China's almost-Defender lands in Europe, and the price tag could hurt the establishment

© gwm-global.com

Great Wall Motor is readying the Haval H7 for Europe — a big, angular SUV that openly plays on Defender and Land Cruiser turf. The German launch is set for late 2026, with an expected starting price of around €35,000 (roughly $40,700).

At 4.8 metres long, the H7 isn’t leaning solely on its rugged exterior. Inside there’s a 15.6-inch screen, a soft «leather» ambience and a promise of higher-grade materials for the European version. Early prototype testing in China showed a comfortable, soft suspension tune, but GWM still plans to retune the chassis for Europe, where buyers expect more precision from this kind of car.

The headline news is the Hi4 hybrid all-wheel-drive system. It splits torque between the axles, can reach a 50:50 balance and uses a dedicated rear electric motor. The line-up will include a 2.0 Turbo petrol with 223 hp and a nine-speed dual-clutch gearbox, a full hybrid with 248 hp and a PHEV. The range-topping plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive puts out up to 462 hp, hits 100 km/h in around five seconds and promises about 120 km of electric range.

GWM also lists a locking differential, decent towing capacity, a body built from more than 70% high-strength steel and a target of five stars in Euro NCAP. If the price holds around €35,000, the H7 won’t just be going after Dacia and mainstream SUVs — it’ll also tempt buyers who wanted «proper» off-road looks without paying a premium.