The Haval H7 is on sale in four versions down under, split between two hybrid options and two plug-in hybrids, with prices starting from $46,990 – or $45,990 if you take advantage of the launch discount. Both grades, the Lux and Vanta, will come with all-wheel drive as standard.

The hybrid versions of the mid-size SUV will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-litre petrol engine and e-motors at the front and rear. The latter will run off a 1.53kWh battery and combined outputs are 182kW and a handy 670Nm, with claimed fuel consumption of 7.0L/100km and a 0-100km/h time of seven seconds flat. 

3

PHEV versions will combine the 1.5-litre turbo mill with a front e-motor making 80k and a 150kW rear e-motor for a combined 320kW and 670Nm, with WLTP-rated fuel consumption rated at 0.9L/100km. Those H7s also get vehicle-to-load functionality.

Putting aside the $1000 launch discount – which runs until November 30 and applies to the Lux level only – the H7 Lux hybrid is the most affordable at $46,990, with the Lux PHEV coming in at $50,990 driveaway. The more luxurious Vanta versions will cost $49,990 driveaway in hybrid form, rising to the top figure of $53,990 for the Vanta PHEV.

The latter option comes with a larger 33.7kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a claimed 0-100km/h time of just 4.9 seconds, with a claimed WLTP combined range of up to 844km, and electric-only range of 137km. It also supports AC home charging at 6.6kW and DC fast charging at 50kW.

Leather-look upholstery, 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors and a 15.6-inch touchscreen headline the standard features, which also include an eight-speaker audio system and wireless phone charger.

Silver Haval H7 SUV parked on a rocky shoreline at sunset with water in the background.
6

Upgrade to the Vanta-level hybrid and the extras include two additional speakers, a heated steering wheel, eight-way adjustable electric driver’s seat, ambient lighting, head-up display, and rear privacy glass. 

Instead of adopting the rounded and aero-focused shapes seen on many new SUVs, the H7 is more traditional with an upright profile, squared-off body and rugged exterior detailing. That all adds up to a starkly different appearance to the H6, and there’s a spare tyre mounted to the tailgate, too. 

A locking rear diff is standard across the range, as are the eight selectable driving modes. GWM’s latest Coffee operating system runs the tech through the digital interface, and GWM says the Haval “introduces a more rugged, adventure-focused alternative” in the super-competitive market segment.