With more than 32,000 sales in Australia, the Haval H6 has never been backward at coming forward.
And that’s not about to change anytime soon if the brand’s first plug-in electric vehicle is anything to go by.
PHEVs have been slow to take off, but with ballooning fuel prices, climate change through fossil-fuel pollution and the ever-present driver albatross of ‘range anxiety’, things are changing.
And the new H6GT, with its bumper 35.4kWh battery, has gone straight to the top of the segment with an electricity-only range, with zero emissions, of up to 180km, almost twice that of its nearest rival. This is backed up by a combined ICE/hybrid distance of more than 1000km.
Lux and Ultra models share the new-gen line-up.
Priced at $55,990 driveaway, maker GWM claims ‘exhilarating performance’ from the Ultra PHEV, via the brand’s new Hi4 Hybrid Intelligent AWD, with a sprint from zero to 100km/h in a nippy 4.8 seconds.
The vehicle offers varied charging options from 30 to 80 percent, via AC (6.6kW), or DC (48kW), in as little as 26 minutes.
This new flagship comes as part of a significant H6 upgrade inside and out, with the entry-level Lux variant, a 2-litre turbocharged front-wheel drive, coming to market for $35,990 driveaway.
All are covered by GWM’s seven-year unlimited new car warranty, eight-year unlimited kilometre battery pack warranty, five-year 24hr roadside assistance and five-year capped price servicing through GMW’s network of dealerships.
STYLING
The H6GT AWD flies the flag for Haval’s SUV range with a premium design language, including an expansive cascading radiator grille with dark finish ‘proudly’ showcasing a bold iteration of the brand’s logo.
A vertical layout of LED daytime running lights support the vehicle’s upright stance, while the sloping coupe-style roof, as opposed to the H6 standard SUV square shape, bears witness to the GT suffix.
Side-on, new black wheelarch cladding runs from front to rear, combining with new 19-inch multi-spoke black alloy wheels. Gone are chrome splashes in favour of a cleaner, modern, minimalist look.
At the rear, the full width light bar has been ousted in favour of a more contemporary array of angled individual taillights. Centrally situated between the lamps the Haval badge has been replaced by G-W-M, reflecting the move to its unified GMW brand identity.
The rear reno introduces a power tailgate to the H6, that can be easily operated at the push or a button, or with a kick motion beneath the bumper.
INTERIOR
A 50mm increase in body length gives the cabin added room, while a shift of the gear selector to the steering column frees up the centre console for more storage and wireless phone charger.
The steering wheel has been reworked to offer a thicker profile with indentations at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions to improve grip and comfort on longer drives. An automatic parking brake adds to convenience.
Premium materials and finishes to the minimalist decor features a new luxurious cream interior option adding the personal touch to proceedings. The changes, while small, are testament to GWM’s broader focus on the driver throughout the cabin.
INFOTAINMENT
A ‘heart transplant’ for the H6 has come via the GT’s instrument layout, the centre of which lies a 14.6-inch infotainment screen powered by GWM’s latest-generation operating system delivering faster processing speeds and more intuitive access. The latter is debatable.
A fixture in other GWM models, including the Tank series, the system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabling smartphone mirroring and cable-free access to sat nav, media and communications.
In front of the driver is a 10.25-inch high-res digital instrument cluster with new visuals already seen in Tank models displaying driving information in three key segments. A 360-degree surround view monitor, with see-through chassis offers visibility for safe manoeuvring.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The plug-in hybrid powertrain is exclusive to the Ultra grade in all-wheel drive, coming up with a strong, refined, yet efficient performance. The 1.5-litre unit, mated with GMW’s Dedicated Hybrid Transmission, produces 110kW and 230Nm.
Complementing this are three powerful motors – two up front and one at the rear.
Integrated with the 4WD system, the latter an independent 135kW and 232Nm, the combination delivering more than 1000km range.
SAFETY
Fitted with the latest active and passive safety systems the Haval H6GT is designed to look after occupants and other road users to the best of automotive ability. Advanced technology such as Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and traffic jam assist seamlessly support the driver.
Adding to core safety are autonomous emergency braking, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic assist and lane departure warning. Convenience is enhanced by auto parking assist and for Ultra parking sensors all round.
Seven airbags – two front, two side, two curtain and one centre – cover all seating positions and Isofix child restraints and driver fatigue monitor cap off the cabin.
DRIVING
In place of a standard transmission the Haval H6GT relies on a two-speed system that predominantly powers the vehicle up to around 80km/h before the ICE chips in, so take-off is all but silent, without being rubber ripping.
Switching into full steam is all but seamless, with the engine making itself noticed with only a restrained growl. A selection of drive modes is called up via the touchscreen.
Close by is a power mode setting, which allows the choice between EV, EV priority and Intelligent Hybrid going.
As far as power consumption is concerned the test car on a motorway run recorded 18.0kWh per 100km, which is acceptable for a vehicle of its heft. With the battery depleted, GWM suggests the hybrid mode will come up with 5.4 litres per 100km of fuel use. The test car bettered that with 4.9 litres of petrol per 100km.
The slick(ish) off-the-line sprint (GWM suggests 4.9 sec to 100km/h) is subject to handling stresses on corners, mainly due to its mid-size SUV bulk, so it’s probably best to back off.
SUMMARY
For a first effort at a plug-in hybrid the Haval H6GT Ultra is up with the best in performance but not in its infotainment communication with the driver.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 6
Safety – 7
Thirst – 6
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 6
Tech – 6
Value – 8
