Haval H6 Lux 2021 Review

The 2021 Haval H6 makes a strong first impression across the board, but its competitive price of $30,990 drive-away for the base-grade model has the greatest appeal of all.

This sees the third-generation mid-size SUV from the Chinese brand undercut primary competitors such as the Mazda CX-5 (from $31,190) and top-selling Toyota RAV4 (from $32,695) by a significant margin, particularly once on-road costs are factored in on these leading Japanese models.

The H6 also gets considerably more equipment for the money, including a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and muscular turbo-petrol engine (150kW/320Nm), and a better seven-year warranty to boot.

There are three model grades in the 2021 Haval H6 range, all front-wheel drive, and we’re testing the mid-spec Lux variant here which is pegged at $33,990 drive-away.

For the record, the top-spec Ultra is $36,990, plus another $2000 if you want all-wheel-drive. Full pricing and spec details are covered in our separate news story.

As it stands, the H6 Lux has an ultra-modern cabin, fitted with super-high-resolution twin 10.25-inch digital screens and offering a Volvo-like minimalist design overall. There’s a distinct sense of airiness and space in the cabin too, the conventional gear shifter swapped out for a (somewhat chintzy) rotary dial and centre console controls have been reduced to the basics.

You’ll need to fiddle with the touch-screen system to alter the fan speed and temperature as well as the seat heaters, but it’s an intuitive system and Apple CarPlay is in there.

The digital instrument cluster looks just as sharp as the central screen too, but the speedo can be hard to see at times.

Incidental storage is excellent with plenty of thoughtful stowage areas, but some of the finer details need work, such as the ill-fitting auto-hold park brake button and the poor-quality Bluetooth microphone which frustrated several callers.

The faux leather seats have a premium feel, are softly cushioned and the driver gets power adjustment, including lumbar.

Based on GWM’s new ‘LEMON’ global modular platform (no joke, it’s an acronym for Lightweight, Electrification, Multi-purpose, Omni-protection and Network), the Haval H6 measures 4653mm long, 1886mm wide, 1724mm high and has a 2738mm wheelbase.

It’s slightly longer and wider than the top-selling Toyota RAV4, but is significantly taller, which liberates plenty of headroom for front and rear seat occupants.

There are two USB ports for back seat passengers in the Haval, air vents and a fold-down arm rest with cup holders, which are all welcome features.

The H6 Lux misses out on a powered tailgate but boot space is impressive, 600 litres expanding to 1485L with the back seats folded down.

There are six colours available – white, grey, red, green, blue and black – and all except white are metallic and incur a $495 ‘premium paint’ charge.

All Haval models are backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance for five years/100,000km. Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, except the first year which has a 10,000km ceiling.

A capped-price servicing scheme is also in place, costing $1560 across the first five years/70,000km.

Safety used to be a bugbear for Chinese cars but the new 2021 Haval H6 is representative of a much-improved standing in this department.

It has seven airbags – including a centre airbag between the two front seats – fitted as standard, along with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detection.

The traffic sign recognition camera fitted as standard to all models works well, as does the vivid blind spot monitoring system. The adaptive cruise control system is also quite good.

What’s really impressive is the way in which the car identifies (and tracks) vehicles in front and to the sides in real time, shown on the digital driver’s display. It even distinguishes whether the road has solid or broken lines and is very much like the Autopilot display system used by Tesla.

That’s because mid- and top-spec H6 model grades get 14 radars and five cameras hooked up to a so-called Mobile Eye Q4 autonomous driving processor.

However, the autonomous lane keep assist system with ‘intelligent cornering control’ needs work. Our test car is claimed to feature ‘Level 2+ autonomous driving’ but it struggled to target a lane and then dabbed the steering only momentarily to change the car’s trajectory when you get too close. I’d call it a lane departure associate, rather than an assistant.

All models have a highly detailed tyre pressure monitoring system, as well as a reversing camera with support from front and rear parking sensors. The Lux model on test adds a 360-degree parking camera which delivers one of the most configurable 3D parking systems I’ve ever used. There’s oodles of options, dozens of angles to choose from and the camera resolution is excellent, relaying crystal-clear images.

So you can see that the 2021 Haval H6 offers advanced, if not class-leading, tech and that its safety systems are highly competitive. 

At the time of writing it had not been tested by independent safety authority ANCAP but, on paper at least, the signs are good for a maximum five-star rating.

All 2021 Haval H6 model grades get the same powertrain: a responsive but thirsty 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The engine generates peak power of 150kW at 6000rpm and maximum torque of 320Nm at 1500-4000rpm.

Power delivery is prompt and the Haval feels muscular from standstill, developing plenty of mid-range thrust. Urban driveability is surprisingly good and it’s a solid cruiser on the freeway too, the raised driving position ensuring good sight lines.

Overtaking traffic at highway speeds is made quick and easy thanks to its brawny engine and the gearbox is mostly adept at finding the right gear for the situation. That said, it’s not quite as proactive as some dual-clutch cog-swappers, such as Volkswagen’s DSG.

The engine isn’t as quiet or refined as its new Japanese and Korean rivals and fuel consumption is not great either. Our testing of the 1555kg SUV showed a 10.8L/100km average fuel consumption, which is considerably more than the claimed 7.4L/100km.

Haval Australia is expected to offer a more efficient hybrid powertrain in future which, if priced smartly, could be a humdinger. The hybrid H6 will get a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine augmented by a 130kW electric motor for an impressive 179kW and 530Nm output.

Driving the 2021 Haval H6 is a remarkably pleasant experience when commuting and cruising. It’s a relatively quiet SUV inside too (except when the engine revs rise), and ride comfort is silky-smooth.

Indeed, if you want the softest-riding family vehicle in the universe, the Haval H6 should be at the top of your shopping list. It absorbs bumps and ripples in the road like a blackhole absorbs matter, smoothing out rough sections with an effortlessness that is pleasantly surprising.

Of course, this ultra-cushy ride quality comes at a cost, namely roadholding and driving dynamics. The Haval lists and leans through corners and roundabouts like a leaky fishing boat in stormy seas, with plenty of body roll and tyre screeching even at nominal speeds.

Drive dynamics are underwhelming and I feel as though Haval would benefit greatly by mimicking Hyundai and Kia’s approach of locally-tuned suspension set-ups. It doesn’t feel as tied to the road as the new Hyundai Tucson, for example, nor as slick and responsive to steering input as the Mazda CX-5.

Sales of Chinese-built cars have increased exponentially over the past couple of years and it’s not just because they’re cheap.

New-generation models from the world’s biggest automotive market are increasingly safer, more refined and higher tech.

Case in point: the new 2021 Haval H6, which is arguably the best Chinese car available in Australia thus far.

If you’re in the market for an affordable, safe and well-equipped family SUV with a strong seven-year warranty, the Haval H6 mid-size SUV is a compelling proposition.

How much does the 2021 Haval H6 Lux cost?
Price: $33,990 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 150kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 169g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested