GREAT Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia recently organised a Haval H6 HEV Fuel Efficiency Challenge, highlighting the hybrid C-segment sports utility vehicle’s (SUV) exceptional fuel economy, performance and feature-packed offering.
The day-long challenge had two categories namely Media (three occupants in each SUV), and Owners (two to four occupants in each SUV).
Each SUV in the fuel efficiency challenge, which started in Kuala Lumpur, was packed with luggage for an overnight stay at Belum Rainforest Resort, Perak.
To recap, in October last year, the Haval H6 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) which is billed as China’s best-selling SUV, was launched at RM139,800 (on-the-road without insurance) in a single variant.
The warranty package includes 10-year or one million kilometre (engine) whichever comes first; eight-year or one million kilometre (hybrid system) whichever comes first; and seven-year or 200,000km (full vehicle) whichever comes first.
Powering the H6 HEV is a 1.5-litre turbocharged direct-injected engine paired to an electric motor, and the combined output is rated at 243PS and 530Nm of torque.
The 1,720kg (kerb weight) SUV can sprint from 0 to 100kph in 7.75 seconds using launch control before reaching a top speed of 175kph.
The front-wheel drive SUV uses a two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) and claims a frugal fuel consumption of fuel consumption 5.8 litres per 100km on the combined driving cycle.
Assembled at the EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) facility in Melaka, this hybrid SUV can travel up to 1,000km on one full 61-litre petrol tank.
Meanwhile, the fuel efficiency challenge took us on a 320km route via the North-South Expressway, starting at a Petronas station on Middle Ring Road 2, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur and ending at another Petronas station in Gerik, Perak.
We only made a quick stop for a toilet break and a driver change, and we had ample time to savour the SUV’s premium-looking cabin and interior comforts.
The interior boasts two-tone leather upholstery, a wireless charger, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a panoramic sunroof, heads-up display, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and an eight-speaker sound system.
Front seats are ventilated and power-adjustable with two way lumbar support.
We also enjoyed the H6 HEV’s refined and quiet drive quality, with minimal road and wind noise intrusion into the cabin.
We finally arrived at Petronas Gerik, after five and a half hours of light-footed driving in Eco drive mode, and using the SUV’s Single-Pedal drive feature.
The Single-Pedal mode (popularly known as e-pedal) uses regenerative braking to charge the battery.
This is a handy feature in congested or slow moving traffic, as it allows drivers to accelerate and slow down, and even come to a complete stop, by using only the accelerator pedal.
In Malaysia, Single-Pedal technology was only found in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) until the Haval H6 HEV came here – so that’s another plus point, in our opinion, for this high-tech SUV.
At Petronas Gerik, the SUV’s drive computer showed we had travelled 323km, at an average speed of 58kph, and average fuel economy (AFE) at 4.3 litres per 100km.
However, using the event organiser’s method of calculating fuel consumption – record the amount needed to fill up the petrol tank, then divide the distance traveled (in km) by the litres of petrol used – our AFE was estimated at 3.9 litres per 100km.
After this, it was another 43km via the East–West Highway to the Belum Rainforest Resort, and this time, we drove hurriedly in order to get some rest and relaxation before the prize presentation event that night.
Fitted with Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 SUV tyres sized 225/55 R19, the H6 HEV handled impressively through winding sections as we drove enthusiastically, and felt quite agile, with smooth and responsive sprints when we stepped hard on the accelerator pedal.
In the Media category, our team emerged as the winner (with 3.9 litres per 100km) while the first and second runner-ups achieved 4.9 and 5.2 litres per 100km respectively.
Meanwhile, in the Owners’ category, the consolation prize winners achieved AFE ranging from 4.5 to 4.9 litres per 100km.
The winner in the Owners’ category was Yogeswaran Ramakrishnan who achieved 3.9 litres per 100km.
There were two first runner-up winners namely Mohd Hazlan Jaffar and Wong Chia Lynn, who each achieved 4.2 litres per 100km while the second runner-up was Tan Cheng Yang who achieved 4.4 litres per 100km.
For the Owners’ category, the winner took home a RM5,000 travel voucher while the first and second runner-ups each took home RM3,000 and RM1,500 travel vouchers respectively.
Yogeswaran told Carsifu that he made judicious use of the Single-Pedal mode, and stayed in Eco drive mode all the time.
“I bought the H6 HEV as I think it is the best choice in terms of price, features, fuel efficiency and after-sales package,” said the 36-year-old civil servant, who was with his wife and son.
Meanwhile, 51-year-old Mohd Hazlan, who is self employed, said he drove partly in Normal mode and set Energy Recovery Level to the strongest.
“I like the H6 HEV as it is spacious and very comfortable,” said Mohd Hazlan, who was with his wife and two children.
Wong said she drove in Eco mode, and did not use the Single-Pedal mode.
“My mother bought the car as she thinks it delivers good value,” said the 35-year-old finance manager, who joined the challenge with her mother.
Tan, who joined the challenge with his wife, likes the H6 HEV’s hybrid technology and had bought the SUV due to a friend’s recommendation.
“It is a high-tech car and comes with a very attractive warranty deal,” said the 56-year-old retiree from Kuala Terengganu.
The next day, on the 135km route leading to the Kuala Kangsar toll plaza, as we made the return trip to Kuala Lumpur, we kept the Haval H6 HEV in Normal drive mode, and also chose to use Single-Pedal drive for the most part.
After some 80km of spirited driving including lots of hard acceleration when we frequently overtook slow-moving trucks, the SUV’s drive computer showed 17.2km per litre (or 5.81 litres per 100km).
There was ample torque and punch on demand, as we put the pedal to the metal for overtaking manoeuvres.
It’s worth noting that at the StarCarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2024, the Haval H6 HEV was crowned as Hybrid of the Year and also took the Best Mid-size Hybrid SUV award.
In our opinion, the fuel efficiency challenge effectively showcased the SUV’s impressive fuel economy, advanced features, and dynamic performance.
The H6 HEV offers a compelling option for those seeking a versatile, fuel economical yet powerful SUV packed with premium kit and safety features.
