What's the difference?
GWM’s Haval H6 has been a solid budget-oriented mid-size family SUV for years now, but now it might be a better package than ever.
This current model has just received a mid-life update that brings new looks inside and out, new powertrain options, as well as a revised trim level structure.
Competition in the mid-size SUV segment is hotter than ever with fierce rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.
Is the updated GWM Haval H6 worth considering? Read on to find out.
Are you the kind of person who doesn’t mind standing out? You like to go against the flow?
Well, if so, you might be exactly the kind of person who buys the all-new Renault Symbioz, the French brand’s new small SUV.
“It stands out in a sea of same-same SUVs,” is how Renault Australia General Manager Glen Sealey sums up the Symbioz.
The problem for Renault, is that it is a very big sea it finds itself in the middle of. The small SUV segment is the second biggest part of the local new car market in 2026, behind only mid-size SUVs and ahead of utes.
And it is full of well-known and popular models including the best-selling Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Hyundai Kona, GWM Haval Jolion, Jaecoo J5, Mazda CX-30, MG ZS, Toyota Corolla Cross and the list goes on.
Certainly from a looks perspective the Symbioz stands out. But it also stands out for other reasons, such as being a bit more expensive than many of its rivals and because it is the last French brand left in the Australian market following the decline of Citroen and Peugeot.
Sealey said he expects the Symbioz to be the best-selling Renault model in Australia, and it arrives in the middle of a major product overhaul that will see six new or updated models arrive in the span of 18 months.
But does the Symbioz really have what it takes to stand out from the pack and win over those not afraid to try something different, or will it be lost in a vast sea of SUVs?
The GWM Haval H6 has always been a value buy as a mid-size family SUV and although it previously wouldn’t have been at the top of my shopping list, this mid-life update has changed my mind.
It’s now more stylish inside and out, has more ergonomic storage and most importantly remains a cut-price offering.
Things aren’t perfect, as you still need to rely on the touchscreen for many key features and the suspension tune isn’t quite right.
There’s certainly a lot to like about the Renault Symbioz. It may cost more than its direct competition, but it looks, feels and drives with an edge on many of its rivals. And the integration of the Google system will no doubt appeal to some, especially a younger audience which craves the latest tech.
But the extra cost coupled with the image problem French cars have had in Australia - justified or not - will make it a hard sell. The small SUV market is dominated by the big name brands and cut-price models - and the Symbioz is neither.Â
Renault Australia has no ambition for this to out-sell the Tiggo 4 Pro and Kona, but even attracting modest sales in such a highly competitive segment will be a hard slog.
If you’re willing to make an unconventional choice, though, you will likely enjoy your time with this little French alternative.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.