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    GWM Haval H6 2024 review: Ultra Hybrid

    Emily Agar
    Emily Agar
    Contributing Journalist
    16 Apr 2024 • 14 min read

    This week I'm road-testing the new GWM Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid, which is the flagship model, and it offers the convenience of a hybrid engine and the space of much larger SUVs, despite only being mid-sized.

    But that's not what should worry rivals like the ever-popular Toyota RAV4 hybrid, Nissan X-Trail e-Power and Kia Sportage - it's its price tag.

    Read more about GWM Haval H6

    This Chinese competitor is shaking things up and in this review I'll unpack if it's as good in real life as it is on paper.

    Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 9/10

    The H6 has six variants and our model on test is the flagship Ultra Hybrid, which is priced from $45,990, drive-away. That makes it way more affordable than similarly equipped rivals, the closest drive-away price tag being over $10K higher, at $56,206 for the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid.

    Pricing goes up from there with the Kia Sportage GT-Line HEV priced from $60,496 and the Nissan X-Trail e-Power Ti-L from $63,200 (drive-away prices based on a NSW, 2000 postcode). So what do you get on the top-model hybrid H6?

    For premium features, expect to see synthetic leather upholstery and trims. (Image: Glen Sullivan) For premium features, expect to see synthetic leather upholstery and trims. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    For premium features, expect to see synthetic leather upholstery and trims, a panoramic sunroof, a handsfree powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control and a head-up display.

    The front seats are electric, with the passenger side featuring four-way adjustment and the driver's side eight-way, as well as powered lumbar support. They sport heat and ventilation functions for added comfort.

    Technology is high-quality with the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system. (Image: Glen Sullivan) Technology is high-quality with the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    Technology is high-quality with the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system. There is wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is good because unlike it's rivals, you miss out on built-in satellite navigation and digital radio in this model.

    The exterior boasts a full suite of LED lights, including DRLs. Rims are 19-inch alloy but this hybrid model only gets a tyre puncture repair kit.

    For the price tag, the kit is well-rounded and most creature comforts are assured.

    Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

    The Haval H6 is a good-looking medium SUV. It manages to blend the functionality of its size with a sleekness that should make it appealing to a wide audience.

    You can tell the hybrid models apart from the pack because the grille ‘bleeds’ into the surrounding panels rather than maintaining the usual rectangular shape of the non-hybrid models. It makes the front look more stylish.

    You can tell the hybrid models apart from the pack because the grille ‘bleeds’ into the surrounding panels rather than maintaining the usual rectangular shape of the non-hybrid models. (Image: Glen Sullivan) You can tell the hybrid models apart from the pack because the grille ‘bleeds’ into the surrounding panels rather than maintaining the usual rectangular shape of the non-hybrid models. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    The full suite of LED lights look particularly interesting on the Ultra Hybrid with a focus on the full-width strip at the rear and cute ‘bunting’ styled brake lights.

    The cabin exudes a good sense of quality with most of the materials used, like the synthetic leather upholstery and trims as well as soft touchpoints throughout. There are some harder plastics which detract from this general aesthetic but they’re mostly found in the back row and centre console.

    The full suite of LED lights look particularly interesting on the Ultra Hybrid with a focus on the full-width strip at the rear and cute ‘bunting’ styled brake lights. (Image: Glen Sullivan) The full suite of LED lights look particularly interesting on the Ultra Hybrid with a focus on the full-width strip at the rear and cute ‘bunting’ styled brake lights. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    The dashboard is stepped and has a lot going on with the chrome accents, shapes, style of vents and tech screens. You might think that would be overwhelming but it just adds nice focal points. The cabin is a pleasant space to be in.

    Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 7/10

    The cabin has loads of passenger space and it feels roomy up front. It’s also an easy car to get in and out of, which I like. I don't love the comfort of the front seats, though, as the seat backs cave too far inwards, even with the lumbar extended. Not conducive to great posture.  

    The back seat is like a lounge, though, and in this instance I'd prefer to be a passenger princess than the driver in this car.

    In the back row, the head- and legroom is excellent and middle seaters will be comfortable thanks to the flat floor. 

    Individual storage is very good up front, the centre console playing the hero with its large shelf underneath. There are also two cupholders, a utility tray and a cute little nook for any small items like keys.

    • The other amenities in the back row are okay and you get directional air vents and reading lights. (Image: Glen Sullivan) The other amenities in the back row are okay and you get directional air vents and reading lights. (Image: Glen Sullivan)
    • Individual storage is very good up front, the centre console playing the hero with its large shelf underneath. (Image: Glen Sullivan) Individual storage is very good up front, the centre console playing the hero with its large shelf underneath. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    The middle console is medium-sized, as is the glove box and both doors have storage bins and a drink bottle holder.

    In the back seat, there are map pockets, two cupholders in a fold down armrest and shallow storage bins in each door.

    The other amenities in the back row are okay and you get directional air vents and reading lights.

    You get a good storage capacity with the 600L boot and the level loading space makes it easy to slide gear in and out. The back seat has a 60/40 split if you need to boost your storage capacity. There’s no spare tyre in this model, just a tyre repair kit but you do get a powered tailgate. 

    Comes with good storage capacity with the 600L boot and the level loading space makes it easy to slide gear in and out. (Image: Glen Sullivan) Comes with good storage capacity with the 600L boot and the level loading space makes it easy to slide gear in and out. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    The practicality of the cabin is hurt by the usefulness of some of its tech, which is a shame since the cabin on a whole is fairly good.

    The 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system looks great and is fairly easy to use but the screen can occasionally lag. There are a lot of functions buried in the system and I miss having physical buttons for this reason. I sometimes don't bother with the heat and ventilation functions for the front seats because it isn't simple to access them.

    The 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system looks great and is fairly easy to use but the screen can occasionally lag. (Image: Glen Sullivan) The 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system looks great and is fairly easy to use but the screen can occasionally lag. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    You don’t get built-in sat nav or digital radio in this model but you do have wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I have beef with the CarPlay as the USB-A port for it is on the passenger side, not the driver's side. The CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity also dropped out a lot, which I found frustrating, especially when I was using it to navigate.

    Charging options are okay with each row getting two USB-A ports. The front also features a wireless charging pad and a 12-volt outlet but you miss out on faster USB-C sockets.

    Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 8/10

    The Ultra Hybrid is powered by a (110kW/230Nm) 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine and 'two-speed' (130kW/300Nm) electric motor with drive going to the front wheels only. The motor is powered by a relatively small 1.8kWh lithium-ion battery and GWM Haval quotes combined petrol-electric outputs of 179kW/530Nm.

    The motor is powered by a relatively small 1.8kWh lithium-ion battery and GWM Haval quotes combined petrol-electric outputs of 179kW/530Nm. (Image: Glen Sullivan) The motor is powered by a relatively small 1.8kWh lithium-ion battery and GWM Haval quotes combined petrol-electric outputs of 179kW/530Nm. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    Clearly that 530Nm torque figure is the result of simply adding the engine and motor's peak numbers together, which is 'unusual' because other brands quote a blended torque output and that's a massive amount of pulling power. In comparison, the RAV4 produces 160kW/221Nm and the Sportage 169kW/350Nm.

    Question marks hovering above specification calculations aside, on the road the Ultra Hybrid is no slouch and you can easily keep your speed consistent on hills.

    Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 8/10

    The official combined cycle fuel figure is just 5.2L/100km and my real-world usage is 6.0L/100km after mostly open road driving. I would expect that figure to be lower in an urban setting.

    Based on the combined cycle number and the 61L fuel tank, expect a driving range of up to 1173km for this model. Great for road tripping adventures. GWM recommends a minimum 91 RON 'standard' unleaded petrol to be used.

    The Ultra Hybrid is not a plug-in hybrid. Instead, it uses its engine and regenerative braking to recoup battery percentage while you’re driving. After 230km I was only down to 91 per cent for the battery, which means it’s pretty darn efficient in that recouping process. 

    Driving – What's it like to drive? 7/10

    The Ultra Hybrid has a good well of power to dip into and the switch between the petrol and electric functions is pretty smooth but occasionally when you’re getting up to speed on a highway you get some loud noises as it switches over.

    Power delivery is well balanced but you lose traction in the front if you accelerate too quickly from a standstill, particularly if you’re doing it on an incline.

    The 360-degree view camera system is super clear, though, and you also get front and rear parking sensors so I didn’t find the H6 hard to park. (Image: Glen Sullivan) The 360-degree view camera system is super clear, though, and you also get front and rear parking sensors so I didn’t find the H6 hard to park. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    When you’re braking on a hill, there can be a quick sliding sensation as if its slipped out of gear, which I did not like at all.

    The ride comfort is a mixed bag for me, mostly because the front seats are uncomfortable on a longer journey but the suspension is compliant enough that you don’t wince when you hit bumps. There is some roll when you hit corners but otherwise you don’t really feel jostled in the Ultra Hybrid which is good.

    With the steering wheel feel set on ‘Comfort’ the H6 manoeuvres responsively in the city but can feel a little clunky in a tight car park because of its larger 12m turning circle. (Image: Glen Sullivan) With the steering wheel feel set on ‘Comfort’ the H6 manoeuvres responsively in the city but can feel a little clunky in a tight car park because of its larger 12m turning circle. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

    Around town and at lower speeds, the engine noise is virtually nil and that creates a more refined on-road experience but road and wind noise are noticeable at higher speeds.

    With the steering wheel feel set on ‘Comfort’ the H6 manoeuvres responsively in the city but can feel a little clunky in a tight car park because of its larger 12m turning circle.

    The 360-degree view camera system is super clear, though, and you also get front and rear parking sensors so I didn’t find the H6 hard to park.

    Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 8/10

    In this grade level the H6 has a great suite of safety features, including a biggie like rear cross-traffic alert, which is only available on the higher Ultra grades. The lane keeping aid is quite sensitive, though, which can lead to a jerky on-road feel.

    Other standard safety features include driver attention alert, tyre pressure monitoring, rear collision warning, LED lights, lane departure/keeping aids, emergency lane keeping aid, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, child safety locks and a 360-degree camera system with front and rear parking sensors.

    A windshield mounted USB-A port for a dashcam, is also standard.

    The H6 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022 as well as seven airbags including a front centre airbag.

    It has high individual assessment scores for adult and child protection at 90 and 88 per cent, respectively.

    The H6 features AEB with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection which is operational from 5.0-85km/h (150km/h for car detection).

    There are two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top tether anchor points. Three car seats are likely to fit.

    Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 8/10

    Affordability is extended to the ongoing costs for the H6 because it comes with a seven-year/unlimited km warranty, which is above average for the class.

    The hybrid battery is covered by an eight-year warranty and there is a five-year capped priced servicing program where services average $330, which is very competitive for the class.

    Servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first and you also get complimentary roadside assistance for five years through Allianz Global Assistance.

    Pricing & SpecsInsurance Quote
    Verdict

    The GWM Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid offers an attractive package for those hunting for a medium SUV hybrid that is affordable but well-equipped. Its rivals have a nicer on-road driving experience and better multimedia systems but you get a lot for your money and the H6 has great on-going costs.

    $45,990

    Based on new car retail price

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    Score

    4/5
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    $45,990

    Based on new car retail price

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