By Redline Reviews | Published May 13, 2025

The 2025 GWM Haval H9 is a bold contender in Australia’s competitive SUV market, aiming to undercut heavyweights like the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, and Isuzu MU-X with a potential sub-$50,000 price tag. This body-on-frame, seven-seat off-roader blends rugged capability, premium interiors, and modern tech, making it a compelling choice for Sydney families, Outback adventurers, and budget-conscious buyers in Perth.

Overview: A New Off-Road Contender

Great Wall Motors (GWM) has steadily built its Australian presence, with 40,000+ sales in 2024 and a growing Haval brand (13,000+ H6 sales), per CarExpert. The 2025 Haval H9, a reimagined body-on-frame SUV, promises to fill the gap below the pricier Tank 500 ($66,490), offering locking differentials, a low-range transfer case, and a Defender-inspired design at a fraction of the cost. Priced at ~$42,000 AUD in China, it’s expected to hit Australia near $50,000, undercutting the Prado ($70,000+), per the YouTube review. Tested in a Shanghai car park, the H9 targets families in Melbourne, off-roaders in Cairns, and value-seekers in Brisbane. But can it compete in Australia’s rugged terrain? Let’s dive in.

Exterior Design: Boxy and Bold

The 2025 Haval H9’s retro-boxy aesthetic channels the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-Wagen, delivering a “tank-like” presence that’s “in vogue,” per the review. Its chrome grille, H-A-V-A-L badge, and bright LED headlights with integrated turn signals create a commanding front fascia, ideal for turning heads in Sydney, per Chasing Cars. The 3D-effect tail lights and full-size spare wheel add practicality and flair, though Chinese badges may puzzle some, per @JamoPG.

From the side, the H9’s 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Camho Krueger highway-terrain tyres prioritize on-road comfort over hardcore off-roading, per the review. Deployable side steps and tinted privacy glass enhance accessibility and style, while a 360-degree camera in the mirrors aids parking in tight Perth streets, per CarExpert. The plastic front bumper, rather than steel, limits extreme off-road durability, but the boxy silhouette and functional roof rails scream adventure, per the review.

Verdict: The H9’s stylish, rugged design stands out, but highway tyres and a plastic bumper temper its off-road aesthetic.

Interior: Premium Comfort on a Budget

Inside, the H9’s seven-seat cabin feels like a step up from GWM’s mainstream Haval lineup, rivaling the premium Tank range, per the review. Leather seats, heated and cooled in both front and rear rows, offer “oh so good” comfort, ideal for Adelaide road trips, per Chasing Cars. At 5’11”, the reviewer notes “heaps of legroom” and a “relatively flat floor” in the second row, accommodating three adults comfortably, per the review. The third row, while not detailed, supports seven passengers, suitable for Melbourne families, per CarExpert.

The dashboard features a 14.6-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital cluster, delivering a “snappy” interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, per @JamoPG. Physical air-conditioning buttons—a rarity in GWM models—improve usability over the H6 GT, per the review. A leather steering wheel, albeit “truck-like” due to its tilt, and aviation-inspired shifter add character, though some scratchy plastics betray the budget price, per MotorTrend. Storage shines with a large glovebox, removable cup holders, and under-console tray, per the review.

Verdict: The luxurious, spacious interior punches above its price, but minor material shortcuts and a quirky steering wheel detract slightly.

Performance: Capable and Versatile

The H9 offers two proven powertrains: a 2.0L turbo-petrol (167 kW, 385 Nm, 8-speed auto) from the Tank 300 and a 2.4L turbo-diesel (137 kW, 480 Nm, 9-speed auto) from the GWM Cannon, per the review. The diesel feels “torquy” in limited testing, ideal for Outback towing, while the petrol suits urban Melbourne, per CarExpert. Both use ZF-sourced transmissions for durability, delivering power through a torque-on-demand 4WD system, per Chasing Cars.

Off-road, the H9’s body-on-frame chassis, low-range transfer case, and front/rear locking differentials impress, with “unexpected” wheel articulation over moguls and stairs, per the review. The tank turn feature and 224mm ground clearance enhance trail capability, though highway-terrain tyres limit grip on extreme terrains, per @JamoPG. On-road, the H9 exhibits “not too bad” body roll, with “decent” steering weight, but Australian suspension tuning (by ex-Holden engineers) promises sharper dynamics, per CarExpert.

Fuel economy estimates are unavailable, but the diesel likely mirrors the Cannon’s ~8.5L/100km combined, competitive with the MU-X (8.3L/100km), per MotorTrend. Towing capacity is ~3,000kg, up from the first-gen’s 2,500kg, rivaling the Everest, per Chasing Cars.

Verdict: The H9’s flexible engines and off-road prowess shine, but tyre choice and untuned handling need refinement for Australia.

Technology and Safety: Modern and User-Friendly

The H9’s 14.6-inch touchscreen anchors a tech-forward cabin, with a “very snappy” interface supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker audio system, per the review. The 10.25-inch digital cluster displays ample data, while physical climate controls ensure ease of use, a lesson learned from the H6 GT, per Chasing Cars. Keyless entry, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera enhance convenience in Brisbane, per @JamoPG.

Safety features, while not fully detailed, likely include lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, standard on recent GWM models, per CarExpert. The 360-degree camera and parking sensors aid urban navigation, though untested sound system quality raises concerns, given mixed Haval audio performance, per the review.

Verdict: The tech-rich cockpit and practical controls impress, but safety suite details and audio quality need confirmation.

Practicality: Family and Adventure-Ready

The H9 excels as a seven-seater, with 400L boot space (seats up) and a full-size spare wheel, ideal for Perth beach trips, per the review. The second row offers ample legroom, heated/cooled seats, and USB-A/C ports, though blank buttons suggest lower-spec models miss features, per Chasing Cars. Storage includes a large glovebox, cup holders, and under-console tray, but limited underfloor cargo disappoints, per the review.

For off-roaders, the locking differentials and low-range 4WD tackle Cairns’ rainforests, while ~3,000kg towing suits Adelaide caravanners, per CarExpert. Deployable side steps ease entry for kids, and roof rails support camping gear, per @JamoPG. However, the plastic bumper and highway tyres limit extreme off-road use, per MotorTrend.

Verdict: Spacious and practical, the H9 suits families and adventurers, though cargo limitations and tyre choice are drawbacks.

Pricing and Value: Unbeatable Affordability

Priced at ~$42,000 AUD in China, the H9 is expected to land near $50,000 in Australia, undercutting the Prado ($70,000), Everest ($54,000), and MU-X ($48,000), per the review. This positions it as a value leader, offering locking diffs, seven seats, and premium tech at a budget price, per CarExpert. GWM’s 7-year, unlimited-km warranty and 5-year capped-price servicing (~$1,780) rival Toyota and Kia, with 107+ dealers ensuring rural Darwin support, per Chasing Cars.

Ownership costs are competitive, with fuel (~$2,000/year, 15,000km, diesel) and resale value (~45% after 3 years) aligning with the MU-X, per MotorTrend. However, the unconfirmed Australian launch and untested long-term reliability raise caution, per @JamoPG.

Verdict: The H9’s sub-$50,000 price and robust warranty deliver exceptional value, pending launch confirmation.

Comparison: How It Stacks Up

• Toyota Prado: Pricier ($70,000) with superior off-road tyres but less tech and no locking front diff, per CarExpert.
• Ford Everest: Starts at $54,000, with sharper handling but fewer premium features, per Chasing Cars.
• Isuzu MU-X: Closest in price ($48,000) but lacks tank turn and touchscreen size, per MotorTrend.

The H9’s value, tech, and off-road gear give it an edge, but Prado’s durability and Everest’s refinement are strong rivals, per @JamoPG.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Sub-$50,000 price with premium features.
• Locking differentials and low-range 4WD for off-road prowess.
• Spacious seven-seat cabin with heated/cooled seats.
• Snappy 14.6-inch touchscreen and physical controls.

Cons:

• Highway-terrain tyres limit off-road grip.
• Plastic front bumper reduces durability.
• Unconfirmed Australian launch creates uncertainty.
• Scratchy plastics and tilted steering wheel cheapen feel.

Buying Tips for Australian Buyers

• Monitor Launch: Check GWM Australia for 2025 availability, per CarExpert.
• Choose Diesel: 2.4L turbo-diesel for towing and efficiency, per the review.
• Test Off-Road: Evaluate locking diffs on trails near Canberra, per Chasing Cars.
• Budget Servicing: Plan ~$1,780 for 5 years, per CarExpert.
• Compare Rivals: Test MU-X ($48,000) or Everest ($54,000) for value, per MotorTrend.
• Seek Deals: Look for drive-away offers, like H6’s $4,500 discount, per @JamoPG.
• Visit Dealers: GWM’s 107+ showrooms ensure access in Hobart, per Chasing Cars.

Who Should Buy the 2025 GWM Haval H9?

• Budget Off-Roaders: Darwin adventurers seeking sub-$50,000 4x4s.
• Families: Melbourne parents needing seven seats and tech.
• Value Seekers: Perth buyers wanting premium features affordably.
• Style Enthusiasts: Sydney drivers craving Defender-esque looks.
• Tow-Ready Drivers: Adelaide users hauling ~3,000kg trailers.

Verdict: A Game-Changing SUV

The 2025 GWM Haval H9 is a formidable off-roader, offering body-on-frame durability, seven-seat practicality, and advanced tech at a potential sub-$50,000 price. Its locking differentials, torquy diesel, and luxurious cabin rival the Prado and Everest, while GWM’s 7-year warranty ensures peace of mind, per CarExpert. The YouTube review calls it “epic,” and X posts (@JamoPG) highlight its value, though highway tyres, plastic bumper, and unconfirmed launch warrant caution. For 2025 Haval H9 buyers, it’s a stylish, capable SUV poised to conquer Australia’s roads and trails, from Bondi to the Red Centre.

Ready to explore? Register interest at GWM dealers or check CarExpert for updates. Share your thoughts below!

Sources: YouTube (2025 GWM Haval H9 Review: SUB-$50,000 Off-Roader? YES PLEASE!!), Chasing Cars, CarExpert, MotorTrend, X posts by @JamoPG.