Haval H9 vs Toyota Fortuner Comparison

We’ve lived in the UAE for 12 years and have owned several new vehicles during that time — this is our fifth. Until now, we’ve never had a bad experience with a car purchase. Unfortunately, our experience with the Haval H9 has been disappointing. We purchased the car brand new in March 2025. On paper, it seemed like a great choice: spacious, stylish, and seemingly well-suited for a family with three children. However, we’ve faced a number of issues since day one. Immediately after delivery, the car began shaking noticeably during driving. The dealership replaced the tyres, which they believed to be the cause (I appreciate that the sales and service staff were polite and willing to assist). However, the problem persists. When we raised this again, we were told by the engineers that the shaking is “normal,” which hasn’t been our experience with any other vehicle and still doesn’t feel right or safe. There are also other ongoing concerns: the exhaust makes a crackling noise after the engine is turned off (which we were told is also “normal”), the air conditioning struggles to cool the cabin effectively, even after 30 minutes of driving in UAE heat and the radio reception is consistently poor, making FM stations difficult to enjoy. Additionally, the adaptive cruise control system has proven frustrating, particularly since there's no option for a standard cruise control mode. We’ve taken the car to the Haval service centres three times now to try to resolve these issues, but each time we’re given the same response: everything is “normal.” It’s been frustrating, as these problems continue to affect our day-to-day use of the vehicle. We've spent around 15–20 hours so far, between visits, calls, and messages, trying to get these issues resolved. However, after three months, we’ve made no meaningful progress with any of them. Had I known about these issues beforehand, I would have seriously considered other options. I’ve since spoken with a few other owners who’ve shared similar feedback, so I know I’m not alone in this experience. I hope this review helps others make a more informed decision.

The Fortuner is a very popular sight here in the UAE, and I can see why. I bought it because I needed a proper SUV with 7 seats. It definitely feels tough and capable, especially if you take it to the desert or drive in rougher roads. The 2.7L feels okay, but the 4.0L option is a beast if you want raw power. The seating position is high, giving a strong road presence. Inside, it’s very spacious, and my family loves the comfort while traveling. Of course, fuel economy isn’t the best, but that’s expected with a big SUV.The third row is a bit tight for adults but works fine for kids. The boot has fair space when seats are folded. The A/C is excellent and reaches the back quickly.