Today we’re back with the expert review of Pakistan’s first locally assembled hybrid vehicle, the Haval H6 HEV. Haval entered the market in 2022 through a joint venture between Great Wall Motors and Sazgar Engineering. CBU units of the Jolion and H6 were initially offered, after which local assembly of the H6 started. In December 2022, Haval launched the CKD Haval H6 HEV, a 5-seater hybrid electric crossover. Today, we will review this car in detail and find out if it lives up to its handsome price tag.
Drivetrain
The Haval H6 HEV comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor which produces a combined horsepower of 240 hp and 530 nm of torque. This engine is configured with a dedicated hybrid transmission, delivering power to the front wheels.
Exterior
Coming to the exterior, the front is largely covered with a massive front grill extending horizontally in the bumpers. Headlamps are LEDs, the same as fog lamps, with parking sensors and radar integrated below. Sides are highlighted mainly by the gloss black 19-inch alloys exclusive to the HEV variant.
A combination of black and chrome at the sides really stand out too. Moving to the rear, things get a bit bland compared to the front, but the continuous LED tail light makes up for it. Boot capacity is decent, with 808 liters of storage with the rear seats down. Overall, exterior aesthetics are on the aggressive side, something atypical in most hybrids.
Interior
The interior is simple and elegant but futuristic. Being a C+ crossover with only five seats, the H6 HEV gets plenty of space in the cabin and feels roomy. The dash features a dual-screen setup, one as the instrument cluster while the other being the infotainment system. Two colour options are available, including tan and burgundy red.
The layout is minimalistic with sleek AC vents, no clutter of physical buttons, and every control is within the hand-reach of the driver. The two screens are dynamic and provide plenty of information, acting as the highlight of the H6 HEV’s interior. Seats are electric with good cushioning enhancing passenger comfort, and they are ventilated as well. Space is impressive, along with the front, the rear row also has plenty of room to stretch out knees.
Features
Being the most expensive product from Haval in Pakistan, the H6 HEV gets a list of quirks and features. These include several driver assistance features like a 360-degree camera, auto parking, blind spot mentor, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, cornering brake control, second collision mitigation, emergency lane keep, lane change assist, and whatnot. Other features include 6 airbags, dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with IOS and Android connectivity, ambient lighting, panoramic roof, driving modes, and much more.
Drive
The driving pleasure of the H6 HEV is phenomenal; the combination of instant torque from the electric motors and turbo helps it accelerate from 0 to 100 in around 8 seconds. The car runs on its batteries at lower speeds and is dead silent. Suspension is very well balanced, providing comfort even on rough roads as well as at high speeds. Steering is very light, enabling effortless maneuvers and a good road grip on the highway. The driver assistance features are very smart, which prove to be very helpful while driving.
Fuel Average
With fuel prices skyrocketing, one of this car’s winning points is its fuel average. Within the city, it does around 16 to 18 km/l, easily switching between its electric motors and the engine. On the contrary, the fuel average decreases on the highway, as with most hybrids. With regenerative braking and a very smart power delivery system, the Haval H6 is pretty pocket friendly in terms of fuel.
Verdict
As per our expert, the Haval H6 HEV has set the bar very high for locally assembled cars. The features, technology, and drive is way above any other car in the market, and the impressive fuel average gives it an extra edge over competitors. As for the company and after-sale support, Sazgar engineering has a very strong network, well-developed dealership infrastructure, and reputable customer service.
Price
The H6 was launched back in December with an invoice of under 10 million; however, due to economic instability, the current price has increased to PKR 10,995,000.
