GWM Haval H6GT vs Lexus LM

What's the difference?

GWM’s Haval H6 competes in the highly congested ‘Medium SUV under $65K’ segment of Australia’s new car market where a staggering 22 brands and more than 30 models compete for buyers.

GWM recently released the latest MY26 generation of its Haval H6GT PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), which replaces the original H6GT introduced as GWM’s first PHEV in 2025.

The new H6GT PHEV heralds the introduction of GWM’s ‘Hi4’ intelligent hybrid all-wheel-drive technology along with an upgraded interior design, which now aligns with the broader H6 range and is headlined by integration of the Chinese brand's latest Coffee OS multimedia system.

We recently spent a week aboard this sporty premium model of the H6 range to see if it ticks the right boxes to win buyers in this competitive market segment.

Most people that are wealthy enough to be ferried around in a car or limo choose a long luxurious sedan like a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series or a Lexus LS. Of course, there are now also SUVs that are used for the same purpose.

But what about a plush people mover? There are very few of these available in Australia and they don’t sell in huge numbers. But Lexus believes there is a market for such a model and it has just launched the big and bold LM. The hybrid-only range is a unique proposition and the LM should hold appeal for limo and tourism operators, and larger cashed-up families. 

This initial launch drive was a slightly different format to usual. Given the intended use of the lounge-like model, Lexus arranged for us to be collected in the LM by a chauffeur and ferried from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula. From there we got behind the wheel for a brief drive, but many of my impressions will focus on the passenger cabin experience.

Note too that the LM500h does not land until early 2024, so we only sampled the LM350h AWD.

So jump aboard and let’s see if this Lexus can do everything the LS can do - and maybe even a little bit more.