What has sleek coupe-like styling, potent plug-in hybrid power, and more grunt than most Aussie muscle cars? If you answered the Lamborghini Urus SE, you’d technically be right. But we’re talking about something costing roughly one-tenth of the price of that.
At $53,990, with 321kW and 762Nm, the Haval H6GT PHEV Ultra demands to be taken seriously. Don’t you dare call it a ‘Temu Urus’.
Since its debut in 2022, the H6GT has earned quite a following, with 3140 examples sold last year alone. The addition of a plug-in hybrid powertrain only enhances its desirability. Recently, the H6GT was treated to some subtle yet effective running changes. These include new taillight elements with clear innards, matte black badging, ‘GWM’ instead of ‘HAVAL’ at the rear and voice controls (so as not to rely on the infotainment system).
It offers a lot of power on paper, combined with PHEV efficiency credentials. But does the excitement of 321kW make this a driver’s SUV? And how does it stand up to the practical realities of ownership?
2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV: Specifications
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder plug-in hybrid
Electrical: 35.4kWh battery, 180km range
Output (combined): 321kW / 762Nm
Gearbox: Two-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×7.5, 235/55
ANCAP: Not tested
Kerb weight: 2075kg
Power-to-weight: 6.46:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 0.8L/100km
Our consumption: 4.2L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 55L/91 RONPower efficiency: 401.25kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.56 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.82 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.94 seconds*
1/4 mile: 13.10 seconds at 176.8km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.778g*
100-0km/h braking: 39.74m in 3.13 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.127g*
Decibel at idle (standby): 25*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 78*
Starting price: $53,990
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV: How much does it cost?
At $53,990, the H6GT is GWM’s cheapest plug-in hybrid option in Australia. A non-hybrid entry model, still in Ultra guise, is $45,990 drive-away at the time of publication. This is very good value, with competitors such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (the segment pioneer) and Peugeot 3008 GT Sport Hybrid being $15,000-$30,000 more for similarly-specced models.
Warranty is seven years for unlimited kilometres, with five years of roadside assistance. The warranty includes all electrical systems of the PHEV system. Capped-price servicing is annually or 10,000km for the first service and 15,000km thereafter up to five years/ 70,000km. The services vary in price between $240 for the first visit, and $705 at the four-year/55,000km mark. All well contained and less than the biggest major service for Chery and MG rivals.
2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV: Interior & packaging
The H6GT measures 4727mm long, 1940mm wide, 1729mm tall and sits on a wheelbase of 2738mm. Proportions are actually pretty sporty, with the 19-inch wheels shod with 235/55 R19 Michelin tyres filling out the wheel wells reasonably well – unlike its sibling, the GWM Jolion.
Cabin accommodation is generous in all directions, with head, knee, shoulder and elbow room benefiting from the spacious-for-this-class cabin. Even second row occupants enjoy generous headroom and a flat floor gives outstanding legroom for all three occupants. USB charging and rear vents are provided.
Interior presentation looks good at first glance, with a swoopy, floating centre console featuring wireless phone charging, a rotary gear selector and 7 buttons. A false floor underneath hides the USB port for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (passenger side).
A 12.3-inch infotainment screen and 10.25-inch instrument cluster give the SUV its tech credentials, but the operation leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to defeating unhelpful ADAS systems. GWM’s recent announcement of permanent residency at Holden’s former proving ground in Lang Lang, under the aegis of Rob Trubiani, should do wonders for things like this and handling going forward.
When judging interior materials, we need to remember the exceptionally low entry price of this vehicle. Touch surfaces range from middling to sub-par – particularly the door cards and scratchy passenger side dash, but with four-way steering adjustment and eight-way driver seat adjustment (plus two-way lumbar), finding a comfortable driving position is easy.
Even the passenger has four way adjustment. Steering wheel buttons do not feel good to the touch, but the clarity of the instrument panel and HUD are most welcome indeed. Refresh rate and responsiveness of the infotainment screen left a lot to be desired, however.
Boot space varies from 392L with the rear seats upright to 1390L when they are folded flat. A handy amount of space to be sure, which is accessed via an electrically opening tailgate. As with virtually all other EVs and hybrids on the market, there is no spare tyre.
For those of you wondering, the 2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV can tow 1500kg (braked) or 750kg without trailer brakes.
2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV: Powertrain & handling
Feeding the H6GT PHEV is its 55-litre fuel tank (91 RON minimum unleaded), or its 35.43kWh ternary lithium battery pack. It has a maximum AC charge rate of 6.6kW, or 48kW for DC, with CCS and Type 2 plug type. With a full battery it promises 180km of EV-only range (WLTP). All very good figures for a PHEV.
A scarcely-believable 0.8L/100km is quoted via the ADR81/02 protocol – which runs the big battery down before the petrol engine is called into action. During out time with the vehicle, we saw around 4.2L/100km average, with varying degrees of battery charge. Over 1000km of range is quoted by the manufacturer as well.
We’ve got to be honest here, 321kW and 762Nm is a supercar level of output. A tare mass of 2041kg is pretty reasonable given the larger-than-average size of the battery pack for a PHEV. This gives the H6GT a power-to-weight ratio of 152kW/tonne.
Our testing yielded a 0-100km/h time of 4.82 seconds, with the quarter mile coming up in 13.1 seconds at a 176.8km/h trap speed. That makes it not only one of the quickest-accelerating SUVs for the money, but one of the quickest Chinese vehicles on sale at the moment.
Straight-line punch is definitely the highlight of the H6GT, with power available in most circumstances. Changing between driving modes is best done at standstill, lest you get stuck down a rabbit hole of menus.
A braking distance of 39.74m is on par with the non-hybrid H6GT we tested in 2024, setting the tone for the rest of this review; middling competence in all other departments. The brakes themselves feel spongy and unprogressive at times, but get the job done reasonably well. However, you have to keep in mind this vehicle can get up to serious speed in very little time. As a result, we think this should stop quicker than the regular 150kW version.
Body control is decent with the hefty battery mounted low in the chassis. The H6GT turns in predictably and can be driven enthusiastically up to a point. Limiting factors are the overly light and uncommunicative steering, and cumbersome suspension tune. Although it does a good job of meting out the torque via the front and rear electric motors, the chassis seems set up for push-understeer at the limit.
Ride quality is decent most of the time, but there does seem to be room for improvement as it tends to bounce and bob around on poorly-maintained country roads. For a vehicle with 321kW and fluro-coloured brake calipers, we’d expect better. We’d love to see a more hardcore development of this car as a result of GWM’s tie-up with former Holden engineer, Rob Trubiani.
2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Outstanding acceleration for the money: Potent 321kW system offers exhilarating straight-line acceleration, unmatched at this price point.
- Outstanding electric-only range: Generous battery size delivers around 80km of realistic EV driving range (180km officially), significantly surpassing most plug-in hybrid rivals.
- Feature-rich, value-focused pricing: Generous standard equipment and competitive drive-away pricing create a compelling value-for-money proposition.
2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV: Key considerations before you buy
- Awkward infotainment design: Essential functions like seat ventilation and climate controls remain unnecessarily buried in touch-screen submenus, let alone ADAS. GWM trails its rivals in this department.
- Chassis/suspension/brakes can’t keep up with 321kW: Overly assisted steering reduces driver involvement, diminishing overall driving enjoyment. Suspension is too soft and not confidence-inspiring for the power/acceleration, and the brakes need to do better for this speed potential.
- Compromised boot space: Coupe styling and battery packaging limit cargo volume and flexibility, impacting practicality compared to boxier rivals.
2025 GWM Haval H6GT PHEV: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X-factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
Despite its cheap-feeling interior, bewildering infotainment and other minor shortcomings, it’s hard to argue against the powertrain’s capability. It’s also spacious enough to be a genuinely useful SUV for families and comfortable over long journeys. The price is also very attractive for this sort of thing.
