H7

The Haval H7 is GWM's five-seat medium SUV, sold in six versions from R554 900 to R794 900 with petrol, self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. That starting price is below the Jetour T2 (from R569 900) and Hyundai Tucson (from R559 900), and R15 000 above the Omoda C7 (from R539 900), so the Haval H7 sits in the middle of this group on price.

Start with the petrol: a 2.0-litre turbo with 170 kW and 380 Nm, a nine-speed dual-clutch gearbox, front- or all-wheel drive, and a claimed 8.0 or 8.8 L/100km. The 1.5-litre self-charging hybrid makes 182 kW and 540 Nm, drives the front wheels and claims 5.3 L/100km. The plug-in versions have a 23.7 kWh battery. The front-drive one makes 240 kW and 540 Nm and claims 130 km of electric range. The top Hi4 all-wheel-drive version makes 280 kW and 670 Nm and claims 115 km. That is more power and torque than the front-drive plug-ins from the Jetour T2 (265 kW, 610 Nm) and Omoda C7 (255 kW, 525 Nm).

The hybrid premium is what you need to weigh. The self-charging hybrid costs R70 000 more than the petrol with the same Super Luxury trim, for a claimed saving of 2.7 L/100km, and both hybrids tow 1 500 kg against the petrol's 2 000 kg. The test behind the H7's electric range figures isn't stated, while the T2's 90 km is an NEDC claim, so don't compare them directly. Fuel claims aren't comparable either: the H7 plug-in's 5.3 L/100km sits against 1.3 for the T2 and 4.9 for the C7, and nothing we've seen explains how each was measured.

On practicality, the boot holds 586 litres, or 1 404 litres with the 60:40 rear seats folded. Launch reports give a ground clearance of 210 mm, which is below the T2 petrol's 220 mm but well above the C7 (171 to 176 mm) and Tucson (181 mm). Every plug-in can power appliances at up to 6 kW, and the all-wheel-drive versions add a locking rear differential and extra drive modes.

Equipment is generous from the bottom up. Every version has a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 360° camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED headlamps, 19-inch alloy wheels and six airbags. Launch reports add a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking across the range. The Ultra Luxury versions add a head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The self-charging hybrid and front-drive plug-in are Super Luxury versions, so they aren't listed with those last two driver aids. The Jetour T2 lists emergency braking and adaptive cruise on only two of its four versions, and the Tucson page lists neither.

Ownership is a highlight. Every H7 has a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and a 7-year/75 000 km service plan, with services every 12 months or 15 000 km, and the hybrids add an 8-year/150 000 km battery warranty. The T2 matches the warranty and service plan, with 160 000 km of battery cover. The Tucson has 5 years/150 000 km and a 5-year/75 000 km plan.

For town driving with home charging, the front-drive plug-in is the sensible hybrid. If you want the extra safety kit and all-wheel drive, the Ultra Luxury Hi4 is worth the R60 000 step up. If you tow or watch the budget, the petrol Ultra Luxury is the one to price.