Haval is known as China's biggest SUV brand, driven by high demand for its H6 which competes against the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V.
The H9 has a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine with direct injection and dual VVT that produces 241hp at 5,500rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1,800 to 4,500rpm.
This is mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and it comes with Intelligent four-wheel drive system with Auto, 4L, Sport, Sand, Mud, and Snow drive modes that can be selected via a rotary dial shifter.
The H9 is quite a large beast as it measures 4,856mm (length) and 1,926mm (width) and 1,900mm (height) with a 2,800mm wheelbase.
In comparison, the seven-seater Toyota Fortuner has a smaller footprint as it measures 4,795mm (length), 1,855mm (width) and 1,835mm (height) with a 2,745mm wheelbase.
The right-hand unit on display in Shah Alam has Australian market specifications, and the interior looks premium with dark leather upholstery, powered front and third row seats, an eight-inch touchscreen display, and a powered panoramic sunroof.
Features include automatic rain-sensing wipers, paddle shifters for gear changes, auto stop-start function, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Descent Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFS), Auto Hold and electronic parking brake, brake assist, automatic xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights, and LED rear lamps.
It has 265/60 R18 tyres and gets a front double-wishbone suspension with a rear multi-link, as well as all-round disc brakes.
A notable design feature is the large swing-out rear tail-gate (like the Ford Ecosport) which is not commonly used by automakers.
Fuel consumption is rated at 10.9 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.
Prices of the H9 are not available as the car has not been officially launched.
At a preview of the H9 earlier last year, Go Auto Sales had stated the H9 would retail at less than RM200,000 and would be available in Luxury and Ultra variants.
Imported units would be delivered in Malaysia initially, with a locally assembled H9 model due to be available in mid-2019.
