With speak of the all-new second era Haval H9 being on the playing cards for the Australian market, we had the chance to go for a fast drive within the car in China final week.
For these trying to purchase a seven-seat SUV, Nice Wall Motors (GWM) already gives the not too long ago launched Tank 500 – nonetheless, there’s positively a subset of the market after the identical seating capability, consolation, inside match and end with out the hardcore off-roading credentials of the Tank and its rivals, or their worth tags.
That’s the place the Haval H9 will possible sit if or when it reaches our market.
If the Haval H9 does make it to our market, it could want to sit down beneath the not too long ago launched Tank 500 (between $66,490 and $73,990 drive-away) when it comes to pricing and functionality.
Because the first-generation H9 was discontinued, GWM has been searching for a extra inexpensive seven-seat possibility in its Haval vary of SUVs.
The brand new Haval H9 is presently provided in China with turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.4-litre diesel engines. It will be unlikely – given the New Car Effectivity Normal (NVES) coming to Australia – the diesel could be beneath severe consideration, and there may be presently no hybrid variant of the H9.
This leaves us with the two.0-litre turbocharged petrol coupled to an eight-speed automated transmission. That engine delivers 167kW and XXXNm of torque.
Measuring 4859mm lengthy, 1934mm huge and 1853mm tall, the brand new H9 will sit on the very high of the Haval vary. Not like its predecessor, the brand new seven-seater sports activities a far boxier design that’s certain to get much more curiosity from Australia’s SUV loving consumers.
The G-Wagen/Defender-like design definitely makes the H9 look much more premium in particular person, however regardless of what some might imagine it’s really the inside that was the spotlight of the automotive for us.
Haval and GWM, as its mother or father firm, have clearly invested substantial quantities into upgrading and bettering their inside know-how and match and end.
It will not be remiss of us to say getting contained in the H9 is now akin to leaping in a much more costly European rival, the one distinction being the infotainment and in-car know-how of the Haval is seemingly additional forward (not withstanding software program bugs).
Particulars on the car are presently restricted (in English a minimum of), however there are two massive tremendous excessive decision screens, with the centre one in a position to help wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the infotainment system, backed up by a 10-speaker stereo system.
We discovered the entrance seats very lush and comfy, whereas the second row is huge sufficient to accommodate three average-sized adults comparatively simply. There may be ample space for storing, charging ports (though some in USB-A as an alternative of C) and heaps of headroom given the boxy form.
The third row is – as is the case with most SUVs on this class – made for smaller adults or youngsters. The 2 seats can fold flat when not in use, offering an inexpensive possibility for short-term lodging however not ultimate for lengthy distance hauls.
We drove the brand new H9 round Haval’s testing facility to expertise the car accelerating, turning, and climbing steep inclines.
Our first impressions are quite optimistic, although tempered by our lack of time behind the wheel. What we are able to say is the two.0-litre engine and transmission proved a gutsy and succesful powertrain for the car, even with 5 adults within the automotive.
The Haval H9 is probably not the hardcore off-roader the Tank 500 is when it comes to differentials and locking techniques, however with its 224mm floor clearance (to be confirmed for Australia) and all-wheel drive, it’s positively greater than in a position to get you and your loved ones to the seaside and carry out affordable duties off the bitumen.
The actual query for GWM would be the worth and specs it could actually carry to our market. Because the model continues to creep up in its worth factors with the introduction of newer and extra improved fashions, it stays to be seen what the Australian urge for food can be for costlier (and higher outfitted) Haval fashions.
We look ahead to driving the car on Australian roads when or if it reveals up within the close to future.
Primarily based on earlier instances, as soon as GWM Australia decides to carry the H9 it may be prepared in right-hand drive and arrive domestically inside the subsequent 12 months.
