In the ever-evolving large SUV landscape, the 2024 GWM Tank 500 emerges as a bold contender aiming to capture the essence of rugged adventure wrapped in a surprisingly high level of luxury.
The Chinese brand, formerly known as Great Wall, has introduced the instinctively named Tank 500 in an attempt to carve out a niche alongside established competitors as a more budget-friendly alternative. Here, we investigate what you gain and what you lose with the lower cost alternative.
The Tank 500’s robust intentions are revealed by the use of a body-on-frame construction, usually associated with heavy-duty utes, SUVs, and trucks. There are no choices in terms of engine options, just one hybrid petrol-electric for the Aussie market; a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder paired with a nine-speed auto transmission with four-wheel drive and dual range.
Sales have been modest in Australia, with 1235 units so far this year (through September), giving it a 1.4 per cent market share, according to VFACTS figures. Although, it has only been on sale for a handful of months. Its nearest competitor, in terms of sales numbers, is the SsangYong Rexton, also on 1235 units so far this year.
2024 GWM Tank 500 Ultra: Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder hybrid
Output: 255kW / 658Nm
Gearbox: Nine-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: Four-wheel drive, dual range
Wheels: F & R: 18×8.0, 255/60
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2556kg
Power-to-weight: 10.02:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.5L/100km
Our consumption: 10.6L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 80L/91 RONPower efficiency: 30.00kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.16 seconds*
0-100km/h: 7.71 seconds*
60-110km/h: 6.07 seconds*
1/4 mile: 15.80 seconds at 135.0km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.726g*
100-0km/h braking: 50.05m in 4.03 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.076g*
Decibel at idle: 44*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 78*
Starting price (drive-away): Lux $66,490, Ultra $73,990*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 GWM Tank 500: How much does it cost?
There are two trim levels for the Aussie market; the Lux, retailing from $66,490; and the Ultra, starting from $73,990 (drive-away). These prices have it sitting above the price point of some of the more established rivals, such as the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (starting price spectrum $51,540-$64,840), Toyota Fortuner (price spectrum $53,775-$66,775), and the Isuzu MU-X (price spectrum $49,400-$69,400). Rival prices exclude on-road costs.
But both models see the Tank 500 with a more luxury fit out than your average SUV, and many competitors do not offer the same level of features and luxurious. However, it is going to be a challenge for the relatively new brand and even newer product to prove itself against those rivals, while being more expensive.
Tank 500s are covered by 7-year, unlimited warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, except the first service is due at 10,000km. During that term, servicing prices are advertised upfront, costing $300, $580, $990, $580, $300, $990, and then $300, when performed at a GWM dealership.
2024 GWM Tank 500: Interior & packaging
Starting with the exterior, and its design matches the name. Big, bulky and commanding. A lumpy front grille, excessive use of chrome, and that rear-mounted spare wheel gives it an early 2000s ‘4WD’ look. Appearance is always subjective, but we think the only modern touches are the LED lighting.
Within the Tank 500 is a different story. It throws a blend of spaciousness and an eclectic mix of design elements. Deluxe touches such as an elegant analogue clock, snakeskin-patterned brushed chrome, and woodgrain-look panelling stand out and lift it into the luxury realms.
The huge 14.6-inch centre screen, which incorporates wireless app connection, and the clear 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen add a contemporary touch. Though, the cluster screen is limited with layout and customisation options – for example, there is no traditional gauge/dial view.
When it comes to space and comfort, the Tank 500 excels. Seating is exceptionally comfortable, boasting soft cushioning that makes long drives a pleasure. The second row continues this theme with well-padded seats, ample legroom, and a comprehensive climate control system that includes air vents positioned both down low and on the ceiling. The third row also gets attention, with air vents ensuring that passengers are not left to swelter.
We like the centre storage slidable shelf, which cleverly covers the cup holders and gives the space dual practicality. There is also a large under-centre console area, providing useful storage for everyday items. Air-con controls are separated out of the screen with dedicated buttons, minus the crucial temperature up and down buttons. This small oversight makes it more of a hassle than it should be to change the temperature.
It’s a huge interior all around. Legroom is abundant in all rows, and rails under the second row allow for easy adjustment to prioritise space. Boot space is also decent thanks to the spare wheel mounted on the side-hinged tailgate. It jams in 795 litres of cargo, or 1459L with the second row folded. You also score a large boot door inner pocket. Removing the rear boot cover blind is a fiddly affair for passenger access to the third row. Additionally, the absence of a 12-volt outlet in the boot is a surprising omission in a vehicle of this nature.
Both models receive the same extensive safety treatment to score a five-star ANCAP rating. But the usability of some of these features is questionable. We wish ANCAP would not just tick a box if a car includes a safety feature, rather test it in action as well.
The driver monitor system is a significant point of contention, as it often displays inaccurate prompts. For example, it may advise you to watch the road when you’re already focussed, or suggest taking a break after just 20 seconds of driving (this actually happened to us on a number of occasions).
This intrusive system can detract driver concentration and lead to frustration, especially when the messages are not helpful or relevant. There is one thing worse than being told how to drive, that is being told when you’re actually doing the right thing.
Likewise, the system’s odd English-translated messaging, such as “driver monitor suspend work due to degradation” does little to improve the situation and only adds to the overall sense of irritation. Other manufacturers have managed to include these features with better accuracy and less intrusion.
Other notables; on one of the test vehicles here the door handle proximity touch sensors were inaccurate, so the system frequently misjudged the key’s location, inhibiting the ability to lock the car when the key fob was clearly outside. The unbranded sound system in the Lux also sounds very ordinary and lacks bass.
An extra $7500 for the Ultra rewards you with a soft close manual tailgate, unique electronically retractable side steps, a panoramic electric sunroof, chrome door handles, a heated steering wheel, an air-con fragrance system, seats upgraded from faux leather to Nappa leather, ventilated and massaging front seats with memory, more front seat and headrest adjustment, ventilated second row seats, electric-folding third row seats instead of manual fold, a 12-speaker Infinity-branded sound system, active noise cancelling interior, rear door sound proofing glass, memory side mirrors with puddle lights, window shades in the second row, 64-colour ambient interior lighting, and front diff lock in addition to the standard rear diff lock.
2024 GWM Tank 500: Powertrain & handling
Underneath its rugged exterior, the 2024 GWM Tank 500 houses a hybrid powertrain that delivers mixed results. The petrol engine on its own produces 180kW/380Nm. Then the permanent magnet/lithium-ion battery and electric motor system delivers 78kW/268Nm. Combined, they produce 255kW/658Nm. This is a substantial amount of power to play with, translating to an official 0-100km/h sprint in just 8.3 seconds. Not too shabby for a 2.5-tonne beast.
However, the battery is unusually small in capacity, holding just 1.76kWh of juice. In comparison, the new MG3 Hybrid+ small hatch has a 1.83kWh battery – and that’s a city hatchback with a lot less power. This means you can only access the Tank’s peak performance for a very short time, when the battery has enough charge.
We performed many 0-100km/h tests and the best we could achieve was 7.71 seconds. During the daily grind, having a rather powerful electric motor paired to a small capacity battery to support it means that it does not feel like it has the power stated, most of the time.
Hybrids usually have a common goal to improve fuel efficiency. Not here. With an official fuel consumption rate of 8.5L/100km, this figure is reasonably heavy for a hybrid four-wheel drive. Our average over 650km of gentle driving (separated from our 0-100km/h tests) scored 10.6L/100km. We think this is way too high.
The nine-speed automatic gearbox offers decisive and smooth upshifts, but downshifts can feel a tad clunky. Only a small price to pay for the loads of off-road functions, including low range, rear diff lock, and front diff lock in the Ultra. You also get nine selectable driving modes and unique off-road camera views on the centre screen to maximise the Tank’s off-road capabilities.
Being a large SUV, you won’t see ground angles like your average Suzuki Jimny, rather, similar to a LandCruiser. The approach angle is 30 degrees, the breakover angle is 22.5 degrees, and the departure angle is 24 degrees. The ground clearance of 225mm is about average.
In contrast, on-road handling takes a hit. Its top-heavy nature and soft suspension tune lead to a boaty and somewhat flimsy ride in suburban settings. Buyers who will primarily use this vehicle on smooth roads may find the handling characteristics less desirable than many rivals. The setup goes with double wishbone independent coil-sprung suspension at the front, and multi-link live axle coil-sprung setup at the rear.
2024 GWM Tank 500: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Serious off-road features: Low-range gearing, available front and rear differential locks, and nine driving modes make it well-suited for challenging terrains.
- Luxurious design elements: Elegant touches such as huge digital screens and stylish interior trims contribute to a premium feel.
- Practical storage solutions: Handy storage solutions like the centre storage slidable shelf adds to the vehicle’s liveability.
- Powerful hybrid: Hybrid means it is a very unique proposition in this heavy-duty SUV class, and with 255kW it is the most powerful option currently on sale (in this class).
2024 GWM Tank 500: Key considerations before you buy
- Poor fuel efficiency: The hybrid’s official rating of 8.5L/100km and our tested average of 10.6L/100km are both disappointing.
- Deceiving performance credentials: A high-powered electric motor with a small capacity battery system means the max 255kW is rarely available; the battery runs out of juice very quickly.
- Technological shortcomings: The driver monitor system is intrusive and inaccurate, and the instrument cluster lacks customisation options compared with competitors.
- Outdated design: The exterior is reminiscent of an American SUV design from the early 2000s, in our opinion; lots of chrome, big front grille and tailgate-mounted spare wheel.
2024 GWM Tank 500: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
Final word
It boldly steps into the large SUV arena with a rugged body-on-frame construction and a hybrid powertrain that, while appealing in theory, struggles with disappointing fuel efficiency and performance (for its power output). However, it showcases a well-appointed interior with high-end touches and ample comfort. Off-road preparation is also appealing.