Second-Generation Haval H9 = Prado + Highlander: How a Family Off-Road Vehicle Unlocks New Family Travel Modes
More Comfortable than the Prado, Wilder than the Highlander: The Second-Generation Haval H9 Leads a New Trend in Family SUVs
The launch of the second-generation Haval H9 marks the arrival of the best choice for family off-road vehicles in the 250,000 yuan segment
For a long time, in the mid-to-large SUV market, "family vehicles" and "hardcore off-roaders" were clearly defined categories. The family-oriented Highlander and the rugged Prado each have their devoted followers, thriving in their respective niches. However, the latest survey shows that 75.8% of car trips in urban areas now involve a mix of city and off-road driving, with standard road conditions like urban roads, highways, and expressways accounting for 69.7%. This indicates that while urban driving remains mainstream, the mix of urban and off-road usage has become the norm.
Previously, the mid-to-large SUV market lacked a product that effectively combined both attributes.
Now, with the launch of the second-generation Haval H9 on September 25, this market gap is officially filled. As "the family off-road vehicle," the second-generation Haval H9 considers off-road capability, safety, comfort, and intelligence as essential elements, excelling in each area to meet the dual travel needs of families for comfortable daily commuting and quality outdoor exploration. The vehicle offers three versions: Exploration Edition, Expansion Edition, and Ultimate Edition, with guide prices of 199,900 yuan, 215,900 yuan, and 229,900 yuan, respectively. Additionally, users can enjoy multiple purchase benefits, including cash discounts and trade-in bonuses, significantly lowering the purchase threshold and subsequent usage costs, making it easier for more families to own and enjoy this family off-road vehicle.
High Scores in Off-Road Fundamentals: Performance Expands Life's Horizons
For an off-road vehicle, off-road capability is the fundamental course. The second-generation Haval H9 is built on China's first professional off-road platform—the Tank platform—sharing lineage with luxury off-road SUVs like the Tank 500 and Tank 700. It features a powerful engine and four-wheel drive system, effortlessly adapting to various scenarios from city commuting to outdoor exploration, reaching places that Highlanders cannot.
The second-generation Haval H9 boasts an approach angle of 31°, a departure angle of 26° (with a spare tire), a wading depth of 800 mm, and a maximum climbing ability of 100%. Its off-road prowess is impressive, handling sand dunes and steep hills with ease. With seven driving modes, it offers flexible off-road adaptability for a variety of terrains. The H9 also includes the unique TOD intelligent four-wheel drive and Mlock mechanical locking differential, enabling intelligent torque distribution of 0-100% between the front and rear wheels. Optional front and rear electronic differential locks create a true "three-lock" system, ensuring reliable performance even in the most challenging off-road conditions.
Powered by a 2.0T engine paired with an 8AT transmission, the second-generation Haval H9 delivers a maximum net power of 160 kW and a peak torque of 380 N·m. The ZF 8AT transmission is mature and reliable, providing efficient gear shifting for smooth and economical power delivery.
Transforming Comfort from Elective to Essential: Caring for Every Family Member
For a "family vehicle," comfort is the top priority, while "hardcore off-roading" is often associated with discomfort. To meet the new demand for "family off-roading," the concept of vehicle comfort needs to be redefined. The second-generation Haval H9 excels in comfort in terms of space, seating, quietness, and ride quality, making comfort a core requirement that offers family groups an experience unmatched by traditional hard-core off-road vehicles like the Prado.
With a wheelbase of 2,850 mm, the second-generation Haval H9 surpasses competitors like the Highlander and Wenjie M7 in dimensions, allowing three adults to sit comfortably in the rear without feeling cramped. When the second-row seats are fully folded flat, they create a 1.8-meter bed, providing a "mobile living room" for children to play and rest.
The seats of the second-generation Haval H9 are designed based on a Chinese body feature database and the self-developed Nice 2.0 mature seat platform. The rigid seat structure matches the improved lumbar and side support, better fitting the physiological curves of Chinese people. Additionally, both the front and second-row seats come equipped with heating, ventilation, and eight-point massage functions, ensuring that every journey—whether in the city or on an off-road adventure—feels like first-class travel.
Every family trip is a precious bonding time. To enhance the experience, the second-generation Haval H9 uses double-layer laminated acoustic glass and a two-seal structure design similar to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class to minimize external noise, achieving quietness comparable to high-end luxury vehicles. This allows parents in the front to communicate effortlessly with children in the back, filling the journey with laughter and joy. The quiet interior atmosphere on the return trip creates an environment where children can easily fall asleep at any moment.
Compared to its predecessor, the second-generation Haval H9 emphasizes comfort in diverse travel scenarios that accommodate both family and off-road needs. It features three levels of vibration isolation, with upgraded shear-type suspensions for the second, third, and fourth body segments, further enhancing stability over complex terrains. It provides a smooth ride in the city and a stable experience over rough outdoor conditions.
Smart Technology Focused on Practicality: Making Driving Easier and More Convenient
In the AI era, intelligent features cannot lag behind. The second-generation Haval H9 incorporates cutting-edge smart technologies comparable to those of new power players, focusing on practicality and usability to enrich family trips from city driving to outdoor adventures.
The second-generation Haval H9 boasts an industry-leading voice interaction system with a wake-up response time of 0.25 seconds and a visible-response time of 0.5 seconds. Users can issue up to ten voice commands in one breath while driving, all accurately recognized and quickly responded to, allowing family members to enjoy the convenience of "talking instead of working." The vehicle also serves as a fun companion for children during trips, featuring voice-activated games like "Flying Flowers" and "Idiom Chain," making travel enjoyable and educational. Moreover, it supports remote start and cabin cleaning functions, ensuring that the vehicle remains in optimal condition, ready for family outings.
Additionally, the second-generation Haval H9 comes with a 14.6-inch HD touchscreen and integrates HUAWEI HiCar and ICCOA Carlink smartphone connectivity solutions. It seamlessly connects with mainstream smartphones from Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo, allowing easy navigation and music switching. After the first connection, the vehicle can automatically reconnect wirelessly.
Exemplary Safety Standards: A Non-Negotiable Bottom Line
As "the family off-road vehicle," safety is paramount, and the second-generation Haval H9 excels in this area, providing comprehensive and meticulous safety protection for families.
The second-generation Haval H9 features a non-load-bearing body design with a robust ladder frame structure consisting of two longitudinal and nine transverse beams. The high-strength steel content of the frame reaches 99%, and the roof can withstand nearly 13 tons of pressure, maximizing the safety of the occupants. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with an L2-level driver assistance system, including features such as ACC adaptive cruise control across all speeds, ICA intelligent cruise assistance, front collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance—covering nearly all possible daily driving scenarios to predict potential risks. Coupled with a 360° panoramic view and transparent undercarriage, the vehicle achieves true all-around monitoring, ensuring safety in urban environments and peace of mind during off-road adventures.
With years of dedication to the SUV sector, the Haval brand continues to lead the development of the Chinese SUV market. The launch of the second-generation Haval H9, with its unique value of being suitable for both family and rugged terrain, strikes a perfect balance between family vehicles and hardcore off-roaders, poised to set trends in the mid-to-large SUV market. With robust off-road capabilities, comprehensive comfort experiences, outstanding smart technologies, and all-encompassing safety features, the second-generation Haval H9 not only meets the daily demands of urban family vehicles but also accompanies more users across mountains and cities, expanding their lifestyle horizons.