Today, almost all showrooms of official Great Wall dealers present the Great Wall Hover H3 SUV of the 2014-2015 model year. True, in most cases, dealers are only accepting orders for the updated Hover, since full sales of the car should begin at the end of May of this year.
The appearance of the car has undergone significant changes, adding solidity and some aggression. The dominant element of the exterior of the new Great Wall H3 is the massive radiator grille, which is complemented by large headlights and an updated bumper configuration. The fog lights with chrome trim integrated into the lower edge of the bumper look good, as well as the silver bumper trim that goes to the bottom of the car. On the aft side there are new lights and a more successful bumper, which, like a similar element at the front, sports a stylish trim - an imitation of a diffuser. The roof of the restyled version of the Chinese SUV is crowned with roof rails.
Assessing the changes in the exterior of the car, it is worth noting that upon a quick inspection, the updated Hover H3 began to clearly resemble the German crossover Mercedes GLK. Obviously, it was this model from Stuttgart that inspired Chinese designers when developing the geometry of the head optics, the shape of the foglights and the design of the Hover radiator grille. Of course, the role model chosen is far from the worst, but the fact that Chinese automakers continue to copy cars from more famous brands is not encouraging.
The dimensions of the updated model have changed slightly. The car has grown in length, reaching 4650 mm, while the wheelbase has remained unchanged and is 2700 mm. The width of the car body is 1800 mm, the height of the car does not exceed 1745 mm. The wheel track width of the front and rear axles corresponds to 1515 mm and 1520 mm. A distinctive feature of the Chinese car was its ground clearance. Now the minimum ground clearance of the Great Wall H3 is an impressive 240 mm. According to this indicator, the car is ahead of the overwhelming number of real off-road models, including the recognized Russian “rogue”. The curb weight of the Hover H3 for cars in the basic configuration is 1905 kg.
Restyling also affected the interior of the car. Thanks to the use of higher quality finishing materials, the interior of the Great Wall H3 New 2014 began to look much more attractive and more solid than the interior of its predecessor. The front panel has been updated and has a modern center console. There is a place here for the touch screen of the multimedia center, as well as the compact display of the on-board computer. But there were some shortcomings. Thus, the excellent functionality of the on-board computer, which is capable of broadcasting the widest range of useful information, including the current altitude above sea level, is spoiled by the ugly backlight. During daylight hours, it is almost impossible to make out information on a computer display. The sensor of the multimedia center also does not work well - the system often does not respond to light touches on the screen.
As for spaciousness, the interior of the SUV remains unchanged in this regard. It will be quite free for four passengers and a driver. The front seats have comfortable backrests and optimally sized cushions, allowing you to make long journeys without long stops to rest. Unfortunately, the car's designers have not changed the trunk, which, as before, does not provide a flat floor surface when folding the backrests of the rear row seats.
The previous version of the SUV was offered for sale with a single power unit, the role of which was performed by a 2-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 116 horsepower. Under the hood of the updated Great Wall Hover H3 2014 it is planned to install two engines, one of which will remain the same 4-cylinder naturally aspirated unit, developed together with specialists from the Mitsubishi concern, and the second will be a more powerful 2-liter 177-horsepower engine. When considering these power plants, it should be noted that Great Wall engineers do not offer anything new, much less modern. The old motor is installed without any changes or modifications. The highest torque mark of this engine corresponds to 175 N*m, which the engine reaches in the range of 2500-3000 rpm. In tandem with the engine, the car’s creators install the already well-known 5-speed manual transmission. Such a tandem keeps the car’s fuel consumption parameters at the same level - within the city the car consumes about 12 liters of gasoline; when driving slowly on the highway, fuel consumption can be reduced to 8.5 liters.
The “new” engine for the Hover H3 was not a revelation either. Essentially, this is a modernized version of the engine described above with a redesigned fuel system installed on it. The more powerful engine produces a torque of 250 N*m and is mated to a new 6-speed manual transmission with longer gears. The new gearbox is designed to increase the reliability of the car in difficult road conditions. After all, the main drawback of the previous versions of the model was the gearbox, which, when driving off-road, could not withstand the loads and began to smoke from the clutch. The new engine is more “gluttonous” - when driving around the city you will need at least 13.5 liters of gasoline, while on the highway the manufacturers promise to keep it to 10 liters of fuel. True, Great Wall H3 engines are designed to use AI-92 gasoline.
The chassis of the updated Hover H3 2014 does not have an advanced design. The Chinese have slightly reconfigured the suspension, simultaneously replacing some elements with reinforced analogues. As with the previous version of the SUV, the basis is a ladder-type frame, for the manufacture of which high-strength steel is used. At the front, the body is supported by an independent torsion bar suspension of a double wishbone design, which is complemented by an anti-roll bar. At the rear, the SUV rests on a spring dependent suspension with a transverse stabilizer and a continuous axle. All-wheel drive provides for a rigid connection of the front wheels and transmission of traction to the rear axle through a 2-speed transfer case. As for cross-country ability, the previous version of the Great Wall Hover H3 showed good results, competing well with many SUVs. After restyling, the car is able to compete off-road even with Russian UAZs.
The basic equipment of the car includes 17-inch alloy wheels, power steering, full power accessories, fog lights, a height-adjustable steering column, ventilated disc brakes for all wheels, anti-lock braking system and EBD system, air conditioning, several airbags, rain and light sensors, heated seats, parking sensors and many other options available from competitors, usually in top trim levels. Prices for Great Wall Hover H3 2014 start at 775,000 rubles.
Photos Great Wall Hover H3 2014
Since the spring of 2014, the Chinese car Great Wall H3 New can now be ordered and purchased in the Russian Federation.
Great Wall N3 2014 New
The newest Great Wall H3 2014, which has undergone changes outside and inside, acquired new options, and acquired a 177 powerful engine and a 6-speed gearbox.
Prices
The price for the Great Wall H3 2014, taking into account the updates, has become an order of magnitude higher and starts from 775,000 Russian rubles for components of the Great Wall H3 New Luxe and rises to 819,000 Russian rubles for the Great Wall H3 New Super Luxe. Under the hoods of the new versions, the old 2.0-liter engine and 5 manual transmission were installed. You will be able to purchase an H3 New car with a turbo engine and 6 manual transmission in early autumn 2014.
What's new
Photos of the newest Great Wall H3 2014 fully reflect all the updates of the Chinese SUV.
The biggest changes to the H3 New's design come from the front of the car. At the rear of the car you can also notice new parts and updates. The side parts of the Chinese car remained the same, like the unimproved Great Wall Hover H3.
The exterior of the Great Wall Hover H3 new is presented on a huge radiator grille shield in an expensive chrome frame with 4 horizontal bars. The increased size of the grill matches the large headlights, which fit well into the design of the front side of the car. The bumper, which received edge protection with unpainted plastic, the seats are designed more stylishly and now has a bright ski insert in the center.
Ahead, the updated Great Wall H3 now looks colorful and bright, nothing remains of the old appearance. The lines and parts of the home-modified model remained on the body of the H3 New. Available are the straight lines of a practical car body, large wheel arch extensions, huge rectangular doors, a roof with roof rails, black plastic on the sills, R17 wheels with 235/65R17 tires. New details are the door moldings.
On the rear of the body, which has been restyled Greatwall H3, new, more modern lamp shades are presented, the door in the trunk, which does not have a handle, is opened with a button above the license plate, the bumper is made in a simple style, it has an aluminum insert, anti-fog lights, parking sensors that are located on two levels.
The installation of other bumpers and roof rails did not lead to major changes in the external dimensions of the body of the updated car; it is currently 4650 mm long, 1800 mm wide, 1745 mm high, 2700 mm wheelbase, 1515 mm track of the wheels that are in front, 1520 mm track of the rear wheels. It is very important to realize that the ground clearance of the H3 has not deteriorated at all from the installed new products; it has 310 mm under the bumper located in front; the ground clearance under the engine crankcase is 240 mm. The weight of the H3 New car is 1905 kg. The new one received the same overall dimensions after restyling.
Color spectrum
The color choice is presented in six options:
- milky white;
- walnut;
- silver;
- dark grey;
- champagne;
- black graphite.
Salon Great Wall Hover 2014
Having looked into the salon of the Great Wall Hover H3 2014, you will be left with a good impression due to the new details in the interior, new multimedia equipment and a good atmosphere. The driver's seat of the H3 Nev Super Lux will feature an old steering wheel with a leather-wrapped rim, an information dashboard, an interior made of leather, an electric driver's seat, the front seats are heated, climate control and other attributes of the car, the center console is new and attracts your attention. . On top there is a small on-board computer screen, which will report the vehicle’s location above sea level, atmospheric pressure, and there is also a compass.
Further, the latest rectangular ventilation deflectors, a huge touch screen of the multimedia system (bluetooth, USB and AUX, there is also a camera) were placed in the center of the console. A simple version of the audio system (CD MP3 MP4 USB bluetooth) is also installed. An important factor is that the driver and passenger seats received good support on the sides of the hips and back, and now it is very comfortable to sit on these seats. The leather on the seats has become of higher quality and softer, and is now decorated with contrasting red stitching.
In the second there is plenty of space to seat 3 fellow travelers; under the seat cushion on the right there is a bonus - a set of tools.
trunk
Specifications
Let's talk about the technical aspects of the Great Wall Hover H3 2014. The car remains an SUV (hard-wired front wheel drive, two-speed transfer case), all wheels have ABS and EBD, disc brakes and power steering.
engine
Under the hood of the Great Wall H3 2014-2015 you can find a lot of interesting things. This fall, the H3 New is expected to appear with a 2.0 liter Mitsubishi 4G63S4T engine (produced under license), which produces 177 horsepower and 250 Nm between 2400 and 4800 rpm. The engine operates together with a 6-speed manual transmission, adapted for 92 gasoline and 10 liters per hundred kilometers is enough for it. Now the latest 2014 Hover H3 can be purchased with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine along with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Hello everyone, my Hover is half a year old. During this time, I took it for a ride on all possible and impossible off-road terrain. And I’ll tell you honestly - the car passed the test with 5 points. I’m generally pleased with the car, and I even clocked it up to 180 km/h on the highway. Not enough power, but I did some chip tuning. A video whistled. And the tail light bulb burned out. With 16,000 km covered, that's all.
Great Wall Hover H3, 2014
I bought a Hover 3 New 2014, Russian assembly. The interior is at its best (it’s neither a Shniva nor a Patriot) as in a decent foreign car, the dynamics are on par (116 hp, weight 1800 kg), the appetite is moderate - 9.5-10 liters on the highway, 11-11.5 liters in Moscow . The radio is junk, the signal is not serious, the engine should be more powerful, when cornering it rolls like the 21st Volga... but (!) for this money... two days without getting out from behind the wheel, you don’t get tired, 150 (Yo! ) goes (where there is no traffic police and the situation allows) and at the same time you don’t feel the speed like on a Renoch or Ford. Conclusion: GOOD car (for the money)! And you need to bring it to mind a lot and a lot.
Frame SUVs of the H3 and H5 models form the basis of the popularity of the Great Wall brand. Their sales in Russia are growing steadily.
More and more residents of the Russian outback and big cities are choosing in favor of something that 10 years ago would have been embarrassing to talk about - a Chinese “jeep”.
Have you tried it? Yes, but it's not just that. Over the decade and a half of expansion into the Russian market, the quality of cars from the Middle Kingdom has increased significantly, and buying them no longer seems like an overly eccentric act.
The updated H3 is designed to fuel demand for the brand's SUVs, and for this purpose it has a whole set of important differences from the previous generation of the model.
The visual difference is immediately noticeable - the front of the H3 has a different, more aggressive design.
The “grill” of the radiator grille is made in the best traditions of rampant Asian tuning. Inspires!
There are also differences at the back, but only an experienced sinologist will notice them.
H3 is no longer the modest fellow he was before - the shimmery suit suits him well, and now in the countryside he looks like a city dandy. On the streets of the ancient city of Izborsk, H3 seems to be an alien descended onto our mortal earth - surrounded by a provincial car park tired of life and ancient buildings, it appears to be an elegant prince, attracting the glances of rare passers-by and tourists from neighboring Lithuania.
The interior has undergone cosmetic changes designed to modernize the interior architecture, created in the late nineties by the guys from Isuzu (as you remember, the H3/H5 are based on the Isuzu Axiom).
All materials are of high quality, the joints are even, and there is no hint of the suffocating smell of cheap plastic in the cabin.
One of the main acquisitions of the updated H3 is a new multimedia combine with a large screen, navigation, USB, bluetooth and the ability to connect external devices via AUX. There are even 2 slots for SD cards - one of them is intended for media with maps for the navigation system. And, oh gods, there are finally cup holders!
There is also a rear view camera and parking sensors.
The climate control unit has been thoroughly improved - it has become more convenient to use.
The Chinese on-board computer is a thing in itself. It shows altitude, direction of travel and atmospheric pressure. But you won’t be able to see anything useful, such as average fuel consumption or outside air temperature.
The maximum that is available to the user is a useless indicator of instantaneous fuel consumption displayed on the instrument panel. This is such an interesting set. They say that representatives of the importing company asked the Chinese to finalize the package, but they refused - they say, we know better.
Initially, the Hover H3 is the youngest model in the family, so compared to the H5 model, there are slightly fewer options: for example, there is no cruise control and tire pressure sensors, and the electric driver's seat is available only in the Super Luxe package. Having a more “passenger” appearance, the H5 has a different type of all-wheel drive - TOD instead of the classic Part-time on the H3. An automatic transmission is also not available for the H3. Otherwise, these cars are twin brothers.
You can read more about H5 in one of my reviews - almost everything said applies to the hero of our today's test. Let me say briefly that the seating position in the car is specific - there is a high floor and low seats. But the leather seats are already better than those on the early Chinese - now you can travel long distances in them without back pain.
The rear passengers in the H3 sit quite comfortably - three of them can ride without any problems. The spacious trunk allows the rear seatbacks to be folded almost flat, making it easier to transport rangefinders. However, there are also no differences from the previous H3 and H5.
The main difference between the new H3 and the old one is that a “charged” version with a two-liter Mitsubishi 4G63S4T petrol turbo engine has appeared in the line - almost the same ones are installed on Lancer Evolution sports sedans!
The modification of the legendary turbo heart in the Chinese version is slightly deformed compared to the original engine - the engine on the Great Wall H3 develops 177 hp. and 250 N.m.
A little? For comparison, the basic Hover H3 with the same engine, but without a turbine, has much more modest characteristics - 115 hp. and 175 N.m. And it’s okay, people drive for themselves and don’t complain. Those who are ambitious and handy, themselves improve the engines of their cars with the help of turbochargers.
Now there is no need to invent anything or go on collective farms: the turbo engine is standardly registered under the hood. Go?
After pressing the gas, the engine does not wake up immediately - there is not enough traction at the bottom. But after 2500 rpm the peak torque begins. Confident traction continues until about 5000 rpm, after which there is no point in turning the engine any further. I wouldn’t dare call the dynamics hurricane, but for Chinese cars this is a big step forward - the H3 with a gasoline turbo engine will accelerate to hundreds noticeably faster than the H5 with a diesel engine and automatic transmission. The speedometer needle easily exceeds 160 km/h, but driving at such a pace in a high-frame SUV without a stabilization system is simply scary.
Let's not rush, just note that the power of the new engine is quite enough for any highway overtaking. When you press the pedal to the floor on cold asphalt and on studded tires, the rear wheels slip, even in third gear. At the same time, the sound of the engine does not put pressure on the ears - the H3 has sound insulation, and the cabin is quite quiet.
By the way, about the gearbox. There are as many as 6 gears, which is very useful for a new engine. But you will have to operate the lever often in order to keep the engine in the “working” speed range, avoiding “turbo lag”.
In city mode, I had no complaints - the H3 confidently moves in traffic, and from a traffic light it is able to surprise those who do not expect such agility. At the same time, the engine's appetite is moderate - no more than 15 liters of 92 gasoline per 100 km.
But still, SUVs are bought for driving outside the city, so that’s where we sent our chariots. The country roads of the Pskov region are ideal for testing SUVs - the abundance of potholes and uneven surfaces of various sizes allows you to test all the nuances of suspension controllability.
When moving straight on hard surfaces, the H3 is unshakable. Even despite the empty steering wheel without pronounced feedback, the car clearly follows the trajectory, without frightening it with slips on ruts or uneven surfaces.
When driving very fast on very bad roads, you can highlight some peculiarities of the suspension. The first of them is related to the design of the car - the solid rear axle, which is optimal for off-road conditions, tends to float off the trajectory in turns if there is a grader damaged by holes under the wheels, and the speed is well over a hundred. Cars with independent rear suspension do not have such problems.
For really aggressive and fast driving on graders, the energy consumption of the suspension seemed insufficient to me - just like the H5 model, it is not enough for Dakar Rally style driving. But for most consumers, a soft standard suspension is not an evil, but a blessing that provides everyday comfort. And the craftsmen, as usual, will take up the wrenches and change the shock absorbers to IronMan or Dobinsons - and will bludgeon the country roads the way they like.
Another good reason not to drive the turbo H3 too fast is the lack of a stabilization system. Without electronic assistants, it will be difficult for an inexperienced driver to keep the Hover in extreme modes, into which a powerful engine can unexpectedly take it. The turbine did not turn the H3 into a sports crossover - it is still the same high-frame car, not intended for racing use. And there are only two airbags...
Another thing is soft, viscous, enveloping off-road, smelling of fresh earth.
The new engine, coupled with rigidly connected all-wheel drive, allows the H3 to confidently cut bagels across fields and climb steep slopes at a low speed.
You can have fun to the fullest, even if all you have for entertainment is giant puddles and ruts in a field. Gas to the floor, and let the photographers run away wherever they look!
In terms of cross-country ability, the H3 is not inferior to famous SUVs.
The turbo H3 climbs slopes noticeably better than the version with the base engine.
The reserve of power and torque gives more freedom in choosing the trajectory and allows you to save the life of the clutch.
After the turbocharged version, the regular H3 with a naturally aspirated engine and the usual 5-speed manual transmission seems like a goner. However, those who understand life are in no hurry - and for leisurely movement in space, the base engine is quite enough.
Add to this greater efficiency and a lower price: the “turbo hover” will go on sale at a price of 920 thousand, while the regular H3 costs from 775 thousand rubles. It is obvious that even with the appearance of a turbocharged version on sale, the main demand will still be for the version with the base engine. And the turbine is a pepper, a feature that attracts the attention of customers to the model. After all, “a Chinese SUV with an engine from Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution” sounds cool!
Total
Great Wall H3 new is a worthy result of the evolutionary development of the Chinese automobile industry in general and the Hover SUV line in particular. Today, in terms of price-quality ratio, this is the most affordable frame SUV on the Russian market with a continuous rear axle, rigidly connected Part-Time all-wheel drive and low gear, with the exception of the UAZ-Patriot.
If we take as selection criteria such parameters as comfort, richness of equipment and ease of everyday use in urban and rural conditions, then the scales inexorably tip towards the side whose off-road and expeditionary training has already been well mastered by Russian specialists. And the only small consolation for feelings can be the fact that H3 is assembled in Russia:
Advantages
- Comfort on any road
- Dynamics in the version with a turbo engine
- Six-speed manual transmission
FlawsGreat Wall Hover H3 New (2014):
- Limited set of on-board computer functions
- Lack of stabilization system