Haval H6 HEV, the most worthwhile hybrid SUV? – First Drive
A few days ago, GWM Malaysia invited us to experience firsthand driving an upcoming hybrid SUV, the Haval H6 HEV.
Priced at an estimated RM145,000, it may very well be a very worthwhile purchase for those looking for a fuel-efficient, spacious, and comfortable SUV for the whole family.
Let’s briefly discuss the specifications of the Haval H6 HEV SUV.
Starting with the powertrain unit, the Haval H6 HEV is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with a single electric motor and a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with two-speed ratios.
The engine is capable of producing 150 PS/230 Nm, while the electric motor can generate an additional 130 PS/300 Nm of power.
Overall, the Haval H6 HEV boasts 243 PS of power and 530 Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful in its class.
During a brief two-day drive across south borders that didn’t require a passport, the writer found that the power delivered by this SUV was consistent, especially when extra power was needed to overtake trucks ahead.
On paper, the 530 Nm figure might seem high, but during our drive, we didn’t feel any sudden surges of power that could cause neck discomfort.
This is because the power delivered when the accelerator pedal was pressed was smooth and seamless, unlike the aggression often experienced with most electric cars.
The hybrid system is also very efficient, as the writer and colleagues hardly felt the engine start-up process. There were no noticeable engine vibrations, and the engine noise was well-filtered from entering the cabin.
With a fuel consumption rate of around 5.8 liters/100 km, GWM claims that the Haval H6 HEV can cover a distance of up to 1,000 km on a full tank.
Perhaps we can test this further if given the opportunity to drive this SUV in the future.
The NVH aspect is also satisfactory, as we were able to chat comfortably inside the cabin without raising our voices or using a microphone.
The wind noise attempting to penetrate the cabin didn’t disrupt our conversation; only the tire noise was audible. This was partly due to the unsatisfactory quality of the tires used in some areas.
Equipped with a suspension system consisting of MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear, this SUV didn’t pose any significant handling or comfort issues.
For Malaysian highway networks, it offers a balanced suspension setup for slightly aggressive driving while maintaining comfort for the whole family.
Additionally, the body roll generated during cornering was acceptable, not making the SUV sway excessively.
In terms of dimensions, the Haval H6 HEV offers a much larger size compared to popular C-segment SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Proton X70.
The long wheelbase also contributes to a more spacious cabin to accommodate five people at a time.
Furthermore, the Haval H6 HEV provides a cargo space of 560 liters, or up to 1,485 liters when the second-row seats with a 60:40 ratio are folded.
The layout of the dashboard is quite neat, but the combination of three colors (black, white, and rose gold) may not be favored by some.
There is a 10.25-inch cluster screen (with somewhat limited theme options) and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
With a starting price below RM145,000, along with a package of specifications, the Haval H6 HEV could indeed be a very worthwhile purchase, especially for those who don’t have the budget to buy a hybrid SUV priced over RM200,000.
We will share more details and insights once given the opportunity to further test drive the Haval H6 HEV in the future.
Haval H6 HEV Specifications:
Engine: Four-cylinder in-line, 1.5-liter turbo
Power: 150 PS/230 Nm
Electric motor: 130 PS/300 Nm
Total power: 243 PS/530 Nm
Transmission: Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) two-speed
0-100 km/h acceleration: 7.7 seconds
Maximum speed: 175 km/h
