GWM will expand its electrified SUV range in October with the Australian launch of the new Haval H7, offering fleet buyers a choice of hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Positioned alongside the Haval H6, H6GT and forthcoming Jolion Max, the H7 will enter the competitive mid-size SUV segment with pricing starting below $50,000 driveaway.
Unlike the increasingly streamlined designs appearing across the SUV market, the H7 adopts a boxier shape with upright proportions, prominent body lines and more rugged styling cues.
Both powertrains will feature GWM’s Hi4 technology, which combines electrification with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system. GWM says the system is designed to deliver efficiency and performance across urban, highway and off-road conditions.
For fleets, the two-powertrain strategy could give the H7 broader appeal across different operating environments.
The hybrid will offer an electrified option without requiring workplace or home charging, while the plug-in hybrid could suit drivers with predictable daily travel and regular access to charging. The latter may allow a significant portion of routine journeys to be completed using electricity, although its suitability will depend on the electric driving range and charging specifications still to be announced.
Its conventional SUV packaging and all-wheel-drive capability could also make the H7 relevant to organisations requiring one vehicle to cover business travel, regional roads and occasional unsealed-road use.
Steve Maciver, Head of Marketing and Communications at GWM Australia and New Zealand, said the H7 would bring a different character to the category.
“The all-new Haval H7 is an exciting addition to our Australian line-up and brings something genuinely different to the mid-size SUV segment,” Maciver said.
“Its bold, boxy styling gives it a strong identity, while a starting price of under $50,000 ensures it remains accessible to Australian families looking for a distinctive and highly capable SUV.”
While the indicative starting price establishes where the H7 will sit in the market, fleets will need to wait for the complete model range before assessing its whole-of-life cost position.
