The arrival of a GWM H5 2,0 VGT 4×2 automatic heralds the second time that CAR will spend one year and 20 000 km with the Chinese firm’s SUV offering. Given the respectable manner in which the previous petrol-engined model acquitted itself when presented with a myriad of tasks; from daily runner to support vehicle for our 2012 Performance Shootout, we have great expectations of this turbodiesel model.
As before, the H5 offers a lot of kit for this model’s current R264 990 outlay (standard features include auto lights/wipers, electric windows and mirrors, leather, power steering, ABS, cruise control, touchscreen entertainment system with Bluetooth and USB, air-conditioning, rear parking camera etc.) and we’ve noticed a new trip computer and neat tyre pressure monitor integrated into the rear-view mirror.
This car’s 2,0-litre powerplant develops 110 kW at 4 000 r/min and 310 N.m of torque at 1 800 r/min. There were some refinement issues with the previous long termer’s powertrain that manifested themselves in the forms of powerplant coarseness and occasionally notchy gearshift, but so far these appear to have been remedied by the diesel.
Refinement-wise, you’re aware that you’re piloting a diesel with noticeable engine noise filtering into the cabin, but this smoothens out once it has warmed up and at motorway speeds. In terms of overall driveability, the H5 is largely an old-school SUV driving experience. The ride, although largely comfortable, can become bouncy over rutted surfaces and the high centre of gravity means that corners need to be negotiated at a sensible speeds, but these are The five-speed torque converter automatic to which this unit is coupled has so far proven to be well suited to the engine, but there is a palpable hesitancy in power delivery off the mark that makes catching a gap at a busy junction an action requiring a circumspect approach from the driver.
GWM South Africa has planned to remedy this issue with an ECU upgrade, which has already been applied with noticeable effect to a manual model we sampled recently. The upgrades to the automatic are currently under evaluation and we’ll update you as to whether it be implemented and, if so, whether it manages to give our long termer some added low-end urgency.
So far…
Mileage on arrival (km) 750
Mileage now (km) 3865
Fuel consumption (litres/100 km) 10,4
We like
generous standard specifications, improvements to cabin trim and powertrain refinement
We don’t like
Lethargic performance off the mark