Driven: Haval H6 1.5T Luxury
The Haval H6 is performing really well in South Africa and even better back in China. It’s won a couple of big awards and Haval claims to be selling around 20,000 units of the H6 per month back home. It’s not difficult to see why the H6 does well. It’s big, spacious and features what looks like an impressive engine. We tested a Haval H6 for a week to see if it lived up to the hype.
The design of the H6 isn’t too dramatic and follows the direction of traditional SUV’s with smooth contours, chiselled shoulders and some chrome details here and there. One could even call the design of the H6 ‘premium’ considering features like 17-inch alloy wheels, full colour-coding with chrome detailing, roof rails, daylight running lamps and privacy glass. It’s not just a pretty face either, with quite a few bells and whistles to ensure its comfort is not compromised. The H6 delivers quite a smooth ride, with a lot less noise, vibration and harshness than I expected. The high ride height also gives you confidence in navigating South Africa’s speed bumps, driveways and potholes.
The Haval H6 is powered by a turbocharged petrol motor that produces 105kW of power and 202Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual gearbox. While the engine produces ample power and torque, the fuel consumption did prove to be extremely heavy. Haval claims a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 8,5 L/100 km but our test car averaged figures north of 10-litres/100km for most of the test period.
In terms of practicality, the Haval H6 does a good job. Rear passengers are spoilt with a reclining backrest which can also be folded down (in a 60/40 split) to access the massive boot of the SUV. There’s also a shelf in the boot to maximise utility and a full-sized spare wheel underneath the boot floor. The rest of the interior is finished in a premium black colour with silver accents, while the leather-trimmed steering wheel add a premium feel to the cabin. The infotainment system is displayed on a full-colour touch screen featuring radio, CD, SD, USB and Bluetooth support. The touchscreen also doubles as a rear camera when reversing. Other standard features include climate control, power steering, electric windows all-round and electric mirror adjustment, among others.
Also worth a look: the Haval Jolion Pro and the Haval H6 Gt.
FAQ
Q: What does the Haval H6 cost in South Africa?
The Haval H6 1.5T Luxury is priced at around R459,900 in South Africa, making it one of the more affordable premium SUVs in its segment with solid build quality and generous equipment levels.
Q: Is the Haval H6 reliable and worth buying?
The Haval H6 offers excellent value with its spacious interior, premium features, and smooth ride quality, though you'll need to factor in higher than claimed fuel consumption of around 10L/100km versus the official 8.5L/100km figure.
Q: How does the Haval H6 compare to other SUVs in its price range?
At under R460,000, the H6 offers more space and premium features than rivals like the Kia Sportage or Nissan Qashqai, but lacks the proven resale value and dealer network of established Japanese and Korean brands.
Q: What are the main problems with the Haval H6?
The biggest issue with the H6 is its thirsty 1.5-litre turbo engine that drinks significantly more fuel than advertised, plus concerns about long-term reliability and parts availability for this relatively new Chinese brand in SA.
Should You Buy It?
The best value family SUV under R460,000 in SA is definitely the Haval H6 1.5T Luxury at R459,900. Yes, you should buy it if you prioritise space, features, and bang for your buck over brand prestige. The H6 delivers premium SUV comfort with 105kW of turbocharged power, a massive boot, reclining rear seats, and build quality that punches well above its weight. Just budget for that extra fuel consumption because this Chinese charmer is thirstier than your boet at a braai. For families wanting maximum SUV for minimum rand, the H6 is a no-brainer purchase.
