SUVs have become so popular that even brands which would never have thought of building anything as voluptuous as a people carrier 10 years back, have taken the practical-family-car turn-off. Lamborghini has the Urus, Jaguar the F-Pace and Alfa the Stelvio.
Everybody wants an SUV and it is easy to see why. These cars are really practical because they offer space and improved all-round visibility thanks to their raised bodies.
But SUVs are quite pricey, so what options does the budget buyer have? Haval, the luxury arm of Chinese car manufacturer, GWM, says it has just what Mr Shoestring is looking for; the H6 C…
It’s got the look!
No matter from which angle you look at the H6 C, you cannot fault the look.
The nose is attractive with its bold radiator grille and modern, stylish headlights. Somewhat out of place – in my opinion, that is – is the large “Haval” badge on the grille.
Viewed from the side, the H6 C boasts a well-balanced overall body shape, with the rear in proportion with the rest of the car – something very few manufacturers get right. Roof rails give the SUV a bit of an adventurous feel, while the blacked-out B- and C-pillars puts the styling right up there with the latest releases. A panoramic sunroof and stylish 19-inch polished alloy wheels round off an attractive package.
Upmarket interior
The H6 C’s cabin matches the good looking exterior to the T.
It even smells like a premium car and not of plastic like some Chinese vehicles I have driven in the past. There is ample space in the front and rear and the panoramic sunroof gives the cabin and open, airy feel.
The seats are clad in leather and dash and centre console features quality and well-fitted soft touch materials. While not in the league of a Land Rover, the Haval’s cabin is neat with its mainly black interior and the matt silver inserts.
The H6 C boasts desirable features like start/stop button, dual-zone climate control, switchable mood lighting, cruise control, front and rear park distance control with rear camera and side camera, retractable mirrors and a bright red puddle lamp that projects the word “Haval” onto the ground when you unlock the car. Both driver and passenger get eight-way electrically adjustable seats.
Pulling strong
I liked the fact that its makers fitted the H6 C with a decent engine.
The 2.0-litre turbo-charged petrol unit delivers 140kW and 310Nm and buyers have the option of a six-speed manual or six-speed dual clutch transmission. I drove the auto which changed gears when I expected it to do so, making for agreeable cruising.
The ride was a bit floaty, as in a Discovery I tested recently, so there is not much to complain there, being just the oversized body doing what big things do.
However, I feel the brakes could be improved. Thankfully, the H6C has the right combination of safety features to meet a family’s requirements. ABS, EBD, brake assist with stability control and Hill Decent are all standard fair, as is six airbags; driver, passenger, side and curtain.
Verdict
In the H6 C manual, you get a lot of SUV for your hard-earned money, especially if you start comparing features with features. At that price, the competition just cannot offer the same amount of equipment, and many also fall short when it comes to fit-and-finish inside the cabin.
As long as GWM gives Haval buyers the technical backup they deserve, there will be many happy customers on our roads.
