- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
150kW, 320Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 8.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
7 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2022)
2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra review
The GWM Haval H6 GT comes fully loaded with kit you’d rarely find on a vehicle for under $100,000 and a slick exterior design not seen among its rivals. But does this budget-friendly SUV really have it all?
- Value for money and generous standard features
- Swish interior styling with plenty of storage
- Striking exterior
- Convoluted infotainment system
- Jerky at low speeds
- Steering lacks precision
2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra
Off the back of the success of its sibling, the Haval H6, GWM developed a GT version to entice buyers looking for something with a bit more edge and a sportier aesthetic.
True to GWM's reputation, the Haval H6 GT packs a host of generous standard features you won’t find in another car in its class while remaining incredibly competitive on price.
Couple this with the coupe-SUV styling, and you have a vehicle that is certainly in a league of its own.
So it looks good, and the price is good, but is the Haval H6 GT all show and no go? Let’s find out.
How much is a GWM Haval H6 GT?
There are two variants in the Haval H6 GT line-up – the Lux and the Ultra, priced at $40,990 and $46,490 drive-away respectively.
GWM currently has a plate clearance deal for 2023 model year vehicles, with the Lux going from $39,990 drive-away and the Ultra from $43,990 drive-away until March 31, 2024.
We’re testing the Ultra in this review, with premium Crayon Grey paint that costs an extra $495.
The mid-size SUV market is hugely competitive in Australia with some big players like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tuscon. The Haval H6 GT stands out from the pack with its sleek coupe styling. The sloped roof line, double spoilers and side skirts give it a look reminiscent of higher-end luxury SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne or BMW X4.
On the front, we have an aggressive-looking grille, faux carbon-fibre panel and LED lights. Plus, you get 19-inch wheels with Michelin tyres and, of course, the bright-yellow brake calipers complete the look.
Its rivals, the Mazda CX-5 Akera (from $57,597 drive-away in Melbourne) and Toyota RAV4 Edge (from $61,540 drive-away, Melb) offer similar levels of equipment at much steeper price points. However, with the GWM Haval H6 GT, you get more power output (unless you’re willing to fork out more than $60K for the 2.5-litre turbo petrol G35 Akera), a seven-year warranty, and features like auto parking assist and a larger infotainment screen on the Ultra grade.
Key details | 2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra |
Price | $46,490 drive-away |
Colour of test car | Crayon Grey |
Options | Premium paint – $495 |
Price as tested | $46,985 drive-away |
Rivals | Toyota RAV4 | Mazda CX-5 | Hyundai Tucson |
How big is a GWM Haval H6 GT?
Now this is a cabin I wouldn’t mind stepping into every day. From the high-definition infotainment and cluster displays to the suede-look accents and panoramic sunroof, it’s hard to believe this is one of the more affordable midsize SUVs on the market. Even the doors feel hefty, lifting the perceived quality.
You’ve got plenty of storage options in here too, with a spacious floating centre console bin with an extra shelf beneath it, foldable cupholders, key holder, wireless charge pad, sunnies compartment, glovebox, and large bottle holders in all the doors.
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However, it's not without its quirks. While the Haval H6 GT does have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it's a wired connection and the port is inconveniently located on the passenger’s side, towards the floor. This means you have to awkwardly reach over and down to plug the cord in if you don’t have a passenger on board with you to assist.
And each to their own, but I’m not the biggest fan of the rotary dial gear selector. It can be a bit finicky and isn’t the most responsive. To me, it cheapens the sharp look of the cabin.
Taller passengers will be more than comfortable occupying the back row. With a sloped roof line that leaves passenger space intact, and only tapers off behind occupants, there’s still plenty of head room and leg room as well, and the seats are nice and cushy.
You’re well-appointed for amenities too. You get air vents, USB ports and a pair of cupholders in the centre armrest – enough to keep anyone happy back here.
The coupe styling does mean a compromise on boot space. While the regular Haval H6 SUV has 600 litres of boot space, the GT version has 392L of capacity – that’s a fair bit less. It’s still sufficient space for a suitcase or two, a big grocery shop, or a pram.
The rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split, and when fully folded you are afforded 1390L. Comparatively, its boot capacity falls short of some rivals, with the Mazda CX-5 offering a little more room at 438L and the Toyota RAV4 measuring 580L.
Where it lacks in boot space, it makes up for in length. At 4727mm long, the Haval is a good 177mm longer than a Mazda CX-5, and 127mm longer than a Toyota RAV4, so it’s on the larger end of the midsize SUV market.
The underfloor storage houses a space-saver spare tyre and you have a powered and hands-free tailgate. Frustratingly, the hands-free operation was hit-and-miss for me as it often wouldn’t respond – perhaps it requires longer legs for consistent functionality!
2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 392L seats up 1390L seats folded |
Length | 4727mm |
Width | 1940mm |
Height | 1729mm |
Wheelbase | 2738mm |
Does the GWM Haval H6 GT have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The Haval H6 GT comes equipped with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming and hands-free calls as well as a wireless phone charging pad.
In the Ultra grade, its central infotainment display measures a sizeable 12.3 inches, an upgrade from the 10.25-inch unit found in the more affordable Lux variant, accompanied by a 10.5-inch digital cluster.
While these screens offer top-notch resolution and a plethora of customisable features, there are lots of key functions buried in the infotainment touchscreen, including climate control and seat heating/ventilation. Couple that with a responsiveness that can only be described as sluggish, and you can imagine how frustrating that is to adjust while on the move.
There’s no DAB digital radio or an in-built satellite navigation system, you’ll have to rely on phone mirroring for that. The eight-speaker sound system, while adequate, is a little lacklustre and won’t blow your socks off.
It’s worth noting that while a companion smartphone app is available in certain overseas markets, it is not currently available in Australia.
Is the GWM Haval H6 GT a safe car?
The Haval H6 GT inherits the five-star ANCAP rating of its sibling, the Haval H6, which was awarded in 2022. It received commendable scores, particularly for adult occupant protection (90 per cent) and child occupant protection (88 per cent). Vulnerable user protection was at 73 per cent, while safety assist scored 81 per cent.
There are seven airbags comprising of dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting (curtain) airbags. A centre airbag provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes.
2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2022) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the GWM Haval H6 GT have?
The list of safety technologies the Haval H6 GT has is extensive, and it’s great that they’re there. However, some of these features could use a little fine-tuning.
In particular, the lane-keep assist is overbearing. Driving on a bendy stretch of road, the system intrusively attempts to override your steering input the entire time and I don’t feel fully in control. Additionally, the hazard lights activate unnecessarily during sudden braking and even when you’re switching driving modes.
One of the more luxurious safety features of the Haval H6 GT is the auto parking assist, which is a rare offering for cars in this class. However, using this feature made parking more stressful rather than easier. The process is rather cumbersome, with a number of steps to follow at a rapid pace, all while attempting to reverse park on a busy street.
I don’t think I’d ever use this feature on the regular. You can make much better use of the 360-degree camera, which is crystal clear and makes parking a breeze.
Many of these safety systems could benefit from some refinement to improve the user experience, and thankfully there is the option to toggle features on and off according to your preferences.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) | Yes | Includes pedestrian, cyclist, and junction detection |
Adaptive Cruise Control | Yes | With stop-and-go |
Blind Spot Alert | Yes | Alert only |
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Yes | Alert and assist functions |
Lane Assistance | Yes | Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist |
Road Sign Recognition | Yes | Includes speed limit assist |
Driver Attention Warning | Yes | Includes fatigue monitor |
Cameras & Sensors | Yes | Front and rear sensors, 360-degree camera |
How much does the GWM Haval H6 GT cost to run?
GWM offers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, unlike many of its rivals who typically provide a five-year warranty. Although, you can get a conditional two-year extension on the Toyota RAV4 warranty if you stick to its service schedule for the first five years.
Servicing intervals are at 12 months or 10,000km for the first service and every 12 months or 15,000km from the second service on. Costs come to $1780 for five years of servicing, compared to $1300 for the Toyota RAV4 and $2114 for a Mazda CX-5. So the Haval H6 GT sits in around the middle of the pack when it comes to running costs.
To insure the Haval H6 GT, you’re looking at approximately $1775 per year on a comprehensive insurance policy. This is a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra |
Warranty | Seven years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km (1st year) 12 months or 15,000km (2nd service on) |
Servicing costs | $1005 (3 years) $1780 (5 years) |
Is the GWM Haval H6 GT fuel-efficient?
GWM claims 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a combined cycle, with its urban claim at 10.2L/100km. During my test, I drove mostly on urban roads and clocked 12.3L/100km. Not as close to its combined figure as I’d hoped. The positive here is that it can take the cheaper 91-octane unleaded fuel.
Fuel efficiency | 2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.4L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 12.3L/100km |
Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 60L |
What is the GWM Haval H6 GT like to drive?
Despite being positioned as the sportier version of the Haval H6 SUV, under the bonnet you’ll find the same 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission across all variants.
While the Haval H6 GT may look aggressive, it doesn't translate to an exhilarating performance on the open road. Instead, it delivers a smooth and quiet ride, adeptly absorbing road imperfections with its soft suspension and making it ideal for comfortable urban driving.
However, you do cop noticeable body roll, so much so that I feel like I’m going to slide out of my seat on those sharper corners. Prepare for your lunch or whatever you’ve got stored in the back to bounce around a bit too.
Additionally, the dual-clutch transmission presents common issues such as jerkiness at lower speeds and throttle delay, so you have to feather the accelerator pedal as if you’re driving a manual so you don’t end up revving too hard off the mark.
Although the steering is light and comfortable, it’s not as responsive as I’d like for confident handling, especially during tight cornering manoeuvres.
If you want to add a bit of pep to your drive, there are different driving modes to choose from to customise how the car performs. Your options here are normal, comfort, sport, sand, snow and off-road, with an unexpected inclusion of a race mode, which of course I had to sample.
The hazard lights activate when switching between drive modes; a peculiar feature with questionable utility. You can instantly hear the exhaust open up and it sounds… not bad. Pretty cool, actually.
The steering feels heavier in this mode, which I prefer, but when you put your foot down not much happens, except for a bit of a shove in the back. So it’s mostly about theatrics and fun, and I guess there’s nothing wrong with that.
Visibility from the rear is compromised by the sloped roof line and slot-like rear windshield. Otherwise, the side mirrors are nice and large and you have blind-spot monitoring alerts to assist you on the go.
While the Haval H6 GT may not deliver groundbreaking performance, its combination of comfort, versatility and affordability makes it a compelling choice.
Overall, the Haval H6 GT isn’t a bad drive, and for many buyers the drawbacks I’ve listed here may not be deal-breakers. And you get a lot for this price, so the Haval H6 GT is going to tick a lot of boxes.
Key details | 2024 GWM Haval H6 GT Ultra |
Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
Power | 150kW @ 6000–6300rpm |
Torque | 320Nm @ 1500–4000rpm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission |
Power-to-weight ratio | 89.3kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1680kg |
Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
Payload | 420kg |
Tow rating | 2000kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 12.0m |
Can a GWM Haval H6 GT tow?
GWM specifies that the Haval H6 GT can legally tow a trailer of up to 750kg without trailer brakes and up to 2000kg with trailer brakes. A fully loaded smaller 16-foot caravan would come close to the limits of the Haval H6 GT, but it could handle a camper trailer or pop-top on the regular.
No towbar was fitted to the test car, so we did not test the vehicle's towing performance.
Also, if towing a trailer at the 2000kg limit, remember that the tow ball weight limit is typically around 10 per cent (200kg in this case), which reduces the Haval H6 GT's permissible payload of 420kg to 220kg, including all occupants and luggage.
Should I buy a GWM Haval H6 GT?
Considering the evolving landscape of SUVs, the Haval H6 GT represents a departure from the exclusivity associated with luxury brands like Audi, BMW and Porsche, offering a sleek SUV coupe design accessible to everyday drivers.
It certainly looks the part and is packed with plenty of features and an enticing price tag to match, but of course, something’s always got to give.
If you’re upgrading from a much older vehicle, perhaps the niggles with the active safety alerts or puzzling infotainment system may not be such a big deal, especially if value for money is the priority.
What you get for the cost is near impossible to find in competitors, not to mention how good-looking and striking this car is on the road, so we have to give GWM props for that.
How do I buy a GWM Haval H6 GT? The next steps.
The extra features you get on the Ultra grade are worthwhile, which is why we’d say this is the pick of the range. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen, head-up display, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, all-wheel drive, and the rear cross-traffic alert with braking make the extra spend of $5500 justifiable. Plus, the price of the Ultra is still so affordable when compared to rivals in its class.
Ready to snap up a Haval H6 GT of your own? Head to the GWM website to build your own Haval H6 GT to your preferences and click here to book a test drive. You can also find GWM vehicles for sale at Drive.com.au.
We’d also recommend test-driving the Toyota RAV4 because it is popular with consumers and is a good benchmark. If you want to stay updated with everything that's happened to this car since our review, you'll find all the latest news here.