New tough looking SUV coming from Haval: 2025 Haval H7 also known as Big Dog coming to Australia to battle Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Jeep Compass

Haval’s latest rugged looking SUV is headed our way.

The Chinese brand's plan to launch the H7 has been revealed in homologation documents lodged with the federal government, which is a necessary step for cars to be approved for sale.

The brand's local outfit said the H7 isn't confirmed for sale but it is a chance and the business case needs to stack up before it can be locked in.

Details are light on, but it can be revealed the H7 uses hybrid power combining a petrol engine making 110kW and a 130kW electric motor combining for 179kW.

This is the same output as in the more conventionally styled Haval H6 mid-size SUV, which means you’ll likely find a 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor under the bonnet of the H7.

The H7 is called the Big Dog in China, but it appears the brand’s local outfit have gone for a more traditional name.

The H7 is a similar size to the current H6, but features more rugged styling. The H7 sold overseas has big flared wheel arches, heavy-duty cladding around the body and a chunky, square-jawed front end with retro-cool circle headlights and a prominent grill.

There are plenty of body creases all over and big blocky H-A-V-A-L lettering on the rear end.

The brand’s local marketing and communications boss, Steve Maciver, hinted earlier this year that the H7 might be on the cards for Australia.

He said there’s a “niche” opportunity for a more capable alternative to the H6, and while the model overlap was “too much four years ago” the success of Haval’s range could provide more room for its line-up to grow.

There is also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version available overseas.

It uses the brand’s new Hi4-T all-wheel drive set-up that uses a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with two electric motor to produce a whopping 240kW and 530Nm. It can travel up to 105km on electric power alone.

The PHEV Big Dog gets the brand’s new massive 14.6-inch multimedia screen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, alongside other interior upgrades and hardware seen in other upcoming Haval products.

Initially it seems the hybrid version is the sole option for Australia but the plug-in hybrid could be ont he cards int eh future with the federal government’s impending New vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) coming into effect shortly.

The NVES will penalise car makers for every gram of CO2 per kilometre their vehicles produce over a certain limit. This limit lowers every year.

Maciver indicated to CarsGuide earlier this  year the brand would add more plug-in hybrids to its local line-up.

“NVES is a big reason for plug-in vehicles going forward — we need more EVs and PHEVs — HEVs are not enough.”