GWM Haval H6GT PHEV plug-in hybrid review and family road test
Based purely on figures, this is Australia's best plug-in hybrid SUV.
GWM Haval has thrown down the gauntlet with its PHEV version of the H6GT, boasting an all-electric range of 180km and a further 870km using the turbocharged petrol engine.
Most key rivals can only manage half that pure electric range, including challengers in the BYD Sealion 6 AWD, Jaecoo J7 and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
Only available in one specification, GWM Haval has thrown everything into its flagship hybrid SUV, which starts from just below $54,000 drive-away. That's about on par with the Sealion 6 AWD Premium but more expensive than the top-shelf J7 ($47,990 drive-away), while there is also the Leapmotor C10 REEV Ultra Hybrid for $49,990.
The Japanese-built Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts from $57,990 for the bare-bones derivatives, and pushes up to $74,490 for models with all the fruit.
While the price is right, as are the numbers, our family test saw the H6GT throw up some challenges and frustrations.
The lowdown
What did you loathe?
Kel
● Brake and accelerator pedals are too close together
● No wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you have to plug in
● Strange new car smell
Grant
● Wooden braking feel
● Cabin and driving functions are frustratingly slow to find
● Stereo and Bluetooth system sound low-rent What did you love?
Kel
● Peace of mind warranty
● Ability of voice recognition to differentiate between passenger and driver
● Ample back seat space for adults
Grant
● Price and ongoing costs are alluring for a plug-in
● Impressive acceleration response from standstill
● EV range the best in this genre
What do you get?
The standard SUV wagon has just been released starting from $50,990. For an extra $3000 you get the coupe-like rear. Some would be asking 'does my bum look big in this?'. The answer is yes … but we've seen Mercedes-Benz have success with its coupe-styled SUVs, as has BMW who were among the pioneers.
There is no short of kit, among the best complimentary gear is synthetic leather and suede trim, power tailgate with hands free function, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, dual-zone aircon, 12.3-inch main touchscreen and a 10.25-inch display for the driver, heated and ventilated front seats, head-up display and an eight-speaker stereo with wired smartphone mirroring apps.
Some minor changes were made to 2025 models late last year, including GWM badges replacing Haval (matt black versions are used on the tailgate instead of chrome), and voice command technology was also added to the infotainment.
The latter was the most important inclusion as it saves users from having to dive into the labyrinth that is the vehicle settings. GWM has sacrificed buttons in favour of modern minimalisation and finding the various functions quickly can be challenging.
When it comes to colour options, white is complimentary, red, blue, black and grey are an extra $495.
Capped price servicing is available, and remains at the lower end of the scale – the first five all are $400 or below, but the fourth jumps to $705 due to a range of fluid replacements and new spark plugs.
Warranty coverage is above mainstream average at seven years and unlimited kilometres.
Use a fast public charger and the battery will be replenished from five per cent to full in about an hour, while going from 30 to 80 per cent would take 26 minutes.
A home AC charger can take a flat battery to full in six hours, but double that using the standard household power point – on test we saw just below 10km for every hour of charge.
Interior features of the GWM Haval H6GT PHEV Ultra a 12.3-inch main touchscreen, 10.25-inch display for the driver, heated and ventilated front seats, head-up display and an eight-speaker stereo with wired smartphone mirroring apps.
How was the drive?
On paper the H6GT looks outstanding.
Using the launch control it can rip from standstill to 100km/h in less than five seconds courtesy of 130kW front and 135kW rear electric motors supported by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which collectively combine for a hefty 321kW and a muscular 762Nm of torque.
They are massive numbers for a family SUV, but typically the call to set quarter mile records on the way to footy training are limited.
Transitioning between petrol and electric power is all done seamlessly, and in the majority of circumstances the ride is smooth and the acceleration is punchy.
Yet attack the corners with enthusiasm and H6GT suffers from body roll and the 19-inch rubber battles for grip, while a wooden brake feel doesn't generate much stopping confidence when you jump on the anchors. The brake and accelerator pedals are also positioned too close together.
With a 12m turning circle it can mean more steering wheel twirling in tight carparks.
The greatest frustrations came from cabin controls due to the lack of physical buttons. Finding various functions, like changing driving modes and turning on the seat heaters, was challenging and time-consuming through the menus. Shortcuts can make the job simpler but it still requires screen access.
Achieving more than 1000km with combined petrol and electric power is possible, with the hybrid doing its best work around town and in traffic rather than long highway runs.
Boot space in the Haval H6GT PHEV is on the small side for this size SUV, at just below 400L.
Would you buy one?
Kel: From the outset I was excited with the styling. But I found the driving experience to be mediocre and the new car smell was an acquired taste. Shortcuts through the touchscreen improve the functionality but I'm somewhat old-school and prefer toggles, dials or buttons. There were too many frustrations for my liking.
Grant: There was a love-hate relationship throughout our test. Awesome electric range, punchy performance, and the ability for both driver and passenger to ask for various things – such as 'turn down the aircon', 'turn on seat heaters' and 'change to sport mode' – was cool. But really, buttons would probably be faster. GWM Haval has got so many elements right, but some of the typically easy basics made driving hard work.
AT A GLANCE
GWM Haval H6GT PHEV ULTRA
PRICE $53,990 drive-away
WARRANTY 7-year unlimited km, five years roadside assist, battery 8 years or 150,000km
SERVICING $1980 for five, intervals annual or every 15,000km (first service is within 10,000km)
POWERTRAIN Petrol engine, electric motors on each axle, two-speed hybrid transmission, AWD, 321kW/762Nm with 35.43kWh battery
SAFETY Adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, auto parking, auto emergency braking, rear cross traffic assist, 360-degree-view camera, blind spot detection
RANGE 180km EV driving, petrol 870km
THIRST 0.8L/100km, 5.4L/100km on petrol alone
SPARE Repair kit
BOOT 392L, 1390L with rear seats folded
Originally published as Haval H6GT PHEV plug-in hybrid review and family road test finds flashy but flawed
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
15 hours ago
- Herald Sun
McLaren forced to sacrifice one driver as Oscar Piastri-Lando Norris strategy dilemma looms
Don't miss out on the headlines from F1. Followed categories will be added to My News. McLaren faces a difficult choice of sacrificing one driver for the betterment of the team during Sunday night's Hungarian Grand Prix and it could cost Oscar Piastri dearly in his bid for a first world title. After Charles Leclerc stunned the F1 grid by claiming pole at the Hungarian GP on Saturday, world championship leader Piastri and his teammate Lando Norris had to settle for second and third, respectively. Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. With Leclerc's teammate Lewis Hamilton down in 12th, McLaren's two-against-one situation at the front of the grid gives them a theoretical advantage over Ferrari. But with the constructors' championship firmly in McLaren's grasp, it is the drivers' championship that poses the biggest headache for the team. Norris is 16 points behind Piastri in the championship standings after 13 of this year's 24 races. But this weekend's strategy could change the complexion of the championship. Given the difficulty of overtaking at the Hungaroring, the most effective way to make ground at the circuit is via an undercut – a pit stop strategy where a driver pits earlier than their rival to gain track position. That was on show last year when Norris controversially undercut leader Piastri. McLaren reversed their usual protocol of allowing the driver ahead on track to pit first to nullify the threat of Norris being undercut from those behind him, but that swapped the order of their drivers. After refusing on multiple occasions to allow Piastri to pass and return to the lead, Norris finally accepted the orders in the closing stages. But this time around, McLaren is widely expected to pit one of their cars early, which Sky Sports F1's Jamie Chadwick says will ultimately sacrifice one of them, which could ultimately turn the entire drivers' championship on its head. 'McLaren kind of needs to sacrifice one, almost, to help the other one if they really want to give themselves the best chance (of winning),' he said on the broadcast on Friday. If one driver pits early, they will be the one on the worn tyres towards the end of the race, but will likely have a positional advantage on a track where overtaking is tricky. And it appears most likely that Piastri would be the one to take the bullet, remaining out on the track, pushing Leclerc while Norris undercuts both the Aussie and the Ferrari driver. A perfect example of this strategy was at the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix, when Sebastian Vettel pitted from third place before Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who were ahead of him. With fresh tyres, Vettel produced a quick outlap compared to the slower inlap for those ahead of him, and by the time Leclerc exited the pits Vettel was able to jump into the race lead. That one move would ultimately result in him going on to register his 53rd and final F1 win. But regardless of strategy, Piastri believes both he and Norris will be given a chance by McLaren to win at the Hungaroring. 'I think we're both going to try and win the race. I think that's our goal,' he told Sky Sports F1. 'We'll have to wait and see what the weather does. It's a place where strategy is a factor as well. 'There are a lot of things where you can win or lose, but I'm sure we'll both be trying to win the race in our own right. 'Potentially [we need to be on different strategies], it depends on what our pace is like and where we end up after lap one. 'If you pit earlier, you can get the undercut but pay for that later in the stint. If you go later, then you've got to try to overtake on track, so there are pros and cons to both.' Originally published as McLaren forced to sacrifice one driver as Oscar Piastri-Lando Norris strategy dilemma looms
Herald Sun
18 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Useless Lewis Hamilton reaches new low at Hungarian Grand Prix
Don't miss out on the headlines from F1. Followed categories will be added to My News. A crestfallen Lewis Hamilton declared himself 'useless' after qualifying in 12th position for the Hungarian Grand Prix as Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc surged to pole position. Seven-time world champion Hamilton exited the session in Q2 with his head down and his helmet on as the 40-year-old retreated to the team's motor home. He was one of several casualties on a day of wet and wild conditions. 'I'm useless,' said the British driver. Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. 'Absolutely useless. The team has no problem. You've seen the car on pole so they probably need to change driver.' While series leader Oscar Piastri and the Australian's McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris found themselves unable to cope with changing conditions in the final minutes, Leclerc improved his lap time to snatch his unexpected pole. It was his first at the Hungaroring, his first this year and first since last year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku as well as the 27th of his career. It was Ferrari's first pole in Hungary since Sebastian Vettel in 2017. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fifth ahead of teammate Lance Stroll, the pair enjoying their best qualifying of the season, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto seventh ahead of Red Bull's four-time champion Max Verstappen and the two Racing Bulls rookies Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar. Hamilton, meanwhile, was backed to bounce back by four-time champion Verstappen who himself ranted about his Red Bull car and team after struggling to line up eighth on the grid. 'Looking at the whole weekend, I think we're happy to be in Q3 because I've been more outside the top 10 than in it — so, yeah, it's been difficult this whole weekend,' said the Dutch driver. 'No grip, front and rear, and it was the same in qualifying so, for me, it was not really a shock. I just drove to what I already feel the whole weekend.' The 27-year-old Dutchman added that Red Bull — who had left a towel in his cockpit during a pit stop on Friday which led him to throw it out of the car, 24 hours after he had declared he was staying for 2026 — did not yet understand the problems with the car. 'No, clearly not,' he said. 'I mean, otherwise, of course, we would have changed it already, but somehow, this weekend, nothing seems to work.' Last year, Verstappen said he had been quick enough to challenge for pole, but this season, 'from lap one, it just felt off — and we threw the car around a lot and nothing really gave a direction. 'Now, it's just nothing works. You know, it's like just going around in circles and nothing gives you any kind of idea of what to do.' Looking ahead to Sunday's race, he said: 'There may be a few cars in front of me that I can maybe battle with a little bit and, of course, Lewis is still a bit further down the road which, I think, he shouldn't be there right? So, he will come through a bit.' The two multiple champions, who battled so intensely in 2021 when Verstappen claimed his first title after a controversial victory in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, appear to have found a rapprochement and mutual respect. But Hamilton's heart-on-sleeve vulnerability as he seeks his first Ferrari podium after 13 races this year may soon become a sad ending story if he cannot sort out his qualifying woes. As the record-holder of nine poles and a record eight wins at the Hungaroring, he has to produce a rousing reminder of his best racing days on Sunday, as Verstappen expects. Starting grid for 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix Front row Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari), Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) 2nd row Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren), George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 3rd row Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin), Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin) 4th row Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Sauber), Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 5th row Liam Lawson (NZL/RB), Isack Hadjar (FRA/RB) 6th row Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas), Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari) 7th row Carlos Sainz (ESP/Williams), Franco Colapinto (ARG/Alpine) 8th row Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes), Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Red Bull) 9th row Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine), Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas) 10th row Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Sauber), Alex Albon (THA/Williams) Originally published as 'I'm useless': Lewis Hamilton reaches new low at Hungarian Grand Prix
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Hyundai Inster review finds top contender in compact EV realm
Cheap electric vehicles. For some time that's been an oxymoron. The influx of new Chinese manufacturers and slowing demand has seen the get-in price decline, but now there is a more recognised brand targeting the basement. Hyundai introduced the compact Inster in April that has a range of 327km with a $39,000 retail starting point. That equates to about $43,500 on the road. It's still a steep ask above the BYD Dolphin Essential which is $31,290 drive-away and has a 410km range. There is also the GWM Ora Standard Range which was recently available for $33,990 (310km range), while the MG4 Excite 51 has been down to $37,990 (350km). Hyundai differentiates itself with a strong dealership network and greater brand reputation. Is that enough to sway buyers from the cheaper alternatives? Our family sampled the base model, although there are extended-range derivatives that push the driving capacity to 360km for an extra $3500 along with the 'outdoorsy' Cross version which tops out the Inster range at $45k plus on-roads. What do you get? Plaudits don't much higher than being named 2025 World Electric Vehicle. That included a panel of more than 90 judges from 30 countries who recognised the Inster for its design inside and out. The bare-bones Inster is reflective of its model positioning, with cloth seat trim and liberal use of plastics across the cabin. Raising the quality bar are twin 10.25-inch screens, one a central touchscreen and the other for the driver instruments. Among the other features are a six-speaker stereo with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satnav, along with vehicle-to-load functionality which has a three-pin power point in the front for charging items like laptops, camping equipment, e-scooters and e-bikes. Over-the-air updates can also be undertaken, which means the Inster can get the latest software upgrades without returning to the dealer. That's handy, as servicing is only required every 30,000km or two years. Hyundai offers a prepaid pack of two services for $1310. White, ivory and khaki are all complimentary external colours. Black, yellow and orange add $595. Matt paint options are an extra $1000. Under the floor sits the 42kWh battery, which can be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent using an at-home charger in about four hours. Quicker public chargers would take just under an hour, while a super-fast 120kW one will do it in 30 minutes. We used a standard household power point combined with the provided 10amp charger on our test which proved reasonably quick, taking us from 10-100 per cent in less than 18 hours. How was the drive? Surprisingly adept in varying conditions, a long wheelbase for its size translates to impressive competency on the highway and twisty terrain. On paper the 0-100km/h time of 11.7 seconds looks slow and underwhelming. But the real-world experience is far from pedestrian, with the Inster feeling responsive to acceleration requests and nimble in traffic. Small cars with combustion engines typically feel asthmatic when it comes to hilly terrain, yet the Inster's electric power provided dependable surges up some challenging inclines. Despite its compact dimensions, the Inster has a turning circle of 10.6m. That's better than many vehicles, but given the size it initially felt like it could be tighter (some of our U-turn attempts quickly became three-point turns). Our test saw a thrifty return of 13.2kWh/100km, which was well under the official figure from Hyundai. Most fully electric vehicles we've driven recently are usually well beyond 15kWh/100km. Interior space is also impressive given the dimensions. Four adults can find comfort, with impressive head and knee space for those in the second row. However boot space is limited and we only managed four grocery bags in the boot before requiring the back seat – there is a false floor for additional cargo area. Would you buy one? Kel: Sprightly and distinctive, the Inster regularly induced smiles from onlookers. I enjoyed the drive and loved the exterior styling, especially the circular LED headlights and pixel graphic indicators. The size doesn't suit my demographic, but I could see the appeal for younger EV buyers with $40k to spend or for those who want their second car to be an electric runabout. Grant: When it comes to the bargain basement EVs, you have to look beyond the bottom line. Where the Inster separates itself from the slightly less expensive rivals is performance – it feels more confident and robust on the road than most of the others we have sampled. Sales have been slow and we've seen some Inster demonstrators available with low km for about $37k. For that kind of money it becomes the standout buy in the compact EV realm.
