2025 GWM Haval H7 hybrid Review: Mean, keen and muscly SUV is a tempting alternative to the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage

August 30, 2025August 29, 2025 Toby Hagon 2789 Views GWM, Haval H7, hybrid

GWM has expanded its SUV line-up with the arrival of the mid-sized H7.

Known as the Big Dog in the Chinese market, it sticks to a less polarising alphanumeric combo – H7 – down under.

It’s slightly larger than the Haval H6 – 22mm wider and noticeably taller – and has a wheelbase that stretches 72mm longer.

Its road presence is also bolder thanks to its squarer edges and more aggressive details, something that gives it an aesthetic edge against key rivals, including the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-Trail.

Instead of lashings of chrome highlights, as has been bowled up by previous Havals, the H7 has a more sinister look with black features, including its grille, light surrounds, badging and parts of the wheels. The prominent wheel arch flares with exposed bolts are also black.

Back in black: From the grille to the wheel aches there are stylish black highlights on the GWM Haval H7.

Beneath the skin it shares plenty with the H6, including its hybrid drivetrain.

GWM Haval H7 price and equipment

The Haval H7 comes in one flavour, known as Vanta. And for now, it’s exclusively a hybrid driving only the front wheels.

While you pay more than the equivalent H6, the H7’s $46,990 drive-away price tag is still super-sharp.

The hybrid system pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine with an electric motor. Claimed combined outputs are 179kW and 530Nm.

It picks up loads of gear, including a larger (12.3-inch) digital instrument cluster.

There’s also a 14.6-inch central infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.6-inch infotainment screen are the start of a long list of gear in the GWM Haval H7.

Added to that is 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, 360-degee camera, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, head-up display and a panoramic sunroof.

Plus there’s a swag of driver assist systems.

GWM Haval H7: What we think

It may look ready to tackle the wilds, but the GWM Haval H7 is no more adventurous than the bulk of city-focused SUVs. And, of course, it’s only two-wheel drive.

So best to keep it to the blacktop.

The look-at-me chunkiness of the exterior flows through to the cabin of the H7.

The infotainment screen sits high on the bold dash with its air vents curling up in either corner adds presence.

There’s a smattering of buttons, plenty of exposed bolts and some interesting finishes, including a faux carbon fibre.

There’s practicality, too. Headroom is generous throughout and those in the rear get plenty of knee space.

A floating centre console provides a nice hidey hole underneath.

And big door pockets include elasticised bands for stopping water bottles from rattling around.

There is one gripe with the cabin. We wish there were more buttons, including a volume dial. Instead, you need to divert to the steering wheel or tap the screen to bring up a less-than-ideal virtual slider control.

While we’re getting stuck into that screen let’s also take aim at the driver assistance systems.

In short, they’re too eager to beep, bong and sometimes borderline shriek at you, as well as yank the steering wheel occasionally.

You can switch a lot of it off, but that involves delving into multiple menus.

We’d prefer to see it better calibrated.

In terms of raw features, though, the H7 is brimming with them.

It’s seriously impressive in terms of value and makes for a tempting proposition against better established brands.

The driving experience is not as convincing.

Light and lifeless steering (even in its sportiest mode) does little to inspire confidence.

Cushy suspension takes care of bumps but can leave the body wandering.

And a fair whack of grunt through the front wheels means it’s eager to spin its inside wheel if you’re too enthusiastic out of corners.

Generally there’s no shortage of thrust, although the throttle has been dulled down which means it can take a moment for the full whack to come into play.

The electric motor makes 130W/300Nm and the petrol engine adds 110kW/230Nm. Together they’re claimed to make 179kW and 530Nm, which is plenty more than most garden variety SUVs.

The hybrid system leans heavily on the electric side of the equation when you first take off, which makes for decent pulling power.

Keep your foot planted and the engine revs up but is never overly dramatic aurally.

We didn’t match the 5.7 litres per 100km fuel use claim (most cars don’t) but it was still impressively economical, typically hovering around 7L/100km.

GWM Haval H7: Verdict

It all adds up to an SUV that looks the business and delivers on features.

We’d love to see a few functionality tweaks including the addition of a volume dial and some better calibration of the safety systems. But for the most part there’s lots to like including the look and the generous amount of space.

Performance and economy, too, are tempting in a busy part of the market, helping make up for some of the dynamic deficiencies.

Score: 3.5/5

2025 GWM Haval H7 price and specifications

Price: $46,990 drive-away
Basics: Hybrid, 5 seats, 5 doors, SUV, FWD
Range: 1070km
Battery capacity: 1.6kWh
Battery warranty: 8 years/unlimited km (or 150,000km for commercial use)
Powertrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol with electric motor
Output: 110kW/230Nm (electric motor: 130kW/300Nm)
Combined output: 179kW/530Nm
Transmission: 2-speed CVT auto, front-wheel drive
Fuel consumption: 5.7L/100km
0-100km/h: NA