Haval H9: The Budget Off-Roader That Feels Anything But Cheap

Abu Dhabi: The Haval H9 was introduced in the UAE market in early 2025 as part of the Chinese brand Great Wall Motors' plans for expansion in the Middle East. This is an upscale full-size SUV suitable for families looking for a spacious, perfect body-on-frame construction with serious off-road abilities as well as for everyday family needs. The H9 combines unique characteristics, an old-school truck-based construction with modern features. It takes on highly popular and well-established brands like the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport as an affordable alternative. It promises similar capability without the premium price tag. This may sound a little ambitious, but looking at the H9, it does have what it takes to become popular among buyers in the Emirates. 

What makes the H9 interesting is its value proposition as a wholesome package, and not a cheaper option.  You get seven seats, four-wheel drive with a proper low-range transfer case, and a diesel engine that can actually take on all of the UAE's challenging terrains with ease. And, the price of AED 135,000, which is roughly half what you'd pay for a comparable Prado. You’ll admire the fact that it doesn’t appear to be cheap either by the quality of material, specs or design. 

Many buyers will find it too hard to ignore, and with initial buzz around the SUV seems to have made the right effect in the market. A closer look reveals that the H9 offers more standard equipment than most of its rivals. It actually doesn’t claim to be luxurious, but what it has is capability and space. The interior is spacious enough for families, the tech is nothing to complain about, and the off-road hardware feels worthy enough. All of which seems to be a matter of whether you wish to use the SUV beyond city limits.

The H9: Built for Purpose

The most noteworthy aspect of the Haval H9 is its body-on-frame construction, and this is your rare chance to buy at such an affordable price. There aren’t many to choose from. It means the body sits on a separate ladder chassis, similar to what you find on renowned names like the Land Cruisers and Patrols. This design enables you to handle twisty, hilly or gravel roads better when you're faced with challenging terrain types, gravel or deep sand. Not every SUV is capable of that; the crossovers with unibody construction certainly don’t match that integrity off-road.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol produces 240 hp of power and 380 Nm of torque. On paper, those numbers seem modest for a vehicle weighing over 2,200 kg. The engine pulls strongly from low revs, which is exactly what you need when taking on dunes or steep inclines. The 8-speed automatic transmission works perfectly well, helping you keep the engine in its power band without actually searching for gears.

Given its off-road persona, the SUV gets four-wheel drive as standard with an electronic transfer case that includes a proper low-range mode. It has better control at crawling speeds and more torque when you need it, something unique and quite necessary. The H9 also gets a rear differential lock, against something you commonly find in this price range. Whenever you lock it, both rear wheels turn at the same speed, significantly enhancing traction in sand or mud.

The ground clearance of 224mm is decent but not really exceptional. Yet, you can tackle moderate off-road bumps without scraping the bumpers or undercarriage. The suspension uses a double-wishbone setup at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear, another remarkable combination. This provides better wheel balance off-road compared to simpler designs. On the road, the ride is firm but not harsh, so if you wish to drive in the city, it won’t be a challenge at all.

Since this is a mighty SUV in some sense, the towing capacity is rated at 2,500 kg when properly equipped, not bad. This should suffice for a decent-sized caravan or a boat trailer, if you happen to pull.  The H9's torque and sturdy chassis make it a practical tow vehicle, though you'll notice the engine working harder when fully loaded, quite naturally. But you get a feeling, rather early, that the H9 isn’t your typical sporty SUV. The steering is light, acceleration is enough. 

So, what makes the H9 really attractive is the proven characteristics that say you don't need to spend Land Cruiser money to get genuine off-road capability. It's built properly, with the hardware that matters for serious use. The compromises are mainly in refinement and brand perception, not fundamental capability. GMW, the marquee Chinese brand, smartly tries to offer buyers what they need at a fraction of the cost and make an impact in the market. 

Top Features 

Feature Category	Feature Description
Touchscreen	14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with intuitive controls
Driver Display	10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster
Audio	Premium 10-speaker sound system with amplifier and subwoofer
Connectivity	50W wireless phone charging pad
Convenience	Heavy 3-spoke steering wheel with audio controls
	Tri-zone automatic climate control with rear AC vents
	Multiple terrain and driving modes
Comfort	7-seat layout with perforated faux leather upholstery
	6-way power driver seat with 3-level memory
	4-way powered front passenger seat
	60/40 and 50/50 split rear seats with flat floor option
Ambience	Electric panoramic roof to enhance spacious feel
Interior Style	Available in all-black or two-tone tan/black themes
Storage	Up to 1598 liters of trunk space with rear seats folded

Top Highlights

Exterior

• The imposing front grille with chrome accents gives it a solid presence on the road
• The LED headlights and daytime running lights are offered as standard across all variants
• The 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60 all-terrain tyres provide good off-road grip
• Roof rails rated for actual cargo, not just decoration
• Easy entry and exists with side steps, especially for kids and shorter passengers
• Rear-mounted full-size spare tyre
• Integrated roof bars support a roof tent for desert camping
• Functional skid plates protect vulnerable components underneath

Interior

• Seven-seat configuration with a 2-3-2 layout across three rows
• Third-row seats fold flat to create a massive cargo area
• A 9-to 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Leather upholstery on higher trims feels better than the price suggests
• Dual-zone climate control with separate controls for rear passengers
• Panoramic sunroof lets in plenty of light, though it reduces headroom slightly
• Power-adjustable driver's seat with memory function on Ultra trim
• 12-volt outlets in all three rows for charging devices on long trips

Safety

• Six airbags, including front, side, and curtain airbags
• Electronic stability control with off-road modes that adjust intervention levels
• Hill descent control maintains a safe speed on steep declines automatically
• Hill start assist prevents rollback when starting on inclines
• The tyre pressure monitoring system alerts you before problems develop
• Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines
• ABS with electronic brake-force distribution for better stopping in emergencies
• ISOFIX anchor points in the second row for child seat installation

Powertrain

Specification	Details
Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol
Power Output	214-215 horsepower (BHP/PS)
Torque	380 Nm
Transmission	8-speed automatic (torque converter)
Drivetrain	Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)	Around 8 seconds
Top Speed	Approximately 220 km/h
Fuel Tank Capacity	Around 80 liters
Fuel Efficiency	8-9 km/l (city/highway varies)
Seating Capacity	7 seats
Drive Modes	Multiple terrain and drive modes
Off-road capability	Front and rear diff locks, 800 mm water wading
Wheel Size	18-19 inches (alloy wheels)

Conclusion

Even though the H9 has some compelling positives, it isn’t perfect for good reasons. This starts right at the brand; it is new and still getting off the ground in the UAE. And so, it doesn’t have the track record or reputation of Toyota or Mitsubishi. This obviously has an adverse impact on the resale value. Resale values are unknown, as is the network, which is limited but eventually grows. 

If you consider these points right up front and still find the SUV good enough, then it certainly is. It offers genuine off-road capability and seven seats without spending Land Cruiser money, and H9 has what it takes to deliver on those promises. The interior feels well equipped and durable, the off-roading toughness and materials are real, and it doesn’t really appear cheap in any way at all. Even the price is extremely attractive with what it offers as a wholesome package, and that is why it makes a great value proposition. If you’re in the market looking for a full-size SUV but on a tight budget, GMW is offering a compelling option that suits most of the requirements.