GWM Haval hybrid sales are going gangbusters accounting for nearly a third of all Jolion and H6 models rolling out of showrooms these days.

Haval is the SUV-focused offshoot of GWM (formerly Great Wall Motors), whose range includes the turbo-diesel Cannon Ute, the Tank 300 large SUV, and new, small EV the fully electric Ora.

The Jolion small SUV and H6 medium SUV are the only Haval models offered here at present, with the current generation H6 being in all respects a significantly better vehicle than the model it replaced.

The H6 range now extends to five variants, two of which are hybrids.

Drive-away pricing starts at $33,990 for the entry-level H6 Premium, with 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, putting power to the front wheels.

Prices step up in neat $3,000 increments for the H6 Lux ($36,990) and H6 Ultra ($39,990), each featuring more kit but the same engine and drivetrain combinations. Adding another $3,000 to the pot brings all-wheel drive traction to the H6 Ultra.

The H6 Lux Hybrid is specified identically to its petrol counterpart but at $42,490 it commands a $5,500 price premium, while the H6 Ultra Hybrid asks $45,990, a $6,000 premium and there’s no all-wheel drive option.

For those looking for a more stylish SUV body style, the Haval H6 GT Lux ($40,990) and GT Ultra ($46,490) are easily distinguished from the ‘standard’ five-door wagon range by their sportier looking coupe-style body.

Both models feature the same 2.0-litre engine and seven-speed DCT as the rest of the range, with the GT Lux driving its front wheels and the GT Ultra driving all paws.

Even despite the extra coin required to get into the more fuel-efficient hybrid models, Haval’s drive-away prices look quite keen compared with the handful of other hybrid models in the segment.

Toyota’s RAV4 is the most high-profile of these with pricing for the 2.5-litre hybrid starting at $40,550 and rising to $49,700, before on-road costs. Wait times for the RAV4 are out to an incredible three years, however.

Subaru’s Forester hybrid starts at a list price of $43,290, while Nissan’s excellent new X-Trail e-Power hybrid list starts from $49,490.

The RAV4, Forester and X-Trail are AWD only, while Honda has just released its 2WD ZR-V 2.0-litre e-HEV for $54,900 drive away.

As well as being well priced, the GWM Haval H6 hybrids are attractively styled, with subtle exterior differentiation provided by a unique front grille, rear centre brake lights, exclusive body side garnishes, and their HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) badging.

The H6 Ultra Hybrid’s extensive features list mirrors that of its petrol equivalent, and includes 19-inch alloys, Comfortek faux leather seats with eight-way power driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated leather-bound steering wheel, 10.25-inch colour LED instrument cluster, 12.3-inch colour multimedia touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, auto-dim rear-view mirror, heads-up display, wireless phone charging, sunroof, power tailgate, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-go function, lane departure warning, lane-change assist/blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, driver fatigue monitor, automatic parking, and a 360° camera system.

Seven airbags including a centre front airbag are fitted too.

Noteworthy omissions include DAB+ radio, sat nav, height adjustment for the front seatbelt upper anchors, and load tie-down points in the cargo area.

Hybrid variants also cede the petrol models’ space-saver spare tyre for the even less-practical tyre repair kit.

Replacing the petrol models’ 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is GWM’s Dedicated Hybrid Technology that combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and a 130kW electric drive motor with an electronically controlled two-speed transmission, for combined outputs of 179kW/530Nm. That’s a reasonable step up on the petrol engine’s 150kW/320Nm.

The thriftier hybrid drivetrain also consumes regular unleaded at a rate of 5.2L/100km compared with the 2.0-litre petrol engine’s 7.4L/100km (2WD), and 8.3L/100km (AWD) on the official combined cycle test.

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The hybrid powertrain uses a highly integrated and compact design for lighter weight and can operate in multiple drive modes including electric-only, parallel, tandem, and with a regeneration energy-recovery mode to maximise efficiency.

An energy monitor display allows drivers to keep track of what’s going on.

The transition between operating modes is reasonably seamless, while the powertrain offers solid performance and never shirks its work.

But with drive being delivered to the front wheels only, the Hankook Ventus tyres struggle to get power down smoothly, scrabbling for grip, easily breaking traction and on occasions howling in protest.

The problem is most obvious when pulling away from a standing start or punching out of slow corners and is apparent even on dry sealed roads.

On low-grip surfaces, such as dirt, it gets even touchier, so the throttle needs to be squeezed on gently to avoid histrionics.

Otherwise, the H6 Hybrid’s ride is soft and comfortable, and its handling is secure and competent.

It’s a combination that will no doubt fulfil many buyers’ expectations, even if it does fall well short of the dynamic polish of the class leaders.

Weighting of the electronically assisted power steering can be altered by delving deep into the digital menus, with options for Light, Normal and Sports.

The latter was our preferred setting, although none offer much in the way of road feel.

A narrow rear window restricts rearward vision and thick A-pillars produce some blind spots when turning, but the inclusion of a multi-view camera and park sensors fore and aft make parking easy enough.

Ultra buyers also score an automatic self-park system.

The cabin and cargo area are attractive and spacious by medium SUV standards, with sufficient leg and foot space in the rear as well as good head room.

The load area is quite generous with 600 litres of space with the rear seats in use, expanding to 1485 litres when flat folded.

Liberal use of hard-touch plastics is offset by soft-touch trims with stitch detailing, plus gloss black garnishes, bright metallic-look trim inserts, and a single colour LED ambient lighting system.

It’s more upmarket than the H6’s smaller brother the Jolion, but falls shy of the premium materials and execution served up by the best offerings in the class.

Buyers can take comfort in knowing GWM Haval has enough confidence in its product to provide an impressive seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty.

This reduces to seven years/150,000km for commercial use. The first five services under the five years capped price servicing plan will cost a total of $1,650.

With interest in low-emission vehicles, including hybrids on the rise, and affordability ranking higher than ever on buyers’ priorities, the relatively low purchase price, long warranty and fuel efficiency of the H6 Hybrid models should ensure their continued popularity.  

Key stats

• MLP: $45,990 drive away.
• ENGINE: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol/electric motor hybrid drive
• ANCAP CRASH RATING:  Five stars (2022)
• FUEL CONSUMPTION (combined cycle): 5.2L/100km (120g/km CO₂)
• FOR: Solid performance with improved fuel efficiency, generous equipment levels, well priced, long warranty, spacious, competent all-rounder.
• AGAINST: Mobility kit – no spare, front tyres scrabble to get power down, steep price increase over petrol model, a few equipment omissions, chassis and steering lacks finesse of competitors.