The entire coupe SUV factor mystifies me.

That’s to say, I’d by no means purchase one. However I do perceive why folks would purchase one, and what they like about them, and that they’re not going away anytime quickly.

So right here we’re, with the (to me, not less than) bewildering GWM Haval H6 GT, the coupe-style tackle the common H6 SUV.

However this one is completely different to another SUV coupes I’ve examined, as a result of it has a surprisingly spacious again seat on the subject of headroom. And, from some angles, I reckon it’s really fairly handsome.

What’s it like, then? And does it reside as much as the GT badge?

Learn on to seek out out.

How a lot does the GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely price?

The 2023 GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely AWD is the range-topping grade in a line-up of two – priced from $46,990 drive-away.

As you’ll see within the part under, you get far more than simply all-wheel-drive to your more money, and the Extremely grade actually lives as much as the model’s promise of providing a heap of package for not a lot money.

Credit score to GWM Haval, costs haven’t shifted because the automotive launched in Australia in mid-2022, whereas many different SUVs have seen costs improve by just a few per cent.

Notice too; these costs are drive-away nationally, and the premium paint price is comparatively modest at $495 for Crayon Gray (seen right here), Sapphire Blue, Burgundy Crimson, Atlantis Blue or Golden Black. Solely Hamilton White is on the market at $0.

As for rivals, there aren’t many at this sort of cash, and at this dimension. The obvious different is the Renault Arkana, which is a coupe-styled SUV a dimension smaller, and it begins at a lower cost, too (from $37,500). It doesn’t have practically as a lot grunt or tech, and it’s front-wheel drive solely, too.

The opposite choice, for individuals who are keen to spend slightly extra, could be the Audi Q3 Sportback (from $54,100) and that gained’t get you an SUV as massive or highly effective as this – however it can get you an Audi.

2023 GWM Haval H6 GT pricing:

• GWM Haval H6 GT Lux 2WD – $40,990 drive-away
• GWM Haval H6 GT Extremely AWD – $46,490 drive-away

Costs are drive-away

What’s theGWM Haval H6 GT Extremely like on the within?

The inside of the GT actually does stand out as a fairly particular and sporty place to take a seat, to not point out a high-tech zone – notably within the AWD mannequin.

That’s as a result of the Extremely will get an even bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen media system that appears the half on this cabin, and there’s a completely digital instrument cluster (10.25-inch) which is equally brilliant, crisp and a spotlight grabbing.

For the cash, there’s numerous perceived high quality and actually plush finishes within the cabin. 

There’s a microsuede end on the seats, doorways and armrests; and it truly is a beautiful texture. There’s additionally a pleasant wanting checked, carbon-inspired end on the centre console and the dashboard – and all of it ties collectively properly.

The seats supply a pleasant end by way of the fabric used, and the GT embroidery is an fascinating contact, however the adjustability of the motive force’s seat isn’t nearly as good because it could possibly be. I stored going again the electrical toggles attempting to get the seat slightly decrease and at a nicer angle – it didn’t work, regardless of what number of instances I attempted.

One factor I’ve discovered with GWM Haval merchandise typically is the steering wheel is a bit laborious. What I imply is, in the event you spend hours gripping the wheel, you may find yourself with sore arms, because it has a little bit of a more durable edge to the rim than most different wheels.

The usability of the media system is one other bugbear of mine. You’re required to do numerous work by the media display screen, and it may be tiresome.

For instance; in most different automobiles if you would like the seat heaters on, there’s a button. However on this automotive, you must undergo a number of menus (Automobile, Seat, after which modify the heating and/or air flow), which is distracting in the event you’re attempting to try this on the transfer – I’d advise you to do it whenever you’re not transferring.

Lots of the controls are like that on this automotive – buried in menus upon menus – and whereas there’s a complete lot of performance to it, it isn’t as user-friendly because it may or must be.

Sure, there’s a separate line of buttons to activate the A/C or demister, and you need to use that as a shortcut to get into the local weather controls, nevertheless it’s not as good because it could possibly be, both. So that you get my level – the display screen isn’t nice.

However, there may be fairly good storage on supply within the entrance seat space, with a pair of cupholders between the seats, a wi-fi cellphone charger tray in entrance of the shifter, a coated centre console bin, plus a big storage tray below the ‘bridge’ type console space between the seats, which can also be the place you discover two USB ports for charging/media.

Additional, there are door pockets with bottle holders and a smallish glovebox as nicely.

What’s stunning about this coupe SUV is that the again seat headroom is beneficiant. Loads of these types of fashions are actually solely appropriate for small occupants or youngsters within the second row, however the H6 GT provides an accommodating area for adults alike.

That’s as a result of as an alternative of the ‘coupe’ little bit of the roof beginning on the B-pillar (between the entrance and rear doorways), it really begins on the C-pillar, behind the place the rear doorways shut. Which means it has significantly extra headroom than it’d in any other case have been endowed with, and it’s a correctly appropriate household choice in consequence.

Not solely is there good head room, there’s additionally ample leg and foot area, and sufficient width throughout the again bench to permit three adults to take a seat side-by-side, too.

Plus, not like loads of different automobiles on this section, the again seat is tremendous cozy – it has a very good quantity of sponginess to it, which means you sit in it, not on it.

There are twin ISOFIX and three top-tether factors for little one seat fitment too, and the rear occupants have directional air-vents and a pair of USB ports. There are bottle holders within the doorways, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, and a few map pockets on the seatbacks as nicely.

Boot area, nevertheless, is restricted in contrast with the common H6. The GT is claimed to have 392 litres of cargo capability, which means the boot is a few 208 litres smaller (or 53 per cent) than the H6 SUV. 

You may nonetheless match a pram and some purchasing baggage within the again, or every week’s value of bags for a pair, nevertheless it’s not probably the most sensible car in the event you are inclined to load quite a bit into the trunk. There’s a space-saver spare wheel below the boot ground.

What’s below the bonnet?

The H6 GT is on the market solely with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of energy (6000-6300rpm) and 320Nm of torque (1500-4000rpm).

Whereas these outputs appear slightly conservative because the automotive weighs between 1570 and 1680 kilograms, it feels quite a bit perkier than these outputs counsel.

The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission, and as you most likely seen, there’s front-wheel drive for the Lux or all-wheel drive for the Extremely.

Towing capability is 750kg unbraked and 2000kg braked.

How does theGWM Haval H6 GT Extremely drive?

It may do with some enhancements in just a few key methods.

The two.0-litre engine feels prefer it has sufficient grunt for day-to-day driving duties, and in the event you depart it in Regular mode, it’s actually satisfactory by way of grunt.

There’s a Race mode if you wish to get extra out of it, and it actually does sharpen every part up and makes the engine and transmission response much more speedy, in addition to opening up the exhaust to permit for some popping and crackling, too. 

That’s a little bit of amusing, certain, nevertheless it by no means actually received to a degree the place I felt like I used to be having enjoyable driving this automotive, even when it may be quick in a straight line and theatrical whereas doing it.

The twin-clutch automated transmission isn’t as clean as an identical gearbox in a VW or Audi, and might battle in city driving; lagging from a standstill and even often shuddering as you progress away from a cease.

Then in different situations it can take off too shortly, which makes it laborious to evaluate and leaves you second guessing what’s going to occur subsequent. If it was gradual to reply on a regular basis, it’d be okay – nevertheless it’s the not-knowing that makes it laborious to reside with.

The every day driveability of it’s additional hampered by the gear selector – it’s a rotary dial shifter, however not like most of that breed the H6’s one doesn’t have a stopper on it, so you’ll find yourself twirling it and not likely realizing which gear you’re in till you look down to seek out out.

It’d sound trivial, however attempt a five-point activate a decent road in a rush, and also you’ll realise how annoying this may be.

That stated, the parking digicam system is great in these conditions, as a result of it has excellent readability from each the rear, entrance, facet and top-down views, and there’s an AI-style graphic illustration of the automotive in its location if you would like that, too.

Nonetheless, what is irritating is the digicam system will continually activate whenever you’re at decrease speeds, whether or not you’re indicating or not, and that may be tedious particularly in the event you’re listening to a track or podcast and wish to skip one thing, or simply wish to verify the place you’re occurring the display screen in the event you’re utilizing maps.

The H6 GT’s journey consolation is fairly good contemplating it’s using 19-inch wheels, however the dealing with could possibly be higher as a result of it doesn’t essentially sit overly flat in corners, and nor does it really feel as tied down because it may whenever you throw it round a bit.

Additional, the steering is considerably inconsistent in its reactiveness, feeling oddly weighted at instances. You may not less than get used to that, nevertheless it additionally has a fairly large turning circle at 12.0 metres.

I imply, in the event you’re stepping up from a 10-year-old Captiva or Outlander, that is going to really feel like the perfect automotive you’ve ever pushed. However I’ve pushed each competitor on this section, and it’s not even near the perfect within the class.

What do you get?

H6 GT Lux highlights:

• 19-inch black-finish alloy wheels
• Tyre strain monitoring
• LED headlights, daytime operating lights, entrance fog lights
• Roof rails
• Hill descent management
• Energy tailgate
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)
• 8-speaker sound system
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
• Consolation-Tek leatherette upholstery
• Heated entrance seats
• 8-way energy driver’s seat

H6 GT Extremely provides:

• All-wheel drive (AWD)
• Michelin Sport tyres
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Head-up show
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Ventilated (cooled) entrance seats
• Wi-fi cellphone charging
• Ambient lighting
• Arms-free energy tailgate
• Heated door mirrors
• Semi-automatic parking help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reverse AEB

Is theGWM Haval H6 GT Extremely secure?

You guess. Identical to the remainder of the H6 line-up, GT variations have the utmost five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on 2022 checks.

It scored 90 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for little one occupant safety 73 per cent for weak street consumer safety and 81 per cent for security help.

Normal security tools consists of:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
  • Junction help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Lane hold help
• Visitors signal recognition
• Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
• Clever Cruise Help
• Visitors Jam Help
• Encompass-view cameras
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• 7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag

H6 Extremely fashions add:

• Rear cross-traffic help
• Reversing AEB

How a lot does theGWM Haval H6 GT Extremely price to run?

The GWM Haval vary wears a seven-year, limitless kilometre guarantee, which is about the perfect you will get with out having to learn the superb print.

There’s a five-year roadside help program included from buy as nicely, and 5 years of capped-price servicing.

The service intervals are 12 months/10,000km for the primary go to, then yearly or 15,000km thereafter. The prices are respectable, at $1550 for 5 years for the 2WD (a mean of $310 per service), or $1780 for 5 years for the AWD ($356 common each year).

As for gas consumption, the Lux 2WD has an official mixed cycle gas use determine of seven.5 litres per 100 kilometres, whereas the Extremely AWD claims 8.4L/100km. Throughout my time testing out the AWD mannequin, I noticed a return of 10.0L/100km throughout a mixture of city, freeway and freeway driving.

You may fill it up with 91 RON common unleaded if you want, although I’d counsel operating it on premium unleaded. The gas tank capability is 61L for the FWD mannequin and 60L for the AWD.

CarExpert’s Tackle theGWM Haval H6 GT Extremely

The GWM Haval H6 GT feels nearly like an unfinished mission.

It has the bones to be one thing fairly spectacular, however for individuals who pine for a sporty-looking SUV that’s additionally sporty to drive, this may not hit the mark.

With some superb tuning, it could possibly be an important choice for these patrons. And for some patrons, the drive expertise could not show a dealbreaker.

However for yours actually, it could.

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