GWM Haval H9

While the Haval H9 might not make you go gaga with its imposing yet bland exterior design, the way its interior cabin has been styled and executed certainly will. The cabin is a good mix of black and walnut coloured leather as well as aluminium and faux wood inserts, though at some places it looks a bit overdone. The lower variants, though, get a little fancier looking dual-tone black and beige or all-black layouts.

The four-spoke multi-functional steering wheel inspired from that of a yacht looks good to see and hold, and the binocular themed instrument console with a large 8-inch coloured MID in between make the driver’s field of vision even more attractive. A fine curve finished in faux wood separates the dashboard into two parts, with the broad centre console housing a large touchscreen infotainment system with its controls positioned just below of it, and vertical AC vents flanking the centre console.

The areas where the Haval H9 scores even more brilliantly is the amount of space as well as comfort and convenience features it packs in. With a long extensive list consisting of bits like electric sunroof, powered, heated and ventilated front seats with massage function, push-button start with keyless entry, three-zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, and exterior rearview mirrors, air purification system and an audio system with nine speakers and subwoofer, the Haval H9 make you feel cocooned and special, something which becomes even more significant with ample room in all the three rows.

As said above, the Haval H9 is one large-sized SUV which has dimensions equivalent to that of a premium flagship SUV from luxury automakers. With large dimensions and upright stance, it looks quite imposing on the block. However, the overall design looks a bit dated and old school and needs a mild refresh now.

At the front, what catches attention towards the Haval H9 is its large trapezoidal front grille with bulging upper line and rounded lower edges. With five chrome slats in between and full chrome surrounds, it definitely makes the H9 look intimidating. The blocky headlamps with curves at upper and outer edges look premium with the presence of projector bulbs and daytime running LEDs below them.

It is the side profile where the Haval H9 showcases its old school appeal in the way it has been styled. The conventional upright stance with a lifted front bonnet and high ground clearance give it an appeal of a large vehicle, and so do the large rounded wheel arches. However, the alloy wheels here look a tad too simple. The rear profile of the Haval H9 is glorified by the presence of vertical Christmas tree-like tail lamps on outer edges, along with roof spoiler at the top and trapezoidal housing for the license plate on the boot lid.

The big and bulky looking Haval H9 has a softened setup for the double-wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear. While this suspension setup feels comfortable for low-speed driving and extensive long runs, the body roll and pitching movement is a bit pronounced and the light steering further dilutes the high-speed driving dynamics even more.

The Haval H9 sources its power from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine under its hood, which here is married to an 8-speed automatic gearbox as standard. The engine here produces a maximum power output of 218 PS, while the peak torque output is rated at 324 Nm.

The list of safety features of the Haval H9 is as detailed as that of the comfort and convenience features and includes things like front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, ABS with EBD, traction control, brake assist, electronic stability program, hill start assist, roll movement intervention, hill descent control, electronic parking brake, and electronic differential lock.

The Haval H9 might not be an impeccably executed product in terms of fit and finish and visual appeal as it looks from a distance. However, with all the big car appeal in and out and an exhaustive list of features onboard, it surely has got the ultra big luxury car appeal for the conventional audience.