GWM H7 vs Suzuki Jimny

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.

GWM H7 in South Africa

GWM H7

2.0T LX Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 185 kW 🔧 420 Nm ⛽ 11.8 km/l
VS
Suzuki Jimny in South Africa

Suzuki Jimny

1.5 GLX AllGrip AT Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 466,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW 🔧 130 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance H7
Fuel Economy Jimny
🛡 Safety H7
📦 Practicality H7
🔑 Ownership Jimny
Jimny starts ZAR 205,000 cheaper H7 from ZAR 649,900 · Jimny from ZAR 444,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec H7 Jimny
Maximum Power 185 kW @ 5500 rpm 75 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque 420 Nm 130 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size 1999 cc 1462 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 11.8 km/l 15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance 195 mm 210 mm
Boot / Load Bay 620 l 85 l
Airbags 8 6
Kerb Weight 1830 kg 1110 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 4 seats
Warranty 5 Years / 100,000 km 5

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

H7 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Jimny.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance H7 +51 pts
Efficiency Jimny +15 pts
Safety H7 +12 pts
Practicality H7 +29 pts
Ownership Jimny +6 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Catalogue-index leader

H7

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

Jimny

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

Which One's Right for You?

H7

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Jimny

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec H7 Jimny
Model Introduced Year 2024 2019
Generation First generation, derived from Haval's larger SUV platform launched in 2023. Local specification differs from the Chinese-domestic model in suspension calibration and equipment loading. Fourth generation (JB74 series); entirely new K15B engine replaces previous K13B; AllGrip Pro 4WD system replaces previous generation's 4WD setup; new body retains ladder-frame construction and live rear axle from all previous generations
Facelift History First-generation H7 launched in South Africa in 2024. No significant facelift to date; software updates have refined the all-wheel-drive system calibration and the driver-assistance behaviour. Fourth-generation Jimny launched globally in 2018 and in SA in 2019; minor specification updates in 2021 including updated connectivity; 5-door Jimny Sierra launched globally in 2023 but not confirmed for SA as of end-2025; no mechanical changes to the 3-door SA model since launch
Facelift Launched Since 2024 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note Crystal White, Hamilton Black, Cosmos Grey, Pittsburgh Silver, Mars Red and Atlantic Blue. Two-tone roof options available on LT and LX trims. Kinetic Yellow, Sizzling Red, Granite Grey, Brisk Blue, Chiffon Ivory White, Bluish Black Pearl
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1830 kg 1115 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 GLX AllGrip AT
Spec H7 Jimny
Length 4772 mm 3625 mm
Width 1910 mm 1645 mm
Height 1750 mm 1720 mm
Wheelbase 2800 mm 2250 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 195 mm 210 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 63 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 620 l 85 l
Kerb Weight 1830 kg 1110 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2200 kg 1435 kg
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 1300 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 4 seats
Doors 5 doors 3 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 12.2 m 4.9 m
Front Headroom 990 mm 990 mm
Rear Headroom 960 mm 910 mm
Front Legroom 1050 mm 900 mm
Rear Legroom 890 mm 600 mm
Payload Capacity - 325 kg
Number of Rows - 2 rows

Source-backed Catalogue Index

A transparent specification index shown only when every vehicle clears the minimum comparable-data threshold.

Weighted / 100
Catalogue-index readout

H7 leads by 18 points

H7 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Jimny.

Index leader 75 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 96% source coverage
75
#1 Index leader

H7

96% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Efficiency 46
Performance 80
Efficiency 46
Safety 100
Practicality 73
Ownership 65
Leads by 18 points
57
#2

Jimny

93% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 29
Performance 29
Efficiency 61
Safety 88
Practicality 44
Ownership 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance H7 +51 Efficiency Jimny +15 Safety H7 +12 Practicality H7 +29 Ownership Jimny +6

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader

H7

Performance 80/100
Efficiency 46/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 73/100
Ownership 65/100

Jimny

Performance 29/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 44/100
Ownership 71/100

How to Read This Comparison

🏆 GWM H7 leads the catalogue index with 75 pts vs 57 pts for Jimny

In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, H7 leads. However, Jimny may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

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.

Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.

Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.

Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.

It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

This H7 and Jimny 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: H7 80 vs Jimny 29.

Efficiency index: H7 46 vs Jimny 61.

Safety-equipment index: H7 100 vs Jimny 88.

Practicality index: H7 73 vs Jimny 44.

Ownership-cover index: H7 65 vs Jimny 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.