Haval H6 Hybrid locked in for Oz

GWM Australia has confirmed the petrol-electric hybrid version of the Haval H6 will arrive Down Under early next year.

The first electrified model from the Chinese brand in Australia, the 2022 Haval H6 Hybrid is billed as “the company’s most advanced SUV ever”. It will also be its most economical.

As carsales has reported, the hybrid H6 is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that pairs with 130kW electric motor to deliver a combined output of 179kW and 530Nm.

Driving only the front wheels through a two-speed Direct Hybrid Transmission (DHT), the greener H6 consumes 5.2L/100km of regular unleaded on the official combined (city/country) economy cycle.

This compares with the standard H6 that relies on a less-muscular 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and returns economy of 7.4L/100km.

Whereas the regular Haval H6 is built in Thailand, the hybrid version will be sourced from China.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but, following Toyota’s lead, the shift to hybrid should attract a premium of no more than $2500.

That means pricing could start below $33,500 drive-away for the new Haval H6 Hybrid, making it the most affordable hybrid in the top-selling mid-size SUV class.

The current electrified price leader in the segment is the (160kW) Toyota RAV4 GX Hybrid at $37,070 plus on-road costs.

“The addition of hybrid technology to the H6 line-up is expected to broaden its appeal even further and further cement its place as one of the best new models in the highly competitive medium SUV segment,” the company said today.

The hybrid will be covered by the same seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty as all GWM Australia models, and also includes five years of roadside assistance.