Haval H6

Design & Quality

Like the exterior, the interior is also something unlike a typical Chinese-made one, it certainly appears premium and a lot neater. The materials have a nice weight to them, don’t feel flimsy, and the whole cabin is screwed together really well for this price bracket. Looks like the Chinese brands are improving fast to make them just like Japanese, Korean or European brands, which isn’t a bad thing from a customer’s point of view. 

You will like the fact that the dashboard is easy to wipe down, which matters when dust settles quickly, and the new ambient RGB lighting gives a soft glow at night that actually makes long drives relaxing. The seats are properly cushioned, and after a couple of hours behind the wheel, you do not walk out tired. No squeaks or rattles, even on rougher patches, which tells you the build is solid. The highlights are the massive 14.6-inch touchscreen, the head-up display, and ventilated seats, great for our summer. What I liked most was the mix of space, tech, and quiet insulation. There is wireless charging, 360-degree cameras, and a lot of space.

Front Seat

The driver’s seat makes you feel like you are in control of a proper SUV, quite literally. It comes with power adjustment and ventilation, so you can cool down in minutes even in intense heat. The steering is leather-wrapped, feels nice to hold, and all the main controls sit right there. From the front, the visibility is wide and clear, so you always know where the car’s corners are, and adjusting it for different heights is easy, an extra safety aspect.

Electronic Parking Brake

This is a small detail, but it makes everyday driving easier. The electronic brake with auto-hold is especially useful in bumper-to-bumper traffic or when you are parked on an incline. A must-have feature, most of the time underrated.

Rear Seat

In the back, there is plenty of room for two adults to sit comfortably for long drives, and technically it is for three people, but not for a long drive, it won’t be most comfortable, just like any car in this segment. There is enough comfort inside the cabin with space, ease of sitting and features to ensure long family drivers are enjoyable. The seats use a fabric that resists stains, something families will like a lot. In our drive, two of my colleagues' passengers were back there for over an hour, and nobody had complaints.

AC Vents

The dual-zone climate system deserves credit here, something most buyers don’t want anything wrong with. It cools the cabin quickly and maintains the set temperature without much issue. Rear passengers get their share of air, and you can even adjust the temp using voice commands. That means no fumbling with buttons while driving.

Storage Options

You won’t complain about the storage inside the cabin, which also means practicality is a big focus, as it should be, for families and even for individuals. The glovebox is okay, gets easy to access and is lit, the door pockets easily hold bottles, there is a deep central cubby under the armrest, and even the boot floor has hidden storage. For shopping or a road trip, you won’t be left wondering where to put things.

Armrest

Both front and rear armrests serve the purpose of making your stay comfortable on long runs. The rear one has cup holders, a simple touch that makes highway cruising easier for passengers.

Charging Options

There is a USB-A, USB-C, and a wireless pad in the Premium trim; all device types are covered. Navigation, music, and video calls stay powered up without juggling adapters. Another highlight is how Chinese automakers cover all the essential tech without a price hike or making it expensive. I begin to feel it is in their DNA. 

Boot Space

Another, SUVs are not always known for bigger boot, but at 600 litres, H6 offers a decent size. Which should serve the purpose for everyday needs, and also occasionally extra cargo of any type. Also, the standard 60:40 split seats drop down flat if you need more, and tie-downs plus a retractable cover keep cargo from moving around.

• 6 airbags
• ABS with EBD
• ESC, hill assist
• ADAS Level 2 with Adaptive cruise control, Emergency Braking, Rear Collision Warning Mitigation

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• TPMS
• AEB with pedestrian detection
• ISOFIX
• 360-degree view
• Driver fatigue monitor
• High-strength steel body (71%)

The moment you look at the H6, it is undisputable that you love its bold, modern SUV stance, which looks attractive from every possible profile, appearing both aggressive and refined.

The latest updates from last year bring the SUV some key changes, including a larger grille with chrome accents, stylish LED headlights, and a streamlined body for superior aerodynamics. Its size, measuring 4,703 mm in length and 1,886 mm in width, is compact for city driving and also makes parking easier with a commanding presence.

The 185 mm ground clearance isn’t the highest; ideally, 200 mm is better. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t handle speed bumps and light sand without issue, and is therefore considered perfect for daily drives.

Front

From the front, the H6's facelifted look instils confidence, defined by the massive star-matrix grille flanked by high-intensity LED daytime running lights that cut through fog or night drives. The sharp headlights provide superb illumination, making it highway-ready with a high-end vibe. The hood's sculpted lines add muscular body cues, visible from the driver's seat, boosting its SUV credentials. The fog lamps are integrated nicely, and the overall front end presents well in dusty KSA conditions, thanks to the easy-to-clean surfaces.

Side

The side profile represents the H6's dynamic lines, right from the sloping roof to the flared wheel arches, giving it that much-deserved sportiness. The Roof rails are rather practical for carrying gear on family trips, and the 19-inch alloys fill the space perfectly, adding to its rather upscale appearance. Getting in and out is effortless thanks to the quite suitable height, and you also notice the chrome window trims elevate the look, making a segment above. During our drive, we figured out that a long wheelbase helps with better stability in crosswinds, common on open roads, and also the body contours catch light beautifully during sunset drives.

Alloy Wheels

The 18 and 19-inch aluminium alloys are good as one gets,  successfully balancing between look and practical usability. Paired with 225/55R19 tires, they are good for solid grip on regular asphalt roads and handle light off-road like sandy paths without issue. They also did a great job on rough tracks, providing comfort over bumps while looking durable against dust. Not flashy, but the design complements the H6’s overall built quality, carrying it nicely across a variety of terrains we encountered in our cities and towns.

Rear

At the back, the H6 is largely categorised as simple, clean and modern, covered by wide LED taillights that wrap around for better visibility. A subtle spoiler helps in the overall sporty look, and the skid plate protects during gravel encounters. The rear camera integrates nicely, and provides you a wide view during reverse, which is a lot handy during crowded parking spots.

Colors

The H6 is available in White, Black, Grey, Blue, Red, and Silver. But for me, white remains the favourite for heat reflection, but Grey hides dust effectively, and Blue stands out vibrantly under sunlight. Yet, it is very subjective and depends on what you really like.

City Performance

Around town, the H6 is just fine, rather quite easy to navigate.  Key points first: The steering is light, the turning circle is compact, and parking in tight spaces is a lot easier. Brakes are sharp, and the 360-degree camera is a real help when moving through narrow lanes or squeezing between parked cars. On the engine, the 2.0L turbo makes city runs less tiring because you always have enough pull to merge or overtake. With 234 hp and 385 Nm, there is more power than most will ever need for daily commuting. The only catch is the dual-clutch gearbox, which hesitates slightly in bumper-to-bumper conditions. But, it's a matter of time; once you get rolling, it smooths out, but in those creeping moments, you do feel a pause. Fuel efficiency sits at about 10 km/L in Eco mode, which is fair given. So, in brief, the H6 comes across as a city SUV, well-suited to busy city life, with just that small gearbox quirk to get used to.

Highway Performance

The H6 gives you that much-needed breathing space on the highways. There is a feel to it and it is secure even at speeds of 150 to 170 km/h, with no nervousness in crosswinds. Overtaking is straightforward, the turbo responds quickly, and if you switch to Sport mode, it gives that extra punch for confident passing. Notably, you feel how quiet the cabin stays, so long drives feel a real pleasure, no interruptions with conversations and music by wind or tire noise, something one feels in a premium SUV. The adaptive cruise control is a highlight here, taking the strain off on long runs between cities. As expected due to steady driving, the fuel economy also improves on the highway, for around 12 km/L, which is solid for a turbo SUV of this size. It may not be designed as a performance SUV, but for long-distance comfort and stability, it does the job very well. No doubt, Chinese brands are starting to change their perspectives about the overall feel and drive. 

Ride and Handling

One thing you quickly observed with the H6 is how comfortable it feels on mixed roads. The suspension is clearly tuned more for comfort than sport, takes up potholes and speed breakers without making passengers bounce around. The larger cracks in the road do creep into the cabin, but overall, it stays impressively quiet and composed. The same is the case with the occasional rough patches; there is less vibration than you might expect in this segment. Handling itself is easy-going, steering is light at city speeds, then it firms up nicely once you are on the highway. With 180 mm of clearance, it's good for all kinds of roads. For families, it feels like a dependable, balanced setup, though a small gearbox hesitation at low speeds.

• 14.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• 10.25-inch digital cluster

• Leatherette seats

• Dual-zone AC
• 8-speaker audio
• Keyless entry
• Panoramic sunroof (Premium)

• Head-up display
• Ventilated Seats

• Wireless charger
• Voice recognition

Active – SAR 89,900

In this entry-level variant, the car gets a decent amount of features. This includes LED lights, the big 14.6-inch screen, 360-camera, adaptive cruise, and many of the necessary safety features that I would expect in an SUV like this. Hence, this should work for buyers looking for modern tech without paying the premium price.

Premium – SAR 98,900

This is the ultimate variation. With the extra price, you get a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, a powered tailgate, and better audio. The price feels right for these fully-loaded variants.

Sayarabay Recommendation: So our choice is the Premium trim, for obvious reasons. Although not much to choose from, just two variants, the Premium makes a perfect pick. At  SAR 98,900, there are plenty of offers, and the combination of comfort, style, and technology. For example, you won’t want to miss out on ventilated seats and the panoramic sunroof, while the price difference over the base trim is reasonable, what you’re getting is something necessary.  With fuel efficiency of around 11 km/L, loads of space, and advanced features, it suits perfectly well for most buyers in the family category, for someone moving from a sedan to an SUV.

The Haval brand is making quite an inroads into the KSA market with some of the most exciting vehicles. And, after spending time with the H6, one can easily get the feel of what the brand has on offer.  The H6 appears to be a complete package for buyers who want a stylish SUV that does not cost a fortune. It comes across as stylish, modern and drives well, and is packed with most features that even pricier rivals skip.

The turbo engine delivers plenty of punch, and the cabin is packed with comfort and tech. Yes, the gearbox is not the smoothest in stop-go traffic, but once you are moving, the H6 feels composed and reliable. Add the six-year warranty, and it is hard to ignore. Anyone not allergic to Chinese brands, we feel the H6 makes a strong case against established names like the RAV4, offering more for less.

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