China's 'mythical beast'! 2022 GWM Haval Shenshou revealed as new flagship SUV and Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan and Ford Escape rival

GWM Haval has revealed its new flagship SUV, the mid-size Shenshou, which takes the Chinese brand even further upstream.

The Shenshou (Chinese for ‘mythical beast’) is the series-production version of the XY concept that made its debut at April’s Shanghai motor show.

Serving as the technology leader for GWM Haval, the Shenshou rides on the curiously named LEMON platform and is therefore related to the new-generation Jolion small and H6 mid-size SUVs that were recently released in Australia.

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Size-wise, the Shenshou measures 4780mm long (with a 2800mm wheelbase), 1890mm wide and 1676mm tall, putting it on the large side for a mid-size SUV. For reference, the H6 is 4653mm long (with a 2738mm wheelbase), 1886mm wide and 1724mm tall.

On the styling front, the Shenshou evolves GWM Haval’s design language, especially up front, where it has full-width LED daytime running lights and an enlarged grille.

2022 Haval Shenshou

2022 Haval Shenshou

Around the side, the Shenshou makes an immediate impression with its flush doorhandles, but at the rear, it makes even more noise (pun intended) with its quad exhaust tailpipes.

Inside, the Shenshou really steps up to the Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan and Ford Escape’s challenge with its array of premium finishes, including the two-tone leather upholstery used for most touchpoints.

That said, it’s the 14.6-inch central touchscreen that commands all of the attention, with it and the ‘attached’ 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster powered by GWM Haval’s new Coffee multimedia system.

A 137kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine is under the Shenshou's bonnet, although two other options, a 2.0-litre unit and a plug-in hybrid powertrain, are set to be added in the future.

So, will the Shenshou be sold locally? Well, a GWM Haval spokesperson told CarsGuide that “at this stage, there are no plans for an introduction to Australia”, with it to be only available in China from the third quarter.