Haval – the SUV sub-brand of Chinese car giant Great Wall Motors (GWM) – may introduce a more affordable variant of the new Haval H6 Hybrid mid-size SUV, if customer demand is sufficient.
Detailed for Australia last week, the H6 Hybrid will launch locally in range-topping Ultra guise only, priced from $44,990 drive-away – but Haval in Australia says a more affordable Hybrid Lux model could follow at a later date, if there’s demand for one.
“Since launching the new H6, we’ve seen demand very much at the top end of the model mix with the H6 Ultra leading the way. As such, it made sense for us to introduce the hybrid variant also at Ultra grade level,” a GWM Haval Australia spokesperson told Drive, adding that the Ultra accounts for over 50 per cent of H6 sales.
“As we do with every model in the line-up, we’ll continue to monitor demand and if there’s enough support for a mid-grade H6 [Lux] at a lower price point, then that’s certainly an option.”
Applying the $6000 difference between petrol and hybrid Ultra variants, a second H6 Hybrid model based on the mid-spec Lux variant could be priced from approximately $41,990 drive-away – below the Ultra’s $44,990 sticker.
Above: Petrol-powered Haval H6, alongside its Toyota RAV4 Hybrid rival.
Whereas the Hybrid Ultra’s price places it in line with a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid GXL front-wheel drive (circa-$44,500 drive-away), a H6 Hybrid Lux 2WD would compete with the base RAV4 GX Hybrid FWD, priced from about $41,000 drive-away.
Ultra-specific features the Lux would lose include 19-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a power tailgate, automatic parking, wireless phone charging, and a heated steering wheel.
However, features retained would include a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument display, Comfortek faux leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, electric driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker sound system, and a full active safety suite.
Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest updates on the 2022 Haval H6 Hybrid, as first deliveries of the Ultra variant commence in the coming weeks.
Keyword: Cheaper Haval H6 Hybrid Lux on the cards for Australia