GWM H2 vs Volkswagen T-Roc

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

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
Volkswagen T-Roc in South Africa

Volkswagen T-Roc

2.0 TSI 140kW 4Motion R-Line DSG Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 760,100 ex-showroom
⚡ 140 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM H2 vs Volkswagen T-Roc: the short answer

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

Recorded price context H2: last listed from ZAR 299,900 · T-Roc: current from ZAR 648,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification H2 T-Roc
Maximum Power H2110 kW @ 5500 rpm T-Roc140 kW
Maximum Torque H2210 Nm T-Roc320 Nm
Engine Size H21497 cc T-Roc2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy H27.5 km/l T-Roc15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance H2175 mm T-Roc168 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
  • Stronger published practicality figures
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

T-Roc

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

Which One's Right for You?

H2

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

T-Roc

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

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 T-Roc
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. Current first-generation T-Roc remains on sale while the second generation is prepared for South Africa
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. Volkswagen has confirmed the all-new second-generation T-Roc for the second half of 2026; local derivatives and prices are still pending
Facelift Launched Since 2022 Volkswagen has confirmed the all-new second-generation T-Roc for the second half of 2026; local derivatives and prices are still pending
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Body Style Not confirmed SUV
Color Note Not confirmed White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red, Orange
Dealer Stock Note Not confirmed Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Not confirmed 4x4 configuration for the local line-up
Model Year Not confirmed Current
Production Status Not confirmed published
Segment Not confirmed SUV
Tare Mass Kg Not confirmed 1400 kg
Vehicle Type Not confirmed SUV
Spec H2 T-Roc
Length 4290 mm 4234 mm
Width 1800 mm 1819 mm
Height 1645 mm 1573 mm
Wheelbase 2560 mm 2593 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 175 mm 168 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 52 l 55 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1800 kg 2020 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.4 m 5.4 m
Front Headroom 990 mm -
Rear Headroom 960 mm -
Front Legroom 1040 mm -
Rear Legroom 870 mm -
Boot/Cargo Space Not confirmed 392 l
Kerb Weight Not confirmed 1400 kg
Towing Capacity Not confirmed 1200 kg

In depth: how these cars differ

This H2 and T-Roc comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. 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 T-Roc 64.

Efficiency index: H2 35 vs T-Roc 61.

Safety-equipment index: H2 72 vs T-Roc 99.

Practicality index: H2 66 vs T-Roc 58.

Ownership-cover index: H2 44 vs T-Roc 43.

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

T-Roc leads by 13 points

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

Evidence leader 67 /100
Lead 13 points
Data 89% source coverage
67
#1 Evidence leader

T-Roc

89% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Ownership 43
Performance 64
Efficiency 61
Safety 99
Practicality 58
Ownership 43
Leads by 13 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 T-Roc +19 Efficiency T-Roc +26 Safety T-Roc +27 Practicality H2 +8 Ownership H2 +1

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

T-Roc

Performance 64/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 58/100
Ownership 43/100

H2

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Volkswagen T-Roc leads the specification evidence index with 67 pts vs 54 pts for H2

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, T-Roc leads. However, H2 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

H2 vs T-Roc questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.