2024 could well be Haval’s year. The brand has gone from strength to strength, and we have seen second-generation models arrive here and show considerable improvements over the first generation.

Well, yes, but you’d expect that, wouldn’t you? Of course, but when we say ‘considerable’ we mean it in the truest sense of the word – and this was most recently seen in the Jolion Small SUV.

This month sees us rocking the highways in the Jolion’s bigger brother, the H6 – not as cool a name perhaps, but more than a step or two over the improved Jolion.

The H6 is in the next segment up – the Medium SUV under $60k class – which is a hotly contested segment with some serious competition, including Mitsubishi’s Outlander, Toyota’s Rav4 and Mazda’s CX-5 (except that in January this year, H6 registrations and market share went a smidge above Mazda’s, which should suggest a few things to those who pay attention to such).

There are five models in the H6 line up and two of those are self-charging hybrids, the Lux (tested) and the Ultra which commands a slightly higher price for some ‘yes, I can see the value’ upgrades: panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated seats and autonomous parking to mention a few.

In saying that, the tested Lux model is a long way from being a poverty pack with its 360-degree around-view camera, heated seats, eight-way adjustable electric driver’s seat and standard fit roof rails, Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, 10.25 touchscreen and 10.25 LED instrument cluster, plus all the contemporary safety features like lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, auto emergency brakes reversing camera and sensors.      

The Lux model then, is perhaps the best choice for the fleet buyer and waddaya know, dealers are reporting a good amount of healthy interest from the fleet sector in it.

So, a good year for Haval in 2024? We think so, despite the furore over Road User Charges being applied to anything with wheels.

Plug-in hybrids are taking the biggest battering here, but the H6 is a self-charger, so the RUC hit doesn’t hurt so much.
Instead, I found myself looking at the fuel gauge and wondering if the thing was ever going to move.

In this instance, the hybrid system acts as a very efficient range extender with a clean 980kms showing from a full tank – and I suspect over a week and a weekend’s running, I got a little more out of it than that.

And they were easy miles to eat up too. The H6 does deliver a spectacularly smooth ride befitting the best of the best out of Japan.

In fact, if Rav4s are still on your waiting list due to stock allocation, go try the easier-to-get (and better value-for-money IMHO) Haval – we suspect you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

I once commented that the infotainment systems out of Chinese manufacturers needed a little bit of work to give the fluidity expected of a modern motorist and it appears Haval has listened.

There was no laggy-ness as you fingertipped your way through the various self-styled intelligent systems the Haval has which are governed by the crystal clear and very intuitive touchscreen.

But what baked my noodle was the overall drive experience. There was a – recent – time when Korean cars played second fiddle to the Japanese, but they caught up quickly.

Now the Chinese have had their time behind the eight-ball when it comes to matching the Koreans AND the Japanese, but they have levelled the playing field in half the times the Koreans did.

The H6 has very mature road manners, demonstrating an excellent treatment of noise, vibration and harshness minimisation, well-heeled stability and control through an excellent understanding of chassis dynamics and a brilliantly demonstrated concept of inner and exterior space.

This was the deciding factor between which Haval product I preferred, the Jolion or the H6.

The H6 has a smidge more space all round over the Jolion and of course, the Jolion is more appealing if the dollars are a significant consideration.

Countering this on the H6’s side however is the extra equipment and that little bit more room for those fully laden, longer journeys.