The ruggedly styled GWM Haval H7 midsize SUV will be released in Australia in August 2025 in a single high-specification hybrid trim grade at launch, though a 2026 range expansion is all but confirmed.
With national driveaway pricing of $46,990, the front-wheel drive Haval H7 Ultra HEV is essentially a reskinned version of the more softly-styled Haval H6 that landed in Australia in facelifted form this month.
While other powertrains are available overseas, Australian new car buyers will only be able to purchase the H7 with the 179kW/530Nm ‘plugless’ full hybrid (HEV) petrol-electric engine also seen in the H6.
The updated version of the closely-related H6 can also be had with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine (from $35,990 driveaway) or a plug-in hybrid powertrain in either front-wheel drive ($47,990 d/a) or Hi4 all-wheel drive ($50,990 d/a).
Opting for the squared-off H7 Ultra HEV over the same tier of H6 attracts a $3000 premium but standard equipment is expected to be common to the pair.
That will mean the H7 includes conveniences like heated/cooled front seats, a panoramic sunroof, eight-speaker stereo, 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a full suite of adaptive safety features.
“We made the call [to import only the H7 HEV] given the richness of the [sales] mix we are seeing in hybrid right now, with one eye on NVES [emissions laws] as well,” said GWM head of marketing Steve Maciver.
“There is a longer-term story we can’t really go into but the H7 lineup will evolve and become a mainstay of the Haval lineup,” said Maciver. “There are more developments to come in terms of a new powertrain.”
That new powertrain, expected to be added to the Haval H7 lineup in 2026, is GWM’s next-generation plugless HEV system that borrows tech from the manufacturer’s new Hi4 PHEV units.
That should mean more smoothness and sophistication and lower fuel use than the H7 that will arrive initially in Australia.
In China, the H7 (where it is known as the Haval Big Dog) is also available with a PHEV powertrain, though this is also expected to be upgraded to a new-gen Hi4 PHEV system before it would be considered for Australia.
Pictured: GWM / Haval Hi4 ‘Hybrid Intelligent 4WD’ system
“The H7 will appeal to customers looking for more individuality with an adventurous spirit,” Maciver said “We are confident, having spoken to our dealers—they are very bullish that they can sell it.”
For GWM, which intends to boost total sales by nearly 17 percent this year to **50,000 (**from 42,782 in 2024), adding the H7 is an important element to broadening sub-brand Haval’s SUV offerings alongside the facelifted H6 and existing H6 GT coupe-SUV.
“We will have options for customers across different price brackets, drivetrains and sizes,” said Maciver. “Keep in mind the H7 will be on top [of H6]. We are clear that we want six percent segment share.”
In 2024, the H6 and H6 GT held a 5.2 percent share of the midsize SUV market in Australia, with the pair sitting at a 5.8 percent share for the first six months of 2025.