Haval at the Festival of Motoring
Last weekend saw yet another successful Festival of Motoring event that took place at the Kyalami Race Circuit in Midrand, Johannesburg. Various automotive manufacturers came out to display their newest models and innovations, and Haval was no exception to this, revealing a refreshed facelifted model to festival goers.
Haval definitely had one of the biggest fleets at the Festival, boasting an impressive 34 vehicles, from the H1 to the H9, dedicated to displays, self-drives on the handling circuit, ride-along drives on the main circuit as well as the 4x4 and off-road track. This also included a full range of GWM’s latest bakkies, also participating at the 4x4 area.
Haval also debuted the new facelifted Haval H2 during an impressive reveal event. The new Haval H2 SUV first arrived in South Africa during May 2017 and has gone on to become one of the most popular SUV’s in our market. As of the third quarter of 2019, the Haval H2 has raked in the seconds best sales volume in the small SUV category.
The Haval H2 facelift looks more dynamic than ever before. The headlights are more angular while the front and rear bumpers, along with the grille, receive a much wanted revision. A new bonnet adds an element of aggressiveness to the H2’s personality, while the revised fenders and 18-inch alloy wheels improve the dynamic appeal of the SUV.
There will be a total of four model derivatives available to the South African market. Customers will be able to choose between manual or automatic transmissions on the entry level ‘City’ model or the higher spec ‘Luxury’ model. The interior of the new Haval H2 facelift features Apple CarPlay and a sunroof as standard kit across all models, while the ‘Luxury’ model comes equipped with a panoramic roof. Aesthetic upgrades aside, the Haval H2 facelift remains mechanically unchanged from its predecessor in terms of engines, gearboxes, suspension, chassis and safety features.
Also worth a look: the Haval Jolion Pro and the Haval H6 Gt.
FAQ
Q: What does the Haval H2 facelift cost in South Africa?
The facelifted Haval H2 starts from around R349,900 for the entry-level City manual, going up to approximately R429,900 for the top-spec Luxury automatic variant, making it one of the most affordable compact SUVs in its segment.
Q: Is the Haval H2 facelift worth buying?
The H2 facelift is definitely worth considering if you want a well-equipped compact SUV without breaking the bank, especially with Apple CarPlay and a sunroof standard across the range, plus that impressive 7-year/200,000km warranty that puts most competitors to shame.
Q: What engine does the new Haval H2 facelift use?
The H2 facelift keeps the same proven 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 110kW and 210Nm of torque, paired with either a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission depending on the variant you choose.
Q: How does the Haval H2 compare to other compact SUVs in South Africa?
At under R430,000 for the top model, the H2 facelift undercuts rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Nissan Qashqai by a decent margin while offering similar equipment levels and that unbeatable warranty coverage.
Should You Buy It?
The best compact SUV under R450,000 in South Africa right now is the facelifted Haval H2, and yes, you should definitely consider buying one. Starting at R349,900 for the City manual and topping out at R429,900 for the Luxury automatic, it offers exceptional value with Apple CarPlay, sunroof, and that confidence-inspiring 7-year/200,000km warranty as standard. The refreshed styling makes it look more premium than its price suggests, and with Haval's proven track record in our market, you're getting a reliable daily driver that won't leave your wallet crying. Just make sure you can live with the CVT automatic if you're going for the auto versions, as some drivers find it a bit sluggish compared to a traditional torque converter.
