Review of Haval H2 2018
Test Drive

Review of Haval H2 2018

The H2 is the smallest vehicle produced by China's largest SUV company Haval and competes with models such as the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-3. Being Chinese, the H2 is more affordable than its competitors, but is it more than just a good price? 

After 15 years, the concept of me explaining to you how to pronounce Haval and what it is might seem as cute and funny as what I'm doing now for Hyundai. 

That's how big a brand can get in Australia. The company is owned by Great Wall Motors, China's largest SUV maker, and anything that's big by Chinese standards is really massive (have you seen their Wall?).

The H2 is Haval's smallest SUV and competes with models such as the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-3.

If you've done a little research, you've noticed that the H2 is more affordable than its competitors, but is that more than just a good price? Do you get what you pay for, and if so, what do you get and what do you lack?

I drove the H2 Premium 4×2 to find out.

Oh, and you pronounce "Haval" the same way you pronounce "travel." Now you know.

Haval H2 2018: Premium (4 × 2)
Safety Rating
engine's type1.5 L turbo
fuel typePremium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency9l / 100km
Landing5 Places
Price from$13,500

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 6/10


At the time of writing, H2 Premium 4x2 gasoline could be purchased for $24,990, according to Haval, which is a $3500 discount. 

You could certainly be reading this in 2089, having just survived another nuclear winter in your forbidding mountain complex, so it's best to check the Haval website to see if the offer is still up for grabs.

Ignore the word "Premium" because this 4×2 is the most affordable H2 you can buy, and the $24,990 price tag sounds amazing, but a quick look reveals that many small SUV competitors are also offering discounts.

This $24,990x4 is the most affordable H2 you can buy.

The Honda HR-V VTi 2WD retails for $24,990 but can currently be had for $26,990; The Toyota C-HR 2WD is $28,990 and $31,990 on the road, while the Hyundai Kona Active is $24,500 or $26,990 on the road.

So, buy the H2 Premium and you'll save around $2000 over a Kona or HR-V, which is an attractive prospect for families where every cent counts. 

The feature list also marks most of the typical fields for this end of the segment. There's a 7.0-inch touchscreen with a rearview camera, a quad-speaker stereo, rear parking sensors, automatic halogen headlights, LED DRLs, a sunroof, automatic wipers, air conditioning, cloth seats, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The H2's display screen, while large, looks and feels cheap.

So, on paper (or on screen) the H2 looks good, but in reality I found the feature quality to be not as high as the HR-V, Kona or C-HR. 

You should be aware that the H2's display screen, while large, feels and looks cheap, and it took a few finger swipes to select items. The windshield wipers were too noisy, the lights themselves didn't "flash" normally, and the phone system had a connection delay that caused me to say "hello" but not be heard on the other end. lines. This caused several arguments between my wife and me and no car is worth it. Oh, and the stereo sound isn't great, but there's a cigarette lighter.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10


If you squint, the H2 looks a bit like a BMW SUV, and that could be because former BMW head of design Pierre Leclerc led the H2 design team (it's worth noting that if you squint, I look like Robert Downey Jr.). ).

It may be "small", but it's bigger than almost all of its competitors.

Now he's switched to a Kia, but he's kept the damn good looking H2. I would even go so far as to say that the H2 is what a BMW X1 should look like, not that long-nosed humpback hatchback.

The H2 is small at 4335mm long, 1814mm wide and 1695mm high, but it's bigger than almost all of its competitors. The Kona is 4165mm long, the HR-V is 4294mm and the CX-3 is 4275mm. Only C-HR is longer - 4360 mm.

The interior finish could be better and it's not up to par with its Japanese rivals. However, I like the cockpit design for its symmetry, the layout of the controls is also thoughtful and easy to reach, the hood over the instrument cluster is cool, and I even like the opal milky hue on the instrument panel surround.

How practical is the interior space? 7/10


The H2's 300-litre trunk is small compared to the competition. The Honda HR-V has a boot of 437 liters, the C-HR has 377 liters and the Kona has 361 liters, but it has more luggage space than the CX-3, which can only hold 264 liters.

While larger than the competition, boot space is smaller than most at 300 liters.

However, only the H2 has a full-size spare under the boot floor - so what you lose in luggage space, you get to go anywhere without fear of a puncture and having to hobble to the nearest town 400km away. on a wheel that can only reach 80 km/h. 

Interior storage is good, with bottle holders in all doors and two cupholders in the back and two in the front. The tiny hole in the dash is larger than an ashtray, which makes sense because of the cigarette lighter next to it, and the bin on the center console under the front center armrest is a reasonable size.

The front is all reasonably sized.

The H2's interior is roomy with good head, shoulder and leg room in the front, and the same goes for the rear row where I can sit in my driver's seat with about 40mm of room between my knees and the back of the seat.

There is also plenty of room for rear passengers.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 4/10


Have you planned to go off-road? Well, maybe reconsider because the Haval H2 is now only available in front-wheel drive and comes exclusively with a six-speed automatic, so there's no manual option.

The only engine available is a 1.5-litre engine with just 110kW/210Nm.

The engine is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol (you can't get a diesel) that makes 110kW/210Nm.

Turbo lag is my biggest problem with the H2. Above 2500 rpm it's fine, but below that, if you cross your legs, it can feel like you can count to five before the grunt kicks in. 




How much fuel does it consume? 5/10


H2 is thirsty. Haval says that with a combination of urban and open roads, you should see the H2 consume 9.0L/100km. My trip computer said I averaged 11.2L/100km.

H2 also needs 95 RON, while many competitors will happily drink 91 RON.

What is it like to drive? 4/10


There's a lot to be said here, but if you don't have a lot of time, the bottom line is this: The H2's driving experience doesn't live up to what's now the norm in this segment. 

I can overlook the fit, which feels too high even at the lowest settings. I can ignore lights that don't "flash" at their normal rate, or windshield wipers that screech loudly. Or even headlights that aren't as bright as LED or xenon but turbo lag, awkward ride, and less-than-impressive braking response are a deal breaker for me.

First, it upsets the turbo lag at low revs. A right turn at a T-junction required me to move quickly from a standstill, but as I put my right foot on, I saw the H2 hobble into the middle of the intersection, and I desperately waited for the grunt to arrive as traffic approached. 

While the handling isn't bad for a small SUV, the ride is a bit too busy; a wiggle feeling that suggests that the spring and damper tuning is not very good. Other car companies are customizing the suspension of their cars for Australian roads.

And while emergency braking tests show the H2 had auto-activated hazard lights, I feel the braking response is weaker than its competitors.

Steep hills are no friend of the H2 either, and it struggled to climb a slope that other SUVs in its class easily climbed.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / 100,000 km


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10


Haval wants you to know that its H2 has received the maximum five-star ANCAP rating, and while it has disc brakes, traction and stability control, and plenty of airbags, I want you to know that it was tested last year and didn't comes with advanced safety equipment. e.g. AEB.

The full-size spare tire, in my opinion, is also a safety feature - the H2 has it under the boot floor, which its competitors cannot claim.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10


The H2 is covered by a five-year Haval warranty or 100,000 miles. There is also a five-year, 24-hour roadside assistance service, which is covered by the cost of the car. 

The first service is recommended after six months and then every 12 months. Prices are capped at $255 for the first, $385 for the next, $415 for the third, $385 for the fourth, and $490 for the fifth.

Verdict

It's disappointing that a car that looks so damn good can fail due to interior sophistication and handling issues. In some areas, the H2 is great and goes further than the competition - tinted windows, a full-size spare, a sunroof and good rear passenger legroom. But the HR-V, Kona, C-HR, and CX-3 have set high standards for build quality and driving experience, and the H2 isn't up to par in that regard.

The H2 is more affordable than its competitors, but is that enough to tempt you to ditch the CX-3 or HR-V? Tell us what you think in the comments below. 

Add a comment