GWM Haval H9 threatens the reign of the Toyota SW4; see the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese SUV

And, in the middle of this group, a serious jeep with a diesel engine and body-on-frame architecture. It's hard to imagine that he would be successful. And it is precisely the H9 that has been nudging the SW4 leader in 2026. The Chinese model was ahead of the Toyota in registrations in March and May. Between January and June, GWM has 5,942 units sold and SW4 has 6,780 units. To understand the phenomenon, g1 separated 5 points that explain the rise of the GWM Haval H9. Related Galleries Price gap When analyzing the table, it is impossible to ignore the R$89,000 difference between H9 and SW4. And GWM's practice of not giving discounts and having only two versions, very close in price, allows the SUV to not have distortions in the pre-owned market. The H9 Exclusive costs R$335,000 and the Selection version costs R$339,000. The extra R$4,000 is for a visual package with a black grille, darkened wheels and other items that do not change the GWM equipment package. The Toyota has a starting price of R$417,590 in the SRX Platinum version, however, this configuration comes with five seats. In this report, the SRX Platinum with seven seats was considered, which costs R$424,590.

As a result, even the slightly more expensive maintenance of the GWM doesn't even tickle. The detail is that the H9 has scheduled inspections every 12 thousand km, while the Toyota is serviced every 10 thousand km. Thus, the GWM up to the 4th revision has a total cost of R$ 9,126 and is already at 48 thousand km, very close to the 50 thousand km that the SW4 achieves in the 5th revision. Please note that both offer 10-year warranties, as long as the customer follows maintenance, with discipline, within the dealership network. Related Galleries Well-stuffed The price argument becomes even stronger when analyzing the equipment lists. GWM owes nothing to Toyota. You could even say that the H9 wins the duel. In the Chinese model, the multimedia screen is larger and the software logic is more user-friendly. The GWM's front seats have heating and massage, the Toyota's only cooling. In the 2nd row of seats, only the H9 has cooling. The SW4 has an electric trunk opening, an item that brings comfort and practicality.

Following the technology and safety items, the GWM has lane keeping assistant, while the Toyota only has alert. Both have cameras around the vehicle, but the Haval manages to create a “transparency” effect and delivers a better look. The Auto-Hold function and Stop&Go, which are on the H9, help with moving in and out of traffic. Together with adaptive cruise control, it is possible to keep up with traffic without having to constantly press the brake pedal.

Jeep size An important aspect when talking about these diesel SUVs with a chassis on a body is the size. The customer who is willing to spend this amount is looking for an imposing, spacious car that also conveys this sensation visually. From the technical sheet, it is possible to see that the H9 is larger than the SW4 in width and length and, therefore, is heavier. In practice, when the two models are side by side, the perception (although psychological) is that the buyer is getting “more” when opting for the GWM model. Related Galleries In design, a naturally subjective aspect, GWM also followed a path that tends to please this audience. The H9 does not look like other models of the brand sold in Brazil, such as those in the Ora line or the H6. The designers' proposal was to create a look that recalls models such as the Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, combining a body with square lines with slightly rounded elements, as well as headlights and a front grille with a striking presence. The result is a look with strong appeal for those looking for a utility vehicle that looks like a real Jeep, even if it never leaves the asphalt and is only used to go to the mall. Related Galleries This perception is also influenced by the evolution of SW4 over the last few years. In the most recent updates, Toyota has made the SUV derived from the Hilux pickup increasingly sophisticated and with less of the appearance of an off-road vehicle. This does not mean that the SW4 has lost its ability to tackle difficult terrain. He continues to be able to do this very well. But, from a design point of view, the model followed a line closer to a luxury SUV, while the H9 bets on the robust and raw appearance of a Jeep, a characteristic that appeals to consumers.

Good driving experience The numbers on the technical sheet indicate an advantage for the Toyota in terms of performance. Although the Japanese brand does not officially disclose maximum speed and acceleration data, behind the wheel it is clear that the SW4, as it is lighter and has greater power, delivers more agile responses in traffic. Anyone who enters the H9 can imagine that they will find a clumsy car due to its size and robust appearance. However, during the g1 tests in the intense and tight traffic of the capital of São Paulo, the GWM SUV did not demonstrate this behavior at any time. It's true that driving a vehicle of this size between lanes and motorcycles requires attention, but the H9 didn't feel like a difficult or intimidating car to maneuver on São Paulo's busy avenues. Relaci Galleries