GWM H1 vs LEPAS L4

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 H1 Discontinued model
GWM H1 in South Africa

GWM H1

1.5 LS Petrol CVT Discontinued model
ZAR 229,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 78 kW 🔧 135 Nm ⛽ 7.0 km/l
VS
LEPAS L4 in South Africa

LEPAS L4

1.5T Pantera 6DCT Petrol 6-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 419,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 108 kW 🔧 225 Nm ⛽ 14.3 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

GWM H1 vs LEPAS L4: the short answer

L4 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over H1.

Recorded price context H1: last listed from ZAR 229,900 · L4: current from ZAR 299,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification H1 L4
Maximum Power H178 kW @ 6000 rpm L4108 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque H1135 Nm @ 4000 rpm L4225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
Engine Size H11497 cc L41499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy H17.0 km/l L414.3 km/l
Ground Clearance H1160 mm L4160 mm

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

Evidence for GWM H1 1.5 LS

Source type: Hagalu catalogue record

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

H1

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

L4

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

Which One's Right for You?

H1

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

L4

  • 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 H1 L4
Model Introduced Year 2015 2026
Generation Single generation in South Africa from 2015-2019. The H1 was based on an older Great Wall platform and was discontinued without a direct successor. First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
Facelift History H1 received a single mid-cycle update in 2017 that brought minor exterior styling refinements and an updated infotainment system. No significant mechanical changes through the model life. The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2026
Facelift Version Ending Not confirmed Current
Body Style Not confirmed SUV
Model Year Not confirmed 2026
Production Status Not confirmed Active
Segment Not confirmed Compact SUV
Vehicle Type Not confirmed SUV
Spec H1 L4
Length 4002 mm 4406 mm
Width 1740 mm 1820 mm
Height 1567 mm 1635 mm
Wheelbase 2450 mm 2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 160 mm 160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 42 l 51 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1770 kg 1844 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.2 m 5.275 m
Front Headroom 975 mm 1005 mm
Rear Headroom 950 mm 975 mm
Front Legroom 1020 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 840 mm 890 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not confirmed 170 mm
Boot/Cargo Space Not confirmed 458 l
Kerb Weight Not confirmed 1346 kg
Payload Capacity Not confirmed 498 kg
Towing Capacity Not confirmed 1200 kg
Number of Rows Not confirmed 2 rows

In depth: how these cars differ

This H1 and L4 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: H1 30 vs L4 47.

Efficiency index: H1 35 vs L4 56.

Safety-equipment index: H1 68 vs L4 92.

Practicality index: H1 63 vs L4 59.

Ownership-cover index: H1 44 vs L4 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

L4 leads by 15 points

L4 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over H1.

Evidence leader 64 /100
Lead 15 points
Data 83% source coverage
64
#1 Evidence leader

L4

83% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 47
Performance 47
Efficiency 56
Safety 92
Practicality 59
Leads by 15 points
49
#2

H1

80% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Safety 68 Check Performance 30
Performance 30
Efficiency 35
Safety 68
Practicality 63
Ownership 44
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance L4 +17 Efficiency L4 +21 Safety L4 +24 Practicality H1 +4

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

L4

Performance 47/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 59/100

H1

Performance 30/100
Efficiency 35/100
Safety 68/100
Practicality 63/100
Ownership 44/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index LEPAS L4 leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts vs 49 pts for H1

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, L4 leads. However, H1 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

H1 vs L4 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.