Haima S7

The Haima S7 (Haima S7) is a compact urban SUV manufactured by Haima Automobile. Serving as a pivotal strategic model for the brand in the compact SUV segment, the S7 first debuted in 2010 under the name "Haima 7", witnessing Haima's early foray and transition in the SUV arena. Although officially discontinued in China in 2020, the vehicle holds a significant place in the brand's history thanks to its dependable mechanical setup and practical equipment, and it continues to soldier on as a staple offering in select overseas markets such as the Philippines.

Model Overview

The Haima S7 is positioned as a compact SUV, with dimensions measuring approximately 4,480 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,715 mm in height, riding on a 2,619 mm wheelbase. Billed as a "practical urban SUV" and an "early pioneer among domestic Chinese SUVs", its key selling points include rugged exterior styling, class-leading slush-moulded soft-touch interior trim, generous cabin room, and a proven powertrain. As an early urban SUV from a homegrown brand, it not only fulfilled daily family commuting duties but also delivered strong value for money through a comprehensive equipment list during its market tenure.

Development History

Model Debut and Rebadging (2010–2013): The model made its world premiere at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show as the "Haima 7" and went on sale in July of the same year. It was officially rechristened the "Haima S7" in 2011. It subsequently received several exterior and interior revisions to maintain its competitive edge in the local market.

Technical Updates (2015–2016): In 2016, Haima introduced a major facelift sporting a bolder front grille and LED daytime running lights, substantially sharpening the SUV's contemporary and high-tech visual appeal.

End of Domestic Lifecycle & Overseas Continuation (2020 to Present): Production of the Haima  S7 in Mainland China officially drew to a close in 2020. However, the model continues to be marketed in overseas territories like the Philippines, serving local car buyers as part of Haima's export lineup.

Market Performance

Upon its initial launch, the Haima S7 garnered a dependable reputation in China's domestic SUV market thanks to its competitive product packaging. Renowned for its low running costs and durable chassis, it was widely hailed by owners as an "economical and practical family runabout". While rising segment competition eventually saw its market share absorbed by newer-generation platform models, the S7 served as a bedrock for Haima's early SUV portfolio, successfully validating the carmaker's engineering expertise in multi-link suspension systems and turbocharged engine applications.

Core Technology

Powertrain: Early variants were fitted with Haima's proprietary 2.0L naturally aspirated engine (pushing out 110 kW), followed by the introduction of a 1.8T turbocharged unit (delivering 138 kW). Both engines were paired with either a 6-speed manual (MT) or a 6-speed automatic (AT) gearbox. This powertrain lineup was noted in its day for prompt low-end throttle response and effortless mid-to-high speed cruising acceleration.

Chassis Architecture: The chassis utilises a setup consisting of front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension. An independent rear multi-link configuration was a rarity among domestic Chinese rivals in this class at the time, noticeably improving tyre grip, vehicle handling, and overall ride compliance.

Safety & Build: Built around a high-strength steel safety cage structure, the car came equipped with active head restraints, an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), providing robust safety assurance for family motorists.

Interior Refinement: Around 2013, the S7 was among the pioneers in its class to incorporate generous slush-moulded soft-touch dashboard materials, offering superior tactile feedback over its peers and effectively uplifting cabin perceived quality.

Future Plans

At present, the Haima S7 is no longer part of the carmaker's primary domestic offering. Haima Automobile's broader corporate strategy has pivoted towards the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) transition, leveraging advanced modular architectures to focus on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen-powered passenger cars. Having fulfilled its historical mission as a past pillar of the brand, the S7 now bows out. Moving forward, Haima aims to reshape its market presence through electric and hydrogen mobility solutions, while the manufacturing know-how and chassis tuning expertise accumulated from the S7 era have been carried over as foundational engineering assets for the brand's subsequent vehicle development.