2025 GWM Haval H6: Updated RAV4 rival nears Australian launch, packing more power

A refreshed GWM Haval H6 is set to launch later this month, and it will bring a more powerful petrol engine.

Government approval documents seen by CarExpert show the updated mid-size SUV will continue to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but its power output has been boosted from 150kW to 170kW.

Additionally, it ditches its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for a nine-speed dual-clutch auto.

A torque figure isn’t listed, but in China this powertrain produces 175kW and 385Nm. The latter represents a significant increase of 65Nm.

Meantime, the Haval H6 Hybrid’s 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain appears unchanged. While total system outputs don’t appear in the approval documents, the outgoing Haval H6 Hybrid produces 179kW and 530Nm.

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Only front-wheel drive petrol and hybrid powertrains are listed in the certification documents, though GWM has previously indicated all-wheel drive hybrid versions and a plug-in hybrid powertrain will follow later in the year.

Previously reported to be coming here in 2024, the facelifted Haval H6 rollout is set to start later this month.

While GWM previously offered a PHEV version of the pre-facelift Haval H6 in its home market, a facelifted PHEV vehicle doesn’t appear on its Chinese website.

It’s unclear, then, which powertrain the Haval H6 PHEV will use in our market – whether it’s the heady 342kW/762Nm 1.5-litre turbo PHEV of the Haval H6 GT PHEV with its sub-5.0-second 0-100km/h time, or something more tame.

In Thailand, for example, the Haval H6 PHEV features a 27.54kWh battery and total system outputs of 240kW and 530Nm.

It has claimed electric-only range of 150km on the NEDC cycle, down from 180km on the more powerful H6 GT PHEV which uses a 35.4kWh battery.

The updated Haval H6 adopts a new face with vertical LED daytime running lights – but largely unchanged headlights – and a grille consisting of dozens of metal-look rectangle trim pieces, rather reminiscent of the grille on the outgoing Hyundai Palisade or the upcoming MG U9.

The full-width LED light bar at the rear has been replaced with separate tail-light clusters, with badging placed in between. The light bar lives on in facelifted Haval H6 models sold in Thailand.

Inside, there’s a new centre console design and steering wheel, while the carryover 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster now sits next to a larger 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The current, third-generation Haval H6 debuted in 2020, and arrived in Australia in 2021 to replace the 2015-vintage model known in China as the H6 Coupe.

A sleeker, coupe-style version of the current Haval H6, called the H6 GT, arrived here in 2022, followed by the PHEV version earlier this year.

GWM Australia is adding another mid-size crossover SUV to its ranks in the third quarter of this year with the Haval H7. This shares its platform with the H6 and H6 GT but features a locking rear differential, a “light off-road cruising mode”, and unique styling.

MORE: Everything GWM Haval H6