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Another affordable hybrid family SUV has hit the market, with GWM adding an entry-level petrol-electric offering to its Haval H6 range.
The new H6 Lux will kick off the hybrid grades in the medium SUV range from $42,490 drive-away, which is less than the $45,990 drive-away price tag of the current sole hybrid H6, the Ultra.
That makes it one of the most affordable mid-size hybrid SUVs in Australia, undercutting the Subaru Forester ($43,290 before on-road costs) and Nissan X-Trail ($54,190 BOC).
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The cheapest Toyota RAV4 hybrid is the GX 2WD from $40,550, but that is before on-road costs. Once you add those costs in - typically about $4000 - the H6 Lux is cheaper.
Powering the H6 Lux Hybrid is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 130kW electric drive motor, making for a total system output of 179kW and 530Nm.
GWM says it sips 5.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle - slightly more than the RAV4’s 4.7L figure.
It comes with a dedicated hybrid transmission that the company says helps acceleration, and several drive modes, including EV.
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The Hybrid versions of the H6 look a little different to their petrol-engine siblings, with a unique grille treatment, as well as a rear centre brake light and hybrid badges.
In terms of spec it features the same 18-inch alloy wheels as the petrol Lux, as well as artificial leather seats, heated front seats, eight-way electric adjustable driver seat, power-adjustable electric folding door mirrors, auto rear-view mirrors, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system, an eight-speaker sound system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Safety-wise, it comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection detection, blind-spot monitoring, safe exit assist, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise control with a stop and go function, and a full suite of lane assist.
GWM has sold a total of 2061 H6s to the end of March this year, which is 114 per cent more than quarter one in 2022. While it can’t match the same of popular rivals like the Mazda CX-5 (6706) and Toyota RAV4 (5851), it’s outpacing the Volkswagen Tiguan (1482) and Ford Escape (474).
