GWM H2 has been discontinued — this model is no longer sold new in South Africa. All specifications, variants and pricing shown below are for historical reference. See current GWM models still on sale.
Suv Petrol Automatic FWD 5-seat

GWM H2

Historical South African specifications and last-listed pricing

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. Version introduced 2022
The Haval H2 was GWM's entry-level compact SUV in South Africa from 2017 to 2022 — a budget-focused alternative to the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster, discontinued in favour of the more sophisticated Jolion.
ZAR 339,900 · last listed
Last listed price ZAR 339,900
Engine:1497cc (1.5L) Torque:210Nm (155 lb-ft) Ground Clearance:175mm (6.9″) Power:110kW (148 bhp)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined 7.5 km/l (18 mpg)
City 6.2 km/l (15 mpg)
Highway 8.5 km/l (20 mpg)

Historical pricing is retained for reference, not as a current dealer offer. Verify the exact used vehicle's condition, equipment and build date before purchase.

Source-backed vehicle data • Verified by the Hagalu team

GWM H2

The Haval H2 was GWM's entry-level compact SUV in South Africa from 2017 to 2022 — a budget-focused alternative to the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster, discontinued in favour of the more sophisticated Jolion.

The Haval H2 was GWM's compact SUV offering in South Africa from 2017 to 2022, sitting as the entry-level Haval and a direct rival to the Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Suzuki Vitara of the same era. The H2 was a meaningful step up from the older H1 — larger, better equipped, and built on a more modern platform — but never reached the volume sales or quality refinement that the subsequent Jolion would achieve. Powertrain across the SA range was a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol producing 105 kW and 202 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The DCT was at the time a relatively advanced inclusion for the price segment, though it also became one of the H2's recurring criticisms — owners reported low-speed hesitancy and occasional rough engagement in stop-start traffic, issues that GWM worked on through software updates but never fully resolved. Two trim levels were offered in the final SA specification — 1.5T LS at R299,900 and 1.5T LT at R339,900. The LS included basic equipment — touchscreen infotainment, 4 airbags, ABS, manual air-conditioning, basic safety kit. The LT added climate control, leather seats, panoramic sunroof, and a slightly larger infotainment screen. On the road, the H2 was competent rather than impressive. The chassis was tuned for comfort and was unflustered on smooth tar, but felt out of its depth on broken urban surfaces or extended highway cruising. The DCT's hesitation in low-speed driving was the most consistent owner complaint, often mentioned alongside praise for the equipment level and value pricing. Long-term ownership reports from the SA H2 fleet have been mixed. Powertrain reliability was generally acceptable, with some recurring DCT issues that required dealer attention. Build quality was variable — early production cars in particular suffered from rattles and trim issues that improved through the model's life. The H2 played an important role in establishing Haval's presence in South Africa, but it was clearly an entry-level product that the brand would supersede with the Jolion. For the used buyer considering an H2 in 2026, the model represents reasonable value if priced correctly. Used examples typically trade between R145,000 and R240,000 depending on year, mileage and trim. Service history verification is essential, with particular attention to DCT service records. The aftermarket support continues through the GWM SA dealer network.

GWM H2 — Quick Facts

GWM H2 Variants & Prices

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Uncheck one of the selected variants below before choosing another.
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
1.5T LS Discontinued Base Petrol Automatic ZAR 299,900last listed
1.5T LT Discontinued Top Petrol Automatic ZAR 339,900last listed
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
1.5T LS Discontinued Base Petrol Automatic ZAR 299,900last listed
1.5T LT Discontinued Top Petrol Automatic ZAR 339,900last listed
2 variants selected

GWM H2 Specifications

Length
4290 mm
Width
1800 mm
Height
1645 mm
Wheelbase
2560 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
52 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1800 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.4 m
Front Headroom
990 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
870 mm
Driving fit

Where the GWM H2 Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

Entry-level compact SUV buyers in South Africa during 2017-2022 — first-time SUV buyers, young families and budget-conscious professionals who wanted SUV body styling and equipment at the most accessible Chinese-brand pricing.

City
Functional in urban duty though limited by basic safety equipment by current standards. The DCT could feel hesitant in stop-start traffic. Light steering and decent visibility made daily city driving manageable for the price.
Highway
Highway capability was modest. Cruising at 120 km/h was possible but unrefined, with significant cabin noise. Fuel economy at highway speeds sat at 7.5–8.5 L/100 km.
Off-Road
Front-wheel-drive monocoque SUV — handled gravel and light off-road duty within reasonable limits but not designed for serious off-road work.

GWM H2 — Should You Buy It?

An entry-level Chinese SUV from its era — competent for the price but superseded by the more refined Jolion. Now a budget used-buy option for cost-conscious SUV buyers.

The H2 served its purpose as Haval's entry SUV in South Africa for five years, but never developed the volume or quality consistency that the subsequent Jolion achieved. As a discontinued model, it offers value to budget buyers willing to accept its limitations, but more refined alternatives exist on the used market at similar prices.

What's Good
  • Most accessible Haval pricing during its production run
  • DCT transmission was advanced for its segment at the time
  • Standard touchscreen infotainment, climate control on LT, panoramic sunroof on LT
  • Decent boot space for the compact SUV segment
  • Aftermarket parts and service continues through GWM SA network
  • Established Haval brand awareness in South Africa for first-time SUV buyers
Watch Out For
  • DCT transmission had recurring low-speed hesitation issues that were never fully resolved
  • Build quality varied through the production run, with early cars suffering from rattles and trim issues
  • Safety equipment level below current segment expectations — only 4 airbags
  • Cabin presentation feels dated compared to current Jolion equivalent
  • Resale values dropped sharply at 5-year horizon versus established Korean and Japanese rivals

GWM H2 FAQs

The retained historical listing for the GWM H2 shows R299,900 to R339,900, depending on the derivative. These are reference prices from its period on sale, not current new-vehicle offers.

Entry-level compact SUV buyers in South Africa during 2017-2022 — first-time SUV buyers, young families and budget-conscious professionals who wanted SUV body styling and equipment at the most accessible Chinese-brand pricing.

Functional in urban duty though limited by basic safety equipment by current standards. The DCT could feel hesitant in stop-start traffic. Light steering and decent visibility made daily city driving manageable for the price.

Highway capability was modest. Cruising at 120 km/h was possible but unrefined, with significant cabin noise. Fuel economy at highway speeds sat at 7.5–8.5 L/100 km.

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Archive

Discontinued & Earlier GWM Models

Historical model pages remain available without competing with vehicles currently on sale.

Full GWM range
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Data verified against: GWM Official South Africa Website

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