Haval H6 facelift for SA: extra oomph for 2.0T variants

The Haval H6 facelift will include extra oomph for 2.0T derivatives when they launch in South Africa towards the middle of 2025. Here’s what we know about the new engine…

In October 2024, a GWM South Africa executive confirmed to Cars.co.za that the Haval H6 facelift had been locked in for Mzansi for 2025. Now, we have additional information on this refreshed crossover’s powertrain line-up, including the fact the 2.0T derivatives will boast extra oomph.

GWM South Africa revealed this information at its recent dealer awards event at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng, where it also confirmed the upcoming launch of the 342 kW H6 GT PHEV, which will serve as the brand’s very first plug-in hybrid in SA.

*A closer look at the H6 facelift’s revised front end.*

But back to the facelifted H6, which we believe will hit the market towards the middle of 2025. According to the Chinese automaker’s local division, the mid-cycle update will include a shift to the brand’s latest turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which generates peak outputs of 170 kW and 380 Nm.

For the record, that’s 20 kW and 60 Nm more than the outgoing 2.0T derivatives (150 kW and 320 Nm). Furthermore, we expect the facelifted model – which, like the current version, will be available in both front-wheel-drive and 4WD form – to switch from the old 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to a 9-speed item.

*Pre-facelift on the left and refreshed model on the right.*

From what we understand, the hybrid version of the facelifted H6 will inherit the outgoing range’s 1.5T HEV powertrain, thus delivering an unchanged 179 kW and 530 Nm (though 2 derivatives will be available, rather than 1). Of course, that means the refreshed H6 will employ exactly the same powertrains as the recently launched H7, a model to which it’s closely related.

Revealed in China as recently as April 2024, the updated H6 features a refreshed exterior design, including styling revisions for the grille and taillamps, plus interior updates such as a new centre-console, a revised steering-wheel design and a larger central infotainment touchscreen running the brand’s latest operating system.

Facelifted Haval H6 cabin — *This is the Chinese-spec cabin.*

GWM SA says key features of the facelifted model include a 14.6-inch touchscreen, voice command, heated-and-ventilated seats, auto parking, a “transparent chassis mode” (presumably for the 4WD derivatives) and “L2 semi-autonomous driving”.

While detailed pricing for the facelifted Haval H6 is not yet available, GWM SA’s presentation at the Sandton event did list a price range of “R500 000 to R749 000“. As a reminder, the outgoing 5-strong H6 portfolio (including the HEV but excluding the petrol-powered GT) has pricing bookends of R492 050 and R679 950.

To refresh your memory, the H6 launched in South Africa as long ago as June 2021, with the HEV joining the line-up in September 2022. In 2024, GWM reported 4 218 registrations of the H6 in South Africa (down from 5 674 units in 2023), translating to a monthly average of around 350 units. An additional 321 units were sold locally in January 2025.