A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Discontinued modelVerified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 78 kW🔧 135 Nm⛽ 7.0 km/l
＋Add a 3rd car
At a Glance — Who Wins What
⚡PerformanceGrand Vitara
⛽Fuel EconomyGrand Vitara
🛡SafetyGrand Vitara
📦PracticalityH1
🔑OwnershipGrand Vitara
Recorded price context
Grand Vitara:
current from
ZAR 359,900
·
H1:
last listed from
ZAR 229,900
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Grand Vitara
H1
Maximum Power
76 kW @ 6000 rpm
78 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
137 Nm @ 4400 rpm
135 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size
1462 cc
1497 cc
Claimed Mileage
17.9 km/l
7.0 km/l
Ground Clearance
210 mm
160 mm
Boot / Load Bay
310 l
Not confirmed
Airbags
6
4
Kerb Weight
1225 kg
Not confirmed
Seating Capacity
-
Not confirmed
Warranty
5
3 Years / 100,000 km
= leads in this spec
Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.
The Bottom Line
Grand Vitara holds a noticeable edge over H1, especially in key ownership areas.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Grand Vitara
+4 pts
Efficiency
Grand Vitara
+38 pts
Safety
Grand Vitara
+26 pts
Practicality
H1
+1 pts
Ownership
Grand Vitara
+27 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 Overall Winner
Grand Vitara
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger safety package
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFuel Efficiency
H1
Strengths
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Less comprehensive safety features
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Family Usage
Which One's Right for You?
Grand Vitara
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
H1
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Full Specs, Side by Side
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Grand Vitara
H1
Model Introduced Year
2022
2015
Generation
Third generation YHB-series Grand Vitara; shared platform with Toyota Urban Cruiser (a partnership-specific platform development); mild-hybrid system uses belt-integrated starter generator technology; all-new design and powertrain versus the previous generation
Single generation in South Africa from 2015-2019. The H1 was based on an older Great Wall platform and was discontinued without a direct successor.
Facelift History
Third-generation Grand Vitara launched in SA in 2022; previous second-generation model discontinued in SA in 2015; current generation is a complete redesign on a new platform shared with the Toyota Urban Cruiser
H1 received a single mid-cycle update in 2017 that brought minor exterior styling refinements and an updated infotainment system. No significant mechanical changes through the model life.
Facelift Launched Since
2022
2017
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not confirmed
Body Style
SUV
Not confirmed
Color Note
Pearl Arctic White, Metallic Grandeur Grey, Metallic Midnight Blue, Premium Silver, Pearl Burning Red
Not confirmed
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Not confirmed
Drivetrain Note
Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT
Not confirmed
Model Year
2026
Not confirmed
Production Status
published
Not confirmed
Segment
SUV
Not confirmed
Vehicle Type
SUV
Not confirmed
Tare Mass Kg
1225 kg
Not confirmed
Spec
Grand Vitara
H1
Drivetrain Layout
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
Not confirmed
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard Sport Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Engine Position
Transverse Front-Mounted
Transverse Front-Mounted
Gearbox
6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters
6-Speed CVT
Final Drive Ratio
4.388:1
3.94:1
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
2.8
3.2
Number of Gears
6
6
Transmission Type
6-Speed Automatic
Automatic CVT
Clutch Type
Single Dry Plate Diaphragm
Torque Converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Drivetrain
4WD / AWD
Front Wheel Drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard Sport Paddle Shifters
Not confirmed
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Gearbox Type
6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Axle Layout
AWD — AllGrip Auto
Not confirmed
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Transmission Speeds
6
6
Gear Shift Type
6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters
Not confirmed
Spec
Grand Vitara
H1
Claimed Mileage
17.9 km/l
7.0 km/l
City Mileage
14.7 km/l
6.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
20.8 km/l
8.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
42 l
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Average Fuel Consumption
5.6 l/100km
Not confirmed
Claimed Fuel Consumption
5.6 l/100km
Not confirmed
Fuel Efficiency
5.6 l/100km
Not confirmed
Real-world Mileage
17.9 km/l
7.0 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Combined Consumption
5.6 l/100km
Not confirmed
Combined Consumption L 100km
5.6 l/100km
Not confirmed
Fuel Economy Combined
5.6 l/100km
Not confirmed
Fuel Tank Litres
45
42
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Spec
Grand Vitara
H1
Airbags
6
4
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
2 Rear ISOFIX Points
2 Rear ISOFIX Points
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
Standard
Not Available
Central Locking
Remote Central Locking
Remote Central Locking
Side Impact Beams
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
All Seats
Front Seats
Speed Alert System
Standard — Audible Warning at 120 km/h
Standard
Pedestrian Detection AEB
Not Available
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Available
Safety Rating
Not Independently Rated
4
Whiplash Protection
Active Head Restraints on Front Seats
Active Head Restraints
Lane Change Warning
Not Available
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not confirmed
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not confirmed
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Not confirmed
Driver Airbag
6
Not confirmed
EBD
Standard
Not confirmed
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not confirmed
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
6
Not confirmed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
All Seats
Not confirmed
Side Airbags
Not Available
Not confirmed
TCS
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not confirmed
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not confirmed
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Anti Theft Alarm
Standard
Not confirmed
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
6
Not confirmed
Driver Passenger Airbags
6
Not confirmed
ESC With Traction Control
Standard
Not confirmed
Seatbelt Reminder
All Seats
Not confirmed
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Spec
Grand Vitara
H1
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Not Available
Rear View Camera
360-Degree Surround View
Yes
360 Degree Camera
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not confirmed
Auto Lights
Standard
Not confirmed
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not confirmed
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Not confirmed
Reverse Camera
360-Degree Surround View
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not confirmed
Around View Monitor
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not confirmed
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not confirmed
Front Camera
Not Available
Not confirmed
Parking Distance Sensors
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Not confirmed
Parking Sensor
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Not confirmed
Pre-Collision System
Not Available
Not confirmed
Rain Sensor Wipers
Standard
Not confirmed
Rear View Camera
360-Degree Surround View
Not confirmed
Reverse Camera Type
360-Degree Surround View
Not confirmed
Reversing Camera
360-Degree Surround View
Not confirmed
Surround View Camera
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Not Available
Spec
Grand Vitara
H1
Seat Material
Leatherette Seat Trim
Fabric
Seat Adjustment
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Manual 4-Way Driver Adjustment
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Steering Type
Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
Steering Adjustment
Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt Adjustable
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Folding Rear Seats
60:40 Split Fold
60:40 Split Fold
Front Armrest
Standard Centre Armrest
Front Centre Armrest
Rear Armrest
Integrated in Seat Back
Not Available
Cup Holders
4
4
Rear AC Vents
Not Available
Not Available
Rear USB Ports
0
0
Steering Wheel Material
Urethane
Polyurethane
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue with Digital Trip Display
Analogue Speedometer
Interior Colour Options
2
2
Driver Lumbar Support
Not Available
Not Available
Door Map Pockets
All Four Door Pockets
All Four Door Pockets
60 40 Split Seat
60:40 Split Fold
Not confirmed
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Not confirmed
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Not confirmed
Fabric Seats
Leatherette Seat Trim
Not confirmed
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Not confirmed
Armrest Front
Standard Centre Armrest
Not confirmed
Armrest Rear
Integrated in Seat Back
Not confirmed
Boot Space Seats Down
708
Not confirmed
Driver Seat
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Not confirmed
Interior Courtesy Lamps
9-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control (GLX and Hybrid), 360-degree surround view camera (GLX AT and Hybrid), adaptive cruise control (GLX and Hybrid), blind-spot monitoring (GL
Performance
Grand Vitara +4
Efficiency
Grand Vitara +38
Safety
Grand Vitara +26
Practicality
H1 +1
Ownership
Grand Vitara +27
Moderate difference between the models.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
Grand Vitara
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
73/100
Safety
82/100
Practicality
62/100
Ownership
71/100
H1
Performance
30/100
Efficiency
35/100
Safety
56/100
Practicality
63/100
Ownership
44/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Suzuki Grand Vitara
wins with 63 pts
vs 46 pts for H1
In structured scoring, Grand Vitara emerges as the stronger overall package. However, H1 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Grand Vitara edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Grand Vitara 73 vs H1 35. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Grand Vitara 82, H1 56. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Grand Vitara 71, H1 44. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Grand Vitara 62, H1 63. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Grand Vitara 34, H1 30. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Grand Vitara edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Grand Vitara scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Grand Vitara and H1 in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Grand Vitara scores 34 vs 30.
Efficiency: Grand Vitara scores 73 vs 35.
Safety: Grand Vitara scores 82 vs 56.
Practicality: Grand Vitara scores 62 vs 63.
Ownership: Grand Vitara scores 71 vs 44.
Final structured scoring gives Grand Vitara
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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