Haval is a brand that’s on many consumers’ lips at the moment, because the Chinese manufacturer has taken the local small- and medium SUV segments by storm. Haval’s latest offering – the H6 GT – is said to be the halo model of the brand’s range… and it has sporty pretensions! We drove the newcomer at its launch in the Western Cape.
What is a Haval H6 GT?
The Haval H6 GT squats nicely over its rear haunches; exterior design was prioritised for this model.
The Haval H6 GT sits atop the H6 range, which features a few derivatives mostly differentiated by trim-level options. The H6 GT has the same engine under the bonnet, but gets an overboost function that delivers an extra 5 kW and 5 Nm of torque (if the press material is to be believed). Like top-spec versions of the H6, the H6 GT is equipped with all-wheel drive, but it additionally features a Race-mode function that beefs up the exhaust note and sharpens the throttle response.
The H6 GT’s distinctive exterior treatment is its raison d’etre. The rearward sloping roofline gives it that fashionable coupe-SUV silhouette, but the design team didn’t stop there; it also added a pair of spoilers (in the middle and at the top of the tailgate), as well as twin tailpipes. The front end features fewer additions, such as the black cladding on the lower bumper, while the wheels are the same 19-inch alloys as on the regular H6, but with a different design and black finish.
See also: Haval H6 GT vs Volkswagen T-Roc: Which Should You Buy?
What’s the H6 GT like to drive?
Haval’s first step into the “performance SUV” segment in South Africa.
We’ve really come to appreciate just how far the Chinese manufacturers have evolved their products over the last few years – they are now very nearly on par with their Japanese/Korean rivals, but are offered at much more palatable prices.
The performance segment is one area into which the Chinese brands haven’t yet dipped their toes and while a family (or medium) SUV can never really be considered a performance vehicle (unless straight line speed is your only determining factor for performance) it’s still a new avenue for them.
The base is good: the H6 GT’s 155 kW 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine delivers power progressively throughout the rev range, but doesn’t deliver the kind of thrilling performance that you’d expect from an engine that has a comparable power output to that of a Golf 7 GTI. You can engage Race mode through the infotainment screen settings, which facilitates a far more racy exhaust note, while the level of throttle response and the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission’s shifts liven up to a point where the Haval’s frankly a little “overexcited”. Sport mode is more driveable by comparison, but I found myself reverting to the Normal drive mode in most instances, just to calm things down a little.
In terms of ride quality, Haval’s newcomer feels quite well-damped over most road surfaces, with only the occasional rebound knock – if you hit a bump too quickly for the suspension’s liking. I am quite pleased that the Chinese brand hasn’t tried to turn the H6 GT into a “track-oriented SUV” by stiffening up the suspension in an attempt to mitigate body roll almost entirely. The H6 GT is still very much an SUV that you can live with on a daily basis.
The steering is relatively vague, which precludes you from positioning the vehicle exactly where you want it; despite offering multiple settings to change the feel of the driving experience, the H6 GT never really handles in an entirely confidence-inspiring sporty manner, especially when you’re driving on a tight and twisty section of road, like Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Prospective family (or medium) SUV buyers are unlikely to be overly bothered by a lack of steering feel (or the crazy throttle and transmission shift response in Race mode); the H6 GT’s appeal comes down to design and value for money.
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What’s the H6 GT like inside?
The cabin materials all seem high-end and well put together.
Haval certainly offers a lot in the way of standard features in its cars. The H6 GT is stacked with just about every modern active- and passive safety feature you can think of. Some functions, such as the lane departure warning, still need a bit of fine-tuning for local conditions – in fact, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the Haval’s beeps and warnings… and trying to track down the sources of the bings or bongs (which are not always immediately apparent). For example, we were constantly shown a warning banner in the instrument cluster that simply read “Elk Mode Activated”. After extensively sifting through the infotainment system, we couldn’t find a corresponding setting in the drive modes’ submenus.
Aside from the software quirks, the H6 GT interior exudes class; it’s well appointed with good quality materials. The leather-trimmed seats with suede inserts are comfortable and lift the cabin’s premium feel. Fit and finish appear to be excellent, while the colouring on the stitching matches the finish of the brake calipers, although luminescent yellow-green seems to be the only highlight colour available.
The H6 GT carries over the same Super Luxury spec as the top-of-the-range H6 derivative, so you can expect a fully equipped car with niceties such as a wireless-charging pad, Apple Carplay- and Android Auto compatibility, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and a panoramic sunroof. The list of features is extensive, so be sure to check out our specs and pricing article.
Summary
The H6 GT has set tounges wagging on social media with its stylish design.
The introduction of the Haval H6 GT has made waves across our social media channels, which indicates that the newcomer’s eye-catching design is more than likely to resonate with the model’s target market.
With an asking price of R640 000, it’s not the awesome-value-for-money proposition we’ve come to expect from the Chinese brand’s local subsidiary, but it offers the best combination of performance, specification – and, arguably, standout kerb appeal – in the segment. Other notable rivals include the Volkswagen T-Roc, Mazda CX-30, Mini Countryman and even something like the Volvo XC40.
As Haval continues to push upmarket with models such as the H6 GT, it will be interesting to see how much of a foothold it can grab against established premium manufacturers that have often seen off young upstarts in the past…
