Best Haval SUV models to buy in South Africa

Value-hunting South Africans seeking a crossover that combines style and features need look no further than the Haval brand’s popular lineup of compact to medium SUV models. Deciding between the Jolion, H6, or H7 can be tough. We’ll help you decide.

When Chinese manufacturers arrive, market disruption is inevitable. The Haval SUV brand sits within Great Wall Motor’s (GWM‘s) stable, which now includes the P-Series, Tank and Ora ranges. Launched in 2017, the H2 small crossover (shown below) was the first Haval SUV to be offered in the Republic.

Since then, the Haval story has become a sales phenomenon of well-matched products tuned to the needs of budget-conscious and discerning South African crossover and SUV buyers.

Diverse yet uniquely appealing, models like the now-discontinued H2, its slightly more substantial Jolion replacement, and the H6 family car have been runaway successes, propelling GWM into the ranks of top-selling Chinese automakers in the country alongside Chery, which has several sub-brands of its own.

As the business model of legacy brands that insist on pricing luxury features as optional extras continues to falter, Haval’s recipe for success remains simple and effective: offering more for less. In January 2025, Haval launched the H7, a rugged, retro-inspired, semi-off-roader that occupies a position above the H6.

Watch GWM’s 18 years in South Africa – What’s next for Haval, Tank and Ora?

Haval‘s new-vehicle sales figures prove the point: the Jolion and H6 have redefined the family crossover landscape by sharing the same winning Haval DNA: low cost, excellent technology, and purposeful looks.

However, when it comes to serving the unique needs of your home, from the single commuter to the large, extended family, each Haval SUV model carries its own distinct blueprint. Let us take a closer look.

See also: More Haval PHEVs coming, says GWM SA boss

Haval Jolion SUV: Not-so-Compact!

The price brackets dotting the R300 000 to R600 000 range are unquestionably where the most intense competition is found in the new vehicle market. This segment is saturated with crossovers, forcing manufacturers to fight hard on both price and features to capture the budget-conscious buyer.

The ever-increasing cost of living means finding optimal value in major purchases is critical. Put simply, your hard-earned Rands need to reach the maximum value. In the Haval Jolion, they do that, and more.

See also: 2021 Haval Jolion 1.5T Super Luxury review

It is worth noting that in early 2024, the Jolion range was subdivided into the City and Pro grades. The Jolion City is positioned as the volume-driven price fighter, offering the most accessible entry point to the Haval SUV brand.

See also: Haval Jolion and Jolion Pro (2025) Price & Specs in South Africa

Nevertheless, the City grade is specified with an extensive list of standard luxuries, such as an Android Auto/Apple CarPlay-compatible 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, front 12V power socket, front and rear USB ports, cruise control, keyless entry, and tyre-pressure monitoring. Indeed, the entry-level Jolion variants are highly competitive offerings at the budget end of the small-crossover market.  

Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the 2021 Haval Jolion:

Stepping up, the 5-strong Jolion Pro range levels up with a sportier exterior and more in-car tech for the Haval small SUV. The more upmarket Jolion Pro is also enhanced with advanced safety gear not typically available in its peers at this price point. All derivatives from the mid-spec upwards are equipped with an active safety suite, the depth of which is stepped according to the model grade.

The range-topping Ultra Luxury trim adds substantial amenities such as wireless charging, heated front seats (with venting for the driver), a head-up display, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

See also: Haval Jolion vs Jolion Pro: What’s the Difference?

At the upper end of the Pro range, there is also the option of a more athletic package in the form of the 130 kW/270 Nm Jolion Pro 1.5T S Ultra Luxury, which sits just below the flagship Haval Jolion Pro 1.5 HEV Ultra Luxury.

The latter – a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid – significantly increases the overall range’s appeal, providing a compelling option for those for whom fuel efficiency is top priority.

See also: Haval Jolion and Jolion Pro (2025) Price & Specs in South Africa

It may not be South Africa’s cheapest hybrid, but it is certainly the best-specced one at that price point. It achieves this by combining the petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver both robust acceleration and improved economy, making it a highly practical choice for urban commuting and longer journeys.

See also: Haval Jolion HEV (2023) Review

Simply put, the Haval Jolion offers superior size and standard features for the price, significantly undercutting all its main competitors in the crucial value-for-money metric. It also boasts one of the most powerful engines in its class, although this performance often comes at the cost of overall fuel economy in the non-hybrid versions.

See also: Which Haval Jolion derivative is the most fuel-efficient?

Such substantial specification is typically reserved for larger, more expensive vehicles, leaving the Jolion’s rivals, such as the Volkswagen T-Cross and Hyundai Venue, in what is probably the country’s most crowded segment, struggling to compete.

Watch Jacob Moshokoa’s video review of the Haval Jolion Pro:

How much does a Haval Jolion or Jolion Pro cost in South Africa?

Prices (correct in November 2025) include a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, 7-year unlimited km roadside assistance, and a 7-year/75 000 km service plan. Hybrids’ batteries carry an 8-year/150 000 km warranty. Services are scheduled every 12 months or 15 000 km.

New Haval Jolion Specs & Prices in South Africa

Buy a used Haval Jolion on Cars.co.za

New Haval Jolion Pro Specs & Prices in South Africa

Buy a used Haval Jolion Pro on Cars.co.za

Haval H6: sleeper performance, knockout value

Could you ever imagine a waiting list for a Chinese car? When the first H6 landed in Mzansi in 2021, that was indeed the case, as H6 units flew off the showroom floors faster than Haval could bring them in.

That demand was entirely due to its barely believable pricing. At launch four years ago, prices varied between R419 000 for the entry-level model and R514 000 for the fully-loaded flagship.

The latter was still cheaper than the competing rep-spec Volkswagen Tiguan. This aggressive pricing positioning announced Haval’s intent in the market.

See also: Haval H6 (2025) launch review

With cavernous rear passenger space, a genuine premium build feel, more than adequate performance from two engine types and two drivetrain configurations, and a specification list usually found in a far more expensive vehicle, the Haval H6 is arguably one of the most compelling buys in its category.

See also: Haval H6 vs Jaecoo J7 vs Ford Territory

Like the Jolion Pro, the Haval H6 sports one of the beefiest engines (a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol producing 170 kW/380 Nm) in its category. It is also in the ballpark for one of the least expensive all-wheel-drive models; only the Chery Tiggo 7 Max 1.6T AWD undercuts the Haval, and only marginally.

See also: Haval H6 vs Chery Tiggo 8 Pro – which should you buy?

There are also two range-topping 1.5T HEV (petrol-electric hybrid) variants to choose from, equipped with strong powertrains (179 kW/530 Nm) and delivering a commendable claimed fuel consumption of 5.2 L/100 km, although consumption is likely to be higher outside of laboratory conditions.

Watch Ciro De Siena’s launch review video of the 2025 Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury:

As a comfortable family car that combines bold design, impressive features and technology, plus performance and efficiency, at impressive price points, the Haval H6 is a compelling proposition.

See also: Haval H6 (2025) Launch Review

H6 GT: Niche offering adjacent to the Haval H6

Interestingly, the mid-to-high R600 000 price points of the H6 1.5T HEV variants create an in-house dilemma for Haval. This is because the brand’s design-focused H6 GT variants, with their undeniably eye-catching, coupe-inspired styling, start from R665 950 (for the 2.0GDIT 4WD Super Luxury).

The flagship of the H6 GT – the halo model of the Haval SUV range – is the ultra-quick 1.5T PHEV 4WD Ultra Luxury plug-in hybrid, which retails at R799 900 (November 2025). Ultimately, the H6 GT provides a niche, performance-styled offering that sits neatly alongside the brand’s headline family car.

See also: New Haval H6 GT Specs & Prices in South Africa | Search for a used Haval H6 GT

How much does a Haval H6 SUV cost in South Africa?

Prices (correct in November 2025) include a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, 7-year unlimited km roadside assistance, and a 7-year/75 000 km service plan. Hybrids’ batteries carry an 8-year/150 000 km warranty. Services are scheduled every 12 months or 15 000 km.

New Haval H6 Specs & Prices in South Africa

Buy a used Haval H6 on Cars.co.za

Haval H7: Rugged, Retro, Off-road-oriented

Whereas the Haval H6 is the shark in an ocean of me-too-ing softroaders, the more rugged, off-road focused Haval H7 targets a niche only rivalled by a handful of competitors (such as the BAIC B40 Plus, GWM Tank 300 and perhaps the Mahindra Scorpio N).

This is especially true for the 4×4 Super Luxury variant of the Haval H7, which has 200 mm of ground clearance, a locking rear differential, and no fewer than 9 off-road drive modes.

See also: Haval H7 (2025) Launch Review

Of these, the aptly named Tank is the most appropriately equipped for gravel travel with its ladder-frame chassis and low-range transfer case. Nonetheless, the Haval H7 with its retro-modern front-end styling, sports respective approach and departure angles of 24 degrees and 30 degrees.

The H7 shares its platform with the H6, but it’s longer, wider, taller, and offers more occupant and load space. All variants but the range-topping 1.5T HEV Super Luxury (which gets the H6’s hybrid powertrain) are powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Tech-wise, even the entry-level 2.0T Luxury (R604 950 in November 2025) is equipped with a 14.6-inch infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and heated seats, as well as an extensive array of safety features, including 6 airbags.

Despite its off-road promise, many buyers will not require a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) version. If styling and space are your primary motivations, it is tempting to save R70 000 (based on the November 2025 price list) and choose the entry-level variant over the 2.0T 4WD Super Luxury.

And, if you are not entirely obsessed with the H7’s styling and simply want a family car with all-paw traction and a comprehensive array of features, the H6 2.0T Ultra Luxury 4WD is a good alternative.

Prices (correct in November 2025) include a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, 7-year unlimited km roadside assistance, and a 7-year/75 000 km service plan. Hybrids’ batteries carry an 8-year/150 000 km warranty. Services are scheduled every 12 months or 15 000 km.

New Haval H7 Specs & Prices in South Africa

Buy a used Haval H7 on Cars.co.za