Auto tested more than 90 cars in 2025. As is tradition, we now re-publish our favourite tests of the year as our six Best Tests over the first weeks of December. We will then present three Auto Special Awards in the Best EV, Best Bakkie and Performance car of the year 2025. And then we announce the overall Best Test 2025 on 19 December. So come back for your daily Auto entertainment!
AUTO BEST TESTS 2025 #3: GWM HAVAL H6 1.5T HEV ULTRA LUXURY
BEST TEST 3: Great Haval hybrid flawed in ways
So Haval has joined the hybrid charge. Or is that GWM? We’re confused. Just a few months ago they were telling us how the SUVs were Haval. But now some of them have GWM badges, others Haval. This one has both. GWM on the tailgate and Haval on the nose. So we’re calling it the GWM Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury.
We prefer that. GWM is probably the best established Chinese brand in the country. Its bakkies have done hundreds of thousands of South Africans more than proud over so many years, so we’d naturally call all our cars GWM if we were them. Just add the Haval or Tank or whatever behind.
Anyway, not to be confused with the more expensive H6 GT plug-in hybrid, this one’s just a H6 and just a hybrid. Which we prefer. No plugs, no nonsense and the electric bit always working for you. No need to hassle to charge it up every time you park it.
This large GWM Haval H6 SUV is GTI quick
The petrol part is a 113 kW 233 Nm1.5-litre four pot turbo. GWM is a little more coy on the electric part. Besides that it’s a motor, of course and that combined they deliver a total of 179 kW and 530 Nm torque. Which is pretty impressive. I certainly delivered on our test strip. Those numbers down below are GTI quick.
The combustion and electric elements are merged by what they call a 2-Speed dedicated hybrid transmission. Adequate as a first attempt, it’s nowhere near as sorted as say our Corolla Cross Hybrid. Which benefits 30 years of continuous Toyota Prius hybrid development.
This GWM gearbox doesn’t seem to know how to handle the hybrid system. Yes, sure, its smooth and quiet, but let’s just say that it’s a bit confused versus the market standard. And the biggest elephant in the room, the brakes are diabolical at los speed, far too sensitive and spoil an otherwise great effort.
H6 possesses a certain Western feel
There are a few other aspects that need to be sorted. Like the anxious steering. But overall performance is impressive as noted and it all comes with frugal consumption and a squeaky green credentials. Enough to leave you wondering why the hell you need and EV. Or any plug, for that matter.
All that is however only part of the deal and for the rest, we were pleasantly impressed by this GWM Haval. For starters, it looks Western and does not lean on some often garish oriental themes. Plain, simple, sharp and handsome, it definitely looks the part without becoming at all imposing.
Confident curves, gentle lines and a pronounced grille set the tone between imposing LED headlights. Blackened 225/55 R19 sports alloy wheels and gloss black accents, a sporty rear spoiler and panoramic sunroof complement the black on pearly white feel. Tou will not feel bullied by an Audi, BMW or a Merc in this car.
Well built H6 cabin feels Western too
And it feels Western too. Build quality is great and H6 keeps driver and passenger centre of mind in a comfy, no compromise cabin. Boasting keyless smart entry, the cockpit is dominated by modern 10.25 Inch colour combination instrumentation, customisable head-up display and a 12.3” colour multi-touch screen.
It’s an impressive array that generally escapes that poor Mandarin translation of dodgy Chinese logic. But it’s still a little too Eastern for us versus what we’d expect from Toyota or Volkswagen. And it’s a button and knob, or three short. Although the mutifunction steering is top. One aspect we really enjoyed were the seats. Reminded us of a Bentley or a Lambo. Proper.
All the safety and assistance is there too, from seven airbags to stability control, auto parking with panoramic 360-degree cameras and front and rear parking sensors. There’s also everything from speed adaptive cruise control to emergency braking, traffic jam, rear cross traffic, lane keep steering, lane departure and door open system.
A few fixes would make this H6 unbeatable
All very handy kit, but some of us prefer some of it, and others, all if it off. Which is more good news because once we’d extinguished what we did not want, it stayed off and would remain so until we want to change it. Which is of course the correct way. The H6 HEV also comes with a comprehensive service plan and warranty package through the best established Chinese dealer body in the country.
In summary, this big, spacious and comfortable GWM Haval H6 HEV is a great value SUV with great Western looks. And it packs it all in for an eye-wateringly attractive price. Performance is good, acceleration brisk and it offers great range and fuel economy. Sure, it suffers some lingering Eastern foibles around the screens and interface, and it still drives, well Eastern, with a dullish feel and over sharp brakes.
That said, the Chinese have fixed so much of what we have criticised on their cars over recent years and if they can develop those few now relatively easy rectifiable issues that should not even add to the price of the car, then GWM may very well obliterate this market. Yes. It’s pretty darned good! – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
Road Tested: GWM Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury
Engine: 179kW 530Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol
Hybrid: electric motor
Drive: 2-speed automatic FWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 3.59sec
0-100 km/h: 7.34 sec
0-120 km/h: 9.76 sec
0-160 km/h: 16.61 sec
400m: 15.2 sec @ 154 km/h
80-120 km/h: 4.48 sec
120-160 km/h: 6.85 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 175 km/h
Fuel Average: 5.2 l/100 km
CO2: 120 g/km
Range: 1150 km
Warranty/Service: 7/8y 150/200K/7y 75K km
LIST PRICE: R686K
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