Revamped GWM Haval H7 Hybrid Assessment: Aggressive, Engaging, and Powerful SUV Offers Competitive Edge Against Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage

The Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) has entered the Australian market with its latest offering, the GWM Haval H7. This mid-size SUV, available as a hybrid model known as the H7 Vanta HEV, promises to compete with popular mid-size SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester.

Exterior Design

The Haval H7 boasts a more aggressive and squarer appearance compared to its key rivals. Black features, including the grille, light surrounds, badging, and parts of the wheels, as well as prominent wheel arch flares with exposed bolts that are also black, give the H7 a bold and imposing look.

Interior and Technology

Stepping inside, the Haval H7's cabin has a look-at-me chunkiness. The infotainment screen sits high on the bold dash, and air vents curl up in either corner, adding presence. However, the cabin lacks physical buttons, including a volume dial, which some users might find inconvenient.

The Haval H7 is equipped with a larger digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch central infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, partial leather trim, side blinds in the rear, smart key entry, ambient lighting, dual-zone ventilation, power adjustable front seats, powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, and a swag of driver assist systems.

Performance and Driving Experience

The Haval H7's hybrid system pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine with an electric motor, producing a combined output of 179kW and 530Nm. During initial acceleration, the hybrid system favors the electric side, providing decent pulling power. However, the throttle response is dulled down, causing a delay in full power delivery.

The Haval H7's driving experience is not as inspiring as some might hope. The steering is light and lifeless, the suspension is cushy, and the SUV tends to spin its inside wheel. Additionally, the driver assistance systems are too eager to alert and can occasionally jerk the steering wheel.

Practicality and Economy

Despite these shortcomings, the Haval H7 offers practicality with generous headroom throughout and plenty of knee space for those in the rear. It also has a floating centre console and big door pockets with elasticized bands to prevent water bottles from rattling around.

The Haval H7 did not meet the claimed 5.7 litres per 100km fuel consumption, but it was still impressively economical, typically hovering around 7L/100km.

Price and Availability

The Haval H7 comes in one flavor, known as Vanta, and is exclusively a hybrid model driving only the front wheels. It has a drive-away price tag of $46,990. The Haval H7 is slightly larger than the Haval H6, being 22mm wider and 72mm longer.

In conclusion, the GWM Haval H7 offers a unique blend of style, technology, and practicality in a mid-size hybrid SUV package. While it may not deliver a thrilling driving experience, its practicality, economy, and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for those in the market for a hybrid SUV.

Revamped GWM Haval H7 Hybrid Assessment: Aggressive, Engaging, and Powerful SUV Offers Competitive Edge Against Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage