Haima S7

The interior of the S7 was also restyled to achieve a premium look and feel. The dashboard is completely new with dark grey trim and now also includes an integrated LCD touchscreen at the center console. The cabin offers generous leg and headroom and can seat up to five adult passengers. The driver’s seat can be manually adjusted in eight different ways, while the passenger seats can be manually adjusted in four ways. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and has audio control for convenience. The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is equipped with Bluetooth support. Other features include an automatic airconditioning system, dual cup holders for the driver and front passenger, power windows, and an auxiliary powerpoint.

Everything about the all-new S7 is bold. The imposing front fascia sports an upright grille which was redesigned to give the vehicle a more contemporary look. This is flanked by LED daytime running lights, as well as a pair of halogen headlights that include a leveling system. There are also foglights for both the front and the rear that are specially encased in chrome. The front bumper also features chrome touches. Thanks to these features, the overall body of the S7 has a very European-inspired feel. Haima also included a power sunroof, power exterior rearview windows with a defrosting feature, and wide taillights. The S7’s dimensions are 4,480 mm x 1,860 mm x 1,715 mm. It has a wheelbase of 2,619 mm and sports a set of 16-inch alloy wheels. It comes in either Diamond White, Deep Brown or Pacific Blue.

The S7 has a sedan-quality ride. Its turbocharged engine manages to perform powerfully, however, it does give a low growl when you press down hard on the accelerator. Fortunately, the torque does well enough in propelling the S7 even on highway speeds. The vehicle seems to perform more spiritedly when using manual transmission, successfully maximizing its power output.

Both variants of the S7 are powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged inline-4 gasoline mill which generates 185 hp and 230 Nm of torque. It can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is only being offered as a two-wheel front-drive SUV.

Haima has included Bosch’s ninth-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESPP) for better driver support. It also has an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake distribution, brake assist, a traction control system, a reversing radar, an engine immobilizer, a tire pressure monitor, child safety lock, an advanced warning triangle, and a central lock feature. It is also equipped with a McPherson independent suspension for the front and a multi-link suspension for the rear. Braking is facilitated by ventilated discs.

The S7 is definitely one of Haima’s most ambitious vehicles. Its affordable price tag makes it a great entry-level SUV for those who want a no-fuss car with base features for utility and comfort. The S7 also proves to have an excellent road presence and offers a stable ride experience that can manage the local city streets and highways. However, it is still lacking in key tech features that one would usually find in compact crossover SUVs. Compared to its Japanese competitors, there’s still a lot lacking in the S7 in this particular department. While the exterior and interior upgrades were a good move, Haima missed an opportunity to really provide some edge in the compact crossover segment. Overall, it’s still a good car with a great build. The Haima S7 starts at P909,000.