GWM H2 vs Hyundai Tucson

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
Hyundai Tucson in South Africa

Hyundai Tucson

2.0D AT Executive AWD Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 764,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 137 kW 🔧 416 Nm ⛽ 13.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM H2 vs Hyundai Tucson: the short answer

Tucson holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over H2.

Recorded price context H2: last listed from ZAR 299,900 · Tucson: current from ZAR 568,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification H2 Tucson
Maximum Power H2110 kW @ 5500 rpm Tucson137 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque H2210 Nm Tucson416 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Engine Size H21497 cc Tucson1995 cc
Combined Fuel Economy H27.5 km/l Tucson13.9 km/l
Ground Clearance H2175 mm Tucson181 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
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
  • Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

Tucson

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
  • Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

H2

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

Tucson

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
  • 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 Tucson
Model Introduced Year 2017 2004
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. Fourth generation Tucson on Hyundai's i-GMP platform; distinctive parametric design language makes it one of the more striking mid-size SUVs in SA
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. Fourth generation launched in SA in 2021; major step change in styling, interior quality, and technology over the third-gen car
Facelift Launched Since 2022 2021
Body Style Not confirmed SUV
Color Note Not confirmed White, Black, Silver, Blue, Grey, Green
Dealer Stock Note Not confirmed Executive grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note Not confirmed Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0D AT Executive AWD
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Production Status Not confirmed published
Segment Not confirmed SUV
Tare Mass Kg Not confirmed 1720 kg
Vehicle Type Not confirmed SUV
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Spec H2 Tucson
Length 4290 mm 4630 mm
Width 1800 mm 1865 mm
Height 1645 mm 1665 mm
Wheelbase 2560 mm 2755 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 175 mm 181 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 52 l 54 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1800 kg 2110 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 540 l
Kerb Weight Not confirmed 1720 kg

In depth: how these cars differ

This H2 and Tucson 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 Tucson 69.

Efficiency index: H2 35 vs Tucson 56.

Safety-equipment index: H2 72 vs Tucson 92.

Practicality index: H2 66 vs Tucson 73.

Ownership-cover index: H2 44 vs Tucson 65.

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

Tucson leads by 18 points

Tucson holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over H2.

Evidence leader 72 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 90% source coverage
72
#1 Evidence leader

Tucson

90% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 56
Performance 69
Efficiency 56
Safety 92
Practicality 73
Ownership 65
Leads by 18 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 Tucson +24 Efficiency Tucson +21 Safety Tucson +20 Practicality Tucson +7 Ownership Tucson +21

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Tucson

Performance 69/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 73/100
Ownership 65/100

H2

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai Tucson leads the specification evidence index with 72 pts vs 54 pts for H2

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

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South African models and comparable body styles.

H2
H2Discontinued
VS
Jolion Pro Limited
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H2 vs Jolion Pro Limited →
H2
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VS
Tiggo 7
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H2 vs Tiggo 7 →
H2
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CS75 Pro
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H2 vs CS75 Pro →
H2
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Jimny 5-Door
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H2 vs Jimny 5-Door →
H2
H2Discontinued
VS
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
H2 vs Tiggo 4 Cross HEV →
H2
H2Discontinued
VS
Dashing
Dashing
H2 vs Dashing →
Tucson
Tucson
VS
Jolion Pro Limited
Jolion Pro Limited
Tucson vs Jolion Pro Limited →
Tucson
Tucson
VS
Tiggo 7
Tiggo 7
Tucson vs Tiggo 7 →

H2 vs Tucson 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.