Mbabane – Great Wall Motors (GWM) has unveiled an upgraded version of its Haval H7 in China, now called the Big Dog Plus. The facelift brings cosmetic and interior tweaks while retaining the core dimensions and powertrains of the second-generation Big Dog, which launched in China two years ago.
Externally, the Big Dog Plus features a new grille with an illuminated chrome HAVAL badge, riveted wheel arch cladding, a GWM tailgate logo, and two new paint options: Golden Flower and Armour Green. Inside, the aircraft-style gear lever has been replaced by a steering column-mounted selector, and the cabin retains the 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch infotainment screen, and two material colour options.
The Chinese-market Big Dog Plus continues to offer two petrol engines—a 1.5 T-GDI producing 135kW/275Nm and a 2.0 T-GDI producing 175kW/385Nm—paired to dual-clutch transmissions. Both front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive are available. The plug-in hybrid Hi-4 version combines a detuned 1.5 T-GDI with either one or two electric motors, offering outputs between 268kW/750Nm and 272kW/750Nm and electric ranges from 105 km to 150 km. Both hybrids use a two-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).
Currently, the Big Dog Plus is priced from 135 800 to 183 800 yuan (R331 230 to R448 307) in China. While the facelift is unlikely to reach South Africa immediately, similar updates could filter through to the local Haval H7, which launched in January, sometime in 2026. South Africa’s H7 range starts at R604 950 for the 2.0 T-GDI Luxury and goes up to R734 950 for the self-charging hybrid Super Luxury.
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