The Haval H6 GT looks the part but doesn't act it
Prashirwin Naidu
Upfront and close, petrol enthusiasts may think it's a sports-orientated SUV.
Well, that's further from the truth. It is a budget-friendly SUV that looks the part, sports a few tech niceties, and has many safety features. But keep the idea of a performance SUV out of your mind.
The H6 GT does pose as a more attractive choice than the Haval H6 Super Luxury. Looking into the price, for the top-spec H6 GT, one would pay R629,950, 40 grand more than the H6 Super Luxury, at R589,000.
Drawing on the power aspect, it's only a mere 5kW and 5NM of torque more than the H6 Super Luxury, coming in at 155KW and 325NM of torque. It's not incredibly fast, per se.
The H6 GT is slightly larger than the H6 due to its length of 4,727 mm, width of 1,940 mm, and height of 1,729 mm.
Design-wise, It has an aggressive front fascia coated in gloss black with carbon fibre accents. Tucked neatly into the grille are daytime-running electric-adjusting LED headlamps, and beneath are your LED fog lamps.
It blends the coupé-inspired look with a modern SUV aesthetic, having those practical elements too. It stands out visually. It rides on 235/55 R19 sporty black alloy wheels. It features aero side skirts, wheel arch cladding, and gloss black details with carbon fibre inserts on both the front and rear.
Its sports silhouette is streamlined, featuring a roof-mounted spoiler, a rear diffuser, and a lip spoiler, enhancing the fastback look. It also has LED taillights and LED fog lamps added to the mix.
Upon entering the H6 GT, you will notice it boasts a relatively clean, sleek, and minimalistic set-up. Love it or hate it, the green trim and stitching with Alcantara inserts and carbon fibre accents is a tad too much stylistically; it needs to be more toned down. You will also notice the 'GT' lettering embroidered on the front seats- they are also electrically adjustable and have a heating function.
The multifunctional steering wheel is wrapped in artificial leather and accompanied by paddle shifters. We had a few niceties: a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging, a crisp 12-inch multi-touch screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth connectivity—the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is also a modern touch that further enhances the experience for the user. The standard sound system was great, boasting eight speakers. The front and rear also have dual USB ports and a 12V connector upfront. Certain functions like climate control and drive mode selection can only be accessed through the central display.
Rear occupants have ample room; however, the boot space could be better. It measures 392 litres with the seats up and expands to 1,390 litres with the seats folded. In comparison, the standard H6 offers more room, giving 600 litres of boot space with the rear seats up and 1,485 litres when the seats are folded. It also has an automatic lift tailgate, a beneficial feature.
The H6 GT comes equipped with a comprehensive set of safety features, including a 360-degree view camera system, six airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control with Intelligent cruise, Intelligent Cornering, Traffic-Jam Assist, pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, and blind spot detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
A 2.0l turbocharged petrol motor powers the H6 GT, and from the beginning, I mentioned it's by no means a fast-paced, sporty SUV. But it does deliver a comfortable, safe commute to work and back. It is paired with a 7-speed DCT transmission; it feels smooth but tends to be jerky at low speeds, but once you gain speed, it levels out. Due to the 4WD system, power feels on demand and is reasonably responsive.
Driving modes may change the experience subtly; however, I didn't quite seem to notice a significant alteration. Putting it into race mode gives the exhaust note a loud resonance. I suspect the power input was subtly more responsive, yet I still felt it didn't make a difference.
Normal mode offers quiet tranquillity: no loud exhaust intonation, just a simple, easy cruiser with no hassle.
Amidst its competitors like the Mazda CX-30, Mini Countryman, Volvo XC40, and VW T-Roc, the Haval H6 GT does aim to be a more exciting and affordable choice in terms of the amenities that you'd get for a cheaper price tag than its rivals.
Haval's consistent focus on build quality and equipment across its product range makes the H6 GT a noteworthy choice if you're in the market for an SUV.
The pricing includes a 5-year/100,000 km warranty and a 5-year/60,000 km service plan.
