Haval H2 Review

The car you see above is the Haval H2 and is one that brings back fond memories as it was one of the first Chinese automobiles, I had ever driven that truly impressed me. Of course, that was way back in 2016 but four years later the H2 is back with a facelift and a few new features, so let us jump right into it and see if it still has what it takes to be better than the more expensive Honda HR-V, Hyundai Creta, and Renault Duster.

Exterior

Now styling is and always has been a very subjective topic, but my personal opinion is that the Haval H2 looks much better than its Japanese, Korean, and French rivals. The designers have stuck to a very traditional approach, but it does not look old or boring, not one bit.

 In fact, the attention to detail is quite impeccable. The LED headlights and hexagonal grille have taken inspiration from its bigger brother, the H6, which we have reviewed earlier and whose review you can read by clicking HERE.

Then, there are LED Daytime Running Lights, a bold bumper guard, 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome window lining, and not to forget the neat Haval badge on the C-pillar. There is thought that has been put into the design and it is great to see that the H2 still maintains an identity of its own.

Interior

One of the main things that had impressed me the first time I drove the H2 was the quality of materials on the interior and I am happy to mention that is still the case. There are probably some of you wondering, well what is so impressive about the interior and I will be more than happy to explain.

You see, the H2 is not an expensive car, it is in the 60,000 Dirham price range and what you get are leather seats, a leather steering wheel, piano black trim, and so much soft-touch material all around the cabin that it just makes you question why you have to spend nearly double to get the same level of quality from other manufacturers.

Although the H2 is a small crossover there is still ample amount of space in the back and that is thanks to its relatively straight roof, something that works against the coupe-styling of say, the Honda HR-V. Where the H2 falls short, however, is its relatively small boot and the fact that it is missing rear A/C vents.

To keep you comfortable, safe, and entertained the H2 packs an impressive set of features. You are looking at a panoramic roof, 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, push-button start, tire pressure monitoring system, cruise control, reverse camera, and oh yeah, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay too. Yes, all of this at just 62,900 Dirhams!

Drive

Powering the Haval H2 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and 210 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and comes with three drive modes: Eco, Normal, Snow.

When starting from a stop and when mashing your foot to the accelerator pedal, there is a noticeable amount of turbo lag but that can be forgiven since this is not the type of car you want to drive sportily. What is worth noting is that since the H2 is Front Wheel Drive, it will not take you very far off-road, something that say the 4WD version of the Duster can offer if you are looking for that sort of thing.

In the city, the H2 makes driving relatively easy with a light steering wheel, electric parking brake and auto hold. There is also the high seating position, which when combined with the narrow A-pillars and large wing mirrors offers excellent visibility and very narrow blind spots.

Verdict

At 59,900 Dirhams the refreshed Haval H2 looks better, is built better, and offers a lot more than all of its mainstream rivals. But since it’s a relatively new brand in the market many of you may not be ready to buy into it yet (and that’s understandable), which is why you’ll be happy to know it comes with a 5yr/100,000 km warranty, a 3yr/50,000 km service contract, 3-year roadside assistance and free registration in the UAE. Yes, when it comes to value for money, it is very, very difficult to beat it.