drivers incredible performance, exceptional quietness on the road, and unmatched fuel efficiency.
With a GT-badged model waiting in the wings, performance isn’t the goal of the Haval H6 HEV but boy is she quick off the mark. The HEV is the only derivative in the H6 lineup with launch control, giving you the power underfoot to go from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds. It’s remarkably easy for this big family SUV to burn rubber from a standstill. The drive is so smooth and with so much torque at your disposal overt-taking on long roads and getting up a pass is satisfyingly easy.
Speaking of satisfying feelings, starting up the HEV is a different kind of experience. Press the engine start button and you’ll hear a delightful “ding” followed by a notification on the driver’s display to let you know the vehicle is ready to roll. From here, you can silently crawl your H6 HEV out of the driveway using battery power alone without making a peep. Pulling away has never felt so good and so smooth.
Of course, the HEV solves another another significant pain point for SUV drivers, fuel consumption. While many large SUVs are petrol guzzlers, the HEV takes fuel savings to new levels with the help of the battery-powered drivetrain. I wasn’t even trying that hard to be conservative on fuel during my week-long test and I was impressed at how little feel the HEV used over 5 days of suburban driving. By the weekend I had enough fuel for a joyride up the West Coast and back.
The H6 HEV is quite the looker too. The SUV boasts black 19-inch alloys, a side fin, a redesigned brake light integrated into the boot spoiler, and a model-specific grille that stretches from corner to corner.
Inside the cabin, the H6 HEV doesn’t differ too much from the other variants in the H6 lineup. The cabin space is super generous, with a long passenger cell that translates to plenty of legroom and a sizeable boot. You also get leather seats and a minimalist instrument panel. The panel houses a round gearshift selector finished in chrome and a 12.3-inch central infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Below the display you’ll find a single row of buttons to control the basics like air-conditioning.
Dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, steering wheel heating, ambient lighting, 360-degree cameras, and a heads-up display are standard. Plus, you’ll get all the assistance on the driving front too with lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with intelligent dodge, traffic jam assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
The 360-degree cameras, lane assist and blind spot monitoring are all some of the best I’ve come across in a test vehicle so far. Despite its size, the H6 HEV is so easy to park and maneuver around the city thanks to all the help you get from the sensors and cameras.
Now let’s talk little luxuries. There are some features that are exclusive to the hybrid model. This includes seat ventilation, reverse parking memory, and launch control. The 10.25-inch digital cluster also shows HEV-only graphics including power draw on the battery and energy regeneration whilst driving, alongside the intelligent drive modes including BEV, tandem, and parallel driving, and idle charging.
It may seem small but another big win is the HEV can power the in-cabin electronics while the petrol motor is switched off, allowing you to keep using the climate control while you’re sitting in the car. This changes everything! Waiting in the car while someone pops into the shops is no longer the most annoying thing ever, it’s a pleasure! Plus, throw in driver and front passenger seat cooling, not only seat warming, and you’ve got yourself the most luxurious in-cabin experience ever.
The H6 does have a few idiosyncrasies that take some getting used to, this mostly presents itself in the digital feature controls. Every car brand has its own way of doing things and Haval is no different. If you’re new to the Haval ecosystem you’ll need to become accustomed to the digital feature controls and infotainment system but it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it.
The popularity of Haval in South Africa is no surprise, especially after spending a week with this new addition to the line-up. The Chinese manufacturer has developed a reputation for building solid, reliable, high-end cars at affordable price points, especially when comparing its models to its European competitors.
The H6 HEV continues the Haval tradition of making premium flagship features, luxury interiors, and cutting-edge energy technologies more accessible to the middle-class market. This time around the H6 is more mature, refined, and an even more compelling package than its predecessor.
Starting at R641 500, the Haval H6 HEV is one of the most expensive vehicles in the Haval South Africa line-up. But, with its aggressive pricing strategy, this price point still puts it well below (almost half in some cases!) the price of a vehicle in the same league from competing European brands. Couple that with class-leading warranties and it’s obvious the Haval H6 HEV represents exceptional value for money.
If you’re after a refined family SUV then the H6 HEV is one of the best SUVs you’ll find at this budget in South Africa.
The price above includes GWM’s 7-year/200 000 km warranty and a 7-year/75 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km). Hybrid derivatives furthermore benefit from an 8-year/150 000 km warranty specific to the battery pack and other high-voltage components.
