In the past, hardcore SUVs were monopolized by luxury brands. The monopoly on core technologies and materials in the high-end automotive sector made it difficult for domestic brands to enter this field, keeping the prices of hardcore SUVs high and thus limiting the domestic buying audience. This turned hardcore SUVs into "toys" for high-end users. But times have changed—domestic car manufacturing technology has matured, especially in catching up with core technologies, enabling domestic independent brands to join the competition in this niche segment. As a global SUV leader, Haval is by no means inferior to foreign brands in terms of technology and craftsmanship. The launch of the Haval H9-2020 model has reignited the battle in the hardcore SUV arena.
The Haval brand has long stepped beyond China’s borders on the global stage; in the Chinese market, it has even created the myth of a “people’s iconic vehicle.” The flagship model of Haval, the Haval H9, is a benchmark in the hardcore SUV category. Whether it’s forging paths through mountains or navigating waters, the Haval H9-2020 is a sharp presence in the auto world. Meanwhile, similarly priced joint-venture SUVs are either too rugged for daily use or merely stylish yet impractical, rarely excelling in all aspects. So today, let’s pit the Haval H9-2020 against the joint-venture model Highlander for a head-to-head comparison to find out once and for all.
Performance Comparison: Hardcore SUV Style Outclasses City SUVs
Actually, not just for SUVs—but for any vehicle type—performance is one of the most important factors buyers care about. However, for SUVs, the requirements are even higher, as they need to balance on-road driving, off-road capability, and comfort.
Speaking of performance, the Haval H9-2020 is equipped with a 2.0T high-power engine, delivering a maximum power of 165kW. Torque has increased by 30N·m compared to the previous model, reaching 385N·m. Additionally, the upgraded engine now only requires 92-octane fuel, demonstrating stronger fuel adaptability.
It’s worth emphasizing that the Haval H9-2020’s 8AT transmission, sourced from ZF, is widely used in flagship products of major luxury brands, including the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, Range Rover, and BMW X7—far ahead of its same-class competitors. The most powerful engine combined with the best transmission allows the Haval H9 to surpass most rivals in key metrics such as acceleration, starting performance, power reserve, and gear-shifting logic.
The Haval H9 adopts a body-on-frame chassis structure unique to hardcore SUVs, giving the vehicle greater overall height and better off-road capability than city SUVs like the Highlander. The rigid chassis ensures minimal body twist when traversing unpaved roads, resulting in superior off-road performance. Its advantages are particularly evident in wild environments like slopes, deserts, and muddy terrain. In this regard, the Highlander can only stay within city limits. Furthermore, the Haval H9’s investment in cost-no-object double-wishbone independent front suspension and multi-link non-independent rear suspension makes it a true off-road weapon, while still offering comfort and handling. In contrast, the Highlander, as an SUV, is lacking in one of its two essential capabilities—off-road and on-road performance—falling short of its bold appearance and proving somewhat all show and no go.
From this perspective, although both models share a 2.0T configuration, the Highlander lags behind in the critical areas of off-road performance: power and chassis. The Highlander’s maximum power is 162KW, and max torque is 350N·m, both lower than the Haval H9-2020, and it can only run on 95-octane fuel. Moreover, the Haval comes equipped with a second-generation Terrain Response System, adding features like “three differential locks” and CCO low-speed off-road cruise—million-dollar off-road tools. In terms of off-road performance, the Haval H9-2020 can be said to completely outclass the Highlander.
Comfort Comparison: Both Have Merits, but Haval is More Thoughtful
When it comes to comfort, the Haval H9-2020 breaks through the rugged and rough style typical of hardcore SUVs. Its overall interior design is refined and elegant, a treat for the eyes, with high-quality materials and generous use of fine finishes.
Compared to the overly laid-back design of the Highlander, the Haval H9-2020’s interior has more distinctive styling. The exquisite Morris Brown color scheme showcases meticulous craftsmanship in the details. Seats and door panels feature diamond-quilted stitching and perforated designs, perfectly balancing aesthetics and breathability. The full LCD instrument panel and electronic gear shifter feel premium, while the lines of the central control panel are clearly defined. Some areas are adorned with wood-grain trim, and the multifunctional steering wheel is more substantial, accented with silver trim. The center console area features a multifunctional embedded touchscreen and a unique electronic gear lever, along with high-tech features like dual-mode cloud navigation, remote control, and AI vehicle connectivity.
In the area of smart tech—often overlooked in off-road SUVs—the Haval H9-2020 is equipped with an L2-level autonomous driving assistance system and a next-generation telematics system. Additionally, the new model adds eight major functions, including OTA online upgrades, dual-way Wi-Fi, and online media entertainment, and has undergone a complete upgrade of key features such as smartphone connectivity, instrument interaction, and remote control.
Moreover, the Premium Large Five-Seat model adds a rear-seat armrest touchscreen, allowing rear passengers to freely adjust settings to their liking. High-end configurations such as Harman Kardon Infinity audio and electric side steps further underscore the luxury of the Haval H9-2020.
It can be said that the Haval H9-2020 does not lose comfort just because it is a hardcore SUV.
In comparison, although the Highlander also offers satisfying comfort features—such as leather-wrapped steering wheels, leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, front seat heating, and UV-blocking heat-insulating glass—the Haval H9-2020 still outshines it overall when considering off-road capability, comfort, and the richness of features.
In Conclusion
In terms of performance, since both vehicles are equipped with mainstream powertrains, they both deliver excellent on-road driving quality. However, on off-road terrain, the Haval H9’s hardcore configurations—like the next-generation Terrain Response System and BorgWarner two-speed TOD intelligent 4WD system—grant it extraordinary off-road prowess, with arguably the best off-road escape capability in its class. In contrast, the Highlander’s performance is rather average, with some evaluations suggesting its off-road ability is almost non-existent. After all, buyers of the Highlander typically only need it to handle everyday family travel.
Regarding comfort, although the two are closely matched, the Haval H9’s richer array of configurations undoubtedly gives it an edge over the Highlander.
Overall, while the two vehicles’ market prices overlap, in terms of performance and configuration, the Haval H9-2020 delivers a clear advantage, combining robust capability with refined finesse. This fully demonstrates the strong impact of domestic technology on foreign automakers.
In this comparison, we see that both vehicles meet daily driving needs. But who doesn’t dream of going beyond the everyday? The Haval H9 can not only accompany you through daily routines, but also conquer mountains and valleys to fulfill your dreams of adventure. With that in mind, the Haval H9 is undoubtedly your better choice.