With talk of the brand new second generation Haval H9 Since we were scheduled for the Australian market, we had the opportunity to take the vehicle for a quick ride in China last week.
For those looking to buy a seven-seat SUV, Great Wall Motors (GWM) already offers the recently launched Tank 500 – however, there is definitely a part of the market that wants the same seating capacity, comfort, interior features and that same finish without the hardcore offering – roadworthiness of the Tank and its competitors or their price tags.
That’s probably where the Haval H9 will find its place when it comes to our market.
If the Haval H9 actually comes to our market, it would have to be priced and performed below the recently launched Tank 500 (between $66,490 and $73,990 auto).
Since discontinuing production of the first-generation H9, GWM has been looking for a cheaper seven-seat option in its Haval SUV range.
The new Haval H9 is currently offered in China with turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engines and a 2.4-liter diesel engine. With the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) being introduced in Australia, the diesel would be unlikely to be seriously considered and there is currently no hybrid variant of the H9.
That leaves us with the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivers 167 kW and XXXNm of torque.
Measuring 4859mm long, 1934mm wide and 1853mm high, the new H9 will sit at the top of the Haval range. Unlike its predecessor, the new seven-seater features a far boxier design that is sure to attract a lot more interest from Australian SUV-loving buyers.
The G-Wagen/Defender-like design makes the H9 look much more premium in person, but contrary to what some may think, for us it’s actually the interior that was the highlight of the car.
Haval and GWM as the parent company have clearly invested significant sums in modernizing and improving their interiors, fittings and finishes.
It wouldn’t be remiss of us to say that getting into the H9 is now like getting into a far more expensive European competitor. The only difference is that the Haval’s infotainment and in-car technology appears to be further ahead (software glitches aside). .
Details about the vehicle are currently limited (at least in English), but there are two large super-high resolution screens, with the center screen capable of supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the infotainment system, supported by a 10-speaker stereo system.
We found the front seats to be very plush and comfortable, while the second row is wide enough to accommodate three average-sized adults with relative ease. There’s plenty of storage space, charging ports (although some of them are USB-A instead of C) and, due to the boxy shape, plenty of headroom.
As with most SUVs in this class, the third row is designed for smaller adults or children. The two seats can be folded flat when not in use, which is a useful option for temporary storage, but not ideal for long-distance travel.
We drove the new H9 through Haval’s test facility to see how the vehicle accelerates, turns and climbs steep inclines.
Our first impressions are rather positive, although they are tempered by our lack of time behind the wheel. What we can say is that the 2.0-liter engine and transmission proved to be a bold and capable powertrain for the vehicle, even with five adults in the car.
The Haval H9 may not be the hardcore off-roader that the Tank 500 is in terms of differentials and locking systems, but with its 224mm ground clearance (to be confirmed for Australia) and all-wheel drive, it’s certainly more than capable , to get you and your family to the beach and do some sensible work away from the bitumen.
The real question for GWM will be what price and specifications it can bring to our market. As the brand continues to move up its price range with the introduction of newer and better models, it remains to be seen how big Australia’s appetite will be for more expensive (and better equipped) Haval models.
We look forward to driving the vehicle on Australian roads when or if it emerges in the near future.
Once GWM Australia decides to launch the H9, based on previous cases, it could be ready and arrive locally in right-hand drive within the next 12 months.