FULLY LOADED ASSAULT
Feature-laden and standout looks hail an all-new model from Haval which is already beginning to lure buyers to the brand
Just down the road from our place showcases a changing motoring landscape. The purpose-built Honda dealership has been usurped by Chinese brand Haval after sitting vacant for years. Honda moved into town and has made its intentions clear of consolidation while concentrating sales online through a central network and exploring new locations, including shopping centres. Other brands are undertaking similar ventures and initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Chinese brands are beginning to gain momentum. Not long ago they were adjuncts to other dealerships, now they’re progressing toward standalone operations.
MG has seen a rapid rise over the past two years and has even broken into the top 10 of leading vehicle sellers. Haval, under the Great Wall umbrella, this year released the all-new H6 mid-size SUV with a strong list of features and alluring drive-away pricing.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
GRANT: Check out that grille, it’s flashy enough that you don’t need headlights.
KEL: I’ve seen quite a few around. While that front end may feature plenty of chrome, I think it’s quite a good-looking car.
GRANT: Fitting into the crowded market, the H6 is a rival to the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson or a Toyota RAV4. Where the Haval differentiates itself is an impressive list of features.
KEL: Leather seats, one large touchscreen and another LED display for the driver’s instruments, dual-zone aircon and a push button start, it feels high-end.
GRANT: Well, man-made leather, but the H6 does have solid inclusions. We’re in the midlevel Lux model with a drive-away price less than $34k. It’s easy to see why sales are improving given to get similar with some other brands would add about another $10,000.
KEL: Those big alloy wheels and the smooth lines, it looks more expensive than what’s on the price-tag.
THE LIVING SPACE
GRANT: Both the screens have impressive clarity, among the best in the business. Instead of a conventional shifter there is a chrome rotary dial for gear selection.
KEL: All the finishes were nice to touch with the use of some glossy black materials combined with the faux leather.
GRANT: While those screens deliver a modern look, we suffered some problems with the infotainment system. Apple CarPlay is standard (no Android Auto yet), but it never worked on various phones when plugged in via the USB cord.
KEL: I paired my phone via bluetooth and sometimes it worked perfectly when I got in the car, other times it didn’t operate at all.
GRANT: The seats are supremely cushy and the cabin operations are essentially well designed. KEL: There’s a great space under the console perfect for handbags or purses, and I really liked the centre cupholders which have a button you can push to keep coffees in place or fold the arms away to cater for larger items – like bottles. GRANT: Heated seats are standard on this Lux model, along with LED dash lighting, and eightway electric adjustment of the driver’s seat.
THE COMMUTE
KEL: Once up and running the H6 feels punchy and quick, although I found the acceleration from standstill lacked consistency.
GRANT: It’s a four-cylinder turbo which has a tendency to feel somewhat old-school in its performance. Throttle response can be delayed until the turbo spools and if you aren’t patient (I’m putting you in this category) the power can come with a rush.
KEL: There were some embarrassing occasions where there were short burnouts when I wanted to dart quickly into traffic.
GRANT: Hooning again. The dual-clutch transmission combined with front-wheel drive means getting that power to the ground can lead to those wheel chirps, and the H6 lacks fluency at low speed. All-wheel drive variants only come with the top-shelf Ultra model. KEL: It has all the key safety features I’d expect, including a cool sign recognition function that asks you whether you want to change the radar cruise control speed accoridngly – plus it can do all the braking and accelerating in heavy traffic.
GRANT: While that ‘intelligent cruise control’ has awesome graphics and shows what cars and trucks are around you in the driver’s display, I found it was too intrusive and continually braked for guard rails and vehicles when cornering which were of no danger.
THE SHOPPING
KEL: Front and rear parking sensors, along with a 360-degree camera view help make parking simple.
GRANT: The safety repertoire in the H6 remains impressive – although missing is rear cross traffic alert and automatic braking in reverse if other vehicles are speeding past. They are handy inclusions, but Haval isn’t alone in not having this feature (it’s standard on the Ultra model).
KEL: That’s a massive boot and it easily swallowed our weekly family grocery haul. GRANT: With 600 litres of space that surpasses the likes of a Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail and a Honda CR-V, and the seats also fold 6040. No power tailgate though, or levers in
the boot to drop the seats quickly.
SUNDAY RUN
KEL: Once on the open road I found the ride comfortable and cabin serene.
GRANT: The H6 can be a refined cruiser, especially impressive on the highway. Once you reach the winding rural roads things become more challenging and the performance feels more akin to an American car with wallowy suspension and reasonable roll in the corners. KEL: Overtaking wasn’t an issue and really steep inclines provided no challenge.
GRANT: There’s certainly ample grunt from the engine. While it’ an SUV, those with off-road intentions will need to shop elsewhere. Being front-wheel drive it’s bitumen or gravel territory only – plus it only has a space-saver spare.
THE FAMILY
KEL: Back seat space was generous and there are air vents behind the console. Our boys were also pleased with their own USB points to keep devices charged.
GRANT: With no transmission tunnel that improves legroom in the rear. The front doors have storage for water bottles, sadly nothing in the back.
KEL: Families will appreciate the peace of mind of a seven-year unlimited km warranty. What are the running costs like?
GRANT: Roadside assist is also standard for five years or 100,000km. Servicing is required annually or every 10,000km, and average cost for the first five is $312 each. Fuel consumption during our test was accurate with Haval’s claims, achieving an average of 7.8L/100km.
VERDICT
KEL: There is a lot to like about this SUV. Good looks and a long list of features, but I have reservations surrounding the infotainment glitches.
GRANT: The H6 value proposition remains high. Maintaining steady throttle inputs is vital to achieve linear performance at slow speeds and many buyers will find the features list and long warranty outweighs the minor flaws.