The GWM Haval H7 hasn’t precisely been hovering up the Australian gross sales charts, and the slow-selling mid-size crossover SUV could possibly be changed with one thing that fills a extra apparent void in GWM’s native lineup.
Now, the brand new GWM Haval H7 Plus revealed at this yr’s Beijing motor present – or doubtlessly the automobile upon which it’s based mostly – is shaping as a brand new entry for our market, with CarExpert understanding it’ll substitute the prevailing Haval H7.
“We even have one other two fashions coming: the H7 and likewise now we have the Jolion Max coming, so this yr now we have three fashions coming,” GWM Worldwide president Parker Shi advised media from Australia and New Zealand on the Beijing motor present, with these being preceded by the Ora 5 electrical SUV arriving Down Underneath within the coming months.
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“We’ve obtained choices on seven-seaters… We’ve at all times mentioned there’s extra to return on H7,” mentioned GWM Australia and New Zealand advertising and marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver individually.
The H7 Plus would lastly give the Chinese language auto model a seven-seat possibility positioned underneath the hybrid Tank 500 massive SUV which, within the absence of a less expensive entry grade, is at the moment being provided from $74,990 drive-away.
It’s a stretched model of the Menglong/Raptor launched in China in 2023, and regardless of styling within the vein of the Tank 300 (or the Haval H9 not offered right here), it’s one other crossover SUV with car-like unibody development.
The common Menglong/Raptor/H7 is on the market with solely 5 seats, however the barely longer H7 Plus revealed in Beijing brings with it the choice of a 3rd row, bumping seating capability as much as seven.
Importing this to Australia could be preferable to the Haval H9 as, although this bigger SUV affords a 3rd row of seating, its body-on-frame development sees it overlap – no less than on paper – with the prevailing Tank 500.
The Haval H9 can also be petrol- and diesel-only, with no hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.
It’s understood, nevertheless, the usual H7/Menglong/Raptor can also be being thought of for Australia.
This measures 4680mm lengthy (4800mm with the exterior spare tyre provider), 1950mm extensive and 1843mm tall on a 2738mm wheelbase.
The H7 Plus rides an extended 2850mm wheelbase, with the identical width and peak however a complete size of 4912mm.
For context, the Kia Sorento measures 4815mm lengthy, 1900mm extensive and 1700mm tall on a 2815mm wheelbase.
For now, the H7 Plus has been revealed solely in Hi4 plug-in hybrid guise, fitted with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, entrance and rear electrical motors, and a two-speed hybrid transmission.
Whole system outputs are 320kW/750Nm or 330kW/660Nm and claimed 0-100km/h occasions are between 5.8 and 6.1 seconds, relying on the variant.
Whereas it’s not a member of GWM’s extra rugged Tank line, the H7 Plus options what GWM calls an electronically locking mechanical dog-clutch rear differential, in addition to an off-road crawl mode, and a tank flip operate. Floor clearance is 221mm.
There’s four-wheel impartial suspension, with MacPherson struts up entrance and a multi-link setup on the rear. Electronically managed dampers can be found, and there’s a alternative of 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels.
With a 33.7kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, electric-only vary on the WLTC cycle is 145km-147km. There’s a five-seat Extremely Navigator version in China that options 5 seats and a bigger 44.7kWh ternary lithium battery, boosting electrical vary to 191km.
Automobile-to-load (V2L) functionality is obtainable, permitting you to energy small home equipment, whereas the H7 Plus could be fast-charged on DC energy.
The common Raptor may also be had as a plug-in hybrid, or with a non-electrified turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 175kW and 385Nm.
Contained in the H7 Plus, there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up show, and a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
A gap panoramic sunroof and an influence tailgate are commonplace, as are a fridge with a heating operate, a 50W wi-fi telephone charger and a 12-speaker sound system.
The entrance seats are heated, ventilated, massaging and have reminiscence, whereas the second-row seats have heating and air flow.
There’s the anticipated suite of energetic security and driver help know-how, however not all variants in China include what GWM calls Espresso Pilot 3 ADAS, which makes use of LiDAR and cameras to supply metropolis and freeway Navigation on Autopilot (NOA). There’s additionally distant parking and reverse monitoring functionality.
GWM treats its separate manufacturers as sub-brands in Australia, with all offered underneath the one GWM banner. The Haval lineup, which focuses on family-friendly crossover SUVs, at the moment contains the Jolion, H6 and H7.
Late this yr, the Jolion Max will slot in between the Jolion and H6.
The present Haval H7, recognized in China because the second-generation Large Canine, was launched in Australia in 2025 as a second, extra uniquely styled entrant into the mid-size crossover SUV section. However regardless of being pitched as a considerably extra rugged automobile, it has solely ever been provided in Australia as a front-wheel drive hybrid mannequin.
GWM Australia has shifted simply 292 examples of the H7 this yr to the tip of March. Amongst fashions in its section which were on sale all yr, it has been overwhelmed by all the things bar fashions from Deepal, Leapmotor, Peugeot, Renault and Skoda. It’s additionally at the moment GWM’s second slowest vendor this yr, beating the Tank 500 by 10 models.
