Everything should have turned out differently ... The first attempt at a comparative test of these rivals failed due to the "fault" of Toyota: the gasoline Prado 2.7 returned from the next trip badly beaten. We canceled the second meeting ourselves, flying away on an urgent business trip. And only from the third run, Haval H9 and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado met in a full-time duel. However, now the Chinese partner was not in the best shape: he overheated in the heat. Later we had to test another, serviceable H9. How complicated everything is! But you, dear readers of Drome, have been waiting for this fight for a long time...
Even in appearance, Khawail shows that he has a frame and a continuous rear axle. And the sensations behind the wheel are appropriate: you don’t drive the H9, but you rule
Haval is generally a bit of a strange car. Body contours and optics looks like Prado. Suspension schemes - one to one: "double-lever" in front, rear axle. Spar frames, transfer boxes - everything converges here too. But if a turbodiesel “four” (177 hp) is working under the hood of Toyota, then Haweil has a two-liter gasoline engine, pumped up with supercharging up to 218 forces. In addition, a “crossover” multi-plate clutch is responsible for connecting the front wheels. Out-of-crossover?
Haval is larger than Toyota: 77mm longer and 20mm taller. The length of the wheelbase, even if only a centimeter, but also more
Inside Haval - solid materials with good build quality. There is a lot of silver-plated plastic here, but all the small details are made with German pedantry. Maybe that's why inside the H9 it smells like a Mercedes spirit? However, such associations "Chinese" only benefit. And in general, the sensations from the salon are positive. Learned?! However, sitting down, you begin to notice the shortcomings. So, the reach of the steering column is small, the seats are flat, and the symbols on the climate control unit and the off-road controller are absolutely not visible in sunny weather.
The interior is elegant and high-quality, but the ergonomics are limping. Large mirrors provide excellent visibility to the rear, but pedestrians can hide behind wide pillars with handles
The cushion is flat, and the lateral back support doesn't fix skinny riders. There is a lot of space in the middle row, especially in height. But getting into a tall car through a narrow doorway is tricky. The third row is double without conventions. The stock of space to the back of the sofa allows you to straighten your legs a little. A trip to the gallery will not seem too tiring
The Havala instrument cluster resembles a Mercedes one, readings are read without problems. But it's not easy to see the symbols on the climate control buttons. The manual mode of the "automatic" - to the right of the selector - is not the best solution. Behind the transmission lever is a drive mode selector with an indistinct indication. In the middle part of the cabin there is a climate control unit and an air ionizer
On the little things, there will be a dozen more “jambs”. For example, seat heating is activated via the display menu. As a result, a simple one-touch operation requires extra gestures and attention. Or activation of the manual transmission mode ... In Prado, the “manual” is turned on by pushing the selector towards you, in H9 - away from you. It seems to be nonsense, but if you lean your hand on the Haweil lever a little more, it will definitely jump into the “manual” mode. It turns out that behind the external brilliance of the Chinese SUV, ergonomics are not fully thought out. And this constant squeak?! You open the door, turn on the music, put the key in the lock... for every reason, and just like that, Haval rings in different ways. Hesitated!
You sit down in Prado, and ears have a rest. "Japanese" not only does not make unnecessary sounds, but is also better isolated from external noise. To some, the angular interior of Toyota will seem outdated, to others brutal, but the driver is more comfortable here than in Haweil. Armchairs are more hospitable, ergonomics are thought out better. True, the steering column sways on a short arm, and the back of the chair does not stand upright: it is more difficult to find your landing in the Prado. And according to the Toyota tradition, some of the buttons are hidden under the steering column. Until you bow, you will not find.
The Prado has a two-story front panel with a climate control jumper. In terms of the abundance of auxiliary devices, this one can compete with a starship, but the buttons and knobs are large - you won’t miss
The Toyota display and instruments are larger, but the dials are loaded with small risks. The manual mode of the transmission is switched on “towards you”. Downshifts are performed by moving the lever back - it's more familiar. The entire "off-road army" is grouped at the bottom of the center console. The rotary washer in the center controls the speed of movement in Crawl mode. Minus Prado: invisible rows of buttons along the edges of the steering column. Three-zone climate control is required only for 7-seater versions. 5-seater (like ours) have ordinary deflectors
In terms of the reserve of space on the second row, the duelists are comparable. There is a little more space in front of the knees in Toyota, above the head in Haweil. The doorways are narrow in both SUVs, but getting into the Kruzak's cabin is more convenient thanks to the wider footboard. But in the H9, the second row of seats moves back and forth, while the Prado can only recline slightly. In addition, the third row of seats for the H9 is offered by default. The space here, of course, is smaller than in the middle part of the cabin, but it will not be difficult to withstand a not too long trip.
The cushion is flat, the leather is slippery, but the profile of the chair is better, and the filler is softer, which partly compensates for the weak lateral support. Despite the compact size, there is even a little more space in the back than in Haweil
The Toyota trunk holds from 621 to 1934 liters. The back of a back sofa develops in a proportion 40/20/40. But to form a flat floor, you will have to raise the pillows. In the 7-seater Haweil, the compartment is smaller: 612–1457 liters. The third row of seats is hidden under the floor. But the two-section backrest fits flush with the floor
The H9 is similar to the Prado in many ways. For example, the rear doors on SUVs are copies of each other, including compartments on the back. The oddities of Havala are hidden under the plastic covers of the luggage compartment: pieces of sound insulation are clearly stuffed by hand
Recall that for the purity of the experiment, we wanted to oppose the 2.0-liter Havala LC Prado with a base engine of 2.7 liters. Maybe it’s for the best that it didn’t work out, because Pradiki with such engines account for about 10% of sales, and diesel is the most popular - about 80%. A smart choice, especially considering the low fuel consumption: about 13 l / 100 km in the combined cycle. But don’t expect much agility from such an SUV, the dynamics here are at the subsistence level. For example, during overtaking on the highway, it is sometimes not enough. But at medium speeds, the engine literally blooms with thrust. Accelerations on the move are given to Prado at ease. True, the 6-speed "automatic" sometimes kicks when downshifting more than one gear, but otherwise its work can be considered exemplary.
And on the spot, and on the go Prado quiet. The 2.8 liter diesel engine is not much louder than the Chinese turbo engine
The camera in Prado broadcasts a clearer and more saturated picture than in Haval
Prado suspension settings are optimal for our conditions. On small irregularities, the move seems harsh, but with large ones you can not stand on ceremony, fly by. You just have to endure light pokes from the vibrations of heavy wheels. Manageability is ok. Yes, the steering wheel, which is in the neutral position, which is at the corners, is light. Yes, rolls are noticeable. But the Prado steers without harshness, with a spare. And it's very understandable. To the brakes, after their modernization, not a single claim.
Prado dynamics depends on engine speed. At medium traction there is always enough, but at high traction there is already a shortage. It is better to go on overtaking with a margin
How will Toyota respond to a newcomer from China? For starters, good dynamics. If Prado takes traction, then H9 - pressure. The Haweil turbo engine is especially good at speeds above 3000: as if a compressed spring straightens. But when driving in tightness, a lack of strength is already felt. From that, the “automatic” hangs in thought over the choice of gear, and then hastily tucks it in with a jerk. Why does an SUV need a speaker turned upside down? Empty at the bottom, thick at the top. With that kind of prioritization, the Haval is more suited to traffic light racing than off-road adventures.
Passport breakthrough to the first three-digit mark of the speedometer (12.4 seconds) is unable to convey the reality of the accelerating process. Emotional and powerful! But from the bottom, the turbo engine picks up reluctantly
Meanwhile, it is better to drive the H9 in a straight line. In turns, either an excess of feedback or its absence interferes. At the same time, the steering wheel remains heavy in any position. The Haval rolls less than the Toyota, and this allows you to drive more stable arcs of turns. But for the best stability you have to pay the worst smoothness. The H9 shakes harder, and the vibrations of the unsprung masses are more clearly felt in the cabin. On the other hand, the rigid suspension allows you to completely spit on the pits. On shattered roads, Haval is more convincing than Toyota.
In Hawail, with its small rolls and good lateral stability, it is tempting to go through the turn faster. It's better not to risk it. The SUV is heavy, and the force on the steering wheel comes in fragments
With a shortage of traction at low speeds, most often you have to overcome obstacles from acceleration. It's good that the suspension holds shocks
With the test of Haval for cross-country ability, we did not have a job from the very beginning. As soon as the silver SUV left on the sand, the transmission overheated (the front axle turned off), and a little later the engine itself capitulated. I had to cool the power unit for 30 minutes. Even on asphalt, the H9 hinted at clogged cooling radiators by frequently turning on the second fan speed. By the way, this is a very noisy process. But the 30-degree heat and loose sand finally undermined his health. The replacement Haval H9 was white...
Overheating of the transmission automatically turns the H9 into a rear-wheel drive. We will not blame Haval for a breakdown, clogged radiators - this can happen to anyone. But we note that even a serviceable car moves along the sand with an effort
Off-road assistants are set up well: the "Sand" mode is optimal in terms of accelerator responses. But the front axle is connected with a delay, on soft ground the SUV manages to turn the rear wheels, digging a little. Climbing is especially difficult for Khawail.
It was not possible to create repeating conditions: there was no particular heat, and the sand was tamped down by the rain that had passed the day before. On dense ground, a serviceable SUV famously climbed a couple of steep climbs. Jumped off a high cliff. Not bad! But on the ground sand it goes in fits and starts. If you managed to catch the thrust with an uninformative gas pedal, then you can rush ahead. But more often the SUV slowly creeps forward on the remnants of the moment. Or stops if there is a rise. The matter is aggravated by the work of an automatic transmission, which, even with the simultaneous activation of a downshift and a “manual” mode, continues to independently move to a higher stage. Attempts to return the first gear itself electronics refused. To the credit of the car, he passed all the tests without overheating. But it's kinda creepy...
Long-travel suspension, precise traction control... On the Prado, you choose how to ride carefully or on the move. Somewhere you can and polihat. The car allows
On Prado, you can safely go into the wilds. The body overhangs are smaller here, the wheelbase is shorter, plus about a dozen electronic assistants. Very useful, by the way. But the main thing is that the accelerator is directly connected to the motor, and that, in turn, to the transmission and wheels. The car feels great! Therefore, the density of sand for Toyota does not really matter. Rake viscous soil almost always turns out to be more slip. On climbs, it is better to lock the center and rear differential, but even without additional injections, the Prado moves on soft ground very confidently.
The Prado's compactness helps on slopes. The steering wheel, which seemed light on the pavement, is filled with the necessary effort on the off-road
The winner of this test was predetermined. No intrigue. Maybe that's why there were so many difficulties with its organization. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, despite its venerable age, is still strong in a number of disciplines and especially in cross-country ability. Perhaps "Pradik" is even the best SUV "in the absolute". Not surprisingly, he beat the Chinese opponent.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado costs from 1,939,000 rubles. But it will be the simplest SUV with a 2.7-liter gasoline engine and a 5-speed "mechanics". Diesel "Pradiki" cost from 2,915,000, and gasoline 4.0 liters - from 3,156,000 rubles. Haval H9 is offered in the only Elite configuration - 2,299,900 rubles
Haval H9 is also not bad. Looks fashionable, sensibly assembled. With low competition in the class of frame SUVs and a price of 2.3 million rubles for the only and very rich equipment, the “Chinese” may well recapture some of the customers from the “Japanese”. According to the manager of the Haval salon, it is H9 that is most actively sold out - it goes to the regions. Buyers are easy to understand: a big, smart "rogue" at a reasonable price. Well, the fact that he is weak off-road is not a problem. Most SUVs rarely leave the pavement. How difficult it is...
Specifications of the tested vehicles (manufacturer data)
| Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8 | Haval H9 2.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Body | ||
| Type | Wagon (SUV) | Wagon (SUV) |
| Number of seats/doors | 5/5 | 7/5 |
| Engine | ||
| Type | Diesel, turbocharged | Petrol, turbocharged |
| Engine location | Front lengthwise | Front lengthwise |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 4, in a row | 4, in a row |
| Working volume, cu. cm | 2755 | 1967 |
| Power, hp at rpm | 177/3400 | 218/5500 |
| Torque, Nm at rpm | 450/1600–2400 | 324/2000–4000 |
| Transmission | ||
| Drive unit | Permanent full | Pluggable full |
| Transmission | 6-automatic transmission | 6-automatic transmission |
| brakes | ||
| front | Disc ventilated | Disc ventilated |
| Rear | Disc ventilated | Disk |
| Suspension | ||
| Front | Independent, spring, double-lever | |
| rear | Dependent, pneumatic, multi-link | Dependent, spring, multi-link |
| Dimensions, volume, weight | ||
| Length/width/height, mm | 4780x1885x1880 | 4856x1926x1900 |
| Wheel base, mm | 2790 | 2800 |
| Clearance, mm | 215 | 206 |
| Curb weight, kg | 2165 | 2325 |
| Fuel tank volume, l | 87 | 82 |
| Trunk volume, l | 621–1934 | 112–1457 |
| Tires | 265/60R18 | 265/60R18 |
| Dynamic characteristics | ||
| Maximum speed, km/h | 175 | 180 |
| Acceleration to 100 km/h, sec. | 12,7 | 12,4 |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | ||
| urban cycle | 9,2 | 16,7 |
| country cycle | 6,3 | 9,5 |
| Mixed cycle | 7,4 | 12,3 |
| The cost of the car, rub. | ||
| Basic equipment | 2 915 000 | 2 299 900 |
Year of issue: 2015
Engine: 2.0 (218 HP) Checkpoint: A6
I took the Haval H9 primarily because of the price, it is about a third cheaper than the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado close in size and characteristics in a similar configuration. Personally, I am not embarrassed by the Chinese origin of the car, since Haval is the most popular brand of SUVs in China, and there are plenty to choose from, almost all world manufacturers are represented. It can be seen that when designing the Haval H9, the developers focused on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, but at the same time, it is closer to Lexus in terms of equipment.
In Russia, the Haval H9 model is presented in the only Elite configuration with a 2-liter gasoline turbo engine with a capacity of 218 hp. With. own design and a 6-speed automatic ZF. This is the weakest engine in the line; in China, five engines with up to 333 hp are offered for the Haval H9. With. For a car weighing 2.5 tons, the 2-liter engine is somewhat weak. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 12.4 seconds. At the same time, the engine is well coordinated with the automatic transmission, and pulls from the very bottom. For off-road driving there is a reduction gear. The average fuel consumption is moderate for a heavy all-wheel drive frame SUV - 14 -16 liters per 100 km. Geometric cross-country ability is good, ground clearance is 206 mm. Handling is so-so, large rolls in corners. But the ride is good and the suspension has a large energy reserve. The SUV has very good sound insulation, the engine is audible only during intensive acceleration.
In terms of equipment, the Haval H9 corresponds to the premium segment, but it has its own Chinese specificity. The quality of materials and assembly is on top, the plastic is soft, the leather is natural, but the picture is somewhat spoiled by plastic inserts under the tree. There are 3-zone climate control with air ducts for the second and third row of seats. An autonomous air purifier with a carbon filter is even installed at the back, for China with its constant smog in big cities it is an indispensable thing, but I think it will not be superfluous for us either. But at the same time, there is no massager and seat ventilation. The instruments are informative, there is even an auxiliary information display with an altimeter, barometer, compass and tilt indicator. Otherwise, the same gentleman's set as in all modern cars, 8-inch touch screen, keyless entry system, navigation, Infinity audio system with 10 speakers. Both the front and rear seats are equipped with heating, there is a windshield heating in the rest area of the wiper blades. Armchairs of the second row are regulated longitudinally and in the angle of inclination of the backs. On the third row, even children are cramped, while there is almost no space left in the trunk, but the seats are folded down, then a large flat area is formed. The back door is inconvenient, it comes off to the side, if another car is standing close behind, then you won’t open it.
There are no complaints about reliability yet, but you have to call in for maintenance every 10,000 km, however, Toyota also has the same maintenance intervals.
It seems to me that if in Russia they offered a modification of the Haval H9 with a diesel engine in a simpler configuration, then the demand for this car would be higher.
Advantages of Haval H9:
Moderate cost.
Rich equipment.
High build quality.
Good ergonomics.
High permeability.
Disadvantages of Haval H9:
Weak motor.
There is no set selection.
Today, there are not many Chinese models on the Russian market that deserve a good word, especially when it comes to off-road models, and one of them is the Haval H9. This large frame SUV of the "celestial" brand Haval, which not everyone has heard of so far, is surprisingly good, but its price is appropriate - over two million rubles for a single available package. At the moment, few people are ready to pay such an amount for a "Chinese", even if the "Chinese" is excellent in all respects, and nothing can be done about it yet - the road to an excellent reputation for the Chinese auto industry is still being laid and laid ... Nevertheless, the fact remains : H9 is a really solid SUV and a real breakthrough in the auto industry of China. Read more about it in our review!
Design
Appearance is not the main thing, the soul is more important? The Great Wall company, which owns the "premium" brand Haval (aka "Haveil"), obviously no longer agrees with this statement. H9 is not some kind of “Hover” that has a 100% look of a workhorse, but a car that has been touched more than once by the hands of designers. It looks much better than the famous "Hovers" of the Great Wall brand, and at the same time its technical "stuffing" is quite consistent with the content. The H9 looks no worse than the same Toyota Land Cruiser Prado - only the lazy will not notice the resemblance. It costs, by the way, somewhat cheaper than the Japanese leader in the SUV segment, and is equipped, like the "Japanese", with the latest technology. Someone will ask, they say, why do we need an unknown H9 when there is such an alternative as Prado with a small difference in price?
Representatives of Haval can safely answer: and then that the price of "H-ninth" is adequate, and with all its appearance and behavior it proves that the automobile industry of the Celestial Empire has reached a high level for once, equaling the rest. One chrome grille in the "half-face" is worth something! A wide open look of modern bi-xenon headlights with LED running lights, foglights with chrome edging securely hidden in square niches, a powerful hood, stylish sidewall stampings and original vertically oriented rear lights - that's what it is, "nine" from China! Pretty damn good no matter what people say about her. What does she care about gossip marked Made in China and mentioning the name Prado, when even the owners of "serious" cars give way to her?
Design
The H9 was built on the basis of a spar frame - the body is attached to it by means of rubber-metal supports. In the drive of the front wheels, the manufacturer used the BorgWarner electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, which is activated when the rear wheels slip. After switching on the lowering row, the clutch is blocked by force. Thanks to the efforts of engineers from China, H-ninth has as many as 6 modes of all-wheel drive transmission: Auto, Sport, Sand, Snow, Mud and 4L. Unfortunately, the locking of the rear cross-axle differential for the Russian market was not provided. The “Chinese” is similar to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado not only in terms of design: the similarity can also be traced in the architecture of spring suspensions. Ahead of the "nine" is a double-lever suspension, and at the rear - a continuous axle with trailing arms and an anti-roll bar. Shock absorbers are passive, air suspension is not offered.
Adaptation to Russian conditions
The H9 is thoroughly prepared for operation in the difficult climatic conditions of our country. There are all the necessary heating (except that the windshield is not heated over the entire area) and assistance systems when lifting / descending from the mountain, and most importantly - all-wheel drive, capable of adapting to different types of road surface, and a clearance of 206 mm. For complete happiness, there is not enough diesel modification and the ability of a gasoline engine to absorb 92nd gasoline without problems instead of the expensive 95th. Otherwise, the car for Russian latitudes is quite decent.
Comfort
The spacious interior of the H9, designed for 7 seats, resembles the famous Kruzak in a number of details, but in fairness it must be said that it is quite original, and its sound insulation is simply excellent. Build and finish quality is excellent, which is to be expected from a car worth more than two million rubles, no matter what country it comes from. The upper part of the dashboard and doors is made of flexible, pleasant to the touch plastic. The annoying smell of phenol, which is typical for many cars from China, is not in sight. At night, sensory ceiling lights (LED) and lighting in different colors provide a great mood in the cabin. In the roof there is an electric sunroof, in the best traditions of premium-class models. It is not difficult to choose a comfortable position in the driver's seat - fortunately, there are power adjustments, and the steering column is adjustable both in tilt and reach. The lumbar support is also electrically adjustable. The profile of the front row seats is not ideal, however, despite this, it does not hurt your back on long trips. Ergonomics as a whole is thought out - you don’t have to look for anything for a long time, the necessary controls are always at hand. Only climate control causes bewilderment - it takes a long time to warm up the interior.
There is no shortage of room in the second row of seats. The sofa is comfortable, although it is located a little lower than necessary. The backrests can be adjusted in terms of the angle of inclination. For the convenience of passengers, a separate “climate” block is provided here, along with a pair of cup holders and a compartment for small items. As for the third row, it will be a bit cramped for adult passengers - it is best suited for children. The luggage compartment of the H9 is very roomy, and if the loading height were higher, it would not be worth the price! Compartment volume - 1457 l. when loaded to the windowsill. The tailgate opens to the side, inside there are cargo mounts, tool boxes and even a 220-volt outlet. A full-size spare tire on an alloy wheel was placed under the bottom so that nothing had to be unloaded because of it.
Haval H9 is the very case when we can say with confidence that the car and the trolley have useful things and electronic assistants. The equipment includes front and side airbags, curtains, light and rain sensors, parktronics “in a circle” (4 in front and the same number in the rear), adaptive lighting (AFS), light signaling during emergency braking, a rearview camera with dynamic lines and driver fatigue sensor. In addition, the car is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sensor (TPMS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), hill start/descent assistants (HHC and HDC), rollover protection system (RMI), electromechanical parking brake (EPB), etc. d.
The central console of H-Ninth has a modern infotainment complex with a CD/MP3/MPEG4 player, AM/FM radio, navigation, SD card slot, AUX/USB connectors and Bluetooth for connecting mobile devices. He is accompanied by an Infinity audio system with 10 speakers, a subwoofer and an auto volume control function, taking into account the speed of the car. The sound of the audio system is of high quality, the interface of the “multimedia” is more or less understandable, but the graphics and performance are at an average level, and it would not hurt to improve Russification.
Hawal H9 Specifications
In the engine compartment of the H9, there is a non-alternative 4-cylinder 16-valve turbo engine GW4C20. According to the manufacturer, this 2-liter aluminum unit. is Haval's own development. The engine uses direct fuel injection technology, is equipped with a dual variable valve timing system (VVT), prefers 95th gasoline and meets the Euro 5 environmental standard. Its power reaches 218 hp. at 5500 rpm, torque - 324 Nm at 2000-4000 rpm, and average fuel consumption - 12.3 l / 100 km. The engine is paired with a six-speed ZF automatic transmission.
Haval H9. Price: 2 150 000 rubles On sale: since 2015
Comrades, let's deal with the pronunciation right away! No, not in the way you thought, and not "Havel" or "Hevel" as the Europeans would think. In order to avoid mistakes, the inscription on the dealership is even duplicated in Russian letters: “Haveil”, with an emphasis on the second syllable. By the way, in the homeland of this SUV, its name is even pronounced as “Hafu” ...
Good quality, ergonomic. Chinese genes give out only the ubiquitous emblems of the brand
The number of skepticism about Chinese cars among Russian buyers has sharply decreased in recent years, but the entry of a Chinese novelty into the Russian market, although promising, is still very risky. People look at an SUV with not the most euphonious name Haval, for which they ask as much as 2,150,000 rubles, with understandable suspicion: they say, for that kind of money you can take a complete “Korean” and even a basic “pradik”! However, during the week of my acquaintance with the H-Nine, its price tag seemed to me more and more reasonable. But more on that later.
Suspension travel is impressive
I think it’s worth starting with a light background about an unknown brand, if suddenly someone has not yet had time to turn to search engines for help. In China itself, Haval was originally a separate model of the Great Ox, which is better known to us as Hover. After years of successful SUV production, in 2013, it was decided to create a brand of the same name, which has since become an independent brand. And it turned out, I must say, very successfully: this is the first Chinese car in my practice that turned out to be so good!
The gallery is crowded, but the second row can be moved
They meet, of course, by clothes, and with this, the H9 is in perfect order. Although one cannot do without a comparison with the Prado: similar proportions, a wheelbase that differs by only 1 cm and a similar chassis architecture. But, perhaps, this is where the similarities end: in all overall dimensions, the Haval is superior to the Toyota, including a 7.5 cm longer length and a very distinctive and harmonious appearance. Coming closer to the car, one cannot fail to notice the European attention to detail: excellent paintwork, well-fitted parts. In general, a complete feeling of a quality product. Inside, this feeling does not disappear: a solid European or, at least, a Korean car! And when you start looking around, checking the list of standard equipment, you immediately understand the principle of pricing. There is absolutely everything that a modern car should have: multimedia, rotary bi-xenon headlights with washers, a keyless entry system, heated steering wheel, as well as front and middle row seats (there are 7 seats in total), 3-zone climate control, a socket for 220 V / 150 W in the luggage compartment and a lot of other useful things. A frame 7-seater SUV of comparable size with similar equipment will cost at least 1.5 times more! But that's all in theory, but what about in practice?
Translation of computer messages looks extremely funny
Not bad, gentlemen, not bad! Having discarded all prejudices and trusted only the senses, you understand that at least they were engaged in fine-tuning this car, and at least specialists did it. Let's start with the fact that the ergonomics of the driver's seat is no worse than that of the frame counterparts: the steering wheel is adjustable in two planes, although it slightly sticks, the leather seat is very comfortable and has the necessary electric drives, including lumbar support, and the location of the controls itself is not good. Chinese humane and logical. And note that the leather that covers the door panels, the gearshift boot, the steering wheel and the seats is genuine here. You can only find fault with the overly tilted display of the media system, but that, in turn, can be praised for adequate speed, responsiveness and a logical menu, which even in the modern automotive world is not yet as common as we would like. Special thanks should be said to the Chinese translators who have adapted the language of technical terms into Russian. Here are just some excerpts from the testimony of the on-board computer: before starting the engine, it was necessary to “stomp the brake”; when the fuel began to run out, the computer reported "140 km to the void" (power reserve in our opinion), and later decided to switch to colloquial Russian, reporting a "low level of fuel". Representatives of the company know about this fun and promise that a new firmware will appear soon. I would leave it as is.
Soundproofing was not stingy: it is found even on the covers of the tool compartments
Second-row passengers have nothing to complain about: their seats are equipped with heating, have a longitudinal slide and are adjustable in inclination, there is a separate climate control, cup holders and lighting. Of the bright sides of "Haveil" it is also worth noting the pleasant illumination of interior panels, touch control of LED lighting and illumination of thresholds. But the HAVAL laser projection, which is displayed in large letters on the pavement at the moment the doors are unlocked, is, in my opinion, a controversial thing. At first, it seems funny, but soon I want to seal this option with adhesive tape: such electronics appeared on the free market a couple of years ago and, apart from the feeling of foppishness and home-grown tuning, I personally don’t cause anything. Somehow not solid.
But absolutely in an adult way, "Haveil" is perceived on the go. And the first surprise for me was a 2-liter gasoline turbo engine, which, according to my forecasts, should not have been enough to comfortably move a 2.3-ton SUV. Surprisingly, the torque of 324 Nm, waking up already at 2000 min-1, in most cases was quite enough both in city traffic and off-road. Acceleration to hundreds, according to my calculations, is similar to the passport data and amounted to an acceptable 12 seconds, and the lack of power could only be felt when overtaking at higher speeds. The GW4C20 motor, by the way, as company representatives say, is entirely of its own design: it entered the top ten engines in China in 2013 in the annual Chinese Heart Annual Top Ten Engines competition organized by Auto Motor & Sport magazine. The design is quite traditional for modern turbo engines: direct injection, Dual VVT-i variable valve timing system, and the timing mechanism is driven by a low-noise chain. The turbocharger here, by the way, is supplied by the eminent American company Borg Warner, which is good news.
Leather chairs are quite comfortable, although they are designed for a loose fit.
I was also pleased with the well-coordinated work of the classic hydro-mechanical machine, which changes gears in a thoroughbred, smoothly and gently, only slightly stammering during kickdown. But the most important thing is that even with vigorous acceleration, silence reigns in the cabin, unusual for a Chinese car - far from every more eminent opponent can boast of this. Everything becomes clear, it is worth looking into the inside of the interior: opening the side panel in the trunk, you will stumble upon multi-centimeter white insulation, which is laid even on the covers that hide the tool and the emergency sign on the tailgate!
The choice of the appropriate transmission mode adequately changes the nature of the operation of the all-wheel drive
On the move, an amazing smooth ride is added to the exemplary sound insulation: Haval floats over all the flaws in the coating, only occasionally trembling with unsprung masses on strong potholes. At the same time, feedback on the steering wheel is always enough: the car is stable and predictable both in corners and on straight lines, pleasing with excellent directional stability. For a car with a solid rear axle and a frame body, this is downright exemplary behavior, given that with a similar design, the Prado behaves much tougher. Of course, it is useless to expect sports behavior from this hulk: the heaviness of the body is felt, first of all, due to quite noticeable rolls in corners. But again, everything happens predictably - this is exactly what you expect from a heavy car with a high center of gravity. The disadvantages I would include is not too informative brake system: with a strong deceleration, the brake pedal, recessed into the floor, unnecessarily “springs”, which does not give a feeling of complete control over braking.
There is no flat floor, but the transformation of the chairs is simple and convenient
Off-road is also worthy. The transmission design here is more “civilian” than that of the same Prado: the transfer case, also supplied by the Americans from Borg Warner, works on the Torque on-Demand principle - “torque on demand”. You can judge the degree of clutch lockup by readings on the central display: a value of 100% corresponds to a complete clutch lockup (50 to 50 ratio between the axles), although most often this figure only approached the maximum mark, hovering at 90–95%. In addition, Havala has its own analogue of the Land Rover Terrain Response system: there are Auto, Sport, Snow, Mud and Sand modes. There is also a downshift with a gear ratio of 2.48, which is also activated by a washer with transmission modes. Of course, a rigid connection between the axles during long off-road driving is better, but for infrequent off-road trips, such a scheme with a clutch should not cause any complaints: at least after a day spent on rough terrain, I have questions about all-wheel drive, as well as to the car itself, not left. The only thing that can hinder the sales of new items is a low-profile brand and the lack of more affordable trim levels.
40 thousand dollars? For a Chinese SUV? Yes, that's exactly what they ask for the updated Haval H9. We spent the winter and came to the conclusion that the car, in fact, is worth its money. But the current test drive took four days, and during this time we wound more than 2 thousand km, having received a lot of new sensations and observations.
Framed and solid
Haval H9 is a typical representative of the frame SUV class. Big, solid - impresses. Is it that the "sagging" on the front bumper resembles the plump cheeks of a couch analyst unfamiliar with sports. 18-inch wheels in huge arches look small. But from most angles, the Haval H9 won't make its owner blush. And sometimes even proud.
With a length of 4856 mm, Haval H9 weighs approximately 2.5 tons. This is serious. And it seems that during the test drive we found the cause of the "overload". But more on that later.
Not Chinese "chips"
The Chinese auto industry is still not happy with a wide variety of diesel versions in its lineups. After the update, the Haval H9 became a pleasant exception, having received under the hood a two-liter bi-turbo diesel engine with a capacity of as much as 190 horsepower, complete with a new eight-speed “automatic” of the famous ZF brand. The unit is capable of digesting torque up to 700 Nm, so 420 "Newtons" of the Chinese motor is exactly on its shoulder.
Along with the new engine, the SUV received such things as a lane marking assistant (which we never found), a blind spot warning system, adaptive cruise control, an automatic parking system, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, an Infinity sound system. Not quite typical for "Chinese", right?
In the four days that this mastodon was with us on a test drive, we managed to drive it to Moscow and back, as well as wind a couple of hundred kilometers around the city. Off-road, to be honest, did not go. But on the "long-distance" those nuances are manifested, which sometimes you simply do not pay attention to during urban operation. Looking ahead, Haval H9 turned out to be almost the perfect "traveler", although with its own characteristics.
What in Haval H9 strikes and what annoys
The quality of finishing materials is in no way inferior to most competitors. If we consider all the elements of the interior separately, then some design "borrowings" become noticeable. But the folded "solitaire" turns out to be quite original, although it will be difficult for an ignorant person to immediately recognize the brand-model from the photo of the interior.
There are a couple of ergonomic flaws in the cabin. For example, to turn on the heated front seats, you need to call up the menu item in the multimedia system by pressing the button, then select one of the two heating levels. Tricky. And it's annoying.
The central part of the instrument panel with a nicely rendered speedometer is virtual. The resolution is not the highest quality, but individual pixels from the driver's seat cannot be distinguished. The graphics are stylish, there are animated tips, so the instrument panel is a definite like.
The "parking assistant" turned out to be not an automatic "parking attendant", but just a voice prompt. When reverse gear is engaged, the car prompts you to choose one of the parking methods - parallel or "garage". And then a woman's voice begins to say where to turn the steering wheel. And all this in a terrible machine translation. This is bewildering. Thank you for having dynamic “hint” lines on the rear view camera.
As already mentioned, the Haval H9 is an old-school car with a frame structure and powerful and long-travel off-road suspensions. Hence decent rolls in corners and slurred handling. But at the same time - excellent smoothness. And surprisingly there is no tendency to buildup. Long-travel suspension and high-profile tires reliably isolate the body and passengers from road shocks. And although the Minsk-Moscow route is generally quite good, potholes happen on it too. But the meaning is this - on the Haval H9 you can “peel” without disassembling the road at all. Him that the asphalt that the primer — the suspension will endure everything. It's amazing.
On a long journey, a good chair is half the fun. The Haval H9 driver's seat is the most common. Lateral support is moderate, the pillow is a bit short, but 500 km “in the saddle” can be done without stiff limbs and a fifth point. By the way, some sources claim that Nappa leather is used for seat upholstery, but not in this configuration for sure. In the test car, the upholstery is more like eco-leather, but surprisingly, even in the heat, parts of the body in the chair did not rot.
It would seem that high-speed races over long distances are not the strong point of frame SUVs. But after a forced march from Moscow to Minsk, my colleagues and I came to the conclusion that this type is the ideal car for traveling. It stands well on a straight line, does not fall in gentle turns. And most importantly - "if there is a prohibition sign, you know - somewhere nearby there is a detour."
Haval H9 is not the coolest "rogue" in the class. Its four-wheel drive is more likely "crossover", but it is helped by a "lower" and a rear differential lock. So the Haval H9 will cope with most of the hardships on the way. It's just taking note.
A two-liter diesel ... In its habits, the combination of this engine with an eight-band "automatic" resembles ... Volkswagen Amarok. A characteristic sonorous rumble during acceleration, confident traction, but it is felt that the motor is small in volume. This would be a three-liter "diesel", which, by the way, after a while Amarok appeared. But even 190 forces and 420 "newtons" are enough not to get out of the flow in the city and make easy overtaking on the highway. At the same time, the “automatic” cannot be called particularly fast-firing, it slows down in transitional modes. This is not annoying, but sometimes you want more agility.
Fuel consumption. We keep in mind a mass of 2.5 tons, not the best aerodynamics, and we come to the conclusion that about 10 liters per hundred at a speed of 100-110 km / h is the norm. If you go all the money, you get about 13 liters per hundred kilometers. "For all the money" - this means with a significant excess of speed. What? We won't say. But note that 120 km/h feels like 80-90 in the Haval H9. It's amazing.
Do you know what really surprised everyone who traveled with us from Minsk to Moscow and back? Soundproofing! The machine is stuffed with foam like a teddy bear. If you open the front doors and look into the space behind the front fenders, then there you will find the same black "styrofoam". Hence an interesting feature. From about 120 km / h, the noise level practically does not change with increasing speed. And in all other cases, only "diesel" is the soloist with intensive acceleration. Aerodynamic noise is moderate, the tires also do not test the ears of the driver and passengers.
Oh, if the rear sofa cushions were a little higher, it would be generally excellent. And so - good. Places with a margin, the profile of the sofa is good, the back is adjustable for the angle of inclination, there is heating, an armrest, a USB port for charging gadgets and a separate climate control unit.
It is not very convenient to climb into the "gallery", the hole is small. Yes, and it is difficult for an adult to sit on the third row: a flat armchair is on the floor, his knees are pulled up, like a grasshopper. But with an increase below the average two or three hours, you can turn over there if there are no other options. The five of us sat down according to the 2 + 2 + 1 scheme - two in front, two in the middle row and one in the “gallery”. There was still room for luggage.
In the seven-seat version, there is no room for luggage, as expected. If you travel with four or five people, then you can already take bulky bags or suitcases with you. If you fold the backs of the seats of the second and third rows, then it is already possible to organize a sleeping place for two.
So buy or not?
We think that individual buyers are not yet ripe for such a purchase. Firstly, the car is specific, one might say, niche. Frame SUVs are far from being in trend now. Secondly, the price. Belarusians are already used to the fact that a Chinese phone can cost $1,000. And they even successfully master Geely Atlas for 24 thousand dollars. But 40 thousand is still hard to digest. But legal entities that buy cars on lease should definitely take a closer look. This is exactly the option when you pay less and get more without regard to status and residual value. And there is hope that with the start of production in Russia, the price will be reduced. By how much is still unknown.
In the meantime, we note that Haval H9 is already very close to moving the famous giants on the market. It remains to work on the technical details and psychology a little.
