Don't want to wait for a Toyota RAV4 hybrid? The 2022 Haval H6 hybrid is priced to compete and hits Australian dealerships soon

Haval has entered the hybrid SUV fray with its H6 mid-sizer that is gunning for the most popular SUV in the country.

The H6 Hybrid is priced at $44,990 drive-away, which is a little more than the starting price of some of its key rivals.

However, from launch it will only be available in one highly specified model grade, the front-wheel drive (FWD) Ultra.

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The Toyota RAV4 hybrid range kicks off from $36,800, before on-road costs (BOC), for the GX FWD and tops out at $52,320 for the Edge all-wheel drive (AWD).

Subaru’s Forester hybrid is offered in two grades from $41,390 to $47,190 BOC.

The only other hybrids in the mainstream medium SUV segment are plug-in hybrids, including the H6’s biggest competitor, the MG HS PHEV that’s priced from $47,990 drive-away.

There’s also the long-delayed Ford Escape PHEV ($53,440), the previous-generation Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ($47,990-$56,490) and Peugeot’s pricey 3008 PHEV ($79,990).

The H6 Hybrid was expected to land in showrooms before the end of last year, but was delayed and will now hit dealerships in the coming weeks.

A GWM Haval Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide that supply of the H6 Hybrid will be relatively steady following its launch. 

That contrasts with the RAV4 that currently has a 12-month wait for customer delivery. 

The series, or ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrain uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 130kW electric motor for a combined system output of 179kW and 530Nm.

It’s easily the most powerful series hybrid in the segment, beating the RAV4 (131kW/221Nm) and Forester (110kW/196Nm), but the MG HS plug-in pips it for power (187kW).

Haval’s fuel economy claim of 5.2 litres per 100km is better than the regular H6 FWD petrol model’s 7.4L figure, and it beats the Forester hybrid (6.7L), but can’t top the RAV4 (4.7L).

The H6 has some subtle styling tweaks to differentiate it from the petrol variants, including a new front grille, rear centre brake lights and different door trims.

Standard gear includes 19-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, heated leather steering wheel, wireless device charging, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, head-up display, panoramic sunroof and an electric tailgate.

Safety wise it features auto emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, driver fatigue monitor, a 360-degree camera and automatic parking.