Listen: I never thought I would actually say this, but, guys, if you want a serious off-roading machine, Haval is worth your precious resources and your earnest consideration.
I know what you are thinking, as I can bet they were similar to my previous apprehensions about Chinese cars.
And the name? I have heard (un)popular nicknames of it since the said off-road brand of GWM (Great Wall Motor) was launched here in the Philippines in April of 2023.
And yet, here I am, almost three years after, saluting and recommending this dark horse of the wildly competitive (and saturated) SUV category.
The brand, Haval, sits alongside other brands under the GWM umbrella such as the Tank (premium off-road SUVs), Cannon (pickup trucks), and Ora (electric vehicles). Globally, there are about 800,000 Tank users, and a whopping 10,000,000 users of Haval. Cannon has been ranked as the number one pickup in terms of sales in China for 27 years.
You can find a lot of Havals running on the tough, diverse roads of Australia, South Africa, and Russia. It is currently gaining traction in the Middle East.
As GWM heavily invests in R&D and abides by the strictest of international safety standards, the same quality can be expected across their roster of brands. The Tank 300 and 500, for example, have been awarded a 5-star safety rating by the ANCAP or Australasian New Car Assessment Program.
I guess you could say, I am not your typical female driver. I can drive a stick, and I typically do not hesitate on the road.
So, when I saw the itinerary in Baoding, China—the HQ of GWM Motors–for select Philippine media and content creators, my heart skipped a beat when I read “off-roading” on day 3.
The said trip was arranged as a prelude to the official launch of the Haval H9 in the Philippines, which happened on February 4, 2026, at the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estate in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Dealers, members of the press, and content creators were present during the said event. More on that later.
Going back, the thing is, I may be atypical to the female species, but never have I ever crossed a river on four wheels.
The Yixian Off-road Base and Proving Ground, a massive facility that includes mountains and hills, and is owned and operated by a GWM dealer in China, will impress onlookers and enthusiasts alike.
The walk to the main building of the proving ground is designed to make you remember that you are near Beijing, and perhaps, makes you wish there is a shortcut to sneak in a touristy stroll to the Great Wall.
The GWM team also took it as an opportunity to reintroduce the rest of the nameplates, including the Tank 300, which I was assigned to test ride and drive on the third day.
The professional drivers of the proving ground facility fluently traversed rocky mountains, sandy grounds, and flowing rivers–true to the brand’s “all scenarios, all powertrains, all users” guiding principle.
As delegates, we only got to drive our assigned vehicles on a specific stretch of the Yixian Off-road Base and Proving–and rightfully so, as we could no longer properly enunciate our words amidst all the shakes and bumps during the test ride. Our driver, on the other hand, joyfully pounded on the rough, rocky roads that snaked around the mountains of Baoding, like it was just another ordinary day.
What a heart-racing and exhilarating experience that was! Even veterans in the motoring beat exclaimed that the said GWM proving ground facility was probably the best they have seen in all their years in the industry. Kudos to the team behind it, and to the GWM Philippine team for letting us experience it in all its glory.
“One of our key learnings [about the Philippine market] is that product relevance and clear communication matter, even in a highly competitive market. Filipino customers are discerning and value vehicles that genuinely fit their lifestyle,” shared Dax Avenido, Brand Head of GWM Philippines.
When I test drove the Tank 300 at the facility, what I immediately noticed was how sturdy and straightforward it was as a true-blue SUV, and yet, how comfortable and cozy it was for both the driver and the passenger.
What I initially thought was impossible for me to achieve in this rare off-roading opportunity was made easy with the Tank 300: I easily crossed rocky rivers, and effortlessly glided over scattered pebbles and sandy surfaces, with only minimal prompts from my professional guide.
I do not know about you, but when I drive, I become the vehicle I am driving. The car and I feel as one: what the car feels, I feel, and vice versa. This dynamic, for me, is what makes your drive of choice of prime importance, and sometimes, the key to survival in crucial and unexpected moments.
If a car was meant to project the feeling and personality of the person behind the wheels, I definitely made a secure and confident driver with the Tank 300. All thanks to this well-engineered automobile by GWM.
“GWM vehicles are designed with confidence, comfort, and safety at the forefront, qualities that resonate strongly with female drivers and owners,” added Avenido.
I guess I am spot-on with my observation, not to mention, I am quite possibly the target market!
So, in conclusion, do I like big cars? Yes. Did I enjoy off-roading? Yes. Will I do it again? Only with a perfectly capable vehicle such as GWM and Haval.
At the end of the day, we can talk about tech and features all day. But GWM and Haval are out there to show the automotive world that the proof is in the pudding–and like me, there is no reason for you to hesitate from experiencing and believing it yourself.
