Haval H6

• The 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces decent power of 234hp and 385 Nm of torque. These are sufficient numbers for highway driving and city use.

• The nine-speed dual-clutch transmission has closely spaced gear ratios that offer 96.3% transmission efficiency, which means minimal power loss. Shifts are quick and smooth. The transmission feels modern compared to traditional automatics. It takes care of performance and efficiency.

• Fuel consumption is rated at 16.9 km/litre officially. Real-world experience shows 15-17 km/litre in mixed driving, with highway stretches potentially reaching 18-19 km/litre. City driving in heavy traffic drops closer to 14-15 km/litre.

• The H6 has quite the best dimensions, including 4,653 mm of length, 1,886 mm of width, and 1,724 mm of height. Both wheelbase and ground clearance are good for KSA’s driving conditions and variety of terrains.

• Four drive modes:  like sports, Eco, Normal and snow to handle all types of driving conditions.

• The H6 is front-wheel drive across all trims. There's no all-wheel-drive option. That's quite okay for its purpose of being a city and highway SUV, not for off-road adventures. The front-wheel drive helps reduce costs and maintain efficiency.

Some honest limitations

• The 2.0L turbo feels adequately powered but not quick. It's not a performance machine. Acceleration is linear but deliberate.

• Highway speeds above 140 km/h show wind noise. That's normal for a compact SUV.

• The light turbocharged engine focuses more towards efficiency than raw power. If you are seeking acceleration thrills, look elsewhere.

• As you would expect from an SUV, the H6 handles highway and city roads with a well-tuned suspension. The ride is reasonably well, feels settled and comfortable.

• You won’t feel tired through city drives as the steering is responsive and light. So the body control through corners is stable.

• Visibility is that you won’t have a problem with it, which means it is a quite high driving position and gives you a great view while driving. Even such a big SUV won’t be challenging to park in most parts, pretty simple handling makes the job rather straightforward.

• Wind and road noise at highway speeds are present but controlled. The acoustic hood helps. You quickly know that it is not a noisy cabin.

• Lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist work effectively. If the H6 detects unintended lane drifting, it warns you audibly and visually. Lane-keeping assist provides steering support, helps in accident prevention

Some honest observations

• The suspension is comfort-tuned, not performance-tuned. Harsh speed bumps are felt more than in premium vehicles.

• The H6 is light enough that strong winds on highways can push it slightly. That's not dangerous, just noticeable.

• The turbo engine shows slight turbo lag in specific throttle positions. Nothing extra, but just pretty reasonable.

• The major attraction is the 14.6-inch touchscreen, which deserves special mention not just for the car at this price, but for its responsiveness, brightness, and intuitiveness. Voice recognition works without requiring an internet connection; it's cool. The system supports two-zone voice commands, meaning the driver and passenger can control different functions. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard wirelessly. USB-C fast charging ports are included.

• The 10.25-inch digital information cluster shows clearly. The head-up display projects speed and navigation onto the windshield. That's a feature usually found in more expensive vehicles.

• Seating is comfortable for daily driving. Heated front seats are standard on the Premium trim. Ventilated seats on the Premium are indeed quite useful in Saudi heat. The materials are quality leatherette on the Premium trim, fabric on the Active trim. Both are durable and practical.

• The 540-degree panoramic camera system shows overhead views of the vehicle. The auto-parking feature helps in tight spaces. Full-scene parking assistance guides parking in various scenarios. These features are quite helpful in congested areas and crowded city roads.

• Climate control is effective. The multiple vents ensure cabin temperature management. The acoustic hood reduces engine noise in the cabin. Wireless charging for smartphones is available on the Premium trim.

• Storage is practical, and the interior layout is straightforward and logical. Controls are within reach. The infotainment system doesn't require diving into confusing menus. That's appreciated. The overall impression is modern functionality rather than luxury pretence.

What to expect

• The structure uses 71% high-strength steel with triple collision force channels. This engineering absorbs and distributes crash energy effectively. Crumple zones, front and rear, are designed to protect occupants.

• Six airbags cover the driver, front passenger, side-impact, and curtain areas. The brand says airbags are fast to deploy and quite effective. The redundant systems mean protection from multiple impact angles.

• Special features include ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, which prevents wheel lockup. Vehicle stability control (ESP) helps prevent skids. An electronic parking brake with a brake hold function is standard. Hill-start assist is included.

• Blind spot detection with lane change assist features comes in handy. The rear cross-traffic alert comes to your rescue when reversing in congested lanes or parking spots. Forward collision warning is helpful for objects ahead. Emergency braking does a great job by automatically activating in the eventuality of high collision risk. Adaptive cruise control maintains a distance from vehicles ahead.

• Driver fatigue monitoring detects drowsy driving and alerts the driver. Traffic sign recognition displays speed limits on the instrument display. The 360-degree camera system provides comprehensive parking assistance. The auto-parking feature manages parking without driver steering input in certain scenarios.

Things to consider 

• The H6 purely achieves safety through engineering and active systems.

• While it hasn't received independent crash testing from Euro NCAP yet, Haval's safety engineering is proven globally through thousands of vehicles in use.