The upgraded Haval H9 seven-seat 4×4 has arrived with an array of new features, a better powertrain and more realistic pricing.
The Chinese large-SUV is pitched as a family-friendly seven-seater to rival the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, though its body-on-frame construction grants it off-road ability akin to a Ford Everest.
The issue for Haval, though, is that unlike this trio of offerings, the H9 has struggled to overcome market barriers to entry — the main ones being the fact very few people know anything about the brand, and are understandably risk-averse.
It’s worth noting, however, Haval is the biggest SUV brand in China, sells more than a million vehicles a year, and has R&D centres around the globe led by staffers pinched from established brands such as Ford and Toyota.
Anyway, we digress.
The 2018 Haval H9’s design is familiar, though there’s a new five-bar grille, new lower intake and new 18-inch rims.
Inside is a different instrument panel featuring a TFT screen with digital speedo, something the brand says was added to appease Australian demand: our ridiculous revenue-raising speed enforcement policies drove that.
Under the skin is a revised version of the familiar 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, uprated to 180kW (was 160kW) and 350Nm (was 324Nm). No diesel is available, which will no doubt hurt sales but which is a consequence of China’s road to shunning diesel.
The power and torque hikes are thanks in large part to a higher compression ratio, which is better harnessed by a new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission (imported, not China-made) in place of the old 6AT.
“It is particularly well suited to 4×4 applications, with shorter gearing in first and second gear providing excellent crawling capabilities, the mid-speed gears providing strong acceleration and taller top gears helping provide outstanding fuel economy,” Haval reckons.
Haval cites a braked-trailer towing capacity of 2500kg, and we’d note that there’s an Eaton locking rear diff fitted, plus a BorgWarner transfer case.
There’s also a system fitted call the ‘All-Terrain Control System’. It’s a dial-operated off-road shortcut tech suite a bit like the Ford Everest’s. There’s the Auto ‘set and forget’ mode, a Sand mode that adjusts the Bosch ESC, Snow and Mud modes, a 4L low-range gearing mode and a Sport setting that orders the 8AT to shift more aggressively.
You may recall the old H9 got a sub-par four-star ANCAP crash rating. Haval says it has strengthened the footwell, and has also fitted blind-spot monitoring (BLIS), lane departure warning (LDW) and rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA). It’ll add AEB later this year and request a re-test.
You do get six airbags including protection for all three rows of seats, and ISOFIX mounting points.
In a bid to convince buyers to take a punt, Haval has fitted an absolute heap of standard equipment across the two spec grades.
The base H9 Lux variant gets a sunroof, cloth seats, front/rear sensors, reversing camera, BLIS, LDW, RCTA, 8.0-inch touchscreen, satellite-navigation, 10-speaker audio system and three-zone air-conditioning.
The H9 Ultra adds a bigger sunroof, faux leather seats with heating/cooling/massaging, an electric-folding third seat row like an Audi Q7, ramped-up Infinity audio system and more powerful headlights.
Haval Australia has 19 dealers and offers a commendable five-year/100,000km warranty, roadside assistance and 24/7 customer care.
Pricing:
- Haval H9 Lux — $40,990 (down $5500) or $41,990 drive-away
- Haval H9 Ultra – $44,990 (down $5000) or $45,990 drive-away
Tech specs:
- 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine
- 180kW/350Nm (from 1800rpm)
- Eight-speed ZF auto
- 0-100km/h in 10sec
- Fuel use 10.9L/100km, 80L tank
- Towing capacity 750kg/2500kg
- 4×4 with low-range
- Double-wishbone/multi-link suspension
- 2230kg kerb weight
- 206mm clearance/700mm wading depth
MORE: Haval news, reviews and videos
Podcast
Listen to the CarAdvice team discuss the 2018 Haval H9 below, and catch more like this at caradvice.com/podcast.