Head to head: Toyota Kluger v Haval H9
Value
Toyota: The Kluger is one of Australia’s favourite seven-seat SUVs, relying on Toyota’s rock-solid dependable reputation and strong fundamentals rather than the latest technologies.
With that, the mid-grade GXL tested here doesn’t set any benchmarks, nor does it come loaded with as much standard equipment as its cheaper Chinese rival despite costing $58,950 (plus on-road costs)
It comes fitted with 19-inch alloys, has fake leather trim, three-zone climate control, a glass sunroof, keyless entry and push button start and a 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with digital radio and sat nav.
Haval: The SUV offshoot of China’s Great Wall Motors hasn’t made a huge impact on Australian motorists – yet – but its range-topping H9 shouldn’t be discounted as just a cheap-and-cheerful alternative.
Sure, it’s most appealing aspect is its significant price advantage over the Kluger, costing $44,990 (plus on-road costs) for the flagship Ultra version we’re testing here, but that doesn’t mean it loses out in terms of equipment.
It matches the Kluger in most areas, also featuring three-zone climate control, fake leather trim, panoramic sunroof, smart key entry and push button start and an 8.0-inch colour display with sat nav and Bluetooth connectivity.
But it also comes with a few extra goodies, like heated and ventilated front seats with a massaging function, heated middle row seats and a high-grade Infinity audio system.
Winner: Haval
Inside
Toyota: The Kluger has a genuinely thoughtful and spacious cabin that is well suited to big families.
While there’s nothing flashy about its design it has heaps of useable storage spaces, including a massive centre console, a deep binnacle at the base of the dash with power and USB outlets and even a shelf that runs along the passenger side that’s handy for phones and other small items.
It’s also comfortable with a good driving position and a logical layout to the controls, there’s plenty of headroom in the front and generous space in the middle row. Third-row occupants can access the final seats conveniently with a flip-and-slide mechanism.
When not in use, the Kluger has a huge cargo carrying capacity.
Haval: The Haval’s cabin is just as spacious with seating for seven, but it feels a generation older in its presentation and overall quality.
The dash has a fairly conventional design and the materials look and feel a little cheaper than the Kluger, especially the old-school fake wood trim highlights, bu it generally feels screwed together well with no major squeaks or rattles.
It also doesn’t have the same level of storage spaces as the Kluger and the interface on the touchscreen looks a bit chintzy while there’s some clumsy English translations in some of the features, which highlights its Chinese origins.
Otherwise, it has a decent driving position with plenty of adjustment and there’s a generous amount of space for front and middle row occupants but accessing the third row isn’t as convenient with the smaller side of the 60:40 split fold middle bench on the kerb side.
The Haval’s boot is just as big, but the side-hinged tailgate is heavy to open and close.
Winner: Toyota
Engine
Toyota: Here’s where the tables turn in terms of technology, as the Kluger continues to use a conventional large-capacity V6 rather than a smaller, more efficient turbo charged or diesel engine.
The benefit is obvious, however, with the 3.5-litre V6 producing 218kW of power and 350Nm of torque, which makes it feel both more effortless and energetic than the Haval around town and out on the open road.
As part of a recent update, the Kluger features a new-generation eight-speed automatic that helps keep the engine spinning in its sweet spot more often while also reducing fuel consumption, with a claimed average of 9.5L/100km on standard 91Ron unleaded.
Our test model featured a permanent all-wheel drive transmission that gives it some off-road abilities, but the Kluger is also offered in front-drive configuration for those unlikely to venture off the beaten path.
Haval: Contrary to the Kluger’s old-school approach, the H9 is powered by a more contemporary engine with a 2.0-litre turbo charged four-cylinder that drives a traditional part-time four-wheel drive transmission with low-range gears for genuine off-roaders.
While the engine itself matches the Kluger’s peak torque output of 350Nm – and at lower engine speeds – it doesn’t feel as athletic under acceleration with only 180kW, and it sounds a little uncouth as the whooshing turbo charger dominates its soundtrack.
Despite the smaller capacity engine, and also a new eight-speed automatic, it’s actually not as efficient, with a claimed average fuel consumption of 10.9L/100km.
Winner: Toyota
How it drives
Toyota: One of the most appealing aspects of the Kluger is that it drives with a more car-like character than most large SUVs.
Sure, it’s not as agile and dynamic as a normal passenger car, with slow steering and relatively soft suspension settings, but it is comfortable and compliant in most environments and quiet at cruising speeds.
The steering is a bit slow and light in its feel, and the body tends to lean when hustled through a bend, but it is perfectly suitable for suburban work and a great long-distance machine for family getaways.
Haval: The H9 is unlike the Kluger in its basic underpinnings, built using a traditional body-on-frame construction that compromises its dynamic character around town but, on the flipside, gives it legitimate off-road credentials with extra wheel articulation and additional ground clearance.
As a result, the steering isn’t as direct as the Kluger and its on-road dynamics aren’t as sophisticated, with the suspension tending to slap over big bumps while the body leans more through the bends.
Winner: Toyota
Ownership
Toyota: A key element in the Kluger’s latest update is an expanded suite of active safety systems with automated emergency braking that can detect pedestrians plus blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. That is on top of it already having a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, seven airbags that protect all outboard occupants and electronic driver aids that give it a five-star crash test rating.
Toyota covers all models with a three-year/100,000km warranty, which is a bit short these days, but it subsidises the servicing costs with each visit during the first three years costing just $180. You will have to return to the dealership more often though, with intervals set every six months or 10,000km
Haval: The H9 has also undergone a recent upgrade that concentrated on improving its safety credentials. While it misses out on automated emergency braking, it does pick-up blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning. That builds on six airbags that cover all three rows and basic electronic driver aids and could elevate the H9 from its current four-star crash test rating when AEB becomes available later this year.
The H9 is covered by a more generous five-year/100,000km warranty and Haval offers a service menu for major visits.
Winner: Toyota
Verdict
The Toyota Kluger might appear to be a clear-cut winner in this contest, and it is a better car, but it’s closer than the numbers suggest, particularly when you consider the Haval’s significantly better value for money proposition.
The H9 isn’t perfect, but it is a lot of metal for the money, comes with a longer warranty and has greater off-road credentials, which will be appealing to some.
But if you’re looking for a family seven-seater primarily for suburban work, the Kluger can justify its premium price tag with a more comfortable car-like character, a cleverly spacious cabin and higher-quality presentation.
2018 Toyota Kluger GXL AWD
Price: $58,950 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol
Power: 218kW at 6600rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 4700rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 9.5L/100km
2018 Haval H9 Ultra Price and Specifications
Price: $44,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 180kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1800-4500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, 4WD
Fuel use: 10.9L/100km
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