Is this new Haval Dargo?

The Russian subsidiary of Great Wall Motors, Haval Motor Manufacturing Rus LLC, has started pre-production assembly of the all-wheel drive mid-size SUV Haval Dargo. This is a complete analogue of the "Big Dog" - the Chinese Haval Da Gou. The first copies have already left the assembly line, and motorists should take a closer look at the new product.

The changing face of the Chinese auto industry

The combination of aggressive design, reliability and functionality of electrical equipment - today cars from China are not even close to those parodies that were produced in the era of market conquest. Havall Dargo is a vivid confirmation of modern trends. The car turned out brutal and powerful. The progenitor of the model, in fact, was the Great Wall Hover. The frame base and independent suspension are identical for these models.
Yes, yes, our Dargo also belongs to frame machines. Its off-road orientation is clearly indicated by enlarged wheel arches, decent ground clearance and an appropriate body kit. By these elements, we can already say that we have the most dangerous competitor for both the Nissan X-Trail (they are almost identical in size) and the domestic UAZ Patriot (the lower price threshold is planned at 1,35 million rubles!).

Rigid Dargo exterior

Looking at the car from all sides, one gets a painfully familiar feeling of deja vu - somewhere we have already met these lines. I can assure you that the car that has created a real sensation and commotion in the Chinese market since the end of 2020 is not a replica.



Havall Dargo has its own, exclusively its own design, which was developed by Phil Simmons himself. In the past, this is Land Rover's exterior design director. The appearance of many Ford models is also his work. Simons not only became head of the design department, but also became vice president of the company. Even when he took office, Phil promised a unique design for the new model. As you can see, a top-level specialist (more than 30 years in the profession) remained true to his habit of backing up every word with deeds.
The appearance of Dargo does not at all "do not fit" with the usual features of off-road vehicles. Yes, there is something subtly familiar about the lines, but there is no reason to doubt that this is the most primitive production car from China. One optic is worth something!



It is impossible to call it otherwise than “toy”. In fact, the Havall Dargo head light is a complete waste! Too many exclamations in a row, but the car more than deserves them.

Interior solutions

When you open Dargo's door, you begin to feel gratitude and respect for those people who invented it. Before us, again, breaking the whole set of stereotypes about SUVs, a unique interior. And some solutions will not be to everyone's taste.
So, the air ducts of the front panel are completely vertical. The multimedia screen in the center seems simply huge (it occupies almost a third of the dashboard in length).



At the same time, the dashboard visor is too bulky for a car with a high seating position. The highlighting of the massive handle on the front panel on the front passenger side and the edging of the air ducts also look a little awkward.
At the same time, the interior boasts spacious dimensions, good sound insulation and a dual-zone climate (already in medium trim levels). Of the comfortable options, it is also worth noting keyless entry, remote engine start, decorative interior lighting and a panoramic roof. The presence of an electric drive in the tailgate with the “Hands Free” opening system can be described as “cherry on the cake”. Agree, in its price corridor the appearance of Drago in Russia will definitely make a "rustle".

Equipment

It is clear that the most budget equipment will be represented by a front-wheel drive model. In more expensive versions, it will not just be 4 x 4. The SUV comes with a differential lock and a whole set of active systems that greatly simplify movement over rough terrain.



To say that Havall Dargo is quite well prepared on the issue of active safety means to say nothing. Yes, it is simply “stuffed” with advanced solutions:

• ✅ ABS and EBD – wheel release and load distribution
  
• ✅ ESP and BAS - car stabilization and emergency brake boost
  
• ✅ TCS and TPMS - traction control and tire pressure monitoring
  
• ✅ HSA and DAC - help when starting uphill and dampening accelerations when descending
  

The immodest list is completed by rain and light sensors, as well as a surround view camera with parking radars and an option for intelligent support for parallel parking.

Traction unit, transmission and wheels

In China, Haval Big Dog can be bought in seven trim levels with 1,5 and 2,0 liter engines. The first option will somehow cope with the front-wheel drive variation - it's still 169 hp. With. But a frame with all-wheel drive on all wheels, a turbo engine of 211 horses will go just right. The seven-speed dual-clutch robotic box works quite softly, and there are practically no complaints about this unit from Chinese car owners. Largely thanks to her, Dargo's dynamics are quite explosive. At the same time, the agility of the SUV does not affect its consumption at all:

• ✅ 169 l. s., front-wheel drive - 6,9 l / 100 km
  
• ✅ 211 l. s., all-wheel drive - 8,0 l / 100 km
  

To stop such a machine, you need powerful brakes, and the Havall Dargo has disc systems all around. The dimensions of the wheels depend on the configuration - at the factory in China, the Big Dog is equipped with tires in sizes 235/65 R18 or 235/60 R19.
Technically, the differences from the Haval H7 are in two positions: in the latter case, tires with a smaller profile (235/55 R19) are on the car and Dargo's fuel tank is 4 liters smaller.

Prices

It is difficult to predict how much Havall Dargo will cost in Russia at the time of the official start of sales. The event is expected in the second half of next year, and this is if there are no difficulties and hitches. Today in the Celestial Empire for the basic configuration of "Big Dog" you need to pay almost 120 thousand yuan to the cash desk of a car dealership. In rubles, this is about 1352000 rubles. The most “fancy” version is 43 thousand yuan more expensive, and in rubles such a price tag will already be 1,83 million.
For such an amount you can’t take the Outlander in the maximum configuration, but you can find a car:



We wanted to finish the comparative analysis of the models at the stage of acquaintance with the luxury version of the Patriot and the most affordable Tiguan trim level - Respect. However, scrolling through the selection, we decided not to deprive the reader of interesting information.
Noteworthy is the fact that Chinese cars have become in great demand among Europeans, and this public, frankly, is spoiled for quality.
And well-known brands do not yet offer anything bright and deafening. Many European car brands generally go on the same base, and apart from the lines of forms, they differ little from each other. Whether it's Dargo - an SUV of one charisma turned out to be more than they ask for it.