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Revised: 2020 Haval H2 Lux a/t

Enticing package

Posted: July 26, 2020

The numbers
Prices: R269 900 to R329 900
Engine: Mitsubishi-designed Orion 4G15B, 1497 cc, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder turbopetrol
Power: 105 kW at 5600 rpm
Torque: 202 Nm between 2200 and 4500 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 12.9 seconds
Maximum speed: 180 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 8.7 l/100 km
Tank: 55 litres plus 2 reserve
Luggage: 300 – 1127 litres
Ground clearance: 184 mm
Turning circle: 10.7 metres
Standard tyre size: 235/55R18
Spare: Spacesaver
Towing capacities (unbraked, braked): 750 kg, 1200 kg
Safety rating: ANCAP 5 star
Warranty: 5 years / 100 000 km with 5 years’ roadside assistance
Service plan: 5 years / 60 000 km

There were some visible changes from the 2017-2019 originals while other things stayed the same; engine, brakes, gearboxes and suspension for example, but the differences that count aren’t readily seen.

Styling was updated. The new body is 30 mm longer and 5 mm taller but wheelbase and width stay the same. There’s a new hexagonally shaped grille; new front and rear bumpers and fenders; new, arrow-shaped, LED headlights and remodelled taillights. Factor in a chrome strip across the back, realigned reflectors with a raised protection strip, big twin tailpipes (fake, unfortunately) and a new skid plate. Then they created new, five-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels. Together, these contribute to a more dynamic, sporty and aggressive image. 

Trim levels were reduced to two; City and Lux, each with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.  

Internally the facelifted H2 features a new 8” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, USB and SD slots, Bluetooth handsfree and audio streaming. The seats were restyled for a sportier look and feel with generous side bolsters to hold occupants gently in place. Chairs on City-spec cars are covered in fabric while Lux versions graduate to faux leather with electrical adjusters for the driver. These also retain their panoramic sunroofs and automatic climate control while gaining auto-folding side mirrors.

All models now boast LED headlights, electric parking brake, tilt-and-reach steering wheel adjustment, cruise control, six airbags, rear parking distance alarm, camera with guidelines, keyless entry and start, tyre pressure monitoring, ABS with EBD, ESP and traction control, hill holder and downhill speed regulator.

I was disappointed to find that the driver’s chair still can’t move far enough downward. Tall pilots therefore sit awkwardly high; with eyes above mid-screen and heads uncomfortably close to the headlining on Lux (sunroof) models. Haval can’t simply increase downward travel because under-seat foot space for backseat passengers is already cramped.
 
The only ways to increase headroom would appear to be by making the body taller or “sinking” the floor line lower, risking either top-heaviness or reduced ground clearance. Nobody wants either. And it is nice to have an almost sill-less floor for easy entry and exit. So glad I’m just a reviewer and not an engineer although they could, of course, just make the sunroof an option for those who really want one.

Apart from that minor concern the car performs briskly, the auto-box works well, there’s adequate luggage- and people space, it handles nicely, it’s comfortable over bumps and gravel roads and it parks easily. It’s also well-built and finished and, for its price, offers an enticing package.

Test unit kindly loaned by Haval Pietermaritzburg

We drove the previous version in 2019



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This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

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