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

Mercedes-Benz GLA45

$49,900 - $76,868

2021 price

View pricing & specs

GWM Haval H7

$45,490 - $45,490

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA45

2026 GWM Haval H7

By Tung Nguyen

By Chris Thompson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

—

Fuel Efficiency

9.6L/100km (combined)

5.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Ballistic performance
Livable ride comfort
Exhaust noise

Ease of use
Peppy drivetrain
Solid features list

Dislikes

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

Divisive design
Compromised boot
No AWD variant

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.

View full pricing & specs

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?

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 2026 GWM Haval H7

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.

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.

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

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

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