Haval H6 GT PHEV Review: A Family SUV With 321 kW

When I told my fiancée I was coming home with a spaceship, she thought I was joking. Then I arrived in the GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV, and the description made a little more sense.

After a week behind the wheel, I kept finding reasons to take it out. School run, shops or a weekend drive, I wanted the keys.

At R799 900 for the Ultra Luxury 4WD, the H6 GT PHEV combines family-SUV practicality with a claimed 321 kW and 762 Nm.

Styling With Road Presence

The coupé-inspired roofline, grille, sharp lighting and muscular stance give the H6 GT PHEV a sporty appearance.

It stands out on the driveway, but the family brief hasn’t been forgotten. Inside, the cabin feels spacious, modern and well equipped.

Plug-In Hybrid Performance

The drivetrain combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with electric motors. GWM quotes a 0–100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds.

Acceleration feels immediate. Press the accelerator and the electric motors deliver a strong initial response, followed by the petrol engine.

Selectable driving modes include Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand and 4WD. Sport was my preference when I wanted a more responsive drive, although the SUV also settles into quieter everyday use.

GWM claims up to 180 km of electric driving range and around 1 000 km of combined range. Those are manufacturer figures, rather than results measured during my week with the car.

A Well-Equipped Cabin

The equipment list includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, voice control, dual-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof.

There is also a hands-free powered boot. Voice commands provide another way to operate functions such as the climate control and sunroof without reaching for buttons.

The combination makes the cabin feel suited to daily family use as well as longer journeys.

Driver Assistance And Safety Features

The supplied specifications list adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic-jam assistance, automatic emergency braking and pre-collision warning.

A 360-degree camera system assists with manoeuvring. The model is also listed with a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Price And Verdict

At the supplied price of R799 900, the Haval H6 GT PHEV Ultra Luxury 4WD brings substantial performance and equipment to the sub-R800 000 SUV market.

The strongest part of my week with it was how often I wanted to drive it. Beyond the acceleration and styling, it remained a car I was happy to use for ordinary errands.

For buyers wanting a family SUV with stronger performance and plug-in hybrid capability, the H6 GT PHEV deserves a test drive.

Specifications

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