2018 Haval H6

Haval H6

The Haval H6 plays a clever hand in a segment where the usual names – think Tiguan and RAV4 – have had it too easy for too long. You get more space, more gadgets, and frankly, more show for your money, because the H6’s asking prices put the Germans and Japanese on notice. With listings stretching from R207,500 all the way up to R799,900, there’s something here for everyone, and that median of R522,350 is right in the sweet spot for families who want more car for their rand. Powertrain options tick most boxes: the trusty 2.0-litre turbopetrol paired to a dual-clutch ‘box, a 1.5T hybrid with DHT, and two plug-in hybrids that offer 4WD grip. The fact that there’s a near 50/50 split between new and used stock – 74 new, 72 used – tells you the H6 isn’t just a flash in the pan; people are actually buying them, and in numbers that matter. If you’re shopping, you’ll notice the 2.0T Luxury DCT is everywhere, with 25 listings between R431,900 and R574,500 – that’s where most folks end up, and it’s easy to see why. At the other end, you’ve got the GT PHEV Ultra Luxury pushing R799,900, with 22 listings to choose from. That’s a bold ask for a Chinese badge, but the market clearly isn’t scared. Used H6s average just over 15,000 km, which means most are barely broken in. Year models run from 2018 to 2026, so you can pick your flavour, whether you want new-school tech or a value-packed pre-facelift. The real hook is spec-per-rand – the Ultra Luxury 4X4 DCT at R548,900 to R614,500 would cost you at least R200k more with a Toyota badge on the nose, and that’s the point. Plug-in hybrids at this price are unicorns in the medium SUV space, so if you pack smart and do mostly city miles, petrol stations could start to feel optional.