The entire coupe SUV factor mystifies me.
That’s to say, I’d by no means purchase one. However I do perceive why individuals would purchase one, and what they like about them, and that they’re not going away anytime quickly.
So right here we’re, with the (to me, at the least) bewildering GWM Haval H6 GT, the coupe-style tackle the common H6 SUV.
However this one is totally different to another SUV coupes I’ve examined, as a result of it has a surprisingly spacious again seat in the case of headroom. And, from some angles, I reckon it’s really fairly handsome.
What’s it like, then? And does it stay as much as the GT badge?
Learn on to search out out.
How a lot does the GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely value?
The 2023 GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely AWD is the range-topping grade in a line-up of two – priced from $46,990 drive-away.
As you’ll see within the part beneath, you get way more than simply all-wheel-drive in your extra cash, and the Extremely grade actually lives as much as the model’s promise of providing a heap of equipment for not a lot money.
Credit score to GWM Haval, costs haven’t shifted because the automotive launched in Australia in mid-2022, whereas many different SUVs have seen costs enhance by a number of per cent.
Notice too; these costs are drive-away nationally, and the premium paint value is comparatively modest at $495 for Crayon Gray (seen right here), Sapphire Blue, Burgundy Pink, Atlantis Blue or Golden Black. Solely Hamilton White is out there at $0.
As for rivals, there aren’t many at this type of cash, and at this dimension. The obvious different is the Renault Arkana, which is a coupe-styled SUV a dimension smaller, and it begins at a cheaper price, too (from $37,500). It doesn’t have practically as a lot grunt or tech, and it’s front-wheel drive solely, too.
The opposite possibility, for many who are prepared to spend a bit of extra, can be the Audi Q3 Sportback (from $54,100) and that received’t get you an SUV as massive or highly effective as this – however it should get you an Audi.
2023 GWM Haval H6 GT pricing:
- GWM Haval H6 GT Lux 2WD – $40,990 drive-away
- GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely AWD – $46,490 drive-away
Costs are drive-away
What’s the GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely like on the within?
The inside of the GT actually does stand out as a fairly particular and sporty place to take a seat, to not point out a high-tech zone – significantly within the AWD mannequin.
That’s as a result of the Extremely will get a much bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen media system that appears the half on this cabin, and there’s a completely digital instrument cluster (10.25-inch) which is equally vibrant, crisp and a spotlight grabbing.
For the cash, there’s numerous perceived high quality and actually plush finishes within the cabin.
There’s a microsuede end on the seats, doorways and armrests; and it truly is a beautiful texture. There’s additionally a pleasant wanting checked, carbon-inspired end on the centre console and the dashboard – and all of it ties collectively properly.
The seats provide a pleasant end by way of the fabric used, and the GT embroidery is an attention-grabbing contact, however the adjustability of the motive force’s seat isn’t nearly as good because it might be. I stored going again the electrical toggles attempting to get the seat a bit of decrease and at a nicer angle – it didn’t work, regardless of what number of instances I attempted.
One factor I’ve discovered with GWM Haval merchandise usually is the steering wheel is a bit arduous. What I imply is, should you spend hours gripping the wheel, you would possibly find yourself with sore palms, because it has a little bit of a more durable edge to the rim than most different wheels.
The usability of the media system is one other bugbear of mine. You’re required to do numerous work by means of the media display, and it may be tiresome.
For instance; in most different vehicles if you’d like the seat heaters on, there’s a button. However on this automotive, it’s a must to undergo a number of menus (Automobile, Seat, after which alter the heating and/or air flow), which is distracting should you’re attempting to do this on the transfer – I might advise you to do it while you’re not shifting.
Quite a lot of the controls are like that on this automotive – buried in menus upon menus – and whereas there’s a entire lot of performance to it, it isn’t as user-friendly because it may or needs to be.
Sure, there’s a separate line of buttons to activate the A/C or demister, and you need to use that as a shortcut to get into the local weather controls, nevertheless it’s not as sensible because it might be, both. So that you get my level – the display isn’t nice.
However, there’s fairly good storage on provide within the entrance seat space, with a pair of cupholders between the seats, a wi-fi telephone charger tray in entrance of the shifter, a coated centre console bin, plus a big storage tray below the ‘bridge’ fashion console space between the seats, which can be the place you discover two USB ports for charging/media.
Additional, there are door pockets with bottle holders and a smallish glovebox as properly.
What’s stunning about this coupe SUV is that the again seat headroom is beneficiant. Loads of these kinds of fashions are actually solely appropriate for small occupants or children within the second row, however the H6 GT gives an accommodating house for adults alike.
That’s as a result of as an alternative of the ‘coupe’ little bit of the roof beginning on the B-pillar (between the entrance and rear doorways), it really begins on the C-pillar, behind the place the rear doorways shut. Meaning it has significantly extra headroom than it would in any other case have been endowed with, and it’s a correctly appropriate household possibility consequently.
Not solely is there good head room, there’s additionally ample leg and foot house, and sufficient width throughout the again bench to permit three adults to take a seat side-by-side, too.
Plus, in contrast to loads of different autos on this phase, the again seat is tremendous cozy – it has a great quantity of sponginess to it, which means you sit in it, not on it.
There are twin ISOFIX and three top-tether factors for baby seat fitment too, and the rear occupants have directional air-vents and a pair of USB ports. There are bottle holders within the doorways, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, and a few map pockets on the seatbacks as properly.
Boot house, nevertheless, is restricted in contrast with the common H6. The GT is claimed to have 392 litres of cargo capability, which means the boot is a few 208 litres smaller (or 53 per cent) than the H6 SUV.
You’ll be able to nonetheless match a pram and some procuring baggage within the again, or per week’s value of bags for a pair, nevertheless it’s not probably the most sensible car should you are inclined to load loads into the trunk. There’s a space-saver spare wheel below the boot ground.
What’s below the bonnet?
The H6 GT is out there solely with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of energy (6000-6300rpm) and 320Nm of torque (1500-4000rpm).
Whereas these outputs appear a bit of conservative because the automotive weighs between 1570 and 1680 kilograms, it feels loads perkier than these outputs counsel.
The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission, and as you in all probability seen, there’s front-wheel drive for the Lux or all-wheel drive for the Extremely.
Towing capability is 750kg unbraked and 2000kg braked.
How does the GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely drive?
It may do with some enhancements in a number of key methods.
The two.0-litre engine feels prefer it has sufficient grunt for day-to-day driving duties, and should you depart it in Regular mode, it’s definitely sufficient by way of grunt.
There’s a Race mode if you wish to get extra out of it, and it actually does sharpen the whole lot up and makes the engine and transmission response much more fast, in addition to opening up the exhaust to permit for some popping and crackling, too.
That’s a little bit of amusing, certain, nevertheless it by no means actually obtained to a degree the place I felt like I used to be having enjoyable driving this automotive, even when it may be quick in a straight line and theatrical whereas doing it.
The twin-clutch computerized transmission isn’t as clean as an analogous gearbox in a VW or Audi, and might battle in city driving; lagging from a standstill and even sometimes shuddering as you progress away from a cease.
Then in different situations it should take off too shortly, which makes it arduous to evaluate and leaves you second guessing what’s going to occur subsequent. If it was sluggish to reply on a regular basis, it’d be okay – nevertheless it’s the not-knowing that makes it arduous to stay with.
The every day driveability of it’s additional hampered by the gear selector – it’s a rotary dial shifter, however in contrast to most of that breed the H6’s one doesn’t have a stopper on it, so you’ll find yourself twirling it and probably not understanding which gear you’re in till you look down to search out out.
It’d sound trivial, however attempt a five-point activate a good road in a rush, and also you’ll realise how annoying this may be.
That mentioned, the parking digicam system is superb in these conditions, as a result of it has excellent readability from each the rear, entrance, facet and top-down views, and there’s an AI-style graphic illustration of the automotive in its location if you’d like that, too.
Nonetheless, what is irritating is the digicam system will always activate while you’re at decrease speeds, whether or not you’re indicating or not, and that may be tedious particularly should you’re listening to a music or podcast and need to skip one thing, or simply need to verify the place you’re happening the display should you’re utilizing maps.
The H6 GT’s experience consolation is fairly good contemplating it’s using 19-inch wheels, however the dealing with might be higher as a result of it doesn’t essentially sit overly flat in corners, and nor does it really feel as tied down because it may while you throw it round a bit.
Additional, the steering is considerably inconsistent in its reactiveness, feeling oddly weighted at instances. You’ll be able to at the least get used to that, nevertheless it additionally has a fairly large turning circle at 12.0 metres.
I imply, should you’re stepping up from a 10-year-old Captiva or Outlander, that is going to really feel like the perfect automotive you’ve ever pushed. However I’ve pushed each competitor on this phase, and it’s not even near the perfect within the class.
What do you get?
H6 GT Lux highlights:
- 19-inch black-finish alloy wheels
- Tyre stress monitoring
- LED headlights, daytime working lights, entrance fog lights
- Roof rails
- Hill descent management
- Energy tailgate
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)
- 8-speaker sound system
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Consolation-Tek leatherette upholstery
- Heated entrance seats
- 8-way energy driver’s seat
H6 GT Extremely provides:
- All-wheel drive (AWD)
- Michelin Sport tyres
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Head-up show
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Ventilated (cooled) entrance seats
- Wi-fi telephone charging
- Ambient lighting
- Fingers-free energy tailgate
- Heated door mirrors
- Semi-automatic parking help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reverse AEB
Is the GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely protected?
You guess. Similar to the remainder of the H6 line-up, GT variations have the utmost five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on 2022 exams.
It scored 90 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for baby occupant safety 73 per cent for weak street person safety and 81 per cent for security help.
Customary security gear consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
- Junction help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Lane preserve help
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Clever Cruise Help
- Site visitors Jam Help
- Encompass-view cameras
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- 7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
H6 Extremely fashions add:
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Reversing AEB
How a lot does the GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely value to run?
The GWM Haval vary wears a seven-year, limitless kilometre guarantee, which is about the perfect you will get with out having to learn the high-quality print.
There’s a five-year roadside help program included from buy as properly, and 5 years of capped-price servicing.
The service intervals are 12 months/10,000km for the primary go to, then yearly or 15,000km thereafter. The prices are respectable, at $1550 for 5 years for the 2WD (a mean of $310 per service), or $1780 for 5 years for the AWD ($356 common each year).
As for gasoline consumption, the Lux 2WD has an official mixed cycle gasoline use determine of seven.5 litres per 100 kilometres, whereas the Extremely AWD claims 8.4L/100km. Throughout my time testing out the AWD mannequin, I noticed a return of 10.0L/100km throughout a mixture of city, freeway and freeway driving.
You’ll be able to fill it up with 91 RON common unleaded if you want, although I’d counsel working it on premium unleaded. The gasoline tank capability is 61L for the FWD mannequin and 60L for the AWD.
CarExpert’s Tackle the GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely
The GWM Haval H6 GT feels virtually like an unfinished venture.
It has the bones to be one thing fairly spectacular, however for many who pine for a sporty-looking SUV that’s additionally sporty to drive, this may not hit the mark.
With some high-quality tuning, it might be an incredible possibility for these patrons. And for some patrons, the drive expertise could not show a dealbreaker.
However for yours really, it might.
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