H2 Reloaded
Our first acquaintance with the latest, refreshed Haval H2 model was in April last year during a visit to Great Wall Motors (GWM) in China. By this time monthly sales of the original model, locally released in May 2017, exceeded 350 units a month, and by June it maintained a steady average of 400 units per month.
Sales figures saw a meteoric rise from 34 units in June 2017 to 464 units in December last year, and according to Haval a total of 7 235 units have been retailed in the last two years and seven months. This, for all intents and purposes, makes the H2 the best-selling Chinese vehicle in South Africa – outselling more fancied competitors such as the Mazda CX-3, Suzuki Vitara, and Nissan Qashqai, and holding its own against the Ford Ecosport and Renault Duster.
Having experienced the newcomer last year, and again recently during the local introduction on the twisty mountain roads of the Western Cape, it is clear this Chinese-built SUV – now with improved interior materials, more technology, and even better safety systems – is set to grow in popularity here, perhaps spreading even quicker than the Corona virus …
Styling updates
The revamped H2 (although Haval insist on calling it all-new) has subtle new styling, with a new, more prominent trapezoidal grille, redesigned arrowshaped LED lights, new front- and rear bumpers, new rear LED lights, a bigger diffuser at the back, twin exhausts, and 18Text:
Since its arrival nearly three years ago sales of the H2 compact SUV from Chinese manufacturer Haval H2 has grown exponentially. Nowadays it is vying for top position in its segment in terms of monthly purchases, and a recent model refreshment should provide even more impetus …
inch alloy wheels with a new design.
The new styling elements do improve its looks compared to its predecessor and gives the H2 a modern look and a slightly more aggressive stance. However, the biggest changes are inside, with good quality finishes, comfortable newly designed leather seats, (with electric adjustment for the driver’s seat in the Luxury version) and a more comprehensive infotainment system, now with Apple Carplay compatibility (but not Android Auto, strangely enough).
Other changes to the Luxury model include a panoramic roof replacing the sunroof, keyless entry and start function, and a reverse camera. However, under the bonnet and in terms of suspension nothing has changed – it still utilises the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine producing 105 kw and 202 Nm of torque coupled with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
On the road
As in its predecessor there still is some initial turbo-lag (and a fair bit of turbo woosh) as the smallish engine gets to grip with the weight of the car but once up to speed it propels the SUV forward quite comfortably. Its steering is light and quite accurate, and while it does not feel sporty or exciting in the twists, the H2 feels solid on the road, with minimal body roll.
While the manual version was more responsive in the corners, the automatic model was more impressive with its relaxed smoothness on the open road, albeit slightly heavy on fuel. Even so, and with a R34 100 premium, the automatic model will probably prove the more popular.
Overall, the H2 with its plethora of standard features, a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and more premium feel represents good value for money in a highly contested segment. With Haval planning to expand its dealer network even further this year, after-sales service should not be an issue. The company is also investing R100 million to set up a spares warehouse.
Prices for the range now starts from R269 900 for the H2 City six-speed manual and R294 900 for the H2 Luxury six-speed manual, with the auto models going for R304 00 (H2 City) and R329 900 for the flagship H2 Luxury. This includes a five-year/100 000 km warranty, fiveyear/60 000 km service and five-year roadside assistance.