GWM Haval H6 – What you need to know

Chinese car-maker Great Wall Motors (GWM) is muscling its way into the medium SUV ranks with its new-generation Haval H6.

With two powertrains, front- and all-wheel drivelines and four trim levels, there’s plenty of choice when picking the Haval H6 that’s right for you.

The latest version arrived here in 2021 and the range kicks off with the entry-level Premium, followed by the Lux.

There are also two Ultra models, with one being a hybrid. Aside from the different engine and transmission combo, they share the same features.

Headlining the features and standard equipment of the entry-grade Premium, which is priced from $33,990 drive away and features a turbo-petrol engine and dual-clutch automatic transmission, are:

Extras for the Haval H6 are confined to colours, of which there are seven – one exclusive to the Ultra Hybrid (Crayon Grey).

The only standard colour is Hamilton White, with the rest – Burgundy Red, Blue Sapphire, Golden Black, Energy Green and Ayers Grey – attracting a $495 premium.

Safety-wise, all Haval H6 models come with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that helps avoid collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in front of the vehicle.

Standard equipment also extends to electronic stability control, downhill and hill start assist, seven airbags, a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors.

There’s a host of driver aids like forward and rear collision warning, traffic sign recognition, blind spot detection, plus lane departure warning, lane change and lane keep assist.

Driver attention alert is also standard on all models, likewise safe exit warning, tyre pressure monitoring, secondary collision mitigation, cornering brake control, roll movement intervention, manoeuvre emergency braking and cruise control.

Auto headlights and auto wipers are also standard.

Step up to the Lux and benefit from front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, cornering control and traffic jam assist, helping glide you through the traffic.

If you want the full enchilada, head to the Ultra (or Ultra Hybrid) that also has rear cross traffic alert and braking, along with auto parking that safely moves the H6 into parking spots.

All Haval H6 models have a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, including the hybrid which had separate testing conducted due to its electrified powertrain.

Every Haval H6 is fitted with a 10.25-inch colour instrument cluster, AM/FM radio, music and phone streaming as well as front and rear USB points with charging function.

The Premium has a 10.25-inch colour touch-screen infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Head over to the Ultra and the infotainment touch-screen grows to 12.3-inch and includes eight speakers, two more than in the Premium and Lux.

And the Ultra and its hybrid stablemate are the only models to have a head-up display.

All Haval H6 models have air-conditioning with vents in both rows. The entry-grade Premium is the only one missing out on a dual-zone system.

Do you want heated seats? The manually-adjustable cloth-trim seats in the Premium doesn’t have them, so jump up to the Lux as a minimum. Here you’ll find the seats draped in leather, with the front pair heated and power-adjustable in four ways.

But if you want to be cool in summer as well, only the Ultra twins offer ventilated seats and the front ones are power-adjust in six ways.

Complementing the Lux and Ultra trim levels is a comfort-tek leather-clad steering wheel.

Would you like the steering wheel to have paddle shifts for a sporty touch? All models bar the H6 Hybrid have this feature.

A heated steering wheel? This is so comforting on those cold days but, again, it’s only available in the Ultra.

All models do have vanity mirrors in the sun visors, but if you want lights in them, go for at least the Lux model.

In all H6 models there’s a 12-volt power socket in the front row, but wireless charging for your phone and a 12V socket in the cargo area only come with the Ultra.

Privacy rear glass, you ask? It’s yours, but you’ll have to go for the Lux as a minimum.

The Premium makes do with a manual anti-glare rear-view mirror, just the driver’s window having auto up/down and manual-folding door mirrors.

The Lux has an auto anti-glare rear-view mirror, one touch up/down power windows on all doors and powered auto-folding door mirrors. However, just the Ultra has heated door mirrors.

Does your wish list include a sunroof? Then make a beeline for either of the Ultra models, which also come with the convenience of a powered tailgate.

Roof rails? A handy feature and found on the Lux and above.

All front-wheel drive models are fitted with selectable driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport and Snow.

Four-wheel drive models have those modes as well as an All-Terrain Response system, making off-roading easier.

LED lights at the front and rear end of the vehicle are found in all Haval H6 models, but the entry-grade Premium misses out on LED front fog lights and just the Ultra models have interior mood lighting.

Alloy wheels are standard, with 18-inch versions fitted to the Premium and Lux and 19-inch rims under the guards of the Ultra models.

A space-saver spare comes with all models bar the hybrid, which has a repair kit owing to the battery pack installed in the vehicle.

Premium, Lux and Ultra Haval H6 models have a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque. It is coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Ultra Hybrid is powered by a 110kW/230Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine tied to a 130kW/300Nm electric drive motor for a combined 179kW and 530Nm. It drives through a two-speed auto transmission.

All models are offered as two-wheel drive, powering the front wheels, with just the Ultra offering all-wheel drive. The hybrid is restricted to two-wheel drive.

The Haval H6 is planted firmly in the mid-size SUV segment, measuring 4653mm long, 1886mm wide and 1724mm high.

The cargo area holds 600 litres with the rear seats upright, expanding to 1485 litres when the seats are folded.

The H6 has a maximum braked towing capacity of 2000kg, while using an unbraked trailer reduces this to 750kg.

This latest-generation Haval H6 has endeared itself to many buyers and if I was after one and the pennies were a bit tight, the entry-level Premium – which is an unusual name for a base model – does the job just fine.

It has plenty of safety tech, convenience and infotainment features to keep everyone happy.

However, if the budget wasn’t as tight my name would go on the ownership papers of the Lux. To me, it hits the sweet spot where value meets plenty of features.

How much does the 2022 Haval H6 cost?
Premium 4x2 – $33,990
Lux 4x2 – $36,990
Ultra 4x2 – $39,990
Ultra 4x4 – $42,990
Hybrid Ultra 4x2 – $45,990
*All prices are drive-away (including on-road costs)