GWM’s new H7 SUV has been launched in South Africa, giving us a glimpse at what to expect ahead of its Australian launch later this year.
Launched in Luxury and Super trims, the Haval H7 will have a starting price of 601,950 Rand (A$51,777) in South Africa for the base front-wheel drive variant, rising to 670,950 Rand ($57,796) for the top-spec, all-wheel drive version.
We expect a circa $45,000 starting price in Australia given that most GWM models – such as the Haval Jolion, Haval H6 and GWM Cannon Ute – start at least a few thousand dollars less locally than they do in South Africa.
As previously revealed in homologation filings, the Haval H7 will have the choice of 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 170kW/380Nm, with an 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid (179kW/530Nm) expected to follow after.
All-wheel drive variants will carry an electronically-locking rear differential, Hill Descent Assist, nine drive modes (including Sand, Snow, Mud, Gravel and Grass), while minimum ground clearance is quoted at 200mm across the range.
For comparison, the larger Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander both possess a ground clearance of 205mm, while a the H7 exceeds both models on approach, departure and break-over angles at 24, 30 and 20 degrees, respectively.
It even trumps all Isuzu MU-X on variants on departure, while only exceeding 1.9-litre LS-U and LS-M variants on approach. The H7 still falls short of meeting the MU-X on break-over across the range, though.
On the front axle of the H7 you can expect strut suspension, while the rear axle gets multi-link independent suspension. 19-inch alloys come standard and are wrapped in 235/60 R19 Kumho Crugen HP-71 tyres.
.jpg)
Inside, the H7 will carry an enormous 14.6-inch multimedia display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, an eight-speaker sound system, a heated steering wheel and a fold-out dining table.
Those features are expected to arrive standard, while the top-spec version will add genuine leather seats (up from synthetic leather), a hands-free electronic tailgate, a 50W wireless charging pad and vanity mirrors with in-built lighting.
_0.jpg)
It also adds Off-Road Cruise Control and Off-Road ‘Expert’ Mode.
Safety features are comprehensive with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Warning with Lane-Change Assist and a surround-view camera with top-down and 540-degree views all coming standard.
The H7 is expected to sport a very similar spec sheet to the South African model once it arrives in Australia in the second half of 2025, though it is yet to be confirmed.