Haval H6 PHEV Brief Drive: We sample the next-gen family plug-in with up to 140km EV range
You’re looking at the next generation Haval H6 medium SUV, which GWM Australia has confirmed will hit our showrooms in early 2027.
We were introduced to the revised model at GWM’s Baoding test facility in China, but were granted a mere minute (at best) test drive. Fortunately, it was in the plug-in hybrid version shown here.
Drivetrains are carried over from the current H6 – GWM’s second best-selling model behind its Jolion small SUV – meaning a 170kW/380Nm 2.0L petrol; 182kW/535Nm (670Nm AWD) 1.5L turbo hybrid; and 1.5L turbo plug-in hybrid, offering 240kW/535Nm or 280kW/670Nm depending on battery size.
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Whether Australia takes the cheapest pure petrol is under debate, as buyer appetite, especially in the family SUV segment, increasingly favours hybrids. The NVES CO2 scheme discourages non-electrified models too.
Of most interest to us is the PHEV.
The current generation only comes in plush Ultra grade, costing $47,990 (2WD) or $50,990 (AWD) drive-away. With this new gen, we can expect those numbers to rise, but it’d be savvy to keep the 2WD under $50k on the road.
The 2027 basic H6 PHEVs use a 23.7kWh battery, promising 110km range the 2WD version and 95km in the AWD, with both figures under the quite trustworthy WLTC rating.
The all-wheel-drive, meanwhile, can be optioned with a larger 33.8kWh battery, boosting pure EV range to a solid 140km. It’s unconfirmed if Australia would be offered this longer range model, but it’s be a welcome option.
Power and torque figures are chunky. The 2WD offers a combined 240kW/535Nm, and the AWD with that bigger battery brings 280kW/670Nm. The latter will crack 100km/h in an impressive 5.6-seconds.
The new H6 is slightly larger than before. Length is up 77mm to 4780mm, and wheelbase 62mm to 2800mm. Next to the medium SUV segment champion Toyota RAV4, the H6 is a significant 155mm longer and with 110mm greater wheelbase.
It’s noticed inside with properly generous space for rear passengers. The boot is long, but shallow with the big batteries under the floor. The figure we’ve received is an average 436L.
Positively, this new H6 drops Haval’s massive blingy front grille, and adopting a more EV-like smooth nose with illuminated Haval logo.
The rear end has the now default full width red light bar, but looks special with crushed glass-like internals.
The rest of the shape is as generic Chinese medium SUV as one would expect. It’s a strong selling global car, and the design was always going to be pragmatic.
Our sample H6 was the range-topping Ultra grade, furnished in bright white for the cabin. The steering wheel looks like it’d be a magnet for dirt (but looks fresh when brand new), while leatherette seats are spongy, perforated, power, three-stage ventilated, heated and even massage.
Not bad considering Haval is GWM’s budget brand.
The gear selector is on a flimsy indicator-like stalk, which isn’t brilliant news. But it frees up the centre console for ample space, and a wireless charge slot for a phone.
The infotainment, as has become the norm with the Chinese, is massive. A 15.6-inch effort, with most controls directed through it, but credit for keeping some buttons as proper physical ones, although annoyingly not for climate.
Overall it’s a smart feeling cabin, but I’d compel interested parties to pick a more kid-friendly darker interior hue.
The drive? My brief sample involved pinning the throttle to feel the acceleration, and I’ll report it’s smooth and reasonably quick in its torquiest all-wheel-drive guise.
It felt fairly comfy albeit with too-light steering, but with former Holden engineer Rob Trubiani covering local ride and handling work on new GWM products, no doubt he and his team will sharpen this H6’s drive experience for our market.
Of note, with this H6 now getting larger, it leaves a larger gap between it and the Haval Jolion small SUV.
GWM has already confirmed a new Jolion Max (a large small SUV) will fit in between, and will launch as a pure EV and with hybrid petrol.
At 4590mm, it’s almost in the medium SUV class itself, and not far off the size of a Toyota RAV4.
The 2027 Haval H6’s full range, inclusions and price will be announced later this year.
GWM Haval H6 PHEV price and specifications
Price: From $49,000 (est)
Basics: PHEV, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, AWD
Electric Range: Up tp 140km (NEDC)
Battery capacity: 23.7 or 33.8kWh
Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km (expected)
Energy consumption: 17.3kWh per 100km
Powertrain: 1.5L turbo plug-in hybrid, offering 240kW/535Nm or 280kW/670Nm depending on battery size
AC charging: Unstated
DC charging: Unstated
0-100km/h: 5.6 seconds (AWD claim)
