The 2026 Haval Menglong Plus is GWM’s most aggressive answer yet to BYD’s dominance in the Chinese affordable PHEV SUV segment — not a refresh of the standard 2024 Haval Menglong, but a larger, more powerful, more luxurious sibling that slots above it in the lineup. Pre-sales opened April 18, 2026 with three trims starting at ¥189,800 ($27,800), climbing to ¥215,800 ($31,600) for the top 255 Ultra Navigator Edition. Headline tech: GWM’s second-generation Hi4 intelligent AWD platform with a P2+P4 dual-motor architecture (front + rear electric motors paired with a 1.5T petrol engine), combined system output of 330 kW (448 hp) and 660 Nm, 0-100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, and a 255 km CLTC EV-only range from the 44.7 kWh Blade-style LFP battery. Combined CLTC range exceeds 1,000 km. The top Navigator trim adds roof-mounted LiDAR + Coffee Pilot Plus ADAS, making the Menglong Plus the most affordable LiDAR-equipped Defender-style PHEV SUV currently in production globally.
Performance & Specs
The Menglong Plus uses GWM’s newest Hi4 2nd-generation PHEV architecture: a 1.5T turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two electric motors in a P2+P4 layout (motor between the engine and the front axle + rear-axle motor) for genuine electronic AWD across all trims — there is no FWD-only variant. Total system output is 330 kW (448 hp) and 660 Nm of torque, propelling the boxy Defender-style 5-or-7-seater from 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds. The lower 195 trims use a 23.7 kWh LFP battery for 195 km of EV-only CLTC range, while the top 255 Ultra Navigator trim upgrades to a 44.7 kWh LFP pack for 255 km of EV-only CLTC range. Combined CLTC range (battery + petrol tank) exceeds 1,000 km. Electric consumption is rated at 21.4 kWh/100 km in pure-EV mode.
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | PHEV Hi4 2nd-gen Electronic AWD (P2+P4 dual-motor) |
|---|---|
| SYSTEM POWER | 448 hp (330 kW) |
| SYSTEM TORQUE | 660 Nm |
| 0-100 KM/H | 5.8 s |
| TOP SPEED | ~190 km/h (per reviewer) |
| BATTERY (195 TRIMS) | 23.7 kWh LFP |
| BATTERY (255 ULTRA) | 44.7 kWh LFP |
| EV-ONLY RANGE | 195 km (195 trims) / 255 km (255 Ultra) CLTC |
| COMBINED RANGE | >1,000 km (CLTC) |
| ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION | 21.4 kWh/100 km |
| ENGINE | 1.5T 4-cylinder petrol |
Dimensions & Off-Road Capability
| Length | 4,912 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,905 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm |
| Ground clearance | 221 mm |
| Wading depth | 580 mm |
At 4,912 mm long on a 2,850 mm wheelbase, the Menglong Plus is meaningfully larger than the standard 4,800 mm Haval Menglong it accompanies in the lineup — positioning the Plus closer to the BYD Fang Cheng Bao 5 (4,890 mm) in dimensional class. The exterior is intentionally rugged: tall vertical greenhouse, squared-off body panels, tailgate-mounted full-size spare wheel on side-opening tailgate, full-width LED daytime running light bar across the front fascia, and chunky external bumpers with integrated skid plates. The reviewer’s walkaround unit is finished in gloss black with body-color cladding and 19-inch alloys wrapped in Chaoyang tires. Ground clearance is 221 mm with 580 mm wading depth, and Navigator trims add an electronically-controlled rear differential lock plus crawl mode and steering-assist for serious off-road use. Cargo measures approximately 669 liters with the rear bench up and expands to roughly 1,700 liters with the second row folded (per reviewer’s on-camera measurement). The 55-liter petrol tank uses 92-octane fuel with extender-mode consumption rated at approximately 6.2 L/100 km.
| LENGTH | 4,912 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,950 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,905 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 2,850 mm |
| GROUND CLEARANCE | 221 mm |
| WADING DEPTH | 580 mm |
| CARGO VOLUME | 669 L (1,700 L seats folded) |
| FRUNK | None (1.5T engine occupies) |
| SEATING | 5 or 7 (optional 3rd row) |
| WHEELS / TIRES | 19″ / 255/60 R19 Chaoyang (per reviewer) |
| FUEL TANK | 55 L |
Charging & Battery
The Menglong Plus uses GWM’s LFP battery chemistry across both pack sizes — the 23.7 kWh pack on the 195 Max and 195 Max Navigator trims, and the larger 44.7 kWh pack on the 255 Ultra Navigator. AC charging on the 7 kW onboard charger replenishes the smaller pack in approximately 3 hours; the larger 44.7 kWh pack takes 4-5 hours. DC fast charging is supported, with the reviewer reporting a 15-20 minute top-up to 80% on a compatible station — precise peak charging speed has not been officially disclosed by GWM. Combined CLTC range exceeds 1,000 km via the 55-liter petrol tank, with the reviewer specifically citing 6.2 L/100 km extender-mode fuel consumption after the battery is depleted.
| BATTERY (195 TRIMS) | 23.7 kWh LFP |
|---|---|
| BATTERY (255 ULTRA) | 44.7 kWh LFP |
| AC CHARGING | 7 kW |
| DC FAST CHARGING | 30-80% in ~15-20 min |
| AC FULL CHARGE (23.7 kWh) | ~3 hours |
| AC FULL CHARGE (44.7 kWh) | ~4-5 hours |
| FUEL TANK | 55 L |
| FUEL ECONOMY | ~6.2 L/100 km (extender mode) |
Design & Interior
The Menglong Plus exterior commits fully to the Defender-style boxy off-road aesthetic: tall vertical greenhouse with chrome-trimmed side windows, full-width connected LED daytime running light bar across the front with the integrated “HAVAL” wordmark badge, vertical LED headlight clusters, and the tailgate-mounted full-size spare wheel cover with body-color trim. The reviewer specifically notes the new green LED ADAS-engaged status light in the side mirrors and front fascia — signaling to drivers behind that the car is in autonomous-driving mode (a convention now shared with Lixiang and Avatr products). Inside, the cabin uses a cream/beige Nappa leather two-tone treatment with horizontal stitching detail, soft-touch dashboard with leather wrap, and ambient lighting strips across the cabin. The reviewer’s walkaround confirms a large panoramic glass roof, dual cupholders with cross-grip retainers, integrated rear refrigerator in the armrest console, and a HUD (head-up display) projecting onto the windshield. The triple-screen dashboard features a floating central touchscreen, a full-LCD driver instrument cluster, and the optional HUD.
Technology & Features
The Menglong Plus runs GWM’s Coffee OS 3.0 cockpit on a likely Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 SoC (chip identification not officially disclosed by GWM). The infotainment system includes a floating central touchscreen, full-LCD driver instrument cluster, HUD on Navigator trims, voice assistant with multi-zone command parsing, and OTA software updates. The reviewer specifically confirms full English-language UI at launch — a critical feature for export buyers and a relatively rare offering at this price point from GWM. Standard equipment also includes dual-pad wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless support, dual front cupholders with retainer arms, integrated rear refrigerator (Navigator trims), and a large panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade.
Safety & ADAS
| ADAS LEVEL | L2+ (GWM Coffee Pilot Plus on Navigator trims) |
|---|---|
| LiDAR | 1 × roof-mounted (Navigator trims only) |
| RADARS | Multiple mmWave (count TBA) |
| CAMERAS | Multiple HD + 360-degree surround |
| ADAS FEATURES | Highway NOA, Urban NOA, Auto Park, AEB, ACC, LKA, BSM, RCTA, 360° camera, off-road transparent chassis |
The Menglong Plus Navigator trims ship with GWM’s newest Coffee Pilot Plus ADAS stack featuring a roof-mounted LiDAR unit — making it the most affordable LiDAR-equipped Defender-style PHEV SUV currently in production globally. The system supports Highway + Urban NOA (Navigate-on-Autopilot), full automated parking with route memory, AEB up to 130 km/h with vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree surround camera with off-road transparent-chassis view. The lower 195 Max trim (non-Navigator) gets a basic L2 system without LiDAR. The reviewer’s walkaround unit clearly shows the cyan-green ADAS-engaged status light operational on the side mirrors and front fascia.
Available Versions
| VERSION | BATTERY | EV / COMBINED RANGE | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 195 Max | 23.7 kWh LFP | 195 km / >1,000 km | $27,800 | Entry trim, basic L2 ADAS (no LiDAR) |
| 195 Max Navigator Edition | 23.7 kWh LFP | 195 km / >1,000 km | $29,200 | + Coffee Pilot Plus + LiDAR + Highway/Urban NOA + diff lock |
| 255 Ultra Navigator Edition | 44.7 kWh LFP | 255 km / >1,000 km | $31,600 | Top trim: largest battery, longest EV range, full feature kit |
Pricing & Availability
The 2026 Haval Menglong Plus PHEV opened pre-sales on April 18, 2026 with three trims spanning ¥189,800 to ¥215,800 ($27,800-$31,600). Note: the YouTube reviewer’s “$23,800 entry” pricing appears to reference a post-incentive or trade-in promotional figure — the actual official pre-sale floor is ¥189,800 ($27,800) per CarNewsChina and MotorSpec. Full retail launch and deliveries begin Q2-Q3 2026 in mainland China. Export markets are following: Philippines listings via Carmudi/Zigwheels are already live, with Australia and Middle East distribution planned through 2026-2027. GWM has been an established export player for Haval products through dealer networks in Russia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico, so the Menglong Plus is positioned for relatively rapid international rollout vs newer Chinese brands.
How It Compares
The Menglong Plus occupies a specific niche that doesn’t have direct equivalents in BYD or Geely’s current lineups: Defender-style boxy off-road body + AWD + LiDAR-equipped ADAS at sub-$32,000. The closest BYD product is the Leopard 5 sibling at $37,800 entry — $10,000 more expensive and a step up in body-on-frame chassis architecture. The BYD Song Pro DM-i and Geely Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i are priced 40-60% lower than the Menglong Plus but use FWD-only platforms with weaker power output, no LiDAR, and conventional crossover body shapes — not the Defender-style off-road aesthetic. For Chinese buyers specifically wanting boxy off-road styling + AWD + Coffee Pilot Plus LiDAR ADAS at sub-$32k, the Menglong Plus is the cheapest entry into that combination of attributes.
- Cheapest LiDAR-equipped Defender-style PHEV SUV currently in production at $29,200 entry (Navigator trim)
- 448 hp Hi4 dual-motor AWD with 5.8 s 0-100 — segment-leading performance
- 255 km pure-EV CLTC range from 44.7 kWh LFP (top trim) covers full-week commuting without burning fuel
- 5 or 7-seat configuration option (standard Menglong is 5-seat only)
- 221 mm ground clearance + 580 mm wading + rear differential lock + crawl mode
- Coffee Pilot Plus with Highway + Urban NOA on LiDAR-equipped trims
- Full English-language UI confirmed at launch
- Priced 60-90% higher than BYD Song Pro DM-i / Geely Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i rivals
- 23.7 kWh battery on entry trims is small — 195 km EV range may force frequent recharging
- No frunk — 1.5T engine and dual-motor electronics occupy front compartment
- Cargo volume, exact tire size, top speed, approach/departure angles officially TBA at pre-sale stage
- GWM’s direct export policy for new Haval products historically slower than BYD or Chery
- ~190 km/h top speed per reviewer lower than performance-oriented PHEV rivals
The 2026 Haval Menglong Plus PHEV is GWM’s most credible attempt yet to recover sub-$35,000 Chinese PHEV SUV share from BYD’s dominant Song Pro DM-i and Geely’s Galaxy Starship 7 lineup. By positioning the Plus as a premium step-up from the standard Menglong — with Defender-style boxy off-road styling, Hi4 dual-motor AWD across all trims, optional LiDAR-equipped Coffee Pilot Plus ADAS, and 7-seat practicality — GWM avoids competing directly on BYD’s aggressive sub-$20,000 pricing and instead targets buyers who specifically want the rugged aesthetic + AWD + tech content combination that BYD doesn’t offer below the $37,800 Leopard 5 sibling. The compromises — pricing 60-90% higher than direct mass-market rivals, modest 23.7 kWh entry battery, several pre-sale spec gaps to be confirmed at full launch — are exactly the trade-offs you’d expect for a positioning-driven model. For Chinese buyers shopping the BYD Leopard 5 segment but wanting to save $10,000 while retaining most of the off-road capability + LiDAR ADAS, the Menglong Plus 255 Ultra Navigator at $31,600 is now the clear value pick.
