2016 Haval H9 Review

The Haval H9 is the pinnacle of the ambitious Chinese company’s three-strong SUV range, which launched in Australia a few months ago. As it has with its other models, the urban-focused H2 and the H8 mid-sizer, Haval is promising big things. The Haval H9 is said to be every bit the large, luxurious and off-road-capable SUV — the latter ensured by its ladder frame chassis, proper low-range and diverse traction modes. But can this relative unknown really take on well-credentialed rivals such as the Ford Everest, or more urban-focused but voluminous family haulers such as the Toyota Kluger? Here we test the Haval H9 Lux which, at $50,990 plus on-road costs, sits well and truly atop Haval’s range (above the $46,490 H9 Premium). It is also, for what it’s worth, far and away the most expensive Chinese car ever sold here, unless you cheekily include the Volvo XC90. At this price point, it sits above the mid-range Isuzu MU-X LS-U and Toyota Fortuner GXL, as well as softer seven-seater fare such as the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite. In other words, Haval once again is not relying on being a cut-price contender. It wants to compete on merit. There’s little doubt the Haval H9 has presence. Like its H8 sibling, there is more than a little Mercedes-Benz about it, from the vaguely GL-Class lines to the knockoff side steps, bonnet vents and silver kickplates.