Haval Big Dog sizes up for Australia

Chinese brand GWM has brought the Haval Big Dog to Australia to test whether the tough-looking 4x4 will be a hit with Aussie buyers – and a positive response has seen it now working on the business case to offer it for sale here.

Roughly the size as a Toyota RAV4, the butch Big Dog mid-size SUV would be priced from around $35,000 to $40,000 and sold alongside the new Haval H6, which is based on the same platform.

This sees it with the same front/all-wheel drive underpinnings and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and seven-speed automatic transmission combination as the H6.

However, the Haval Big Dog has its own unique character, with a tougher and boxier design and a more rugged cabin fit-out, complete with oversized Jeep Wrangler-inspired grab handles up front.

GWM Australia head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver revealed that the company has imported a left-hand drive version of the Big Dog to gauge customer feedback.

“We are very, very keen to bring this car to Australia,” he said.

“We wouldn’t bring cars out of China, we wouldn’t spend money on consumer research if we weren’t serious.

“The speed with which they [GWM] can do a right-hand drive conversion is quicker than what I’ve seen before, so for us we would be confident that if we decided this was a car we could bring to this market, 2022 would be the timing – but I can’t say early or late.

“The feedback we got is probably enough to go on. We just have to get the financials right,” he added.

“The question we’re trying to work through as a business right now is: Is there room in our showrooms for this and the H6?”

The Big Dog is one of two new SUVs that GWM Australia has on its most-wanted list, the other being the rock-crushing Tank 300.

Borrowing a few design cues from the Ford Bronco Sport, which is not available here, the Big Dog combines rugged charm with plenty of mod-cons including two large digital screens, a wireless phone charger and colour-coded highlights.

No potential model grades have been mooted, and it’s unlikely to be offered with a diesel engine, but Maciver suggested it “wouldn’t be too dissimilar to what we see with the H6”.

The Haval H6 is currently priced between $30,990 and $38,990, but given the Big Dog appears to have slightly more ground clearance, a more customised, colour-matched interior and several off-road drive modes, it could attract a higher price point.

“We think there’s an opportunity for this car here, purely because it looks a little bit different,” Maciver said.

But will it be called Big Dog if it comes here?

“The name is not definitely settled on,” he said, but noted that the name won’t be easily forgotten.

“I don’t mind it. I think as a marketer you could have some great fun launching a car called the Big Dog.

“We’ve got to stand out in this market, we’ve got to try and make waves, build awareness, build consideration.

“Product is absolutely key to that. One of the other considerations is being memorable and standing out.”

Haval Big Dog specifications:
Length: 4620mm
Width: 1890mm
Height: 1780mm
Wheelbase: 2738mm
Ground clearance: 200mm
Towing capacity: 2000kg
4WD system: Borg Warner Haldex (5th generation)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (155kW/325Nm)
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT)