Another Chinese challenger is aiming right for the heart of one of Australia’s most popular segments.

    GWM Haval has confirmed the entry-level H6 Premium will start at $30,990 drive-away when it goes on sale in April 2021.

    The mid-sized 2021 Haval H6 crossover is the Chinese brand’s rival for the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and MG HS.

    That’s $2000 more than drive-away pricing for the outgoing base H6 but every model now comes standard with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

    There are also seven airbags, including a front-centre bag to stop the front-seat occupants from clashing against each other in a collision.

    It’s been completely redesigned, riding on a new modular platform and finally offering a raft of active safety technology.

    The new generation also adds a raft of features not previously seen on the H6, including semi-autonomous parking assist, ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging and adaptive cruise control.

    The range now comprises three trim levels and adds the option of all-wheel drive.

    All use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine making 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque.

    Power is sent to the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

    The range opens with the Premium, which comes standard with the following equipment:

    • 10.25-inch infotainment system
    • 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
    • Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
    • 18-inch alloy wheels
    • LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail lights
    • Reversing camera with rear parking sensors
    • Tyre-pressure monitoring

    The Lux adds:

    • LED front fog lights
    • Roof rails
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Leatherette upholstery
    • Heated front seats
    • Six-way power driver’s seat
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Eight-speaker sound system
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
    • Traffic jam assist
    • Surround-view camera
    • Electronic anti-glare rear-view mirror

    The new Ultra flagship is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. It adds:

    • 12.3-inch touchscreen
    • Head-up display
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Semi-autonomous parking assist
    • Power tailgate
    • Panoramic sunroof
    • 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Heated and ventilated front seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Wireless phone charging
    • Four-way power passenger’s seat

    Last year, Haval sold 957 H6s. That was well below rivals like the MG HS (2600 sales), though H6 sales were up 101.5 per cent year-to-date.

    Stay tuned for more information on the redesigned H6.

    MORE: Haval H6 news and reviews

    William Stopford

    William Stopford is an automotive journalist based in Brisbane, Australia. William is a Business/Journalism graduate from the Queensland University of Technology who loves to travel, briefly lived in the US, and has a particular interest in the American car industry.

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