The GWM Haval H6 GT is eye-catching, and now the value equation is better than ever.
WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2023 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra AWD
Note: This article is based on our most recent review of the H6 GT, as there have been no major specification changes since its publication – though the entry-level Lux is no longer available.
We have updated key details such as pricing and specifications with the most up to date information available, and added imagery of the latest model where applicable.
Read our most recent price and specs article here.
As we get deeper into the second half of 2024, we’ve noticed GWM has made some adjustments to the H6 GT range.
Gone is the entry-level Lux price leader, with the flagship Ultra grade now the sole offering. While it normally wears a $46,990 drive-away price tag, GWM Australia is offering a $4500 discount to $41,990 drive-away until December 31, 2024.
That’s only $1000 more than the old Lux – and 2025 should see the introduction of a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, ‘plugging’ an electrification gap in the Chinese brand’s mid-sized SUV ‘coupe’ model range.
If you haven’t already, should you give it a look?
How much does the GWM Haval H6 GT cost?
Just one variant remains available in Australia, and it’s currently being advertised with a substantial discount.
| Model | Drive-away pricing | Promotional pricing (D/A)* |
|---|---|---|
| GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra AWD | $46,490 | $41,990 |
* Promotional pricing ends December 31, 2024
To see how the H6 GT compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool.
What is the GWM Haval H6 GT like on the inside?
A special and sporty place to sit? Yes, the GT ticks those boxes, and it also has a decently high-tech vibe to it.
The Ultra grade has a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen media system than in the base grade, plus a fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster. So it’s going to feel like a big improvement from your old Holden Captiva or Mitsubishi Outlander.
However, the usability of the media system isn’t as simple as in some other vehicles. In most other cars, for example, to turn the seat heaters on there’s a button, but GWM requires you to dig through several menus, which is tedious.
Indeed, plenty of the controls you’ll want to use are operated via the screen, including adjusting the fan speed for the air-conditioning, or turning on/off the cabin air recirculation.
There is an array of buttons below the screen for some climate controls, but it just isn’t as user-friendly as it could be.
Storage up front is user-friendly, with a pair of cupholders between the seats, door pockets with bottle holders, a smallish glovebox, wireless phone charging tray, covered centre console bin, and a large storage tray under the centre console – which is where you find two USB ports for charging/media.
That means you still don’t get wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The front seat space and comfort is mostly good, with decent electric adjustment for the front seats, but there’s no lumbar support adjustment, and we found the back of the seat to be a tad uncomfortable.
Back seat space is good, with enough room for adults to fit in behind big units. At 182cm/6’0”, I had no issues fitting in behind my own driving position, with very good knee room, foot space, shoulder room and head space.
This is surprising for a coupe-style SUV, but that’s because the roof is raked downwards from the back of the rear doors, rather than from the B-pillar.
There are dual ISOFIX child seat anchors and three top-tethers in the second row.
Rear riders also have directional air vents, a pair of USB ports, bottle holders in the doors, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, and map pockets on the seat backs.
The interior is roomy, but the boot is a little tight. The GT model has 392 litres of cargo capacity, some 208 litres (or 53 per cent) less than the H6 SUV.
But unless you’ve got triplets, a mega pram or you’re planning a fortnight on the road, you should still fit the stuff you need to.
And it’s nice to see a space-saver spare wheel under the boot floor, too.
| Dimensions | GWM Haval H6 GT |
|---|---|
| Length | 4727mm |
| Width | 1940mm |
| Height | 1729mm |
| Wheelbase | 2738mm |
| Cargo capacity | 392-1390 litres |
To see how the H6 GT compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool.
What’s under the bonnet?
The H6 GT comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power (over 6000-6300rpm) and 320Nm of torque (1500-4000rpm).
| Specifications | GWM Haval H6 GT |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Power | 150kW (6000-6300rpm) |
| Torque | 320Nm (1500-4000rpm) |
| Transmission | 7-speed DCT |
| Driven wheels | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1680kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 8.4L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 9.4L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 60 litres |
| Fuel requirement | 91 RON |
| Braked tow capacity | 2000kg – braked |
To see how the H6 GT compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool.
How does the GWM Haval H6 GT drive?
We didn’t love it the last time we drove it, and this time? Well… we still didn’t love it.
That’s unsurprising really, as nothing has changed with the H6 GT drive experience compared to the last example we tested.
If you’re upgrading from a 10- or 15-year-old vehicle, you may not find much to complain about.
But compared to other mid-sized SUVs, we don’t rate the H6 GT as a top-10 model in its segment when it comes to driving enjoyment or day-to-day driver-friendliness.
It isn’t underpowered. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine has enough urge for daily driving duties, and in the normal driving mode, it’s adequate in terms of mid-range torque delivery.
However, the dual-clutch auto can feel laggy in stop-start traffic, and that’s often when it’s at its most frustrating – because as well as lag, there’s a shift lag from the rotary dial selector, which at times seems to decide that it doesn’t want to go to ‘Drive’ or ‘Reverse’. When parking, for example, that can be really annoying!
Beyond that, the transmission can be inconsistent in its responsiveness and logic, making it feel a bit too much like guesswork when it really shouldn’t.
As we mentioned in our previous review, there is a Race drive mode if you want to get more out of it. It notably sharpens up the engine and transmission response, and gives you a pop and crackle exhaust soundtrack at times too.
While that did make us smile once or twice during our drive, the other elements of this SUV can’t induce the same emotional reaction.
The steering, for instance, doesn’t have the same sort of consistency or joyfulness as some rivals. It’s not as direct as in a Honda CR-V, and not as natural as in a Volkswagen Tiguan. It can feel oddly weighted at times, which you can get used to, but the turning circle is big too – 12.0 metres.
The parking camera system is excellent though, making it easier to steer in and out of tight spots thanks to its crisp display imagery with rear, front, side and top-down views, as well as an augmented reality view so you can position it in its environment.
But that system can interrupt your podcast, phone call or navigation instructions, because it auto-activates at low speeds.
On the plus side, the H6 GT’s ride comfort is decent considering it’s sitting atop 19-inch wheels, with commendable grip from its Michelin tyres, but it does lean a bit in corners.
It also doesn’t feel quite as tied down as many rivals when you link up corners on an enjoyable road.
To see how the H6 GT compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool.
What do you get?
On test here is the GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra AWD.
H6 GT Ultra highlights:
- All-wheel drive
- Michelin Sport tyres
- 19-inch black-finish alloy wheels
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- LED headlights, daytime running lights and front fog lights
- Roof rails
- Hill descent control
- Power tailgate
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- 8-speaker sound system
- Dual-zone climate control
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Comfort-Tek leatherette upholstery
- Heated front seats
- 8-way power driver’s seat
- Head-up display
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Ventilated (cooled) front seats
- Wireless phone charging
- Ambient lighting
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Heated door mirrors
- Semi-automatic parking assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reverse AEB
Is the GWM Haval H6 GT safe?
The GWM Haval H6 model line-up – including the sportier-looking GT versions – come with a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2022 testing.
| Category | GWM Haval H6/H6 GT |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 90 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 73 per cent |
| Safety assist | 81 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Seven airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection
- Cyclist detection
- Crossroad/junction detection
- Manoeuvre braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Emergency Lane Keep assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Intelligent Cruise Assist
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Reversing camera
- Surround-view camera
- Front and rear parking sensors
- “Full Auto Parking” tech
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reverse AEB
How much does the GWM Haval H6 GT cost to run?
You get a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty from GWM Haval Australia.
| Running costs | GWM Haval H6 GT |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years or 70,000 kilometres |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1780 – 5 years |
To see how the H6 GT compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool.
CarExpert’s Take on the GWM Haval H6 GT
The GWM Haval H6 GT still feels like it needs a proper overhaul for it to be considered among the best SUVs in its class, but you can’t deny that it’s a lot of SUV for the money.
If driving dynamics and nitpicking transmission foibles aren’t things that keep you up at night, it could be a very good choice for you.
Interested in buying a GWM Haval H6 GT? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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