The market is so saturated with SUVs that it’s getting harder to tell them apart. But every now and then, an SUV like the GWM Haval H7 comes along and does things differently, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.
Photo: Jaco van der Merwe
With its square front end and round headlights, rounded rear, and extended wheel arches with square mouldings, the Haval H7 stands out from anything else in the GWM stable, and most others, too.
Its design is more rugged than that of its Haval siblings, the Jolion and H6, yet less rugged and retro than the GWM Tank 300 under which it slots. And while the Tank 300 and 500 are ladder-frame SUVs, the H7 is the Chinese brand’s flagship unibody SUV.
We recently sampled the H7 in 2.0T 4WD Super Luxury guise, the only derivative in the line-up that offers all-wheel drive, a system that does not come with a low-range transfer case. It does feature an electronic locking rear differential, five dedicated off-road modes, off-road cruise control, and Comfort, Eco, and Sport driving modes.
Plenty of power
Power comes from the 2,0ℓ T-GDI petrol engine that we recently tested in the Haval H6 for the first time. The blown four-pot mill produces a very healthy 170kW of power and 380Nm of torque and is paired with a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission.
What we enjoyed in the Haval H7 is that the all-wheel-drive system negates the wheelspin we experienced in the front-wheel-drive H6. With the generous power on offer, the latter’s sensitive throttle sent too much twist down to the wheels during hard acceleration. The H7’s throttle calibration isn’t perfect either, but one less problem is already a win.
GWM claims the H7 will sip 9,1ℓ/100km, but we have our doubts about that. We couldn’t keep it below 12ℓ/100km, a number that rose further in heavy traffic.
Retro style works like charm
While we thought the designers could’ve carried the square styling through to the rear, we really liked the front. The retro upright grille and round headlights blend in well with the modern grille finish. The aluminium bolts holding the black wheel arch mouldings in place also work well alongside the 19” alloys.
The theme continues inside where rugged elements blend in with otherwise very plush finishing. One of the highlights is the aircraft-style gear lever straight out of the Tank 300.
The usual huge 14,6” infotainment system takes centre stage, alongside a 12,3” digital instrument cluster. A feature we thought worked well in the overall theme is the old-school linear gear indicator on the top strip of the instrument cluster, which you see above the steering wheel.
Creature comfort galore
The list of specifications is enormous on the Haval H7 Super Luxury. It comes standard with a hands-free electric tailgate, panoramic sunroof, leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charger, push-button start, ambient lighting, head-up display, eight-speaker DTS sound system, auto high-beam assist LED headlights, keyless entry, and dual-zone climate control.
The list of safety systems is almost longer than the creature comforts, ranging from six airbags and a 540° surround-view camera system to lane departure warning and reverse automatic braking.
We didn’t take the Haval H7 off-road, as we reckon most of them will spend their lives in the concrete jungle. And while it is no doubt equipped to get down and dirty, its wheels are just too fancy for serious stuff. Therefore, we think it’ll be regarded as more of a softer-roader, even though customer feedback indicates it is extremely capable off the beaten track.
What’s the verdict?
As is customary with Chinese manufacturers, the price is another huge drawcard. At R674 950, the GWM Haval H7 2.0T 4WD Super Luxury is a compelling package. It is a fully specced, family-sized SUV that’s as safe as houses, offers plenty of power, and has the skills to hit the gravel on occasion. On top of this, its unique styling is likely to be a major draw.
Vehicle fast facts
GWM Haval H7 2.0T 4WD Super Luxury
- Engine: 2ℓ turbo-petrol
- Transmission: nine-speed automated dual-clutch
- Power: 170kW at 6 000rpm
- Torque: 310Nm at 1 700rpm to 4 000rpm
- Fuel consumption (tested): 12,2ℓ/100km
- Gross weight: 2 320kg
- Price: R 674 950
