GWM H2 vs MG ZS

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
MG ZS in South Africa

MG ZS

1.5L 4AT Luxury Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 309,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 84 kW 🔧 150 Nm ⛽ 14.08 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM H2 vs MG ZS: the short answer

H2 and ZS are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Recorded price context H2: last listed from ZAR 299,900 · ZS: current from ZAR 289,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification H2 ZS
Maximum Power H2110 kW @ 5500 rpm ZS84 kW
Maximum Torque H2210 Nm ZS150 Nm
Engine Size H21497 cc ZS1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy H27.5 km/l ZS14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance H2175 mm ZS175 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
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

ZS

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
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

ZS

  • 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 ZS
Model Introduced Year 2017 2025
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 local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
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. Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since 2022 2025
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Body Style Not confirmed Five-door compact SUV
Model Year Not confirmed 2024
Production Status Not confirmed active
Segment Not confirmed Compact SUV
Vehicle Type Not confirmed SUV
Spec H2 ZS
Length 4290 mm 4314 mm
Width 1800 mm 1809 mm
Height 1645 mm 1624 mm
Wheelbase 2560 mm 2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 175 mm 175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 52 l 48 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1800 kg 1695 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.4 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 990 mm 1043 mm
Rear Headroom 960 mm 995 mm
Front Legroom 1040 mm 1070 mm
Rear Legroom 870 mm 850 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not confirmed Not Officially Disclosed
Boot/Cargo Space Not confirmed 359 l
Kerb Weight Not confirmed 1258 kg
Payload Capacity Not confirmed 437 kg
Towing Capacity Not confirmed 500 kg
Number of Rows Not confirmed 2 rows

In depth: how these cars differ

This H2 and ZS 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 ZS 37.

Efficiency index: H2 35 vs ZS 55.

Safety-equipment index: H2 72 vs ZS 87.

Practicality index: H2 66 vs ZS 52.

Ownership-cover index: H2 44 vs ZS not separately scored.

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

ZS leads by 3 points

H2 and ZS are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 57 /100
Lead 3 points
Data 73% source coverage
57
#1 Evidence leader

ZS

73% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 87 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 55
Safety 87
Practicality 52
Leads by 3 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 +8 Efficiency ZS +20 Safety ZS +15 Practicality H2 +14

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

ZS

Performance 37/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 52/100

H2

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index MG ZS leads the specification evidence index with 57 pts vs 54 pts for H2

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

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H2 vs ZS 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.