H2 I vs S3 I: which is better?
Haval H2 I (2014–2021) vs JAC S3 I (2014–present): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Haval H2 I
JAC S3 ISpecifications
| Haval H2 I | JAC S3 I | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2014–2021 | 2014–present |
| Body | crossover SUV | crossover SUV |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 1.5 Turbo | 1.6 |
| Power, up to | 143 hp | 109 hp |
| Torque, up to | 202 Nm | — |
| Gearbox | automatic | CVT |
| Drive | front-wheel drive | front-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 335 mm | 4 325 mm |
| Width | 1 814 mm | 1 765 mm |
| Height | 1 695 mm | 1 550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 560 mm | 2 550 mm |
| Fuel tank | 55 L | — |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 8 650 ₸ | ≈ 13 675 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Haval H2 I
Pros
- Conventional automatic, no robotized gearbox or CVT
Cons
- GWM / Haval (1.5T, 2.0T) engine: complaints of fuel dilution of oil in winter and software issues
- Front-wheel drive only
Engine (GWM / Haval (1.5T, 2.0T)): data limited; complaints about fuel dilution of oil in winter and software behavior.
JAC S3 I
Pros
- Currently in production — can be bought new
Cons
- CVT: service history matters
- Front-wheel drive only
- Modest power: up to 109 hp
Which one to choose
- H2 I — if you care more about: power, wheelbase, kz tax 2026.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: H2 I or S3 I?
H2 I: up to 143 hp, S3 I: up to 109 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: H2 I — about 8 650 ₸, S3 I — about 13 675 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.