GWM is aiming directly at the Toyota Prado with its new Tank 500, which is currently undergoing local engineering evaluation ahead its Australian launch next year. A larger sibling to the Tank 300 already on sale here, the five- and seven-seater body-on-frame 4×4 off-roader will beat a similar path with its high level of off-road capability and GWM’s usual blend of high standard equipment for the money. It will also offer a range of powertrains including hybrid and twin-turbo V6. We’ve driven the new GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T plug-in hybrid in Shanghai, and it’s yet another compelling model from the fast-growing Chinese brand.
GWM’s hard-core off-road Tank brand landed in Australia earlier this year with the GWM Tank 300, and now the Chinese brand is preparing to bolster the range with the larger 2023 GWM Tank 500.
Due to arrive in showrooms next year, the Tank 500 will fill the gap left by the previous Haval H9, although this time around you should expect a far more convincing package blending a high level of off-road capability with better on-road refinement, modern powertrains, higher tech and premium appointments.
The Tank 500 will confront the hugely popular Toyota Prado (from $62,830 plus ORCs) – which enters a long-awaited new generation next year – and other versatile three-row 4×4 off-roaders, including ute-based SUVs like the Isuzu MU-X (from $54,900) and Australian-developed Ford Everest (from $58,290).
In China, the Tank 500 has been on sale for over a year, but the powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version tested here has only been available since June. What’s more, the PHEV is already on terra firma in Australia, one of two prototype Tank 500 models undergoing engineering evaluation here.
The other headline engine available in the Tank 500 is 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol, while a regular 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid (which doesn’t require plugging in) should also be available.
In China, the plug-in hybrid version of the Tank 500 is known as the Hi4-T and is currently only available in a single premium five-seater model grade that retails for RMB335,000 ($A69,400). That places it alongside flagship twin-turbo V6 models asking similar money in both five- and seven-seat layouts.
It’s too early yet to nail down Australian pricing and specs, but the Tank 500 is sure to be competitive against its major rivals, potentially offering serious bang for your buck when the 300kW/750Nm PHEV and 265kW/500Nm biturbo V6 powertrains are considered.
Keeping in mind that we’re testing the Chinese-market luxury-spec 2023 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T here, the large SUV makes an immediate impression with the electric running board that appears when the door is either unlocked or opened.
You really need this to help climb aboard the big Tank, which has a 213mm ground clearance (224mm for the V6) and measures 5078mm long, 1934mm wide and 1905mm high. The wheelbase is a generous 2850mm, which is identical to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and is expected in the forthcoming new Prado.
Grab handles also make ingress and egress into the luxurious cabin much easier. Once there, all occupants nestle into Nappa leather seats with heating and ventilation, while the front positions include an eight-point massage function.
The steering wheel is heated, too, and includes full electric adjustment. The driver’s seat has eight-way electric adjust with position memory; the front passenger seat offers six-way adjustment.
Further examples of the high-end fit-out include a 12-speaker Infinity sound system, panoramic roof complete with blind and tilt/slide opening sunroof, rear privacy screens and soundproof glass for both the front and rear windows.
Three-zone air-conditioning comes complete with an N95 filtering system and air quality control.
Options include an ‘outdoor leisure pack’ which comprises a tow hook and power point, and an enhanced ‘massage pack’ that extends massage functionality to the rear seats. Various ‘business packs’ allow buyers to change up the appearance of the grille and wheels, while individual options include an upgrade from the standard 19-inch wheels to 20-inch rims.
In China, the Tank 500 comes with a five-year/150,000km factory warranty. In Australia, however, the SUV is sure to be covered by GWM Australia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and other provisions such as five years’ roadside assistance.
There’s a large array of active safety systems on the 2023 GWM Tank 500, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection and intersection assist, and front and rear collision warning.
Other driver assist systems include adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep/centring assist, traffic jam assist, door opening warning, driver fatigue monitoring, and more.
There are dual front, front side and front and rear curtain airbags, but no front centre airbags that are increasingly common.
ISOFIX attachment points are provided in the second row for child restraints.
The Tank 500 has yet to be assessed by an independent safety authority such as ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Infotainment needs of the driver and other occupants are well met in the 2023 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T, with three screens fitted.
Up front, a 14.6-inch screen dominates the dashboard and provides interaction with functions such as the 360-degree surround-view camera display. There’s also a transparent chassis image designed to assist the driver when off-roading.
In China, the navigation system uses both GPS and Chinese satellite rival BeiDou.
The driver gets a 12.3-inch instrument display and also benefits from a head-up display.
In the rear seat compartment a further display is integrated into the fold-down centre arm rest, allowing touch-screen control of the air-conditioning, seat heating/ventilation and entertainment.
The Tank 500 has an active noise cancellation system that tries to create a serene environment, while voice control is available for many of the car’s systems.
In addition to the comprehensive active safety systems, high-tech features such as self-parking are also included.
The 2023 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The direct-injection 2.0-litre turbo four produces 180kW of power and 380Nm of torque, but adds to this a 120kW/400Nm electric motor. Total combined output is 300kW/750Nm, with drive sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Despite weighing a hefty 2810kg, GWM claims the Tank 500 PHEV will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds, on its way to a 180km/h top speed.
For the record, the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol engine also available in the Tank 500 produces 265kW/500Nm. It requires premium unleaded fuel, has 48V mild-hybrid assistance and similarly drives through a nine-speed automatic.
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As with all plug-in hybrids, the 2023 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T offers low fuel economy around town, where the battery – in this case, a relatively large 37.1kWh pack – can provide electric assist and EV-only driving.
GWM claims the SUV can travel up to 110km using battery power alone, based on the WLTC cycle. The ternary lithium battery features liquid cooling and low temperature heating.
Claimed combined-cycle fuel consumption is 2.2L/100km, but that’s based on a full battery. With a minimum state of charge, the figure increases to 9.6L/100km.
The plug-in hybrid has a 70-litre fuel tank, which is 10L smaller than the V6.
Using a DC fast-charger, GWM says the Tank 500 PHEV can replenish its battery from 30-80 per cent in 24 minutes. Using a conventional AC household outlet, the charging time is quoted at 6.5h.
The 2023 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T is typical of large body-on-frame 4×4 wagons in that it’s big, heavy and brings some compromises in the quest to deliver genuine off-road ability.
Despite the mass, the plug-in hybrid powertrain does a good job shifting the vehicle. The combustion engine and electric motor are well integrated, and over our test, which for a large part was conducted in electric drive, the Tank 500 was easy to live with.
Three driving modes are provided – Eco, Standard and Sport – and there’s a discernible difference between them. Eco produces relatively slow acceleration, Sport has all guns blazing and Normal is nicely calibrated for everyday use. Transmission paddle shifters offer more control, as required.
The electric power steering system is on the light side, but that wasn’t a bad thing as we moved through different driving conditions and speed limits on our test.
The Tank 500 uses a double-wishbone front and rear multi-link suspension. The ride quality over potholes leaves more to be desired, but in overall terms the SUV drives on typical paved roads with a degree of comfort, refinement and composure.
We were only able to make a brief excursion onto gravel and grass with our first drive of the 2023 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T, so were unable to properly assess its off-road capability.
However, on paper at least, this is a fair dinkum off-roader.
Requisite off-road features include low-range gearing, a rear differential lock (a front diff lock is optional), undercarriage protection and supporting systems such as uphill assist, hill descent control, ‘transparent chassis’ display, CCO creep mode (among various off-road driving modes) and, not least of all, a handy ‘tank turn’ function – as seen on the Tank 300.
The hybrid has 213mm ground clearance and approach/departure angles of 29.5 and 24 degrees respectively.
There’s a full-size spare wheel slung on the side-opening tailgate. Towing capacity is quoted at 2.5 tonnes for the Chinese market.
The high specification of the 2023 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T helps provide an upmarket ambience.
Aesthetically, the interior is well-executed. While tech like the large centre screen and instruments are ever-present, there are nice touches such as the Tank clock between the air vents and below these is a row of physical switches for the climate and window demisting.
The fake wood trim could be a little over-the-top for Australian tastes, as might the crystal-like transmission selector.
There’s also a lack of attention to detail evident. For example, not only are the USB-A and USB-C outlets under the centre console difficult to access at the best of times, they are only accessible by the driver. A flap allows you to run a cable through the wireless charging area to the passenger side.
We were also expecting more room across the rear seat. Headroom isn’t overly generous – I had one hand’s space above my head and I’m 1.75m tall – but legroom is reasonable. It will be interesting to see how much room is available in seven-seat models.
Along with the previously mentioned touch-screen on the fold-down centre arm rest, the climate and seat functions can also be controlled via buttons and dials mounted on the back of the centre console.
In a fold-out section is a further Type A and C USB port, along with a 12V connection. Furthermore, the rear seats have electrically adjustable rake.
The battery eats into the boot space, making the floor level really quite high. While no storage figure is quoted, it’s unlikely to be too impressive.
What’s more, the rear seats don’t fold anywhere near flat, making you wonder why they even bothered. Usefully, there is a 220V outlet in the boot.
As we’ve found with the Tank 300, there is a lot that’s compelling about the 2023 GWM Tank 500.
But we need to spend much more time with the large SUV – on Aussie roads and off-road trails – before delivering a definitive verdict, which will also hinge on local specification and pricing.
Based on this early drive in China, the Tank 500 is really quite appealing. It certainly has rugged looks, even if it needs further testing to see whether it really delivers in the rough.
This is clearly a big step forward compared to the Haval H9, and while the plug-in hybrid’s battery cuts into cargo space, there’s still easily enough room for a family in everyday situations and the powertrain is sure to reduce running costs in the city.
It’s not revolutionary, but the 500 packs in plenty of tech, the cabin looks classy, and there should be a high level of equipment at a reasonable price when it arrives Down Under, just as there is in China.
2023 Tank 500 Hi4-T at a glance:
Price: $55,000 estimated (drive-away)
Available: 2024
Powertrain: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 180kW/380Nm (electric motor: 120kW/400Nm)
Combined output: 300kW/750Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Battery: 37.1kWh ternary lithium
Range: 110km (WLTC)
Energy consumption: 33.7kWh/100km (WLTC)
Fuel: 2.2L/100km (WLTC)
CO2: 50g/km (WLTC)
Safety rating: Not tested
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