A standout: The H7 Black Version is a high quality product that gives glorious worth for cash. Photograph: Provided
The GWM Haval H7 launched in South Africa in early 2025 however the producer has now up to date it to make it extra engaging.
Blacked out mirrors, black roof rails, black badging, up to date alloy wheels and a blacked-out grille imply that the flagship mannequin of Haval’s SUV vary is now the H7 black version.
All the pieces else stays the identical.
It’s supplied both with a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine or as a hybrid (HEV).
The worth of the H7 Black Version ranges from R604 950 for the 4×2 petrol variant to R734 950 for the HEV, which can also be an all-wheel-drive mannequin.
The Haval H7 Black Version made me realise why the Chinese language are in the end profitable in South Africa. I used to be within the top-spec HEV mannequin and the R734 950 price ticket made it really feel like a discount.
From a styling standpoint, it isn’t going to show heads however it can stand out.
The spacious inside has comfy leather-based seats, soft-touch supplies, a neatly set out cabin and buttons beneath the infotainment display that makes all of it the higher for the driving force.
The backseats additionally take pleasure in retractable blinds on the home windows and there’s a panoramic sunroof.
By way of know-how, the seats are heated and ventilated, the steering-wheel can also be heated, there’s a neatly tucked-in 12.3 inch digital driver show and a big 14.6 inch infotainment display geared up with each Apple Automotive Play and Android Auto. There are additionally 360-degree and 540-degree cameras built-in into the system.
The H7 doesn’t compromise on security. The Australasian New Automotive Evaluation Programme has awarded it a five-star security ranking.
On the subject of driving, I did word final yr that the petrol 4×2 model was barely unresponsive however with the HEV, there may be an extra 150Nm of torque that makes it easy crusing.
The gas consumption can also be first rate. I averaged 7.5 litres/100km.
The H7 Black Version is a high quality product that gives glorious worth for cash. It’s an instance of why Chinese language producers hold climbing the car gross sales charts in South Africa.
The Could 2026 new car gross sales figures present that GWM, Chery and Jetour sit within the 10 best-sellers with GWM promoting 2 605 automobiles, Chery 2 569 and Jetour 2 020.
Just one German automaker was a Prime 10 best-seller in Could.
GWM ranked fifth for the very best year-on-year development on the finish of the primary quarter of 2026, registering a 42.9% development whereas different Chinese language manufacturers, like Jetour, registered a 249% development and Omoda Jaecoo 78.5%.
With the launch of manufacturers like Geely, iCAUR and Lepas sustaining the value-for-money ethos Chinese language manufacturers have constructed, it gained’t be lengthy earlier than we see extra leaping into the best-selling new car charts.
