Haval H9

Photos: Farhan Ahmed

WHAT IS IT?

It's the one proper SUV from the same guys that bring in Great Wall pickups. It is also the biggest they have, comparing easily to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The Toyota connection goes further as Engineering Vice President of Haval, Suguya Fukusato, used to be Chief Engineer at Toyota.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

Did I already mention that this thing is huge? The Chinese company has developed its own design elements based on contemporary cues. The H9 rides tall and provides an imposing presence with its flared haunches above each wheel. There is a hint of Mercedes GL along the crease that sweeps up to the rear. The front features the de facto scowling headlight appearance preferred by car buyers these days. Thankfully chrome is kept to a tolerable amount. It is already big and muscular in appearance and does not require further bling.

THE INSIDE

It is very well organised and heavily equipped. Plenty of leather, wood and subtle aluminium highlights create an elegant ambience. Ergonomics work well as you sit high but have all the features within easy reach. That and front seats offer heating and lumbar massage. Interior is well insulated from the outside although a little amount of engine noise comes in as you push it hard. That's okay, a 10-speaker, loud and rich Infinity sound system will handle the rest.

UNDER THE HOOD

The engine is a turbocharged 2.0 litre delivering about 215 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque. Initially we were wondering if it was enough to power a vehicle weighing 2236 kg. The engine is a little lazy initially but quickly picks up pace. The power band rests a little higher in the rev range so you have to stomp to get decisive action. However, it quickly pushes into triple digit speeds with ease. The six-speed shifts smoothly without any clunks. The electronic all-terrain control system uses sensors to detect sand, mud or snow and adjust the torque distribution accordingly.

THE RIDE

This is where the big surprise comes in. The car is fitted with sophisticated double wishbone suspension up front and a multi-link setup at the rear. The ride is surprisingly compliant for an off-road ready SUV. I'm not a fan of the Toyota Land Cruisers in city traffic as the suspension is too stiff making you feel like puffed rice being shaken by an over enthusiastic 'jhaal-muri walla'. The Haval in comparison soaks up the bumps with relative ease. We took the annoying bumps right before Radisson at speed without suffering rattles from our teeth or any part of the car. We love the steering as it is very light with a rather tight turning radius allowing for quick U-turns. Off road, it soaks in the rough terrain. There's some roll as the 18 inch tyres thump into deep holes but it is all nicely composed and absorbed. This is a great car to ride in on terrible roads. The seats are supportive without being stiff. In the dusty, broken road we took it to, it felt like I was sitting in a lounge while hitting bumps at 60 km/h.

VERDICT

It is comparable to a Prado in many ways while coming in at close to two-thirds the price. It is not a poser in any way but offers real world off-roading ability. Its major pros are powerful design, a very well built interior and wonderfully cushioned ride. The cons would be a little laziness in the way it moves. It's even been tested by the Bangladesh military up 'Dim Pahar' in Chittagong and it made its way up effortlessly. Thanks to its suspension, it makes for a comfortable off-roader as well as an on-road cruiser. 

What does the rest of the team think?

I'm not very big on bulky SUVs. I consider them a waste of space and not really something that the world needs at present. However, it is undeniable that the HavalH9 is a very good example of how to do an SUV right. It has the right balance of comfort, practicality and off-road prowess and for the price, it'll shame many an established contender into resounding defeats. It pulls well, and is surprisingly agile both on and off road, despite its size. Quick maneuvers leave the H9 fairly well composed, while the high seating position give you a commanding view out of the cockpit. Quality of materials is high, but we'll have to wait and see how these hold up in terms of longevity. If I HAD to get an SUV, this would be a very strong contender as it does most things right with not a hint of brand value or pretentiousness that tinges many of its rivals.

 - Shaer Reaz, In-charge of Shift, Ruiner of Perfectly Good Golden Toyota Camrys and Basic Blue Honda Civics.

SPECS

Engine: 2.0 double VVT turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol, 215 HP and 236 lb-ft.

Transmission: 6-speed auto with paddle shift, 4WD.

Suspension: Double wishbone front and multi-link rear.

Safety and mobility: 8 airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, ESP, Traction Control, Roll Movement Intervention, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Hill Descent Control with Auto Hold and all-terrain control system.

Features: Multi-function heated/ventilated/massage power front seats, leather, Triple-zone automatic air conditioning with air purifier, multi-function steering wheel, power sunroof, 12V power outlets, daytime running lights with adaptive front lighting, Infinity audio, 8-inch infotainment system with USB, AUX, CD and DVD rear seat entertainment.

Price: TK 52-58 lakh depending on options.

Contact Ace Autos for further details.