GWM Haval H7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA45
What's the difference?

GWM Haval H7

$45,490 - $45,490

2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz GLA45

$49,900 - $76,868

2021 price

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Summary

2026 GWM Haval H7

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA45

By Chris Thompson

By Tung Nguyen

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

—

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.7L/100km (combined)

9.6L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Ease of use
Peppy drivetrain
Solid features list

Ballistic performance
Livable ride comfort
Exhaust noise

Dislikes

Divisive design
Compromised boot
No AWD variant

Very expensive
No drift mode
USB ports are all Type-C

2026 GWM Haval H7 Summary

Another new mid-size SUV from China has landed in Australia, but this time from a brand you might already be familiar with.

The GWM Haval H7 is the third Haval-badged SUV to land in Australia built on the unfortunately-named LEMON platform, following the Jolion small SUV and the H6 mid-size SUV.

Speaking of unfortunate names, 'H7' seems a little dull when you consider its native name in China is ‘Big Dog’.

GWM says the H7 lands between the family-friendly H6 and the more rugged Tank 300, but with only a single front-wheel-drive variant available, is this dog more bark than bite?

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2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 Summary

You have to feel a bit sorry for the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S. After all, it shares the same platform and engine as the A 45 S and CLA 45 S, but gets none of the limelight.

Maybe it’s because it’s a small SUV, and by virtue of pure physics, it will never be as fast or fun as its two cousins.

But what it does offer is practicality, thanks to a larger boot and comfort, due to its increased suspension travel.

Wouldn’t this make it a better buy then?

We spend some time behind the wheel of the second-generation Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S to see if can truly have its cake, and eat it too.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 GWM Haval H7 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA45

Verdict

The H7 might struggle to secure a big chunk of the mid-size SUV market, which is probably why GWM is only offering one variant, but if you like the way this Big Dog looks, there’s a decent SUV underneath the boxy surface.

While it’s no dynamic masterpiece, there are no big issues in day-to-day driving, and even though the boot space is small it’s an otherwise decent interior to live with, if you don’t mind the busy design.

Being just a little more expensive than the more traditional looking H6 means the H7 feels well-placed to find itself in the driveway of those few buyers who want their family car to look a little more rugged, even if the car doesn’t have the off-road chops to back it up.

Verdict

A performance SUV should be an oxymoron and is no doubt a niche product. Is it a high-riding hot hatch? Or a mega-potent small SUV?

Turns out the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a bit of both and delivers the thrills of a performance car without any of the packaging or comfort-related issues.

While it is getting a little expensive at over $100,000, its blend of space and pace is hard to beat.

GWM Haval H7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA45 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

GWM Haval H7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA45
What's the difference?