This week, we’ll talk about the new 2022 Haval SUV that is giving big-name carmakers a run for their money.
While the Haval H6 isn’t a household name like the Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander or the Toyota RAV4, it is steadily finding favour with the Bangladeshi audience.
There are a few reasons for that, as many corporate houses prefer brand new vehicles for their employees and these vehicles having a good reputation with reliability has contributed to that along with easier loan facilities.
Haval cars have been around for a couple of years now, and there have been next to no complaints about their vehicles breaking down.
Ace Autos, the authorized sole distributor of Great Wall’s Haval cars in Bangladesh, launched the third generation 2022 Haval H6 in Bangladesh very recently.
This hybrid H6 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired that gives around 151 horsepower. Haval claims a total system output of 530Nm of torque.
The engine being a 1500cc, the yearly tax is also lower than most other SUVs of its size. Its older counterparts, such as the Toyota Kluger, Honda CRV or the Nissan X-Trail all come with an engine displacement of 2000-2500cc or above, which equals to a hefty yearly tax of Tk75,000.
The 2022 H6 will set you back Tk42.8 lakh right from the showroom and with this model, you get to save money on tax and fuel as it gives around 14kms per litre.
Ace Autos is however only bringing the 1.5L version, even though a 2.0L variant is available in the international market, mostly due to tax regulations.
Upfront, the H6 has plenty of leg and headroom for taller passengers. It's spacious enough that you won't feel like you're cramped in a tight space, and the interior finish of the dashboard is top-notch, and have gained a lot of praise from reviewers around the world.
The cabin design and layout is slick and unique without being too out there, and the H6 looks and feels like a much more expensive vehicle, even with the plastic steering wheel and cloth seat trim.
The H6 has a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the overall build quality of the whole interior is solid and durable.
The second row has plenty of headroom, and it has adequate space between the knees and the seat in front for larger adults and teenagers, meaning going on long drives shouldn’t be too much of a problem for those sitting at the back.
However, these vehicles are all sold out and need to be pre-ordered and have a waiting time of about a couple of weeks.
The global semiconductor shortage has caused car manufacturers around the world to cut down on production, hence the shortage of vehicles.
Coming to how the vehicle drives, the H6 is smooth, responsive to driver instructions, and has good handling. The steering turns easily and the car feels good on the road, but the turning radius isn’t all that great.
Compared to one of its direct competitors the Proton X70, the built quality and design is superior and the Haval offers more features especially when it comes to the displays and the infotainment systems.
Chinese car brands are gaining a strong foothold in the local market, as a combination of great looks, reliability and providing features that previously could only be found in the top tier European brands have helped them gain huge popularity in a relatively short time.
Next week, we will focus on its biggest competitor in the MG HS and compare both of these vehicles in a head-to-head review.
