Haval H6 Hybrid 2022 Review

When the Haval H6 arrived in Australia in early 2021, it set a new high-water mark for Chinese SUVs.

A solid seven-year warranty, reasonable powertrain and twin high-res digital screens created plenty of showroom appeal. Driving dynamics were average and some vehicle systems were confusing, but the H6 was affordable and serviceable.

Now, the 2022 Haval H6 Hybrid is here, blending a downsized turbo-petrol engine with a muscular electric motor, a small lithium-ion battery pack and a unique two-speed transmission.

There’s no need for plugging in to recharge the battery, but improved fuel economy is a given; the official combined-cycle consumption figure comes in at 5.2L/100km.

Its chief rival and the top-selling mid-size SUV in Australia, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, is offered across several model grades in two-wheel drive and AWD for a $2500 premium over regular models, starting at $36,900 plus on-road costs.

The Haval H6 Hybrid, on the other hand, is offered in only one grade based on the top-spec Ultra and commands a $5000 premium, priced at $44,990 drive-away.

While the electrified H6 lacks the model variety of the RAV4, it comes with lots of equipment, riding on 19-inch alloy wheels, brandishing slim LED headlights, full-width tail-lights, fog lights and daytime running lights.

The Chinese family chariot also features a unique front grille design that adds a more modern edge than regular H6 models, along with a quartet of new LED stop lights integrated into the rear roof spoiler.

The H6 Hybrid makes a strong impression when you step inside too, with a pair of large twin LED screens attracting the eye. Both the 10.25-inch driver display and 12.3-inch central touch-screen have excellent ultra-high definition graphics.

The clean cabin design has a distinct lack of hard buttons and controls, which is a blessing at times and a curse at others, especially when you want to quickly adjust the temperature when Apple CarPlay is cranking.

A useful head-up display is part of the package, as is a wireless phone charger, a large panoramic glass sunroof, electric tailgate and one of the most dynamic and adjustable 360-degree overhead parking cameras we’ve tested.

Power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, complete with supple leather-like upholstery, are also fitted.

Much of the equipment is above and beyond what you’ll find in a similarly-priced Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL 2WD, which will cost around $45K once on-road costs are added. However, Haval is still only a fledgling brand in Australia, where it takes time to build a reputation for quality and reliability.

Helping its cause, the Haval H6 Hybrid has a long seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty backed by five years’ roadside assistance and five years of capped-price servicing.

Service intervals occur every 12 months or 15,000km – except the first service which is 10,000km. Annual service costs are reasonable at $225, $250, $400, $550 and $225 respectively, but can’t match the RAV4 Hybrid’s flat rate of $230 per annum.

The 2022 Haval H6 has proven itself to be strong on the safety front. It was recently awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP rating, matching and even eclipsing some mid-size SUV rivals with 90 per cent adult occupant protection and 88 per cent child occupant protection scores under the latest tough testing criteria.

This rating does not automatically extend to the hybrid model, but the same basic architecture and high level of standard safety features – such as seven airbags (including a centre front airbag) and a plethora of advanced driving aids – bode well.

Kitted out with 14 proximity sensors and six cameras, the H6 Hybrid can confidently drive itself for short bursts on the freeway and longer stints in heavy traffic thanks to adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, active lane keep assist, lane centring and blind spot monitoring.

Its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system includes vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian detection, and while that’s a feature most drivers would hope never to test, the traffic sign recognition system certainly is – and it works well.

Driver attention/fatigue monitoring and tyre pressure sensors are in there too, along with autonomous parking, rear cross traffic alert and auto braking.

Two ISOFIX and three top tether child seat anchorage points are provided, and anti-pinch electric windows further extend the appeal of the H6 to family buyers.

There’s no satellite navigation or digital radio, however, which would’ve rounded out the tech package.

The 2022 Haval H6 Hybrid runs a series/parallel petrol-electric powertrain that pairs a regular combustion engine with an electric motor to improve performance and reduce fuel consumption.

It’s more expensive, to the tune of $5000 over comparable petrol models, and it’s heavier by 100kg at 1690kg, but in practice the hybrid set-up works quite well and doesn’t require any extra infrastructure such as charging cables and external power sources.

The H6 has a denser battery and a stronger electric motor than the RAV4 Hybrid, meaning you can go faster and further in pure EV mode.

The powertrain comprises a 110kW/230Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and 130kW/300Nm electric motor hooked up to a 1.76kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It drives the front wheels through a two-speed transmission.

There’s no all-wheel drive option like Toyota offers with the RAV4 Hybrid, but Haval’s system is a far more powerful set-up, with combined output of 179kW/530Nm giving it more thrust than most drivers will typically need.

The fundamentals are solid but the execution needs a little work. For instance, when you nail the throttle, torque steer yanks at the steering wheel and the front wheels often break traction.

But Haval has done an impressive job with powertrain refinement – this is a very quiet and smooth operator (assuming the front wheels aren’t belching out tyre smoke), and while there are several hybrid modes on offer, the vehicle decides which mode is best suited to the prevailing conditions.

Depending on battery level and driver inputs via the accelerator, the H6 Hybrid will choose to engage EV, Parallel, Series or Regen modes. There are four drive modes you can manually select – Normal, Eco, Sport and Snow – but these don’t really seem to affect the car’s hybrid logic.

Haval reckons combined fuel economy of 5.2L/100km is achievable, and while our testing produced a final figure of 6.7L/100km with a fair bit of freeway cruising thrown in, there are certain scenarios where we drove in pure EV mode for a few kilometres.

The H6 Hybrid has the same 61-litre fuel tank as regular models and the petrol engine will accept regular 91 RON unleaded petrol to help reduce running costs.

As is the hallmark of most Haval SUVs we’ve tested recently, driving dynamics are a bit soggy. But as an urban cruiser, a vehicle going purely from A to B, the 2022 Haval H6 Hybrid does a passable job.

Around town and in the suburbs it’s fine, but the H6 doesn’t have that tied-to-the-road feeling of established SUVs like the Kia Sportage or Mazda CX-5. We’d say that more engineering resources are needed in vehicle development if Haval wants to match its Korean and Japanese rivals in this department.

Simply put, the steering is unresponsive, roadholding is average and the front-end feels soft.

Comfort-wise, the Haval is very good. The seats are soft and supportive, ride comfort is very good and the cabin is fairly quiet and peaceful. Most of the time.

A lack of damping control through the shock absorbers means the H6 Hybrid is a little bouncy over speed bumps and sometimes the rear suspension bangs loudly over cracks and potholes in the road surface as well.

This is a fairly tall SUV and the elevated driving position provides excellent vision, the cramped rear windscreen the only blemish in this regard. It’s also a big vehicle, measuring 4653mm from bumper to bumper, making it longer than the RAV4 (4600mm).

Despite the fitment of the air-cooled battery pack in the boot, the Haval Hybrid has the same large boot size as regular H6 models – 600 litres, expanding to 1485 litres with the rear seats folded down.

But that’s largely because it has no spare tyre, just an inflator kit to provide a temporary repair if required.

Interior space and comfort levels are a highlight and the impressively brawny hybrid system is very effective but could use a little more finessing or an AWD system to smooth out its rough edges.

The Haval H6 Hybrid’s chassis needs more fine-tuning as well.

The 2022 Haval H6 Hybrid is a solid showing from the Chinese challenger brand, and it’s almost as good in the metal as it looks on paper.

It certainly represents reasonably good value for money.

While the mid-size SUV doesn’t really innovate in any significant way and can’t match the polish of its more established rivals, the H6 is bigger, roomier and arguably better equipped than most direct competitors.

The hybrid can be relatively efficient but it’s dependent on how – and where – you drive it.

The Haval H6 is unlikely to sway legions of Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners to make the switch, but it offers a safe, well-equipped if unsophisticated alternative.

How much does the 2022 Haval H6 Hybrid cost?
Price: $44,990 (drive-away)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 110kW/230Nm (electric motor: 130kW/300Nm)
Combined output: 179kW/530Nm
Transmission: Two-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: Not tested