2023 GWM Haval H6 Supreme HEV Review | Philkotse Philippines

A slew of hybrid cars is entering the local market with the promise of improved performance and fuel efficiency. While hybrids undeniably boast improvements, they are significantly more expensive than their non-hybrid alternatives.

2023 Haval H6 HEV

Great Wall Motor (GWM) is on its way to catering to this growing demand with the H6 HEV – the brand’s entry into the compact crossover segment. On paper, the HEV H6 got me excited to test it out as the vehicle does have a long list of amenities without breaking the bank including a potent hybrid powertrain that’s notable in its class.

The Chinese automaker handed us the Haval H6 HEV Supreme, which is the model’s top-of-the-line variant sitting above the Max. Is the H6 HEV a good choice for bridging the gap between ICE (internal combustion engine) and EV (electric vehicle)? Here’s Philkotse’s full review of the 2023 GWM Haval H6 HEV.

We cannot deny that Chinese automakers have improved their design game as apparent in cars like the Geely Coolray and GAC GS3 Emzoom. Sure, the Haval H6 HEV may not be as flashy as other Chinese cars but I believe it still belongs to the list with its distinct exterior design from the front to the back.

Intricately-designed grille

For one, the intricate design finish of the grille stands out the most for me. The way the grille fades on the sides provides a free-flowing aesthetic, which should be a plus for design-conscious buyers. While the headlights flanking the grille don’t look very interesting, they do get the job done with an automatic function and can be electronically adjusted.

The side profile also looks somewhat simplistic but there are a few styling cues I find appealing. The first one is the contour that follows the round shape of the wheel fenders. There are also the 19-inch blacked-out wheels that don’t look too complex as compared to other stylish Chinese cars.

It sports a full-width taillight

Moving to the back, perhaps the design cue that stood out the most for me was the full-width LED taillights. The taillight cluster is also modest but it illuminates an interesting pattern when stepping on the brake pedal. However, I cannot decide whether the quirky third brake light – which apparently has four separate bulbs – is something I would dig or not. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so you be the judge for it.

What I can say is that I like how not every corner of the exterior features a very stylish design detail. This gives more space to the few unique ones to stand out more including the grille. It’s like GWM had a careful selection of design cues to put in instead of gathering all the best from the sketches and squeezing them into the vehicle.

Some cars from China look good on paper but the moment you get inside, there’s a tad bit feeling of disappointment for the quality. One thing I can tell you is that this wasn’t what I experienced the first time I hopped inside the Haval H6. The interior boasts a neat finish, which is a breath of fresh air from the over-the-top interiors of other Chinese cars.

Interior of the H6

The straightforward dashboard layout is one of the first things I noticed. The controls for the aircon (A/C), hazard light, and 360-degree camera are placed well just above the wireless charger. While the placement makes it easier for drivers to make adjustments, some of the A/C settings like the fan speed can only be changed on the infotainment screen.

I don’t use the automatic mode in A/Cs so I find this a drawback. I had to wait to come to a full stop before I changed the settings, which I found bothersome. Although, navigating to the A/C controls on setting is quite easy. Just press the A/C button on the center console or tap on the top left corner of the screen where it says the A/C temp.

Second-row seats

Other than that, the interior is as impressive as it gets. The interior space is also another commendable part of the H6 HEV, and it almost felt like a midsize crossover room inside, accommodating up to five occupants comfortably. As a driver, I appreciate soft-touch materials on the door and center glovebox. I also became a passenger in the second row, and it was as comfortable as sitting at the front, with easy-to-adjust A/C vents and USB charging ports on the center console making the ride more convenient.

I even reckon third-row seating would fit, which goes to show how spacious the cargo area is. But that would move the hybrid battery somewhere as it currently lies below the cargo floor.

It is as roomy as it gets

Much like the exterior, GWM didn’t overdo the interior yet for me, it worked out just fine. There are also amenities such as the panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting that add a cozier driving experience, especially at night under the city lights.

Both the 12.3-inch infotainment screen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and the 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster are responsive in their own rights. The latter can even host various layouts, and my favorite during a week with the vehicle was the one that shows whether the battery is charging or powering the front wheels. It even detects surrounding vehicles and lane markings, which are also shown on the heads-up display that gave me a less distracting driving experience.

Reminds me of the Land Rover Defender

But when it comes to navigating through these systems, it can be a handful – which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending I believe if you are tech-savvy. There is a learning curve to get used to adjusting settings for systems like the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). I even gave up the first day and just drove whatever the vehicle came with as default. Good thing the 360-degree camera was easy to use complemented by a split display that had good and clear resolution.

The only issue I had, personally, was the eight-speaker system with Digital Theater Sound (DTS). It does sound fine when listening to acoustic or the radio. But when songs with loud bass parts come up, usually rap songs, the volume and quality get affected. If you’re not into such a genre, then this might not be a concern for you.

12.3-inch touchscreen

As mentioned earlier, the H6 HEV is equipped with an ADAS, providing functions such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, among others. When using automatic emergency braking, I had two instances when it activated even when the pedestrian and vehicle in front had a relatively comfortable distance from the vehicle. Luckily, no one was tailgating me during those times.

I never had that type of experience before in other cars equipped with an ADAS. That can be a good thing safety-wise but I find it a bit too sensitive. But you can always change the sensitivity level in the infotainment screen once you have already gone through the learning curve.

Without a doubt, the Haval H6 HEV is one of the best cars I’ve test-driven in its respective segment. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter engine capable of generating 148 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque. With the hybrid system, it bumps the figures to 240 horsepower and 530 Nm of torque.

The H6 boasts a hybridized engine with over 500 Nm of torque

At first, I thought the 530 Nm of torque on tap just might well be a gimmick, or maybe there’s a huge driveline loss once I’m sat behind the wheel. But I’m glad I was wrong as the numbers speak for themselves. Sure, I experienced wheel spin at times but this is not a performance car.

This is a vehicle you can take out with the family or as a daily, yet it has the power just in case you need it. I had no trouble getting off from a standstill, as well as making a safe maneuver when overtaking. The vehicle also has launch control made more exciting with the instant torque from the hybrid system.

The launch control was fun for a car with an electric motor

The noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) were also kept to a minimum, which gave me a premium car feel throughout my short time with the vehicle. One thing I noticed was the uncomfortable gutted feeling when carrying a little more speed when passing a speed bump, especially for the front wheels.

The steering was fairly responsive, and I like that it’s not as nimble as other Chinese cars like the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV. This gave me better feedback on the road, making the driving experience even more fun. Yes, fun is the best word to describe what it’s like to drive the Haval H6 HEV. You still kind of feel the large size and weight of the vehicle, though, but at least those translate to a good interior room.

In the city, the Haval H6 HEV was able to return 10 km/l in stop-and-go traffic. Considering the vehicle can run on hybrid power alone, the engine can automatically turn off in traffic, consequently saving some fuel. In comparison to the non-hybrid Ford Territory with the same engine displacement, we only got 7.8 km/l.

Almost every information you'll ever need is on the instrument cluster

On the open highway, the vehicle posted 16.8 km/l. I thought I might get over 20 km/l as I was the only one in the car during the eco test run but that number is still impressive, especially when compared to non-hybrid rivals. Based on our tests, the Ford Territory had 13.5 km/l, while the Hyundai Tucson posted 14.3 km/l.

Given the plethora of amenities and potent hybrid powertrain, I find the GWM Haval H6 HEV a competitive full hybrid with the price in mind. For reference, GWM Philippines offers this top-spec H6 HEV Supreme variant for Php 1,888,000, with the base Max variant priced at Php 1,788,000.

A strong contender in the hybrid segment

The H6 HEV should tick the boxes for someone who is looking to transition to EVs, especially with driving experience one can never have with an ICE. The only direct competition it really has is the Corolla Cross HEV – which only has 120 horsepower – and the Honda CR-V e:HEV priced at Php 2,590,000. From those factors alone, it’s clear the Haval H6 is not a bad choice for your hard-earned pesos.