Car Review: Haval H6 offers HEV and PHEV models, with a starting price 1,099,000 Thai baht

Haval H6, a star model from GWM, has long held the champion position in the SUV market in China, and naturally it is the main sales model for GWM in other markets.

What is different is that in the Chinese market, Haval H6 is a representative of traditional family fuel vehicles, while in markets like Thailand, GWM's brand energy transformation is more thorough. There are no pure fuel models of Haval H6, but there are HEV and PHEV versions available, with three sub-models for sale.

How do these cars perform? Are they still that SUV specially built for families? Let's take a look together in this article.

Price information for each Haval H6 model:

- Haval H6 HEV PRO: 1,099,000 Thai Baht

- Haval H6 HEV ULTRA: 1,349,000 Thai Baht

- Haval H6 PHEV: 1,699,000 Thai Baht

I. Power and configuration

Haval H6 offers HEV and PHEV, two completely different power systems, but both are built with the Lemon architecture and use a 1.5T engine. However, apart from the different working modes, the power of the two systems is also different.

HEV model:

It uses a combination of a 1.5T engine and a synchronous motor, with a maximum engine power of 110kW (150PS), peak torque of 230N·m, and peak torque corresponding to a speed range of 1500-4000rpm. The maximum power of the electric motor is 130kW (177PS) with a peak torque of 300N·m. The maximum power of the entire power system is 179kW (243PS) with a peak torque of 530N·m.

The system is equipped with a 1.69kWh power battery and provides four driving modes: Standard, Sport, ECO, and Snow.

PHEV Model:

It also uses the combination of a 1.5T engine and a synchronous motor. The engine power is the same, and the total power of the power system is 240kW (326PS), with a peak torque of 530N·m. Compared to the HEV system, the PHEV system only increases the system power, and the system's peak torque is the same.

The PHEV model is equipped with a 34kWh power battery, with a NEDC pure electric range of 201km. This means that the PHEV model has an additional EV mode for daily travel. When charging conditions permit, daily city commuting can be treated as a pure electric car, further reducing travel costs. Of course, the weight of the PHEV model has increased significantly.

The driving modes of the PHEV model have reached 8, which are actually the same as the 4 driving modes of the HEV model. It is just that there are also these 4 driving modes under the EV mode, totaling 8 driving modes.

In terms of configuration, it can be seen that the basic PRO model has already been equipped with some automatic driving assistance systems, including ACC adaptive cruise, AEBI intelligent active braking system, etc. The ULTRA model has no difference with the PRO model in the power system, with some configuration added, such as the ARA automatic parking system and the RCW collision warning system at the rear of the vehicle etc, which is very useful when reversing. Also, the vehicle's central control screen has been upgraded to 12.3 inches, with 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded electric seat adjustment functions. In addition, the two models have different interior colors. The shot model is the ULTRA model, featuring a black and gray dual-tone interior. Compared to the PRO model's pure black interior, it looks more upscale.

The configuration of the PHEV model is not essentially improved compared to the ULTRA model, for example, the car system and automatic assisted driving are the same. In addition to the power system, the differences also include services such as 24-hour rescue, and the power battery also provides an 8-year or 180,000 km warranty service.

II. Exterior and Interior Design

Haval H6's HEV and PHEV models did not make a significant distinction in style design, all adopted a matrix chrome-plated middle net design. In my opinion, for different power system models, some more distinctive design elements can be used to distinguish them, just like what Jolion did. Though Jolion all use HEV systems, the ULTRA model adds blue decorative details to the headlights. Why not make these differences on the exterior of Haval H6? Or perhaps they could be bolder, designing the fronts of the two models with different shapes.

Fundamentally, the Haval H6 is an SUV focused on family use, this has not changed, and it also means that its exterior design does not have overly radical and avant-garde adjustments. The steady design goes the usual route, it's hard for us to find any surprising design elements in it, but there's no doubt that it's easy for most family members to accept.

The size of the Haval H6 HEV model is 4653×1886×1724mm, with a wheelbase of 2738mm. The PHEV model is slightly different in size, with the same wheelbase and width, but the length of the car has increased by 30mm, reaching 4683mm, and the height of the body has increased by 6mm, which is 1730mm. These changes are related to the addition of power batteries.

Compared with the tradition of the appearance, the design of the interior has more highlights, and the sense of luxury presented is more. Especially the black and gray double-color interior gives a more comfortable and luxurious home feeling. The rose gold decorative band covers the center console, door handles inside the car, and parts of the steering wheel, greatly enhancing the detail of the vehicle.

III. Space

For different power system models, since the wheelbase is the same, the actual space inside the car is not different. A 177cm tall adult male sits in the back row, with a fist or more of space left over his head and two fists or more of space left for his legs. The headspace benefits from the panoramic sunroof, because the sunroof opens to above the heads of the rear passengers, increasing the head room while also allowing rear passengers to get more light and avoid feeling too oppressed. But the problem is that such a design can also make the temperature inside the car become higher.

The batteries of HEV models are usually designed under the rear seats, not on the vehicle chassis like PHEV and BEV models. However, from a practical use point of view, the battery does not affect the regular trunk space, and the rear seats can still achieve a 60:40 fold-down ratio, still having a good usability.

Article Summary:

One of the highlights of the Haval H6 is that it offers both HEV and PHEV models, but looking at the price, the PHEV model is not exactly cheap. Considering the good overall configuration of the PRO model and its much lower price, this model should be the main seller.

If seen from the practicality of home use, Haval H6 is a very mature model. Compared to traditional fuel vehicles, the HEV system can provide stronger power and lower fuel consumption, which are necessary for family SUVs. However, on the Haval H6, there is still a lack of some fresh and youthful elements, which is a big challenge when facing pure electric models like DEEPAL S07.