HAVAL H6 Review

In Malaysia's C-Segment SUV market, a clear demand from family users for space, fuel efficiency, and features has emerged. While many models aim to address these needs, few manage to achieve a balance. The core highlights of the 2024 HAVAL H6 HEV are straightforward: a combined output of 243PS, an official fuel consumption of 5.8L/100km, and nearly maxed-out intelligent safety features, all priced at RM 139,800. Our goal in this test drive is to determine if these on-paper specifications translate to practical usability and whether it's truly suitable as a primary family vehicle.

The exterior design of the 2024 HAVAL H6 HEV adopts a stable and solid style, with overall lines leaning toward a robust and sharp look. The large front grille features a blacked-out finish, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, giving it high recognition. The side profile is accentuated by a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear, complemented by 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, which makes the vehicle visually balanced and not overly bulky. The rear's through-style LED taillights are a highlight, with a clear lighting effect. Together with the chrome decorative strip below, the rear end looks more layered. It's worth mentioning that front and rear fog lights come as standard, which are quite practical for Malaysia's occasional rainy days.

Sitting inside, the first thing you'll notice is the overall tidy layout, with the center console tilted slightly toward the driver, making it very user-friendly. The interior materials aren't exactly luxurious, but soft materials cover the upper part of the dashboard and the door panel armrests, offering a pleasant touch. The 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster displays information clearly and can switch between different themes. Together with the 12.3-inch central control screen, it delivers a fair amount of technological feel. The central control screen operates smoothly, supports CarPlay and Android Auto, and is adequate for daily use. As for the seats, the driver's seat is 6-way electrically adjustable, and the front passenger seat is 4-way electrically adjustable. The seat cushions are soft and do not cause fatigue during long periods of sitting. The rear space is a significant advantage. With a wheelbase of 2738mm, a 175cm passenger will have more than two fists' worth of legroom and sufficient headroom without feeling cramped. Rear air conditioning vents and power outlets are included, and with an almost flat floor in the middle, the comfort of the middle passenger is also assured. The trunk provides a regular capacity of 560 liters, enough to fit three 20-inch suitcases. The rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding function, expanding the storage space, which is very practical for transporting larger items.

The H6 HEV’s power performance is its standout feature. The combination of a 1.5T turbocharged engine and an electric motor delivers a system output of 243PS and 530N·m of torque, achieving an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.7 seconds. When driving, the electric motor provides direct power during startup, offering a noticeable push-back feeling even with light foot pressure on the accelerator. Maneuvering in city traffic or overtaking is very easy. Switching to Sport mode delivers a more aggressive power response, with the engine engaging more actively. Even at high speeds, it offers impressive acceleration capabilities. For everyday driving, the Normal mode is sufficient as the power delivery is smooth, making it suitable for family users. Regarding the chassis, the combination of front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension leans towards comfort, effectively filtering out bumps when passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, with little vibration felt inside the cabin. The steering feels just right, with minimal free play, and the body roll is well-controlled during cornering. The overall driving experience feels very steady.

In terms of fuel consumption, we test-drove the car for a week, with urban and highway driving each accounting for roughly half. The displayed fuel consumption was around 6.2L/100km, which is not far off from the official figure of 5.8L/100km. For a C-Segment SUV, this fuel efficiency performance is excellent. Noise control is also well done; during low-speed urban driving, you can barely hear the motor and engine noise. On the highway, when the speed exceeds 100km/h, wind noise becomes slightly noticeable, but it does not affect normal conversations. The regenerative braking has three adjustable levels. When set to the highest level, releasing the accelerator provides a noticeable deceleration effect, allowing for nearly one-pedal driving, which can save some energy. When set to the lowest level, the gliding experience is similar to that of a fuel vehicle, making it suitable for users accustomed to driving fuel cars.

In terms of safety features, the H6 HEV is well-equipped. Six airbags, ABS anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control come standard. There are also intelligent safety features such as lane change assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and ACC adaptive cruise control, which provide great assistance during daily driving. The automatic parking assist feature is also very practical, with quick parking space detection, making it very user-friendly for beginners.

In summary, the 2024 HAVAL H6 HEV showcases clear core strengths: strong power combined with low fuel consumption, spacious interior suitable for family use, rich features, especially in safety configurations, which are almost maxed out. Priced at RM 139,800, it offers high value for money among its peers in the same class. Compared to similarly priced C-Segment SUVs, such as the CR-V Hybrid or RAV4 Hybrid, the H6 HEV offers more features at a significantly lower price. When compared with other domestic models, its balance in space and performance also stands out.

This car is very suitable for families who value balanced performance, especially those who often need to take family members on trips and want to balance power and fuel efficiency. Its features are sufficient for daily use, the space meets the needs of families, the power performance will not feel sluggish, and the fuel efficiency is economical. If you are looking for a C-Segment SUV around RM 140,000, the H6 HEV is worth serious consideration.

All in all, the 2024 HAVAL H6 HEV is a well-rounded model with no significant shortcomings. Its power, space, features, and fuel efficiency are all commendable, making it a perfect choice as a primary family car.