Haval Shenshou is the larger more futuristic version of the crowd-favourite H6

Great Wall Motors (GWM) is cashing in big on the Haval SUVs. After the success of the Haval H6, they’re entering the market with a new contender known as the Haval Shenshou, or directly translated ‘God’s Creature’.

Measuring 4,780 x 1,890 x 1,675 mm in length, width, and height with a wheelbase of 2,800 mm, the Shenshou is slightly larger than both the H6 and the Malaysia-spec Honda CR-V. So, it is likely the Shenshou slots above the H6 in the Haval model hierarchy.

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It seems China is very partial to frameless grilles, as the most notable feature on the car is a large frameless front grille finished with chrome horizontal lines for an imposing look. The headlights were also specifically designed to integrate seamlessly into the grille.

Haval added orange stripes to give the car a touch of sportiness to the looks. The same orange strip continues on the angular side profile that gives us serious Hyundai Sonata vibes only with hidden door handles.

At the rear, the taillights were designed to stretch both horizontally and vertically, giving the rear-end a slight samurai look. There is nothing rounded about the SUV, as even the tailpipes have been shaped in a trapezoidal design.

The sporty roof spoiler and diffuser with one strip of orange running across the top finish off the sporty looks.

Unlike the Haval H6S coupe SUV, Haval has completely redesigned the interior. The Shenshou’s interior can be described as a more sophisticated, grown-up design thanks to the diamond pattern chrome panels on the door panels, the centre console, and the length of the dashboard.

Also read: 2022 Haval H6S coupe SUV makes world debut; Should the Lynk & Co 05 be afraid?

The round three-spoke steering wheel with piano-black buttons draws the eye but the joint double screen that makes up the digital instrument cluster and massive touchscreen infotainment screen steals the show.

Interestingly, the Shenshou comes with a gear shift similar to Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. The gear shift is a column mounted-type on the right side, behind the steering wheel.

The Shenshou comes with two powertrain options, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that dispenses 184 PS and 275 Nm and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that dispenses 224 PS and 345 Nm.

Both engines are also mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that sends power to the front wheels. Only one version of the Shenshou comes with all-wheel drive and that is a 2.0-litre turbocharged range-topping variant.

Haval’s SUVs are taking the world by storm, so we’re not surprised that Haval is eager to cash in on the SUV boom. Clearly, the Shenshou is there to fill up the more sophisticated grown-up void that the H6 doesn’t get to fill.

Also read: More for less? The Malaysia-bound Haval Jolion has its target set on Corolla Cross and HR-V