Could all-new GWM Haval H5 make sense in PH?

2024 GWM Haval H5 spans nearly 5.2 meters long

Great Wall Motors (GWM) is off to a great start in the Philippines. With the introduction of the Jolion, H6, and Cannon, the brand is covering not just the crossover SUV market but also the pickup truck segment as well.

However, they could do with another model to fill their initial lineup. While the company has yet to officially announce what it will be bringing to the country next, perhaps it may want to bring the all-new Haval H5.

Also called the P04 in its home market, the Haval H5 is now in its second generation and has grown in size. What was originally a midsize vehicle has now become a full-size SUV that spans 5190mm long, 1905mm wide, and 1833mm tall. Those prioritizing interior space will not be disappointed as the H5 now has a 3140mm wheelbase.

But don't expect the H5 to come with third-row seats. Despite its long length and huge size, this behemoth only has two rows of seats – meaning it's only available as a five-seater. But while some may bemoan the unavailability of having a third row, the H5's gargantuan dimensions mean it can carry plenty of luggage. GWM claims that with the rear seats folded, the vehicle has a cargo capacity of 2,116 liters.

Platform-wise, the all-new Haval H5 sits on the same architecture as the Cannon pickup truck which explains the vehicle's immense footprint.

Climb aboard and the H5 welcomes passengers into a leather-lined cabin complete with high-tech amenities. There are a pair of digital displays on the dashboard, the latter measuring 12.3 inches in size. There are also other in-car features depending on the variants available like dual-zone automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera system, built-in Wi-Fi, a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and adaptive cruise control.

Under the hood, the H5 is available with two turbocharged engines. The first is a 2.0-liter turbo-gasoline that can be paired with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic. The former makes 190 PS with 360 Nm of torque while the latter puts out more at 218 PS with 380 Nm of pull.

The other engine is a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel that can also be mated to either a manual or automatic transmission. Both the 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic versions produce 163 PS. However, the torque output for the manual is only 360 Nm while the automatic makes more at 400 Nm. Rear-wheel-drive comes as standard for both turbo-gas and turbo-diesel engines but a 4WD system is available as an option should customers prefer it.

Could the nearly 5.2-meter-long SUV make sense for GWM in the Philippines? Chime in with your comments below and tell us what you think.