Haval lowers entry point to H2 small SUV range
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 18th Oct 2018
HAVAL has created a new base variant for its range-opening H2 small SUV, with the reintroduction of a six-speed manual gearbox bringing the entry price down from $22,990 driveaway to $19,990.
The addition of the entry-level manual brings the current H2 range choice to three variants, topping out with the Lux at $26,990 driveaway.
Prices for the Chinese brand’s baby SUV have been reduced significantly since the brand launched in Australia in October 2015, where pricing ranged between $26,490 and $30,990 plus on-road costs for the six-variant range.
The new budget version comes as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, front and rear foglights, keyless entry, rear parking sensors, dual exhaust tips, electrically adjustable side mirrors and the choice of six exterior hues as well as four two-tone options.
Inside, it scores cloth upholstery, six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, cruise control, electronic handbrake, power windows, electrochromatic rearview mirror, push button start, rear-seat air vent, tinted rear privacy glass and a dot-matrix media system with Bluetooth media streaming, USB, auxiliary and CD compatibility.
Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, brake assist, ABS, hill-hold control, ESP, Isofix child seat restraints, tyre pressure monitor, electronic brakeforce distribution and seatbelt warning lights.
All H2 variants share the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine outputting 110kW at 5600rpm and 210Nm between 2200-4500rpm, which in the new variant drives the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.
According to Haval, the new variant holds the rather obscure title of most affordable SUV in Australia with a five-star ANCAP safety rating and a four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
The brand is also offering a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty until the end of 2018, matching the assurance period permanently offered by Kia.
Haval Motors Australia national marketing manager Bill Soo said the H2 was a compelling choice for Australian buyers on a budget.
“It’s a new price point combined with one of the longest factory warranties in Australia,” he said.
“Australian’s work hard to make ends meet and for many, the decision about a new car often means making difficult compromises – either in their children’s education, renovations or retirement savings. The launch of the H2 MT is way of making safe, high quality SUVs more accessible to more Australians.”
Sales of the H2 have taken a 24.3 per cent dip in 2018, tracking closely with the brand’s 26.0 per cent slide so far this year.
The H2 has accounted for 168 sales to the end of September, well behind small SUV segment leaders such as the Mitsubishi ASX (14,734), Mazda CX-3 (12,649) and Suabru XV (10,503).
2018 Haval H2 pricing*
| H2 | $19,990 driveaway |
| Premium (a) | $22,990 driveaway |
| Luxury (a) | $26,990 driveaway |
*Excludes on-road costs
