The flagship SUV in GWM’s local line-up, the Tank 500 has made landfall on South African shores. CAR Senior Writer Marius Boonzaier headed to the picturesque Garden Route region in the Western Cape province to sample the newcomer. Here are his first impressions of GWM’s opulent seven-seater…
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GWM Tank 500 2.0T HEV 4×4 Ultra Luxury AT Fast Facts
- Price: R1 222 900
- Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol + electric motor
- Transmission: nine-speed automatic
- Power: 255 kW @ 5 500-6 000 r/min
- Torque: 648 N.m @ 1 700-4 000 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 8.3 seconds
- Top speed: n/a
- Fuel consumption: 8.5 L/100 km
- CO2 emissions: 199 g/km
What is the GWM Tank 500?
The GWM Tank 500 slots in between the (locally available) Tank 300, which proved a commendable off-roader on CAR and sister publication Leisure Wheels’ 2024 SUV Shootout, and Tank 700 (rumour has it the Tank 800 will make its official debut at the end of 2024). However, with the latter (Tank 700) not available in South Africa, the Tank 500 takes the helm as the flagship GWM SUV in South Africa. Positioned as the pinnacle model in the company’s local Tank portfolio, the Tank 500 is appropriately opulent, with the seven-seater SUV’s list of standard specification comprising an exhaustive number of standard items. However, luxury isn’t the Tank 500’s only calling card… Indeed, GWM has equipped it with a selection of 4×4-focused features — such as mechanical differential locks on the fore and aft axles, and an off-road-tailored driving mode, among others — allowing it to venture off the beaten track.
Related: Review: GWM Tank 300 2.0T 9HAT 4×4 Super Luxury HEV
Why is the GWM Tank 500 significant?
The first GWM product listed at a price point exceeding the R1 million marker, the Tank 500 is also the most expensive product from a Chinese brand in South Africa. However, as significant as that is for our market, where products sourced from China are mostly positioned as more pocket-friendly offerings, it’s the (established) vehicles the Tank 500 competes against that make it that much more significant. And, with that, let’s take a more in-depth look at the SUVs with which the Tank 500 is positioned against…
What are the GWM Tank 500’s rivals?
With the Tank 500, GWM is taking aim at the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which we sampled in Mozambique, and the Ford Everest (more specifically, the range-topping, Platinum derivative, which exclusively employs a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel), the latter of which was awarded honours at CAR’s 2024 Top 12 Best Buys awards in the Adventure SUV category. As a reminder, the new Land Cruiser Prado and Everest Platinum are priced from R1 296 300 and R1 240 600, respectively.
Related: Launch review: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD VX-R
How much does the GWM Tank 500 cost?
Locally, the Tank 500 is exclusively available with GWM’s HEV powertrain (the same unit employed by the top-tier Tank 300 and pinnacle P500, the latter of which we sampled alongside the Tank 500 on the local launch) and in Ultra Luxury level of specification. Included with this trim grade are niceties such as a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring; a digital instrument cluster; a head-up display; a 12-speaker Infinity sound system; Nappa leather seats, replete with heating and ventilation, and massaging functionality for the front occupants (the aft passenger pews gain ventilation); and a panoramic sunroof, among a variety of standard equipment.
As standard, the Tank 500 ships with a five-year/75 000 km service plan and a warranty spanning seven years or 200 000 km. A hybrid-battery warranty of eight years or 150 000 km is included in the package.
- GWM Tank 500 2.0T HEV 4×4 Ultra Luxury AT – R1 222 900
Related: Review: GWM P500 2.0T HEV 4×4 Super Luxury AT
What is the GWM Tank 500 like to drive?
Most notable was the Tank 500’s ride quality. The seven-seater’s suspension arrangement is well-sprung, soaking up road imperfections on tarmac and corrugated gravel surfaces with aplomb. The setup didn’t put a foot wrong on the stretches of gravel leading over the Swartberg Pass and the (equally must-drive) Seven Passes Road, of which we traversed the Phantom Pass and Karatara Pass, linking George with Knysna. The Tank 500 felt sure-footed in these environments.
However, curiously, just like the petrol-electric P500, the Tank 500, even with its 255 kW/648 N.m on tap and smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic cog swapper, seemed to run out of breath when travelling up steep inclines at speed, and increased throttle inputs (to counteract this) didn’t do much to maintain velocity. However, once the road evened up, the HEV configuration did a commendable job of keeping pace.
The steering, at first, felt a touch too light, though. We say “at first”, because, when navigating (or, rather, playing around with) the infotainment system, you’ll find a menu where the steering feel can be adjusted to relay more feedback to the driver. The mid-setting was, as expected, the most balanced of the three.
A noteworthy driving characteristic, despite the Tank 500’s sizeable boxy bodywork (it measures nearly 5.1 metres in length, 1 934 mm in width, and 1 905 mm in height), body roll was well-contained in the bends.
Related: LONG-TERM WRAP UP: Ford Everest Platinum
Verdict
The Tank 500, GWM SA’s attempt to take on established rivals, such as the Land Cruiser Prado and Everest, is a commendable SUV. However, whether it will win favour among South Africans to, instead of the latter two SUVs, opt for a newcomer remains to be seen. However, the Tank 500 is worth considering. The flagship Tank locally offers an impressive level of standard specification (arguably its biggest calling card), a sufficient amount of power and torque, and exceptionally comfortable ride quality.
