Feature article
Best Haval Car Models in NZ: Buying Guide
Haval’s SUV models are a strong value proposition, with affordable pricing and an impressive range of features.
Last updated: 19 March 2024
Haval (pronounced ha-vel as in travel) is a sub-brand of the big GWM empire, specialising in small and medium, crossover-type SUVs.
Haval’s SUV models are a strong value proposition, with more affordable pricing than that offered by the more established Japanese brands. Yet Haval doesn’t skimp on the goodies, with all models toting an impressive range of features.
Not only that, but Haval’s Jolion and H6 SUVs are backed by one of the best warranties on the New Zealand market, with seven years of cover, no matter how many kilometres you travel. And there's also five years of roadside assistance.
Tell me about the Haval hybrid
Haval is big on ‘NEV’, which stands for new energy vehicles. This is categorised as any electrified model, which at present means hybrids of the self-charging kind.
These use a petrol engine, an electric motor and an electronically controlled transmission to provide better efficiency and improved driving characteristics thanks to the abundant torque. And both of the Jolion small SUV and H6 medium SUV can be had with this fuel saving tech, which for us, make these the best Havals to choose.
Haval Jolion - The small SUV
The Jolion range starts with the Premium at $28,990, a thoroughly decent base model with 17-inch alloys, a 10-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android functionality and a reverse camera. Adaptive cruise, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition also make the grade.
Jolion has a five star ANCAP rating as a result, although some of these active safety features are quite persistent with their alerts. Also, the lack of physical buttons in the cabin means the touchscreen is used for everything. And so some operations can be a bit problematic due to the arrangement of the menus and a laggy response.
At just under 4.5m long, it's a handy size but not too big (good for city commuting) while it has space enough for four adults on board. There's 430L of boot space and it can tow up to 1500kg.
The Lux, at $31,990, adds a 360° camera, faux leather seating with powered adjustment and heaters, dual zone climate control and LED lights. Then there's the Ultra ($34,990) with 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a bigger touch screen, head up display and wireless charging.
What’s the fuel economy like?
These are powered by a 1.5L turbocharged engine with 110kW and 220Nm of torque. This front drive SUV gets a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 8.1L/100km, so it’s not the most economical little SUV on the market.
As such, the best Jolion model would be the hybrid, thanks to its combined output of 139kW and 375Nm. This electrified engine produces a smoother, easier drive and reduces fuel economy down to 5.0L/100km.
The hybrid can be had in the Lux spec for $35,990 or Ultra for $39,990.
Read the full Haval Jolion hybrid review
Haval H6 - a bigger SUV
For those that need a bit more space, there's the H6. This is a larger, five seat SUV, which is just under 4.7m long. It's a sharp looker and like the Jolion, is well specified.
It's a bit more expensive but still genuinely affordable, the Premium starting at $35,990. That comes with 18-inch alloys, front and rear LED lighting and a pair of 10-inch screens. One of those is used for the instrument cluster, the other for the multimedia which runs both CarPlay and Android Auto.
Active safety features are plentiful, with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, a lane departure warning and lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, reversing camera and a driver monitor.
Like the Jolion however, these are quite proactive and are quick to sound an alert if you're doing something wrong.
The Lux ($38,990) adds a few more creature comforts like power adjustable seats, a 360° camera and active cruise control with traffic jam assist. The top dog is the Ultra at $40,990. This adds a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate operation, a head up display, a heated steering wheel, wireless charging etc. It's massive value at $41k. While the others are front wheel drive, this can be had with the option of all-wheel drive for $3000 extra.
The H6 runs a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.4L/100km and it will happily run on 91 octane.
There's also the hybrid option here for H6, the Lux spec priced at $42,990 and the Ultra is $46,990. This uses a 1.5 T petrol combining with a more powerful electric motor to summon a total of 179kW and 530Nm of torque, which eases the fuel back to 5.2L/100km.
This bigger SUV has a 600L boot capacity and can tow up to 2000kgs, although the hybrid manages 500 less.
A lot of mainstream Japanese brands keep raising their prices, while Haval has managed to lower it RRPs since these models first launched, making them even better value.
Read the full Haval H6 hybrid review
Author
Kyle has been reviewing cars since starting at NZ Autocar magazine in 2003 and has been editor since 2009. In that time he’s become an expert on what makes for a good vehicle while also gaining insights into the local automotive industry.
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