The Haval Second-Generation Dargo is a mid-size SUV by Great Wall Motor (GWM) under its Haval sub-brand. Positioned as a "3/4-scale light off-roader", it strikes a balance between urban commuting comfort and mild outdoor trail capability. Officially launched in February 2023 as the full model changeover to the original Dargo in Haval's "Dog Series", it is also the first in the line-up to feature plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology. In September 2025, the model underwent a mid-cycle facelift and was rebranded as the "Haval Dargo PLUS", featuring revised front-end styling and an updated interior.
Launched in September 2025, the 2026 Haval Dargo PLUS (the facelifted Second-Generation Dargo) is offered in three petrol variants—1.5T Chaoqu Edition, 2.0T Chaoye Edition, and 2.0T 4WD Chaoye Edition—with official retail prices ranging between RM135,800 and RM156,800. The PHEV plug-in hybrid line-up is priced from RM162,800 to RM175,800, offering electric driving ranges of 50 km and 105 km, alongside a flagship Hi4 electric 4WD variant. Key market rivals in this segment include the BYD Song Pro DM-i, Haval H6, and Jetour Traveller.
The Haval Second-Generation Dargo retains the rugged silhouette of the "Dog Series", dialing up its adventurous stance compared to its predecessor. Up front, it features a matrix-style chrome radiator grille flanked by signature round LED headlamps, which house distinctive "dog-bone" shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs) for high visual recognition. A chunky black front bumper is underscored by a silver skid plate and honeycomb intake vents on both flanks, reinforcing its tough aesthetic. The 2026 facelift replaces the grille with a prominent solid black fascia panel, retaining only a slim lower cooling aperture, complemented by larger silver "HAVAL" block lettering.
Along the flanks, squarish wheel arches and bold shoulder lines lend the SUV a planted, muscular stance, accentuated by exposed bolt-style rivets on the black overfenders for an authentic off-roader look. Sturdy aluminium roof rails come standard for added utility and adventure-ready styling. At the rear, retro-inspired circular taillamps echo the front lighting signature, mounted above a hefty rear bumper that carries the updated "GWM" badge above the number plate recess on facelifted units.
In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,705 mm in length, 1,908 mm in width, and 1,780 mm in height, riding on a 2,810 mm wheelbase. This represents an increase of 85 mm in overall length and 72 mm in wheelbase over the first-generation Dargo, firmly placing it in the mid-size SUV bracket. Off-road credentials include an unladen ground clearance of 200 mm, an approach angle of 24°, a departure angle of 30°, and a ramp breakover angle of 19°—figures that comfortably surpass mainstream urban crossovers and provide the hardware necessary for light trail driving.
Inside, the cabin blends rugged utilitarian cues with modern digital tech. The dashboard features a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster alongside a 14.6-inch floating central infotainment touchscreen, complemented on higher-spec variants by a 9-inch W-HUD head-up display. The transmission is operated via an electronic shifter, while the passenger side is fitted with a rugged reinforced grab bar (rated for pull loads up to 45 kg) for bracing over rough terrain. The centre console retains nearly 20 tactile physical switchgear buttons for intuitive blind operation. Cabin materials are plush, with soft-touch padding across the upper dash and leatherette trimming on the door panels and centre tunnel. Interior colour schemes include Black, Grey-Brown, and a more upmarket dual-tone Black-Brown option.
The Haval Second-Generation Dargo is available with three powertrain choices: 1.5T petrol, 2.0T petrol, and 1.5T PHEV. All engines run on RON 92 petrol and comply with China VI emission standards.
1.5T Petrol: Powered by a GW4B15L 1.5-litre inline-four turbocharged petrol engine outputting 135 kW (184 PS) and 275 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (7DCT) driving the front wheels. Top speed is rated at 180 km/h, with a WLTC combined fuel consumption of 7.64 L/100 km.
2.0T Petrol: Features a GW4N20A 2.0-litre Miller-cycle turbocharged four-cylinder unit producing 175 kW (238 PS) and 385 Nm of torque, mated to a 9-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (9DCT). Available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or on-demand four-wheel drive (4WD), achieving a top speed of 200 km/h. WLTC rated fuel economy stands at 7.95 L/100 km for 2WD and 8.58 L/100 km for 4WD models.
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV): Employs a dedicated 1.5T hybrid engine paired with electric drive motors through a 2-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). Available in standard FWD or the advanced Hi4 dual-motor electric 4WD configuration. The Hi4 variant pushes out a total system output of 278 kW and 750 Nm for punchy acceleration. Energy is stored in a CATL-supplied 18.74 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, delivering a pure electric range of 105 km on the NEDC cycle (102 km for Hi4) and 81 km under WLTC testing, yielding a combined cruising range exceeding 1,000 km. WLTC combined fuel consumption is rated at just 1.83 L/100 km, with battery-depleted fuel consumption sitting around 5.92 L/100 km. DC fast charging at up to 33 kW juices the battery from 30% to 80% SoC in roughly 30 minutes. A 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) power supply comes standard, capable of running outdoor camping electrical appliances for over 30 hours continuously on a full tank and full charge.
Underneath, the Second-Generation Dargo rides on a monocoque platform featuring an all-independent suspension setup with front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link layout. Professional chassis tuning strikes a fine compromise between supple on-road ride comfort and bump absorption over unpaved trails.
Petrol 4WD variants utilize an on-demand four-wheel-drive system paired with an electronically controlled mechanical dog-clutch rear axle differential lock, enhancing traction and recovery performance in deep mud, sand, and snow. The PHEV Hi4 variant is fitted with GWM's proprietary intelligent electric 4WD system, using iTVC (intelligent Torque Vectoring Control) to dynamically split torque between the front and rear axles in real time, offering surefooted grip and handling composure during hill starts, wet surfaces, and spirited cornering.
The Hi4 variant offers seven all-terrain drive modes: Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, 4WD, Mud, and Sand, catering to everything from daily city commutes to weekend trail adventures. The chassis setup is rounded off with Electric Power Steering (EPS), front and rear ventilated disc brakes, and an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold. 245/55 R19 tyres wrapped around 19-inch alloy wheels come standard on both petrol and Hi4 models.
The Haval Second-Generation Dargo is powered by GWM's in-house developed next-generation Coffee OS smart cockpit. Its intelligent voice assistant boasts a rapid 250 ms wake-up time, multi-intent continuous conversation capability, and seamless smartphone mirroring integration. The head unit supports 4G LTE telematics, OTA software updates, and an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot.
Cabin amenities and comfort features are generously specified across the range:
Seating: Powered front seats with heating and ventilation on higher trims. The rear bench offers adjustable backrest angles, a fold-down centre armrest, and integrated cup holders.
Convenience: Standard kit includes a powered tailgate with height memory, keyless entry with push-start ignition, automatic dual-zone climate control, and rear air-conditioning vents. A 50W wireless phone charging pad with dedicated active cooling vents and a cooling fan is fitted up front.
Audio: Premium trims feature a 10-speaker sound system.
Practicality & Storage: A total of 35 cabin storage cubbies are scattered throughout the interior, including elastic strap-secured bottle holders on all four door cards to hold various bottle sizes firmly in place. Luggage capacity stands at 474 litres with all seats up, expandable to 1,362 litres with the 60:40 split rear seats folded flat.
Optional lifestyle accessories for high-spec variants include integrated rear window sunshades (61% shading rate) and a detachable magnetic camping mosquito repellent light with 5 switchable lighting modes.
On the passive safety front, the Second-Generation Dargo is constructed with a submarine-grade boron steel safety cell. Critical structural members feature an ultra-high tensile strength of 2,000 MPa, delivering a torsional body rigidity of 20,352 Nm/°. Six airbags come standard across all variants (dual front, front side, and full-length curtain airbags), along with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and rear ISOFIX child-seat anchor points.
Active safety systems include ABS with EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), and Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) as standard. Higher variants add Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Rear Collision Warning (RCW).
For Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the Second-Generation Dargo offers Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The 2026 petrol range comes standard with full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Lane Centring Control (LCC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). The PHEV Hi4 grade upgrades to HWA Highway Assist with turn-signal-activated automated lane changes, and can be optioned with Highway NOH (Navigation On Highway) pilot assist capable of autonomous highway on/off-ramp navigation, merging lane avoidance, safe overtaking protection, large vehicle evasion, and split-junction guidance. A 540° panoramic camera system (combining a 360° surround-view monitor with a 180° transparent underfloor chassis view and dedicated wheel perspectives) is standard across the range to eliminate blind spots.
Since its market debut, the Haval Second-Generation Dargo has experienced a trajectory of strong initial hype followed by cooling sales momentum. While its attractive entry price of RM135,800 and generous kit list drew substantial early interest, deliveries tapered off and struggled to match the sustained high volumes of the first-gen Dargo. Market data revealed that in July 2025, the hybrid model recorded just 63 monthly registrations. This stands in contrast to its tangible on-paper improvements—the second-gen model brought notable upgrades in dimensions, powertrain choices, and technology over its predecessor while maintaining competitive pricing.
Automotive analysts attribute these sales headwinds to three main factors: first, blurred market positioning—attempting to straddle urban daily drivability and trail capability, its suspension remains biased toward soft urban comfort, leaving it slightly compromised for hardcore 4x4 enthusiasts while failing to stand out decisively against pure urban SUVs; second, internal cannibalisation—overlapping significantly in price and target audience with the Haval H6 and the original Dargo; and third, fierce competition in the NEV space—where the PHEV version faced stiff headwinds from dominant rivals like the BYD Song Pro DM-i and Song PLUS DM-i.
Owner feedback has generally praised the Second-Generation Dargo for its generous rear legroom (courtesy of the 2,810 mm wheelbase), the smooth power delivery of the 2.0T+9DCT powertrain, high equipment levels, and bold retro-modern styling. Criticisms have mostly centred on real-world petrol consumption being on the higher side compared to dedicated hybrid rivals, a raised rear centre floor tunnel that hampers middle-passenger comfort, and pure EV driving range on the PHEV that lags slightly behind the latest class benchmarks.
In summary, the Haval Second-Generation Dargo remains an honest, well-engineered "light off-roader" SUV. Armed with a long 2,810 mm wheelbase, a responsive 2.0T+9DCT powertrain, standard Level 2 ADAS suite, and an accessible entry price of RM135,800, it carves out a distinct niche in the RM150,000 SUV segment. The 2025 mid-cycle update to the "Dargo PLUS", accompanied by a cleaner front fascia and a steering column-mounted electronic gear selector, represents a concerted push to refresh its market appeal. For buyers with a budget between RM130,000 and RM180,000 seeking daily road refinement along with the rugged capability for weekend outdoor getaways, the Second-Generation Dargo stands as a value-packed proposition well worth shortlisting.
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