Rugged 2025 GWM Haval H7 gets green light for Australia

The 2025 GWM Haval H7 has been approved for sale in Australia where it will be sold alongside the marginally smaller H6, at this state exclusively with plug-in hybrid power.

Created to be a boxier and more rugged alternative to the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, the new second-gen H7 is known as the ‘Big Dog’ in China but will be renamed here to foster a greater sense of uniform among GWM-Haval Australia’s bigger SUV models.

Despite its rugged looks, the H7 is based on the same LEMON monocoque platform as the H6 and could eventually be offered here with the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powertrain in addition to the already-approved 1.5-litre PHEV system.

Australian documentation nominates a combined output of 179kW for the new-energy combination, the net outcome of a 110kW petrol engine being paired with a gutsy 130kW electric motor, the latter drawing current from a 19.1kWh battery and offering up to 80km of electric range (WLTC).

Combine the two fuel types and the H7 PHEV will return a claimed 1.9L/100km.

More Australian details are yet to be locked in for now, but Chinese examples offer 200mm of ground clearance and ride on a 2810mm wheelbase.

Within, the H7 pairs a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.6-inch infotainment screen as well as a head-up display, plus a full-width panoramic sunroof and long list of standard equipment depending on the trim level.

Pricing and official timings will be released later the with the local importer only confirming the H7 is under consideration and a ‘strong chance’ for Australia.

Back in 2021 the first generation GWM Haval Big Dog was brought to Down Under for local evaluation but despite an outing with Australian media and even a local trademark application being submitted, the plan to import it was put on ice for undisclosed reasons.

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