GWM Haval Raptor: In a market teeming with rugged SUVs designed to conquer Australia’s diverse terrain, a new challenger has emerged.
The GWM Haval Raptor arrives with bold styling, impressive off-road credentials, and a value proposition that demands attention from traditional segment leaders.
As Chinese automotive manufacturers continue their ambitious push into the Australian market, the Raptor represents GWM’s most serious attempt yet to capture the hearts of adventure-seeking Aussies who demand both capability and comfort.
A Bold New Direction for GWM in Australia
Great Wall Motors (GWM) has been steadily building its presence in Australia through its Haval SUV sub-brand. After establishing a foothold with more urban-focused models like the Jolion and H6, the company is now taking direct aim at the off-road segment dominated by established players like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Ford Everest, and Isuzu MU-X.
The Raptor nameplate itself signals GWM’s intentions – borrowing the nomenclature made famous by Ford’s performance off-road vehicles suggests confidence in the vehicle’s capabilities.
While some might view this as a provocative move, GWM believes the Raptor has the substance to back up its ambitious naming.
“We’re not just playing in this segment – we’re here to redefine expectations,” says David Campbell, GWM Australia’s Marketing Director.
“The Haval Raptor combines genuine off-road ability with on-road comfort at a price point that will make competitors uncomfortable.”
Distinctive Design That Demands Attention
The Haval Raptor makes no attempt to blend in. Its exterior design features aggressive styling cues that communicate its intended purpose from every angle.
The front fascia is dominated by a massive grille featuring the bold HAVAL lettering, flanked by slim LED headlights and prominent fog lamps.
Muscular wheel arches house 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires as standard, with the option to upgrade to more aggressive off-road rubber.
Along the sides, protective cladding and robust rock sliders provide both visual impact and functional protection. The rear continues the rugged theme with a spare tire mounted on the tailgate, distinctive taillights, and dual exhaust outlets integrated into a skid plate.
The overall silhouette strikes a balance between traditional body-on-frame SUV proportions and modern design sensibilities.
Available in eight exterior colors, including the eye-catching “Volcano Orange” and “Arctic Tundra” that are unique to the Raptor, this SUV ensures it stands out in both urban environments and remote outback settings.
Powertrain Options Built for Australian Conditions
Understanding the Australian market’s preference for torquey, efficient engines suited to long-distance driving and off-road adventures, GWM has equipped the Raptor with two compelling powertrain options.
The standard offering is a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 220kW (295 horsepower) and 400Nm of torque.
This unit is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission developed in collaboration with ZF, offering smooth shifts and responsive performance. Fuel consumption is rated at 9.8L/100km combined – respectable figures for a vehicle in this class.
More intriguing for many Australian buyers will be the 2.4-liter bi-turbo diesel option. This powerplant delivers 184kW (247 horsepower) and a substantial 480Nm of torque available from just 1,500rpm.
The diesel variant also utilizes the eight-speed automatic but adds a more sophisticated two-speed transfer case for serious off-road situations. Fuel efficiency improves to 8.2L/100km combined, giving the diesel Raptor a theoretical range of over 950km from its 80-liter fuel tank.
Both powertrains feature selectable drive modes including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with the latter further subdivided into Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock settings that adjust throttle response, transmission behavior, and traction control systems accordingly.
Genuine Off-Road Credentials
GWM has designed the Raptor with authentic off-road capability in mind, rather than merely offering the appearance of ruggedness. The vehicle is built on a ladder-frame chassis with double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear setup featuring heavy-duty coil springs and gas-charged dampers.
Ground clearance stands at an impressive 235mm, while approach and departure angles of 31 and 25 degrees respectively allow the Raptor to tackle challenging terrain with confidence.
A wading depth of 800mm ensures water crossings won’t pose significant problems for adventurous owners.
All Raptor variants come standard with an electronically controlled locking rear differential, while higher-spec models add a front locker as well.
The advanced four-wheel drive system features a center differential lock and the aforementioned two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing.
“We benchmarked the Raptor against established off-road leaders and ensured it could handle everything from beach driving to rock crawling,” explains Sarah Johnson, GWM’s Australian Engineering Lead.
“During our local testing program, we put prototypes through their paces in the Flinders Ranges, across the Simpson Desert, and through the challenging tracks of the Victorian High Country.”
Technology and Interior Comfort
Inside, the Raptor balances utilitarian durability with modern comfort and technology. The cabin features water-resistant upholstery options, rubberized flooring in work-oriented variants, and more premium leather appointments in higher-spec models.
Physical buttons and knobs for critical functions like climate control and off-road settings ensure operability with gloved hands or in dusty conditions.
The dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
This is complemented by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that can be configured to display off-road information including pitch and roll angles, differential status, and wheel articulation.
Other noteworthy technology features include:
- A 360-degree camera system with dedicated off-road views
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Nine-speaker premium audio system
- Head-up display on flagship variants
- Over-the-air update capability for both infotainment and vehicle systems
Practicality hasn’t been overlooked, with the Raptor offering seating for seven across three rows. The second row provides ample space for adults, while the third row is suitable for children or shorter journeys.
With all seats in place, cargo capacity stands at 295 liters, expanding to 932 liters with the third row folded, and an impressive 1,842 liters with both rear rows stowed.
Safety Features Comprehensive and Advanced
GWM has equipped the Raptor with a comprehensive suite of safety features, addressing a critical area where some Chinese manufacturers have previously fallen short in the Australian market.
The vehicle boasts a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2023 protocols, with standard safety equipment including:
- Seven airbags including a center airbag between front occupants
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality
- Lane keeping assist and lane departure warning
- Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver attention monitoring
- Trailer sway control
The Raptor also features a robust body structure utilizing high-strength steel in critical areas, providing both occupant protection and the torsional rigidity required for serious off-road use.
Value Proposition and Australian Market Position
Perhaps the Raptor’s most compelling feature is its value proposition. Starting at $48,990 drive-away for the base petrol variant and extending to $62,990 for the fully-loaded diesel flagship, the Raptor undercuts similarly equipped competitors by $10,000-$15,000.
This aggressive pricing strategy has been a hallmark of GWM’s Australian market approach, but the Raptor represents a more holistic package than previous offerings. Rather than competing solely on price, the vehicle aims to attract buyers with its combination of capability, technology, and value.
GWM is supporting the Raptor with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and capped-price servicing for the first five years of ownership.
The brand has also expanded its Australian dealer network to 92 locations nationwide, addressing previous concerns about service accessibility.
Local Testing and Australian Input
A significant factor in the Raptor’s development has been GWM’s commitment to Australian market-specific testing and refinement.
The company established a local engineering team based in Melbourne, which has worked closely with the Chinese parent company to ensure the Raptor meets the unique demands of Australian conditions.
“Australian drivers expect their off-road vehicles to perform in some of the world’s most challenging environments,” notes Chris Wright, GWM Australia’s Product Planning Manager.
“We’ve conducted over 100,000 kilometers of local testing across every state and territory, making numerous refinements to suspension tuning, dust sealing, cooling systems, and electronic calibrations based on real-world Australian conditions.”
This localization effort extends to the Raptor’s infotainment system, which features Australian accent recognition for voice commands and mapping data optimized for remote areas including off-road tracks.
A Serious New Player in Australia’s Off-Road Landscape
The GWM Haval Raptor arrives in Australia as more than just another entry in the increasingly crowded SUV market.
It represents the maturation of Chinese automotive manufacturing and specifically GWM’s understanding of what Australian buyers want from their adventure vehicles.
With its combination of genuine off-road ability, modern technology, comprehensive safety features, and sharp pricing, the Raptor has the potential to disrupt established players in the segment.
While brand perception remains a challenge for Chinese manufacturers, the substantive improvements evident in the Raptor suggest that this gap is narrowing rapidly.
For Australian buyers willing to look beyond traditional brands, the GWM Haval Raptor offers a compelling package that deserves serious consideration.
Whether it’s exploring remote outback tracks, tackling weekend adventures, or simply handling the school run with confidence, this newcomer demonstrates that the landscape of rugged SUVs in Australia has a bold new contender.