Great Wall Hover I gallery (2005–2010)
The first generation of the body-on-frame Great Wall Hover SUV, launched in 2005, marked a major international breakthrough for the manufacturer with its robust construction and competitive capability.
Introduced in April 2005, the first generation Great Wall Hover served as a flagship body-on-frame SUV for Great Wall Motors until 2010. Built on a traditional truck chassis derived from the Isuzu Axiom platform, the vehicle features a front independent torsion bar suspension paired with a solid rear axle. The mid-size SUV was sold exclusively in a 5-door station wagon body style with a generous ground clearance of 200 mm. Under the hood, buyers could select from reliable Mitsubishi-derived gasoline four-cylinder engines, including the 2.4-liter 4G64 producing 124 to 130 horsepower and the 2.0-liter 4G63 generating around 116 to 122 horsepower. A 2.8-liter TCi common-rail turbo-diesel engine delivering 95 to 116 horsepower was also available in various markets. Power was managed by a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic on select trims. The drivetrain offered a traditional part-time four-wheel-drive system with a low-range transfer case, alongside entry-level rear-wheel-drive configurations. Interior amenities featured leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control, full power accessories, and essential safety elements such as dual front airbags and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. The Hover achieved significant export success in Eastern Europe, Russia, South America, and Italy.
