We forget how far the Korean brands have come in the last ten years – today Hyundai is our third best seller, Kia in position 8 – in a highly competitive marketplace they’ve gone from strength to strength. So give a thought to the Chinese brands, today selling in very small numbers but gaining momentum – I’ve recently driven LDV’s T60 ute, MG’s ZS SUV, yes, its Chinese owned today, and last week I tested Haval’s flagship H9 Ultra SUV. All warrant merit and the Chinese listen to criticism and respond quickly and the 2018 model has been updated The six-seat Haval H9 Ultra I tested is the burger with the works – $6,000 cheaper to its 2016 launch price, now $45,990 drive-away – a six-seat 4WD it features a 2.0- litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with 350 Nm of torque, now linked to an 8-eight speed ZF automatic transmission. As I said, equipment is high-spec considering its mid-spec price. A silky driver I managed to match the 10.9L/100 stated economy figure however it does require 95 RON fuel. The Haval H9 Ultra has a swing rear door and the individual third row seats are power operated. Off-roading and low range comes via a Borg-Warner transfer case and rear diff lock – the equipment level is amazing and good quality, so too body fit and paint quality – downside is just one dealer at Lansvale but if you want to save money on a six- seat 4WD its worthy of the drive. I’m David Berthon

Download this podcast here