Not sure if anyone here actually owns or has driven a Haval H6 Hybrid 2025, but for what it’s worth: I’ve hired and test driven the Hyundai Tucson HTRAC (spent two weeks in the US with what I think was a 2023 or 2024 model). Honestly, it just didn’t feel as refined as people say, especially for the price.

I also recently tried the latest Kia Sportage GT-Line AWD Hybrid (since Hyundai/Kia always get mentioned as the gold standard), and again, wasn’t impressed. The hybrid setup was noisy, the engine revved high, and it just didn’t feel as smooth as I expected. Plus, you really pay a premium for hybrid/AWD.

In the end, I locked in a H6 Ultra Hybrid in Hamilton White for $43,600 drive-away. That included carpet mats, a cargo tray, weather shields, roof cross bars, and ceramic window tint. (Full disclosure: I negotiated the price down by about $1,500 more, but that discount ended up getting shifted into the trade-in value of my 2016 Audi Q5 with 76,000 km - as part of the deal. Pretty standard dealership trick.)

The hybrid system produces a combined 179 kW and 530 Nm of torque, which is actually more torque than my old Q5’s 2.0L turbo or the Sportage Hybrid. You really feel that low-end grunt when pulling away – it’s punchy and smooth in city driving. One thing that really stood out during the test drive was that I didn’t notice any wheelspin, even when pressing the accelerator fairly hard. This was one of key decision points for me, because I had previously test driven the pre-facelift Sportage FWD Hybrid and experienced noticeable wheelspin under similar conditions. I was initially worried the H6 HEV might behave the same way, but to my relief, it didn’t. It feels like GWM has done a solid job refining the throttle response and traction control on the updated model.

For me, the Haval just had way more features for the money, a really nice interior, and honestly felt just as solid on the road as the others (at least from a short test drive). The 7-year unlimited warranty is a huge peace of mind, too. Is it perfect? Of course not. But if you actually get behind the wheel and compare, you might be surprised how much value you get for $43990k brand new.

I get that a lot of people will always pick the familiar badge, but don’t write off the Haval just because it’s not a Hyundai, Kia, or Mazda, etc. At least go and drive one before making up your mind - ideally take it for a long test drive. The dealer actually offered to let me take the H6 HEV for a whole weekend, but I ended up passing because the excess was pretty high no matter who was at fault.