Some niches apparently turn out to be goldmines. Defender-inspired SUVs at crossover money initially looked to be a minor attraction in South Africa until the Jetour T2 cracked the top 10 within months of launching.
GWM wasn’t about to sit that one out, and now the new Haval H7 replaces the Big Dog-based model that arrived in 2025 and never quite found its fan base. While it bears the same name, it’s a different car that is now longer, boxier, and for the first time, available as a plug-in hybrid. It starts at R554,900, roughly R47,000 less than the old car’s launch price, and we headed to Cape Town to drive it.
Is it a looker?
We think so. The new H7 follows the square recipe that locals are fond of. If the old H7 didn’t appeal to you, this one might with its roof rails, 19-inch black alloys, and chunky wheel-arch mouldings. The nose also looks somewhat familiar… The rear has a full-size spare on the tailgate and neat vertical taillights. You immediately see what GWM is gunning for, but more on that shortly. For now, though, it’s a design that works considering the target market.
What’s the interior like?
It’s the familiar big-screen setup. There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 15.6-inch touchscreen, plus a 9-inch head-up display. The system is intuitive, and not once did I find myself digging through submenus for a setting. Most functions live in the infotainment, but GWM has physical controls for the things you use on the move, such as climate control and the drive-mode selector. There’s also a 50W wireless charger.
The cabin has the adventurous buyer in mind. There’s a handlebar on the passenger side of the dashboard, 43 individual storage points, and USB ports front and rear. Build quality is spot on, and Chinese brands deserve credit for how far they’ve come in a relatively short time. Soft-touch materials cover the main touchpoints, and nothing feels cheap. A panoramic roof is standard across the range, as are three-level heated and ventilated front seats.
Space race
Against the Jetour T2, the H7 is close in size. At 4,800mm long, it edges the T2’s (4,785mm), while the T2 is wider at 2,006mm to the H7’s 1,950mm. Cabin space is generous, and rear passengers won’t complain either.
In the boot, the H7 offers 586 litres with the rear seats up and 1,404 litres with them folded. The T2, meanwhile, claims 580 and 1,494 litres, so it’s marginally better for bulky loads. Payload is where the H7 is stronger with GWM claiming 500kg across the range. The T2 was originally rated far lower, though Jetour has since revised it to 475kg after independent weighing, which closes most of the gap.
How’s the H7’s range?
The H7 range is fairly streamlined with six derivatives, two engines (a 2.0-litre turbo and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol), with the 2.0-litre fitted to the entry-level Super Luxury 4×2, plus the Ultra Luxury in 4×2 and 4×4. The 1.5-litre is hybridised as the HEV Super Luxury 4×2 and as a plug-in hybrid in the Super Luxury 4×2 and Ultra Luxury 4×4.
The 2.0-litre makes 170kW and 380Nm through a 9-speed DCT transmission. GWM claims 0-100km/h in 9 seconds for the 4×2 and 8.6 seconds for the 4×4, which is quite respectable. The 1.5 HEV pairs the engine with a 2-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) for 182kW and 540Nm, good for the same 8.6-second sprint. GWM claims 5.3l/100km.
But the PHEVs are the stars. The 4×2 makes a combined 240kW and 540Nm, gets to 100km/h in 8.4 seconds and claims 130km of electric range. The Hi4 4×4 adds a 150kW rear motor for 280kW and 670Nm, a claimed 115km of EV range, and a 5.8-second 0-100km/h time. This is impressive performance for a family SUV. Both PHEVs offer up to 6kW of vehicle-to-load, so you can run external equipment off the car, which is ideal for camping.
Towing? The H7 petrol is rated to 2,000kg braked, 400kg more than the Jetour T2 2.0T 4WD. The electrified H7s are rated at 1,500kg, 100kg less than the T2 PHEV’s 1,600kg.
How does it drive?
On Cape Town’s mountain passes, the HEV proved comfortable, with enough power for overtaking and climbing. The ride smooths out undulations well, and this feels like the sweet spot within the range. The catch is that it only comes in 4×2. Want a 4×4? It’s the 2.0T or the PHEV for now.
Our drive also included a short gravel stint. It’s no Prado or Fortuner, what with being more of a lifestyle SUV than a serious off-roader, but the 4×4 versions, which we didn’t properly test, have a locking rear diff and 210mm of ground clearance for the odd detour off the tarmac.
There was one letdown. At one point the HEV hesitated and refused to accelerate before suddenly biting and going. Over lunch I asked fellow journalists whether they’d experienced the same in the HEV, and they had. Of the two derivatives I drove, the problem seems to be isolated to the HEV. The PHEV 4×4 never hesitated, and the 2.0T wasn’t available on the launch route, so I can’t speak for that. A software or throttle recalibration might fix it, though…
The plug-in hybrid is an excellent product. It’s refined on the road, the electric range is a real asset, and its road manners are good, and if the going gets tough, the off-road modes should come in handy. My one gripe is the tailgate-mounted spare, which eats into rear visibility, as I’d have mounted it lower.
Verdict
First impressions are positive. The H7 has the looks, space, and versatility to be a strong market competitor, and with six derivatives, there’s an H7 to suit most budgets shopping in this segment. For me, the HEV makes the most sense as an everyday SUV, while the PHEV adds useful electric range. It isn’t a hardcore off-roader, and the HEV’s hesitation needs looking into, but GWM has a convincing alternative to the Jetour T2 on its hands.
It remains to be seen whether it can match the T2’s sales success, but for now, it has earned its place on the shortlist.
Pricing
- 2.0T SUPER LUXURY 4X2 9DCT: R554,900
- 2.0T ULTRA LUXURY 4X2 9DCT: R594,900
- 2.0T ULTRA LUXURY 4×4 9DCT: R654,900
- 1.5T HEV SUPER LUXURY 4×2 DHT: R624,900
- 1.5T PHEV SUPER LUXURY 4×2 DHT: R734,900
- 1.5T PHEV ULTRA LUXURY 4×4 DHT: R794,900
