Jaecoo J7 vs GWM Haval H6

The Haval H6 Lux is $35,990 against the Jaecoo J7 Track's $37,990, a $2,000 saving for the GWM, and the H6 gives you more power and space for less. Both are sharply priced for mid-size SUVs.

Running costs are close, the J7's 7.0L/100km uses about $1,995 a year over 15,000km versus roughly $2,110 for the H6's 7.4. Warranty edges to Jaecoo at 8 years/unlimited versus GWM's 7. Both brands are still establishing resale in Australia, so factor that into total cost rather than just the sticker.

This is a clear point for GWM. The Haval H6 holds a confirmed 5-star ANCAP rating (2022) with the full active-safety suite. At the time of writing the Jaecoo J7's ANCAP rating was still pending in our data, so if a confirmed 5-star rating matters to you, the H6 currently has it locked in, confirm the J7's status before buying. Both come with comprehensive driver-assistance features.

The J7's headline is its design. With clean, upright styling clearly inspired by Range Rover, it looks far more expensive than it is, and it's the more rugged-feeling of the two, sitting higher at 210mm of ground clearance versus the H6's 170mm. Inside, it leans premium with a big portrait screen and minimalist dashboard.

The Haval H6 is the larger, more practical car at 4,703mm versus the J7's 4,500mm, with more rear-seat and boot space, and it's a proven seller with a well-sorted, generously equipped cabin. If outright space and a confirmed track record matter, the H6 leads; if standout style and a higher stance appeal, the J7.

The Haval H6 has the muscle, its 2.0-litre turbo makes 170kW and 380Nm against the Jaecoo J7's 1.6-litre turbo with 137kW and 275Nm. The H6 feels noticeably stronger when merging or loaded, and it tows considerably more (2,000kg vs 1,350kg). The J7 answers with slightly better fuel economy from its smaller engine.

Both are front-wheel drive through automatics. Crucially, both nameplates also offer electrified options, the Jaecoo J7 in a plug-in hybrid (the J7 SHS) and the Haval H6 in hybrid form, so if you want lower running costs or more performance, it's worth comparing the electrified grades rather than just these petrol versions.