MBABANE – The latest version of the Haval H6 has officially arrived in Southern Africa, offering a bolder look, more power, and added tech features aimed at families and professionals looking for a capable mid-size SUV.
The 2025 update was recently unveiled by Chinese automaker GWM, now 18 years into its South African journey. The brand, which has become a regular fixture in the country’s top-10 car sales list, says the refreshed H6 reflects customer feedback and market trends.
Visually, the H6 wears a new grille, sleeker LED lights, and a restyled bumper. At the back, the full-length LED strip has been dropped in favour of split tail lamps, flanked by bold GWM lettering. Black 19-inch alloys—now standard—complete the more muscular exterior, all paired with run-flat tyres.
Inside, drivers are welcomed with a more premium experience. The new 14.6-inch infotainment screen now offers wireless connectivity, and the cabin includes 13 storage compartments, black interior trim, and 560 litres of boot space. The steering wheel is thicker, and there’s better spacing throughout, although the choice of run-flat tyres remains controversial for drivers in smaller towns with limited access to replacements.
However, the infotainment system’s usability is still a sticking point. Adjusting the volume requires multiple taps and navigating away from apps like Android Auto. Climate controls also need several steps, which some testers described as unnecessarily complicated for daily use.
Under the bonnet, drivers get the option of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 1.5-litre hybrid setup. The updated petrol model now produces 170kW and 380Nm of torque. Fuel consumption sits at 7.4L/100km for the two-wheel drive version and 8.3L/100km for the all-wheel drive. The dual-clutch transmission handles gear shifts smoothly, except when under heavy acceleration.
Safety remains a strong point, with the H6 carrying a 5-star NCAP rating and advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping support, and forward collision warnings.
The lineup now includes six variants starting at R495,500 for the 2.0T Luxury 9DCT and goes up to R686,500 for the hybrid Ultra Luxury model. All models come with a 7-year/200,000km warranty and service plan, while the hybrid battery gets an 8-year/150,000km warranty.
The H6 is already available through GWM’s 79 dealerships across Southern Africa. It’s not a complete redesign but a strong step forward for one of the region’s fastest-growing SUV nameplates.
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