GWM H2 vs KIA Sonet

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.

GWM H2 Discontinued model
GWM H2 in South Africa

GWM H2

1.5T LT Petrol 6-Speed DCT Discontinued model
ZAR 339,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 210 Nm ⛽ 7.5 km/l
VS
KIA Sonet in South Africa

KIA Sonet

1.5 EX+ CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 469,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 143 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM H2 vs KIA Sonet: the short answer

Sonet has a modest catalogue-index lead, while H2 remains close.

Recorded price context H2: last listed from ZAR 299,900 · Sonet: current from ZAR 329,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification H2 Sonet
Maximum Power H2110 kW @ 5500 rpm Sonet85 kW @ 6300 rpm
Maximum Torque H2210 Nm Sonet143 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size H21497 cc Sonet1497 cc
Combined Fuel Economy H27.5 km/l Sonet16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance H2175 mm Sonet211 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Evidence for GWM H2 1.5T LT

Source type: Hagalu catalogue record

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

H2

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

Sonet

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

H2

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Sonet

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

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 H2 Sonet
Model Introduced Year 2017 2021
Generation First generation Haval H2 in SA, on sale 2017-2022. Discontinued in favour of the Jolion, which used a more modern platform and powertrain. First generation (BC3); launched globally 2020, SA 2021
Facelift History H2 received a mid-cycle update in 2019 that brought minor exterior styling changes, improved infotainment software and refinements to the DCT calibration. Updates continued through the model life to address recurring DCT issues, with the final 2022 specification being notably improved over the original 2017 launch model. 2023 model year update with revised front styling and expanded ADAS features
Facelift Launched Since 2022 2023
Body Style Not confirmed SUV
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Segment Not confirmed SUV
Vehicle Type Not confirmed SUV
Dealer Stock Note Not confirmed Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note Not confirmed Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Blue, Pewter Olive, Intense Red, Steel Grey, Glacier White Pearl (two-tone options on SX)
Tare Mass Kg Not confirmed 1270 kg
Production Status Not confirmed active
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Spec H2 Sonet
Length 4290 mm 3995 mm
Width 1800 mm 1790 mm
Height 1645 mm 1635 mm
Wheelbase 2560 mm 2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 175 mm 211 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 52 l 45 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1800 kg 1710 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.4 m 10.4 m
Front Headroom 990 mm 990 mm
Rear Headroom 960 mm 950 mm
Front Legroom 1040 mm 1030 mm
Rear Legroom 870 mm 860 mm
Kerb Weight Not confirmed 1270 kg
Boot/Cargo Space Not confirmed 392 l
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not confirmed 190 mm
Towing Capacity Not confirmed 1100 kg
Number of Rows Not confirmed 2 rows
Payload Capacity Not confirmed 408 kg

In depth: how these cars differ

This H2 and Sonet comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: H2 45 vs Sonet 36.

Efficiency index: H2 35 vs Sonet 65.

Safety-equipment index: H2 72 vs Sonet 93.

Practicality index: H2 66 vs Sonet 59.

Ownership-cover index: H2 44 vs Sonet 71.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Sonet leads by 10 points

Sonet has a modest catalogue-index lead, while H2 remains close.

Evidence leader 64 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 99% source coverage
64
#1 Evidence leader

Sonet

99% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Performance 36
Performance 36
Efficiency 65
Safety 93
Practicality 59
Ownership 71
Leads by 10 points
54
#2

H2

82% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Efficiency 35
Performance 45
Efficiency 35
Safety 72
Practicality 66
Ownership 44
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance H2 +9 Efficiency Sonet +30 Safety Sonet +21 Practicality H2 +7 Ownership Sonet +27

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Sonet

Performance 36/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 59/100
Ownership 71/100

H2

Performance 45/100
Efficiency 35/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 66/100
Ownership 44/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index KIA Sonet leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts vs 54 pts for H2

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Sonet leads. However, H2 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

H2 vs Sonet questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.