All the other compact SUVs had better watch out, as here comes the Haval H2. Made by a company that’s the best-selling SUV brand in China (and is one of the top-selling SUV marques in the world, ahead of the likes of Mitsubishi and BMW), this is a punchy little number that combines practicality and style with a lot of fun.

Compact SUVs are popular city cars, what with their high stance and their ability to carry the family plus luggage in one wee package.  However, the Haval H2 isn’t a dedicated follower of fashion; it’s more of a trend-setter.  The design team really seem to have had a lot of fun with this vehicle.  It’s a while since we’ve seen vehicles come off the factory floor with two-tone paint jobs, but this is what you can get with the Haval H2. Sure, there are solid-colour options (eight of them) but there are also three two-tone exterior options with rather playful names: Salted Caramel (white top and brown lower half), Dragon (red and black) and Monochrome (you guessed it: black and white). In the Lux variants, you can even get two-tone interior seat trim to go with the two-tone exterior, although personally, I prefer the plain grey and black interior trim.  The two-tone paint jobs aren’t garish enough to leave the onlooker thinking of skewbald ponies or pandas; instead, the colour blends in smoothly, just like the roof rails.

The design team also seem to have fun with LED lighting as well.  The headlights themselves are good old halogens but the daytime running lights and fog lights that come as standard on all variants use high-efficiency LEDs to put a creative twist on practical function.

Choice seems to be the name of the game when it comes to drivetrain and transmission as well.  Do you prefer manual or automatic transmission (six speeds no matter what you choose)?  If you prefer a manual transmission, do you prefer 4×4 or 2WD?  All these different options come harnessed to the same engine, which is a nippy little 1.5-L turbocharged petrol engine that can manage a very respectable 110 kW at 5600 rpm in the power department and 210 Nm of torque in the 2200–4000 rpm range.  Of the two transmission options, I come down on the side of the manual, partly because this has the better fuel economy and also because you get the automatic stop/start function with this.

Two levels are available in the Haval H2, Lux and Premium, with Lux being the top-notch variant.  However, both of the possibilities have the same safety features.  These include airbags all over the show, a reversing camera and reversing radars, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ESP and ABS brakes with EBD and Brake Assist. You’ll also get a number of the same comfort and convenience features, such as the keyless starting, the cruise control, the Bluetooth preparation, the steering-wheel mounted controls for the audio system (and leather on the steering wheel, too!) and the7-inch touchscreen display panel.  However, in the Haval H2 Lux variants (AWD and 2WD), you also get dual-zone climate control, the sound system upgraded from four speakers to six, an electrically foldable and adjustable rear mirror, an electrically adjustable sunroof and heated front seats (with adjustable lumbar support for the driver).

Many drivers choose SUVs for family reasons.  If this sounds like you, then important information that you need to know about the seating arrangements is that the Haval H2 has seating for five and ISOFIX preparation in the rear.  In spite of this being the smallest of the current Haval offerings, there is still plenty of room in the back – and the 60/40 split-fold function means that if you do have a big load to carry, you can get it in.

Current model series include:

• Haval H2 2WD Manual Premium
• Haval H2 2WD Auto Premium
• Haval H2 2WD Manual Lux
• Haval H2 2WD Auto Lux
• Haval H2 AWD Premium
• Haval H2 AWD Lux

For any more information on the Haval H2, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Haval dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!