Chinese automaker Haval has introduced a refreshed version of its popular H6 SUV, but potential buyers will need to earn a considerable monthly income to comfortably afford one under a typical vehicle finance plan.
A New Look for the Haval H6
The recently facelifted Haval H6 has officially landed in South Africa, boasting sleek styling updates, improved technology, and expanded hybrid options. Buyers can choose from seven different models with prices starting at R495,500 and climbing up to R799,900 for the top-tier plug-in hybrid variant.
Haval has outfitted the new H6 range with a variety of engine choices, including:
- 2.0L Turbo Petrol – 170kW/380Nm, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. It offers fuel economy between 7.4l/100km and 8.3l/100km depending on the drivetrain.
- Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) – A 1.5L turbo-petrol combined with an electric motor, delivering 179kW/530Nm, and achieving a fuel efficiency of 5.2l/100km. It is front-wheel drive only.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) – The flagship GT variant matches the 1.5L turbo engine with a high-output electric motor to generate a massive 321kW/762Nm, propelling the SUV from 0–100km/h in just 4.9 seconds. With a 34.5kWh battery, it boasts an electric-only range of 180km and a claimed consumption of just 0.8l/100km, provided it’s mostly driven in EV mode.
Premium Features Across the Range
Even the entry-level Luxury trim comes packed with modern conveniences, such as:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers
- Keyless entry/start and roof rails
- A 50W wireless phone charger
- Dual-zone climate control and ambient lighting
- A 10.25-inch digital driver display and 14.6-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Leatherette seats with electric adjustment
- A suite of advanced safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and a 540-degree camera system
Higher trims add further luxuries such as a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, memory functions, blind-spot monitoring, and even automated parking assistance.
All models include a 7-year/200,000km warranty, a 7-year/75,000km service plan, and for hybrids, an 8-year/150,000km battery warranty.
What Salary Do You Need?
To estimate affordability, we can use the following basic vehicle finance parameters:
- Loan Term: 60 months (5 years)
- Interest Rate: 10.75%
- Deposit: None
- Balloon Payment: None
- Optional Extras: Excluded
Based on this, the monthly repayment would range from approximately:
- R10,807/month for the base H6 Luxury
- R17,387/month for the range-topping H6 GT PHEV
Financial experts generally advise spending no more than 20% of your gross income on car instalments. Using this guideline, the minimum monthly salary required would be:
- R54,035 for the entry-level model
- R86,935 for the top-spec hybrid
More Than Just Instalments
It’s important to remember that these figures do not include running costs, such as:
- Insurance premiums
- Fuel expenses
- Tyre replacements
- Unscheduled maintenance or servicing beyond the plan
These additional costs can significantly impact your monthly vehicle budget, and should be considered alongside your repayments before purchasing.
The new Haval H6 offers South Africans a compelling blend of value, performance, and modern technology. However, with prices nearing R800,000 and finance requirements starting at over R10,000 per month, it’s a purchase best suited to high-earning households. If you’re dreaming of getting behind the wheel of the new H6, be sure to crunch the numbers carefully—and include more than just the monthly instalment in your decision.
Related article: South Africa vs China’s Car Industry: A Tale of Two Worlds
