Haval F7 is a compact SUV launched by Great Wall Motor under its Haval brand, serving as the flagship offering of the Haval F series. Unlike the H series, which prioritises classic and practical attributes, the Haval F series is tailored for younger buyers with a focus on smart technology. As the first bona fide "global car" from a Chinese marque, it officially debuted in November 2018 and was concurrently manufactured at the Tula plant in Russia for export worldwide, marking a pivotal milestone in Great Wall Motor's globalisation strategy. As of May 2026, following several annual model-year updates, the F7 has gradually been phased out of the market, but remains a benchmark offering in the F series lineup.
The Haval F7 is billed as an "AI Smart Connected SUV", targeting the RM100,000 to RM150,000 lifestyle SUV segment. Its key USPs centre around a space-tech aesthetic, Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and global manufacturing standards. Tailored for younger buyers seeking contemporary styling and cutting-edge tech, the F7 acts as a stylistic foil to the Haval H6, often dubbed the "sportier, tech-laden" sibling of the H6. As of late 2025, the latest offering on sale was the 2023 model year, with limited inventory remaining in select markets. In the second half of 2024, Great Wall Motor streamlined its Haval lineup, gradually replacing the F7 with newer products, whilst keeping its indicative price band between RM100,000 and RM150,000.
Styling-wise, the Haval F7 adopts an original design language inspired by aerospace technology, incorporating "space aesthetics" across its exterior details. Up front, it features an aggressive, dynamic fascia highlighted by a prominent hexagonal honeycomb grille flanked by matrix LED headlamps for maximum road presence. Along the flanks, a sharp multi-crease character line lends the profile a sleek, purposeful stance, while the distinct comet-tail-inspired light signatures at the rear add instant recognition. From the 2020 facelift onwards, trendier exterior shades like AF Gold and G7 Red were introduced to amplify its athletic appeal.
Inside, the cabin embraces a driver-centric "wrap-around smart cockpit" layout, with the centre console and controls canted toward the driver to create an immersive feel. Soft-touch materials are generously applied across the dashboard and door cards, giving the cabin an upmarket tactile feel. Higher-spec variants get an exclusive touch with embroidered red "F" logos on the seatbacks. A flat-bottom three-spoke sports steering wheel, paired with a full digital instrument cluster and an electronic shift-by-wire gear selector, further enhances the tech-laden ambiance.
The Haval F7 comes with a choice of two turbocharged petrol powertrains—a 1.5T and a 2.0T—catering to different driving requirements.
The 1.5GDIT variant is powered by Great Wall's proprietary 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, churning out 124 kW (approx. 169 PS) and 285 Nm of torque. Peak torque kicks in from just 1,400 rpm, ensuring brisk low-end responsiveness. Combined fuel consumption is rated between 7.3 and 8.2 L/100 km on RON 92 petrol. As the volume-seller in the range, this variant strikes a practical balance between punchy output and everyday running costs.
The 2.0GDIT variant packs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo mill producing a class-leading 165 kW (approx. 224 PS) and 385 Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.6 to 10.1 L/100 km on RON 95 petrol. Haval claims an official 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.58 seconds, though real-world tests on high-spec variants have clocked times as brisk as 7.5 to 7.6 seconds.
Across the board, power is routed through a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (7DCT) boasting a 95% transmission efficiency, tuned to balance shift smoothness with brisk response times. Top speed is rated at 194 km/h.
The Haval F7 adopts a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout, with all-wheel-drive variants equipped with an on-demand AWD system. Suspension hardware comprises front MacPherson struts and a rear double-wishbone independent setup. Unlike the torsion beam rear axles typical of similarly priced SUVs, the F7's all-round independent suspension prioritises handling poise and ride compliance, ensuring composed road manners across varied driving conditions.
Chassis calibration leans towards the pliant side for everyday comfort, doing an admirable job of soaking up road imperfections. That said, body roll under enthusiastic cornering could be better contained. The AWD variant incorporates BorgWarner hardware and comes with six selectable drive modes: Standard, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Eco, bolstering tractive grip over challenging terrain. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel disc brakes, yielding a tested 100-0 km/h braking distance of roughly 40.2 metres, on par with class averages.
The five-seater F7 measures 4,620 mm long, 1,846 mm wide, and 1,690 mm tall, riding on a 2,725 mm wheelbase—standard proportions for a mainstream C-segment SUV. Rear passenger accommodations are generous, aided by a virtually flat rear floor pan that enhances middle-seat comfort.
The smart cockpit serves as a headline attraction. From the 2021 model year onwards, mid-to-high spec trims gained a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster paired with a 12.3-inch floating HD touchscreen infotainment display, creating a contemporary dual-screen cockpit. The infotainment system features deep integration with the Tencent TAI ecosystem, packing connected features such as in-car WeChat, iQIYI video streaming, WeSing karaoke, Amap navigation, and access to QQ Music's vast library. Creature comforts also include Qi wireless smartphone charging, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, and an electronic shifter.
Safety kit is comprehensive on both passive and active fronts. The F7 is engineered around a high-tensile safety cage incorporating ultra-high-strength hot-stamped steel in structural load paths. All variants feature 6 airbags as standard (dual front, front side, and full-length curtain airbags), ensuring robust all-round passenger protection.
On the active safety front, the F7 is equipped with an ADAS suite delivering Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability. Over 20 smart driver-assist features are packed in, including Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Lane Centring Keep (LCK), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Intelligent Cruise Assist (ICA), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Door Opening Warning (DOW), and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
Conceived as a true "global car", the Haval F7 stands as one of Great Wall Motor's biggest overseas commercial hits. In Russia, it consistently topped sales charts among Chinese-branded nameplates. In 2019 alone, global sales surpassed 140,000 units, establishing the F7 as a vital volume pillar alongside the stalwart Haval H6.
In its domestic Chinese market, however, the F7's sales trajectory experienced sharp swings. Riding on sharp market positioning at launch, monthly deliveries quickly breached the 10,000-unit mark before settling into a steady 6,000-to-8,000-unit monthly rhythm. By 2022, domestic demand plummeted dramatically—having slipped to a mere 7 units by October 2021. The nameplate was ultimately phased out in late 2024, yielding its slot to next-generation Haval models.
Industry observers and owner feedback point to insufficient differentiation from the Haval H6 as the root cause of its sales decline. The edgy, sporty positioning failed to strike a strong chord with mainstream family SUV buyers prioritising pure practicality and value, while "smart connected" tech had yet to become a decisive purchase driver at the time. Furthermore, owner-reported niggles—notably low-speed dual-clutch transmission hesitancy and occasional infotainment freeze-ups—dented its long-term reliability reputation. Squeezed by these headwinds, an ambitious crossover once pitted against established rivals like the Nissan X-Trail gradually faded from prominence.
Be that as it may, as China's first genuine global model, the Haval F7 successfully broke ground in competitive export markets like Russia, demonstrating that Chinese automakers have what it takes to compete on the world stage. Having fulfilled its mission of piloting Haval's brand rejuvenation, the engineering learnings and market insights gained from the F series have since been channelled into subsequent generations of Haval vehicles.
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