GWM Haval Vanta Hybrid – driver attention monitor a total turnoff
Driving the GWM Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV – this newcomer takes to nine models from GWM, now our best-selling Chinese brand. Its had enormous success with its Haval Jolion and H6 SUV and rightly so but the H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV seems a misfit – a rugged looking medium SUV, that visually gives the impression of being a tough off-roader – however with the same excellent underpinnings of Haval H6 Ultra hybrid it’s a city slicker – sharply priced at $46,990 drive-away with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine mated to a 130kW electric motor – it’s loaded with safety, comfort and convenience features, the drive experience excellent with really good economy. Apart from rather annoying indicators there’s little to criticise but the big downside is the driver attention monitor that at the end of even a short drive nearly sends you crazy – its overdone and is simply a buyer turnoff. Momentarily look at the centrally located touchscreen and you’re meet by warning chimes that are just so annoying. How GWM could release a vehicle with this much intrusion to the driver beggar’s belief - at the end of just a short trip its tiring and counterproductive. It’s a shame and a total buyer turnoff to what is otherwise a nice SUV.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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GWM Haval Vanta Hybrid – much to like apart from the driver attention monitor
Today, a new model from GWM – the Chinese brand now our seventh best seller and the best performing Chinese brand. With nine models on the market its Haval sub-brand has done well – the Haval Jolion and H6 SUVs both excellent its best performing models – its latest model, the Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid however is somewhat of a quandy – frankly one gets the impression that the Chinese brands are more intent on quickly gaining market share than providing product that suits our market – the Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid is one such SUV – A rugged looking medium SUV with the excellent H6 Ultra hybrids underpinnings – a 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor –. Price: $46,990 drive- away well undercutting excellent medium hybrid SUVs like Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Mitsubishi Outlander. The Haval H7 has been given rugged styling elements – bolt on wheel arch flares, black alloy wheels and grille while inside the macho look continues –. Equipment and safety features are high, but the downside, the incessant and intrusive driving attention monitor – so much so its counter productive and a buyer turnoff – the Haval H7 Vanta Hybrid SUV a really nice driver spoilt by a totally unnecessary warning messageSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Honda to sell funky small micro-car next year
I spoke earlier of Hyundai’s micro wagon the electric Inster currently on the market. Now from Honda we hear that next year they are launching their first electric vehicle, called the Super-One – revealed at Thursday’s Tokyo Motor Show it’s a sporty micro hatchback even smaller than the Hyundai Inster – just 1.6 metres wide and 3.6 metres long , the aptly named Honda Super-One is promised by its maker to be fun and playful with a boost mode to maximise outputs, along with taught handling as well as fake engine and transmission sounds. Honda is also set to offer more petrol/electric hybrid grades on its popular CR-V and ZR-V mid-sized SUV’s – currently only the top spec flagship grades of both models offer hybrid power but it will now flow down to more affordable grades offering a total seven new hybrid variants for 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Driving Hyundai’s mini car – the electric Inster wagon
I’ve been driving Hyundai’s small city slicker – the electric Inster, a funky small five door mini wagon – a really interesting design with a surprising amount of interior room. I had trouble getting my wife out of this small Hyundai – it’s just so comfortable, great seats and despite its small wheelbase offering a really nice ride. Two models, standard range of 327Kms and Extended Range at 360kms – I drove the former with single electric motor and 42kWhour battery pack – a fun car to drive offering a very assured feel – the price the only negative $40,000 plus on-road costs. But a surprisingly nice driver given its size – quiet, solid and well thought out, with rapid charging ability – the Hyundai Inster was also honoured with the title 2025 World Electric Vehicle earlier this year. A fabulous small car with amazing interior room – just a pity its priced so high.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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MG QS SUV – a very roomy seven-seat SUV but engine lacks a little polish
Further on the large seven-seat MG QS SUV – available in two models – I’m driving the MG QS Essence all-wheel-drive, $50,990 drive-away with electronic adaptive suspension, nine-speed automatic, six drive modes, powered by a 2.0- litre turbo pure petrol 153kW engine with excellent torque. Engine performance is average with noticeable lag from rest although the strong torque makes up for its initial hesitancy. However, the nine-speed automatic can become lazy on a light throttle. The high point, the adaptive suspension, well-tuned and damped with a superb ride, polished in cornering however the steering is over assisted, and lacks feel but grows on you with time. The MG QS needs a diet of 95 RON premium petrol, economy is quoted at 8.8L/100km, the best I could muster was 9.7. But importantly as a value package the MG QS offers much – for a large family three accommodating rows for seven passengers, many comfort and convenience features, quality perforated leather trim and a nice interface of central touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. However, some aspects of the touchscreen menu can be frustrating. MG provide a 10-year/unlimited km warranty, conditional on regular servicing through their dealer network, but its expensive - $3,618 over the first five years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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