Great Wall Motors says there is nothing quite like the new Haval H7 on the market, and it’s hard to argue with that logic.
With its squared off front, seemingly inspired by the 1964 Ford Mustang, and muscular shape, it looks like a rugged off-road machine, but sharing its platform with the current H6 it is in fact a more road-biased SUV.
Priced at R601,950 in ‘Luxury’ guise and R671,950 as a 4WD ‘Super Luxury’, it undercuts vehicles like the Toyota Rav4 (from R705,600) and Volkswagen Tiguan (from R651,500), while being slightly larger, with a length of 4,705mm and width of 1,908mm, and boasting a superior ground clearance of 210mm.
Power comes from the familiar 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine, producing 170kW and 380Nm, and sending power to the front wheels in the case of the Luxury variant and all four wheels in the Super Luxury.
The four-pawed model also has an Off-Road Cruise Control system that aims to mimic low-range and the instrument cluster has an Off-Road Mode that offers a low-speed bird’s-eye view of the surroundings and provides an AI-enhanced image of the ground below the vehicle.
Both versions are equipped with a new-generation nine-speed dual-clutch transmission.
From the second quarter Haval will also be offering a hybrid version, which pairs a 1.5-litre turbo engine to an electric motor for combined outputs of 179kW and 530Nm. This model will be priced at R730,950.
All models roll on 19-inch alloy wheels with a dual-spoke design, and exterior colour choices comprise Orange, Hamilton White, Sun Black and Grey.
Haval says the interior design results from many hours of meticulous study of human ergonomics and typical family needs. It features a large 14.6-inch central screen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Haval H7 is a five-seater and has a boot capacity of 483 litres, rising to 1,362 litres with the rear seats folded.
Standard across the board is leather upholstery (synthetic on the Luxury model), electric adjustment for the front seats and a panoramic sunroof. Also part of the deal is a 360-degree camera system and a full range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control.
Super Luxury models add a memory function as well as cooling for the front seats and a hands-free tailgate.
Every model is also sold with a seven-year or 75,000km service plan and seven-year or 200,000km warranty.
IOL