GWM WEY G9 HEV At RM249,800 - RM20K Less, But What's Different?

RM20,000 cheaper, no charging cable to worry about, and somehow, more torque than the pricier version?

That's the rather interesting situation with the newly introduced GWM WEY G9 Hi4 HEV.

Priced at RM249,800, the latest addition to GWM Malaysia's luxury MPV line-up undercuts the existing RM269,800 PHEV. But before you start wondering why anyone would pay more for the plug-in hybrid, there's a little more to this story.

Because while the HEV saves you RM20,000, the two versions aren't quite as similar as they might first appear.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time we've heard about the HEV. Carz previously reported that bookings opened on 12 October, when GWM had already revealed the hybrid system's output but kept the Malaysian price under wraps.

Now that the RM249,800 price and fuller equipment details are available, we can finally address the more important question: what exactly do buyers gain or give up by choosing the HEV?

RM20K Cheaper, But What's Actually Different?

Let's start with the hardware. The WEY G9 Hi4 HEV uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, paired with front and rear electric motors and a four-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). Its combined output stands at 358 PS and 782 Nm, delivered through GWM's Hi4 intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

The GWM WEY G9 Hi4 HEV comes in three exterior colours: Aurora White, Wisdom Grey and Nebula Black, all paired with a black interior and grey roof.

Now here's the interesting part. The more expensive PHEV produces 442 PS, but its claimed combined torque is lower at 642 Nm. That means the HEV has 140 Nm more combined torque, despite costing RM20,000 less. Sounds like a bargain, right? Well, not quite so fast.

The PHEV still has the upper hand in outright acceleration, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in a claimed 5.7 seconds. The HEV takes 7.5 seconds. In other words, higher combined torque doesn't automatically make the HEV the quicker vehicle.

No Plugging In, But You Give Up Electric-Only Range

For some Malaysian buyers, this could be the deciding factor. The HEV uses a relatively small 1.67 kWh battery, with the petrol engine and regenerative braking helping manage its energy needs. There's no need to connect the vehicle to an external charger. Just refuel at a petrol station and continue driving as you normally would.

The PHEV takes a different approach. Its much larger 44.2 kWh battery supports a claimed 170 km of electric-only driving under NEDC testing. That's a potentially useful advantage for owners who can charge regularly, particularly if most of their driving involves shorter daily journeys.

The PHEV also supports DC charging at up to 60 kW, with GWM claiming a 30% to 80% charging time of approximately 26 minutes.

Of course, there's an important fuel-consumption detail here too. GWM quotes just 1.2L/100 km for the PHEV under NEDC testing, but that figure rises to 6.2L/100 km at a low battery state of charge. The HEV, meanwhile, is rated at 6.5L/100 km under NEDC testing.

Those figures shouldn't be treated as a straightforward real-world comparison. The PHEV's fuel consumption depends heavily on battery charge and driving conditions, while both models' actual consumption may differ from laboratory results.

What About The First-Class Luxury?

Let's be fair. Most people shopping for a luxury MPV probably aren't obsessing over its 0-100 km/h time. They're more likely to be interested in what happens behind the front seats. And that's where the WEY G9 HEV still has plenty to offer.

Like the PHEV, it features a seven-seat 2+2+3 configuration, with individual second-row captain seats designed to provide a more comfortable passenger experience.

Those seats aren't just ordinary armchairs either. We're talking about Nappa leather upholstery, Zero Gravity seating, ventilation, massage functions and electrically adjustable leg rests.

Whether you're chauffeuring family members or simply letting someone else enjoy the best seats in the house, it's a substantial amount of comfort equipment for an MPV priced below RM250,000.

Elsewhere, the HEV retains a 14.6-inch infotainment display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 21-speaker audio system.

There's also 50W wireless charging, three-zone automatic climate control, dual powered sliding doors and a powered tailgate.

And this is still a properly large MPV. Measuring 5,050 mm long, 1,985 mm wide and 1,900 mm tall, the WEY G9 has a 3,085 mm wheelbase and luggage capacity ranging from 233 litres to 1,725 litres, depending on the seating arrangement.

For buyers regularly travelling with children, elderly parents or a full cabin of passengers, those practical details may matter more than another second shaved off the acceleration time.

So, What Do HEV Buyers Actually Lose?

Here's where we need to look beyond the price tag. Although the HEV retains much of the G9's premium equipment, some features remain exclusive to the PHEV.

The most noticeable is the 12.5-litre refrigerator with heating and cooling functions. That's a particularly nice convenience for passengers, especially on longer journeys.

The PHEV also supports 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), allowing compatible external electrical appliances to draw power from its battery.

Exclusive to the WEY G9 PHEV are a 12.5-litre hot/cold refrigerator and 3.3 kW V2L capability, both of which are not offered in the HEV.

Neither feature is listed for the HEV in GWM's Malaysian specifications.

There's also an interior colour difference. The HEV is offered with a black interior and grey roof, while the brown interior option is exclusive to the PHEV.

Are these deal-breakers? That depends on how much you value them.

But it's worth remembering that the cheaper HEV still retains the core luxury experience, particularly the second-row seating, infotainment and comfort equipment.

What About Safety?

Both WEY G9 variants come with six airbags and a comprehensive suite of Level 2 advanced driver-assistance systems. These include Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

There's also a 360-degree panoramic camera with transparent chassis view, alongside an automated parking system.

GWM says the WEY G9's suspension has been tuned for Malaysian road conditions, with a MacPherson front setup and multi-link rear suspension. Of course, these driver-assistance features are designed to support the driver, not replace attentive driving.

We've also previously explored the WEY G9's safety engineering in greater detail, including the structural protection measures highlighted by GWM for the PHEV.

RM249,800: What Does The Ownership Package Include?

The GWM WEY G9 Hi4 HEV is now available in Malaysia, priced at RM249,800 in Peninsular Malaysia. Beyond the lower entry price, GWM Malaysia has announced an ownership package covering scheduled maintenance, vehicle warranty and specified hybrid components.

GWM has also reported that the WEY G9 Hi4 PHEV has reached 2,000 deliveries nationwide, giving the company an existing customer base before the arrival of the more affordable HEV.

Whether the HEV can attract buyers who previously found the PHEV too expensive, or simply didn't want to deal with charging, remains to be seen.

So, Is The WEY G9 HEV The Smarter Buy?

Not necessarily. And that's what makes this comparison interesting. The PHEV still has a strong case, especially for owners who can charge regularly and want the option of completing everyday journeys using electricity alone.

Its larger battery, quicker acceleration and selected exclusive equipment are meaningful advantages, not just numbers on a brochure.

But the HEV removes one potential complication from the ownership equation while retaining much of the luxury equipment that makes the G9 appealing in the first place.

For buyers without convenient charging, that simpler approach could be worth more than the PHEV's additional capabilities.

And that leaves Malaysian buyers with a rather interesting RM20,000 question:

Would you rather save the money and forget about plugging in, or pay extra for the flexibility of a plug-in hybrid?