The 2023 Haval H6 vary now has a brand new, sportier wanting mannequin as a part of it.
Meet the brand new coupe-style 2023 Haval H6 GT – a mannequin that definitely has some eye-catching attraction to it.
So, being extra dynamic to take a look at, is it any extra thrilling to drive? And the way a lot of an affect has that raked roofline had on the practicality for this Chinese language-made GWM Haval SUV?
Learn extra in regards to the GWM Haval H6GT
On this overview I’ll let you realize all of the issues that separate the GT model from the usual H6 – there’s extra to it than meets the attention. Let’s get into it.
Does it characterize good worth for the worth? What options does it include? 8/10
You may consider it as a cut-price tackle a BMW X4 or X6, given its design.
And when you’re interested by shopping for the Haval H6GT, you’ve obtained two decisions – at the very least for now. There could possibly be extra fashions in a while, together with a hybrid model like within the common H6 SUV wagon vary. However to kick off, there are two extremely specified grades to choose from.
The entry-level mannequin is known as the Lux, which lists at $40,990 drive-away at launch.
From the surface you’ll be exhausting pressed to choose it from the top-spec mannequin, as each rating 19-inch black alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, a sporty physique package with twin rear spoilers, and an electrical tailgate.
There’s additionally pretend leather-based and suede trim inside, heated entrance seats, electrical driver’s seat adjustment, a pair of 10.25-inch digital shows (one for media together with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the opposite for driver information), keyless entry, push-button begin and extra.
It appears good worth for the Lux, when you can cope with two-wheel drive (2WD / FWD).
Should you step as much as the Extremely at $46,490 drive-away, you rating all-wheel drive (AWD) and the system consists of a number of drive modes – and loads of different gadgets to justify the worth hike.
Extremely fashions add a panoramic sunroof, electrical tailgate with hands-free performance, wi-fi cellphone charging, electrically adjustable entrance passenger seat, ventilated/cooled entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, a bigger 12.3 inch media display screen, a head-up show and a tyre improve to Michelin Primacy rubber. There’s additionally an automatic parking system, temper lighting and extra.
Color decisions – sure, fortunately there are different choices past this Crayon Gray non-obligatory end (all premium paint decisions are $495 additional) – embrace the no-cost Hamilton White, and non-obligatory Golden Black and Atlantis Blue. Should you’ve observed there’s a crimson H6 GT on the corporate’s website, that color choice is coming quickly. However silver, brown, inexperienced or orange choices aren’t obtainable.
Opponents? It would not have many pure ones, apart from the Renault Arkana coupe-style SUV, which begins at lower than $35K – however it’s loads smaller inside and outside. The Audi Q3 Sportback is one other almost-match by way of intent, however it prices from $54K and can be smaller than the H6GT; likewise the Cupra Formentor, which kicks off at just below $54K.
Measurement-wise, you’d extra doubtless be procuring it in opposition to a BMW X4, Mercedes GLC Coupe or Audi Q5 Sportback.
Is there something attention-grabbing about its design? 7/10
I don’t normally like the best way coupe-style SUVs look. This automobile isn’t precisely altering my thoughts on that entrance, however I can see why some folks may actually dig the outside design of the GT.
Clearly it will get a extra streamlined, coupe-inspired roof with a little bit of a ducktail rear-end, and naturally, the again finish of the automobile seems completely different to the usual, wagon-style H6. There are model-specific tail-lights, and whereas I don’t love the pretend exhaust chrome bits on the backside of the bumper, I actually discover it irritating for this new mannequin that these ugly little plugs within the tailgate stick out a lot. And the badges? Approach too large, and approach too lots of them – I’d be eliminating these to assist clear up the look.
There are some sporty touches, just like the second spoiler up on the high of the tailgate, attention-grabbing little aero flics on the aspect skirts which can be fairly on the market.
However I nonetheless really feel as if Haval may fill the wheel arches a bit higher – the 19-inch black wheels may do with a bit extra width, and whereas this top-spec mannequin will get Michelin tyres, they’re not essentially the most aggressive sporty rubber going (Primacy 4, 235/55/R19).
Up entrance is the place the H6 GT arguably provides up its most attention-grabbing and most agreeable angle. It scores a way more aggressive bumper and grille than the usual H6 SUV, and it actually does look fairly sensible and even a bit menacing.
Our videographer quipped that it regarded like a Lamborghini Urus from Want.com – and look, that may appear to be a backhanded praise, however it’s kinda true.
Inside there are some sporty design thrives due to half leather-based and faux suede trim emblazoned with GT badges stitched on the seats (fortunately nicer wanting than the Haval embroidery on different fashions).
The dashboard and console design isn’t very completely different to the common H6, which is to the GT’s profit. However there are nonetheless some critical ergonomic and person interface issues, which we’ll get to shortly.
How sensible is the area inside? 8/10
The cabin is greater than you’d suppose. However then once more, the automobile is bigger than it seems. For a little bit of context, it’s larger than the common H6 SUV wagon in all the pieces however the wheelbase – it spans 4727mm lengthy, 1886mm broad and 1724mm tall.
If that each one simply seems like numbers to you, take into account this – it’s larger than a Mitsubishi Outlander or Honda CR-V, each of which provide seven seats and greater boot area. However you’re hardly shopping for a sporty wanting coupe SUV if you would like essentially the most sensible model, proper?
So, with that in thoughts, the boot area – 392 litres (VDA) with the seats up – isn’t terrific, however managed to suit our three CarsGuide suitcases, and the most important consideration (as with all coupe-style SUVs) is the peak of issues that will not slot in. Fold down the rear seats and there’s a flat load area of 1390L (VDA). Underneath the boot flooring is a short lived spare wheel, and to the perimeters of the load flooring there are small storage nooks.
Transferring to the again seat, there’s extra space than you may count on. The H6 GT’s roof line doesn’t rake down too dramatically. So not like, say, the Renault Arkana, there’s sufficient area for a six-foot grownup to slot in – to not point out get out and in – with none actual fuss.
I’m that tall (182cm) and simply match behind my very own driving place with ample headroom, shoulder area and toe room. The rear seat is comfy – perhaps a bit too comfortable, in truth, because it’s fairly spongey on the edges, which means it’d lack some help for heavier occupants.
Trying to match a toddler seat? There are ISOFIX attachment factors for the window seats, and three top-tether restraint factors. You’ll have the ability to match a rearward going through seat and nonetheless have a little bit of room in entrance, although the dashboard does intrude fairly a bit on the entrance passenger aspect.
Storage for the second row is ok – there are bottle holders and storage nooks within the doorways, a pair of cupholders within the fold-down armrest, and two map pockets on the seat backs. Rear riders get directional air vents and a pair of USB ports, too, however the tops of the doorways characteristic cheaper exhausting plastics somewhat than the cushier finishes seen up entrance.
The entrance row scores extra USB ports, although they’re positioned down out of view, which means you may discover some points with trailing cables. Certainly one of them is only for charging, the opposite handles media mirroring – now, let’s discuss screens.
The 12.3-inch central display screen within the Extremely is an efficient show, however the menus are a multitude. Extra to the purpose, the dearth of management buttons, dials and switches means it’s important to do extra by way of the display screen than you need to.
As an illustration – say you need to alter the air conditioner to be on recirculation as a result of there are smelly vehicles exterior. Some vehicles give you a button to try this. Job finished. The Haval? You might want to hit the display screen at the very least 3 times.
And likewise, the dearth of a fan pace toggle or temperature adjustment controls imply it’s important to bounce by way of menus on the display screen to make adjustments there, too.
The truth right here is that software program and screens are cheaper than buttons and knobs, in order that’s why so many manufacturers are shifting to this person interface. And, sadly for GWM Haval, their menus and display screen programs aren’t as straightforward to be taught or intuitive to make use of as another manufacturers.
As for the opposite parts of the cockpit? The storage is sweet up entrance, with large door trenches together with bottle holders, a pair of cup holders with adjustable holsters within the centre, a wi-fi cellphone charger in entrance of the gear selector dial (Extremely solely), an honest center console field, and a second shelf beneath which is nice for added stowage.
One private gripe for me was that I struggled to get into a cushty place whereas driving. The seat has electrical adjustment however not for the pitch of the seat squab – the bit beneath your thighs – which meant I ended up feeling like I used to be going through downhill on a regular basis.
What are the important thing stats for the engine and transmission? 7/10
Nothing completely different beneath the bonnet in comparison with the common H6 – and also you’ll must be the decide as as to if you suppose that’s acceptable or not for this “sportier” mannequin.
Nevertheless, it nonetheless has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, with equivalent energy and torque figures to the wagon mannequin (150kW and 320Nm), and people numbers aren’t far off some most different midsize SUVs. A mid-spec Tiguan SUV has 132kW/320Nm, for example, whereas a Mazda CX-5 turbo will grant you 170kW/420Nm.
GWM Haval claims the H6 GT can do 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds (AWD) or 7.8 sec (2WD). Prime pace is acknowledged at 200km/h.
The Extremely mannequin’s drive modes embrace one referred to as Race – which is as foolish because it sounds – and it makes the automobile way more punchy feeling and even jerkier to drive. However I nonetheless spent a little bit of time in that mode, as a result of it additionally makes the exhaust system confide in supply a bit extra of a “sports activities SUV” drive expertise.
As talked about earlier, the bottom mannequin Lux is front-wheel drive, whereas this Extremely grade is all-wheel drive. Each variations run a seven pace dual-clutch computerized gearbox – a bit like what you’d discover in a Skoda or Volkswagen… however not practically nearly as good. Extra on that within the driving part.
How a lot gasoline does it devour? 7/10
The official mixed cycle gasoline consumption determine relies on the spec you select. The Lux base mannequin’s declare is decrease than this Extremely all-wheel drive mannequin by nearly a litre per hundred kays.
We’re speaking official numbers of seven.5L/100km for the Lux 2WD and eight.4L/100km for the Extremely AWD.
Throughout my drive time within the H6 GT Extremely, I noticed a return of 10.0L/100km. Possibly as a result of I indulged in Race mode a bit an excessive amount of?
One attention-grabbing level – it may possibly run on 91RON common unleaded, not like most different turbo-petrol vehicles.
What security gear is fitted? What security ranking? 9/10
Identical to the, er, regular Haval H6, the H6 GT has been awarded the identical 5 star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing in 2022.
So – a really contemporary rating, which suggests it has a heap of high-tech gear fitted, together with auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, bicycle owner and junction detection, low-speed entrance and rear auto braking, lane retaining help with lane departure warning, visitors signal recognition, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise management with begin and cease, a 360-degree encompass view digicam (which, anecdotally, is among the clearest shows I’ve sampled), and parking sensors entrance and rear.
You additionally get hill descent management, hill begin help, driver drowsiness monitoring and tyre strain monitoring.
All that’s customary on each grades, whereas the Extremely additional provides “full auto parking” which might park the automobile semi-autonomously, and rear cross-traffic with rear AEB.
The explanation the automobile isn’t getting a ten/10 is as a result of, whereas it has quite a lot of the tech and programs you’d need, they’re actually not calibrated very effectively. I repeatedly had the Emergency Lane Hold system kick in regardless of me driving on a straight street inside the line markings at 50km/h. And switching that system off is a should, however annoyingly requires you to delve by way of a number of menus to take action.
Some fantastic tuning of those programs wouldn’t go astray, and nor would a button to modify them off.
Guarantee & Security Ranking
Primary Guarantee
7 years / limitless km
guarantee
ANCAP Security Ranking
What does it price to personal? What guarantee is obtainable? 9/10
Certainly one of Haval’s large promoting factors is the on-paper possession expertise. It’s up there with one of the best on the Aussie market, with a seven-year limitless kilometre guarantee plan, 5 years of roadside help, and a 5 12 months servicing plan, too.
The service intervals are a bit uncommon – your first go to to the upkeep division is due at 12 months or 10,000 kays, then it is yearly or 15,000km after that.
And the service worth varies a bit between the 2WD and AWD fashions. Based mostly on the H6 SUV, the Lux 2WD works out at a mean of $312 per 12 months to keep up, whereas the AWD Extremely mannequin works out at $352 per 12 months.
What’s it wish to drive? 6/10
Should you’re anticipating a “sporty” drive, you’re going to want to outline what “sporty” means to you. As a result of to me, this isn’t sporty to drive. Actually, it’s not even a lot enjoyable.
That isn’t to say that it’s unhealthy to drive. Simply that there are different SUVs on the market for comparable cash that aren’t so overtly styled which can be, frankly, heaps higher to drive, and much more enjoyable.
As an illustration, a Mazda CX-5 will tick all of the containers this automobile can’t – particularly a turbo-petrol mannequin. A Honda CR-V – hardly essentially the most dynamic factor – has nicer steering, a greater journey and a smoother powertrain. And something from VW, Skoda or newcomer, Cupra, will go away the H6 GT within the shade for driveability.
So, what may have been finished higher right here? The best step could be for GWM Haval to observe the trail laid by Hyundai and Kia in Australia, and have engineers tune the vehicles for our distinctive tastes and street situations. Aussie drivers are extra demanding and enthusiastic, and our roads are nothing like what China has.
And, as talked about above, the assertive and interruptive security programs actually do get in the best way of enjoyment. There are fixed bings and bongs, warnings on the display screen and the overly assisted steering that simply make it exhausting to settle into a cushty drive in regular use, not to mention when you needed to take it on a twisty tour on a sunny Sunday.
Twisty bits would showcase one other shortcoming – the steering is basically gradual and lacks really feel, which means you’re left guessing as to what the entrance wheels are doing at occasions. Even with essentially the most dynamic driving modes and settings chosen, it ought to be tighter and supply extra really feel. Additional, the steering slowness exacerbates the large 12.0m turning circle.
The suspension? Nicely, not too unhealthy really. There’s a little bit of pitter-patter and a few noisy bump absorption to cope with, however it usually rides fairly properly. It’s a bit mushy, so there’s some physique roll and pitch fore/aft to cope with beneath exhausting braking or acceleration, however once more, these are issues that could possibly be tuned out of it.
The engine is fairly punchy, particularly in Race mode. There’s undoubtedly a little bit of grunt on supply, although it’s hampered by the customarily dimwitted dual-clutch computerized gearbox.
The transmission usually fails to upshift when anticipated, slurs on downshifts, and will be lurchy at low speeds and in visitors. It’s downright jolty in Race, however doesn’t reply rapidly sufficient when you attempt to take issues into your personal arms with the paddle shifters.
Verdict
Does the Haval H6 GT do sufficient so that you can take into account shopping for one? That’s going to rely in your priorities.
If you’d like a reasonably spacious, attention-grabbing wanting and aggressively styled SUV with that love-or-loathe swooping roof – and also you don’t need to spend 100 grand or extra to get it – then it could possibly be simply best for you.
In case your precedence is driving enjoyable, or refinement, or precise sportiness? It may not be fairly best for you.