Haval Engine Reliability Guide - Complete Analysis 2025

In recent years, Chinese automaker Haval has been actively conquering the market, offering a wide range of crossovers with modern design and rich features. However, many potential buyers question the quality and reliability of the engines installed in these vehicles. Let's take a detailed look at the Haval engine lineup, their technical features, design, and real-world performance.

1.5 GDI-T (GW4B15): Fully Chinese Development

We'll begin our review with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, the 1.5 GDI-T (catalog index GW4B15). This engine is a completely Chinese development from Great Wall Motor - Haval's parent company. The powertrain debuted in 2018 and underwent minor modernization in 2021.

Technical Specifications and Design Features

• Four-cylinder inline engine with aluminum block
• Thin-walled cast iron cylinder liners
• Power output of approximately 170 hp
• Chain-driven timing system
• Variable valve timing (VVT) on both camshafts
• Hydraulic valve lifters
• Turbocharger manufactured by BMTS (Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems)

A particularly interesting solution in the GW4B15 engine is the implementation of continuously variable intake valve lift. Great Wall engineers emphasize that with this technology, they've joined the ranks of BMW, Infiniti, and Fiat, which also use continuously variable valve lift systems in many of their gasoline engines.

This system allows for regulating air intake into the cylinders by changing the valve lift height, improving fuel efficiency and engine responsiveness. Another advanced feature is the two-stage oil pump, which can operate in modes with normal and reduced oil pressure, which also positively affects fuel economy.

Real-World Performance and Reliability

Thousands of vehicles with this engine have been sold over the years, and real-world experience shows decent reliability. Many units have already surpassed the 300,000 kilometer mark without requiring a major overhaul. Owners don't report serious problems: timing chains don't stretch, hydraulic lifters don't make noise, oil consumption remains normal, and cylinder scoring doesn't occur.

Common Maintenance Requirements

Critical maintenance point: The need for periodic cleaning of intake valves from carbon deposits, which is common for most direct injection engines. After approximately 100,000 km, it may be necessary to remove the intake manifold to clean oil residue and carbon deposits from the valves.

Important replacement interval: The crankcase ventilation system membrane typically requires replacement at 70,000-100,000 kilometers. It's located under the valve cover and is accessible for maintenance through a special access port.

Performance Characteristics

The dynamic characteristics of vehicles with this engine are quite respectable: acceleration to 100 km/h takes about 10 seconds, which is a good indicator for a crossover with an engine of around 170 hp. Fuel consumption is also at an acceptable level: about 10 liters in city driving and about 8 liters when driving on the highway at a speed of 100 km/h.

Key reliability factor: The reliability of this engine largely depends on proper maintenance. Owners who regularly change oil every 7,500-10,000 kilometers and use quality fuel typically don't encounter serious problems.

2.0 GDI-T (GW4C20): Inspired by European Technologies

The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with the index GW4C20 also appeared in 2018. Some experts tend to consider it a clone of the Volkswagen 2.0 TFSI engine from 2008, which was installed on many Volkswagen and Audi models of that period. Indeed, there are certain technical similarities between these engines, but the Chinese engine cannot be called a direct clone.

Design Features

• Four-cylinder inline engine
• Cast iron cylinder block (unlike the aluminum one in the 1.5 GDI-T)
• Chain-driven timing system (with three chains in the front of the engine)
• One chain drives the timing system
• One chain drives the balance shafts located in the sides of the block
• Another chain goes down and drives the oil pump from the left balance shaft
• Variable valve timing on both camshafts
• Hydraulic valve lifters
• Direct fuel injection
• Borg Warner K03 turbocharger

A belt drive for the cooling system pump, high-pressure fuel pump, and vacuum pump is organized in the rear part of the intake manifold. The intake camshaft is extended, and its rear part enters a special bracket on which the high-pressure fuel pump and vacuum pump are installed.

Unlike some European counterparts, the Chinese engine has a simpler design: a single-stage oil pump (versus two-stage in European versions), and no swirl flaps in the intake manifold. The engine control unit is manufactured by Delphi (the German TFSI engine uses Bosch).

Interesting compatibility note: The oil filter from this engine fits almost all 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI engines installed on Skoda, Volkswagen, and Audi. The valve cover in the Chinese engine is made of plastic, and the timing chain cover is made of a light alloy. In the EA888 family 2.0 TFSI engine, it's the opposite: the valve cover is the upper part of the camshaft bearing.

Real-World Performance and Reliability

These engines have been in production for over 6 years, and some units have passed the 300,000 kilometer mark without serious problems. Owners note good torque and responsiveness of the engine, absence of increased oil consumption, and no other significant malfunctions.

The two-liter engine provides more dynamic vehicle behavior: acceleration to 100 km/h is one second faster compared to the 1.5 GDI-T. However, it consumes about 0.5 liters more gasoline per 100 km. With two-liter engines, the Haval F7 is available in maximum trim levels.

GW4N20: Next Generation Engine

In 2020, another engine appeared - the GW4N20, which is installed on the third-generation Haval H6 and Haval Dargo. This engine entered the top 10 best Chinese engines of the year and represents a new generation of powertrains created with modern engine building trends and strict environmental requirements in mind.

Advanced Design Features

• Fully aluminum block with thin-walled cast iron liners
• Thin-walled cast iron liners integrated into the aluminum alloy at the time of block casting
• Exhaust ports start in the cylinder head for better engine warm-up
• Twin-scroll turbocharger with a split exhaust manifold
• Electronically controlled bypass valve for the turbocharger
• Direct injection fuel injectors (injection pressure up to 350 bar)
• Miller cycle operation at partial loads (shortened intake stroke)
• Electric cooling pump
• Liquid-cooled intercooler
• Chain-driven timing system located on the flywheel side
• Two-stage oil pump
• Balance shafts located under the crankshaft and driven from it through a gear drive

This engine represents a modern development focused on high efficiency and environmental friendliness. The use of the Miller cycle at partial loads improves fuel efficiency by approximately 4%. Liquid cooling of the intercooler and electric pump also contribute to more efficient operation of the powertrain.

Power and Performance

The GW4N20 has a power output of 204-240 hp depending on tuning. With this engine, Haval Dargo and the third-generation H6 accelerate to 100 km/h in about 8.5 seconds. Fuel consumption is 10-12 liters in city driving and about 8 liters when driving on the highway.

Maintenance Considerations

Important maintenance complexity: Given the location of the timing chain on the flywheel side, transmission removal from the engine is necessary for its replacement, which complicates the maintenance procedure. However, this is compensated by the overall reliability of the design.

Current reliability status: Statistics on these engines are still limited due to their relative newness, but they don't give significant cause for concern yet. As with other modern high-tech engines, following the maintenance schedule and using quality consumables is especially important for the GW4N20.

General Recommendations for Haval Engine Maintenance

To ensure long service life of Haval engines, it is recommended:

Critical Maintenance Intervals

1. Regular oil changes every 7,500-10,000 kilometers. Most owners who follow this recommendation don't encounter serious problems even at high mileages.
2. Use of quality fuel. This is especially important for direct injection engines, where injection pressure can reach 350 bar.
3. Periodic cleaning of intake valves from carbon deposits. This is a common feature of all direct injection engines, not just Haval.
4. Timely replacement of the crankcase ventilation system membrane for the 1.5 GDI-T at 70,000-100,000 kilometers.
5. Avoiding unofficial software modifications (chip tuning), especially for new engines like the GW4N20, as this can negatively affect reliability and engine life.

Engine Selection Guide

When choosing between different Haval engines, you should focus on your own needs:

1.5 GDI-T - Urban Efficiency

Optimal balance of dynamics and economy for urban operation

• 170 hp power output
• 10 seconds 0-100 km/h acceleration
• Best fuel economy in the lineup
• Proven reliability with 300,000+ km examples

2.0 GDI-T - Performance Focus

Higher power and dynamics for those who value an active driving style

• More torque and responsiveness
• 1 second faster acceleration than 1.5 GDI-T
• 0.5 liters more fuel consumption per 100 km
• 6+ years of proven reliability

GW4N20 - Modern Technology

Modern high-tech engine with excellent characteristics and improved fuel efficiency

• 204-240 hp depending on tuning
• 6.5 seconds 0-100 km/h acceleration
• Advanced Miller cycle operation
• Latest generation technology

Conclusion

The real-world experience of Haval vehicles shows that their engines demonstrate a fairly high level of reliability and durability with proper maintenance. Fears and prejudices regarding the quality of Chinese powertrains have largely proven to be exaggerated.

The Haval engine lineup includes both completely original developments (1.5 GDI-T) and engines created with reference to global best practices (2.0 GDI-T). The newest GW4N20 engine incorporates many modern technologies used in the latest generation of European and Japanese engines.

Find Your Pre-Owned Haval H6 (2005-2012)

We've collected second-hand listings from Facebook Marketplace, Kaidee, One2Car, and TaladRod all in one place. Compare prices, check seller types, and find the perfect match for your needs.

Find second-hand Haval H6 in Thailand here → Buy Haval H6 on Roddee PRO