Long-termers
AT the forefront of what the burgeoning Chinese automotive market has to offer, Haval, the SUV and crossover-focused division of Great Wall Motors, continues to impress with both its ambitious desire for growth in markets outside of its homeland, as well as the impressive pace with which it has steadily improved the quality of its offerings. Indeed, with a total of 28 dealerships now up and running in South Africa – together with the recent launch of its largest model, the H9 – it’s safe to say Haval has settled in for the long run.
While the H2 small SUV impressed us with a well-earned runner-up place in a four-car comparison test in our September issue, it’s the H6 C (tested in November 2017) that remains our favourite current Haval offering. As such, I’m looking forward to seeing whether our initial impressions of this model stand true over the course of a 12-month test.
Acknowledging the successes Korean brands Hyundai and Kia have had in markets outside of their own, the evolution in design language by Haval to clearly more European-in uenced lines has been inspired. Complemented by a smart-looking metallic-silver paint nish on this test unit, it hasn’t taken long for my H6 C 2,0T Luxury to turn heads and garner attention both at the traf c lights and on the school run. Complete with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and scuff plates front and rear, as well as a classy hint of chrome highlighting, I appreciate the sense of sophistication exuded by the H6 C’s exterior styling.
In top-of-the-range Luxury trim, there’s little to want for in terms of standard speci cation. From keyless entry and ignition to a panoramic sunroof, a full bouquet of audio settings and parking sensors all-round (including a reverse camera), it’s only optional heated seats I’ve missed at the tail-end of winter in Cape Town.
In terms of packaging, I appreciate my children’s Iso x-based child seats mounting easily onto the rear seat bench and that there’s enough legroom in this area for neither of them to reach the front seats with the oftendirty soles of their shoes.
If there’s a potential Achilles’ heel to this H6 C package, it’s the fuel consumption delivered by a not-yet-run-in 2,0-litre turbopetrol engine. That said, aided by a nicely re ned six-speed dual-clutch transmission, I look forward to consumption levels settling down somewhat as my mileage accrues.