GWM P500 double cab (2024) First Drive Review - Big, Bold, Bourgeois

The GWM P-Series has enjoyed success locally, especially for those looking for an affordable but well-equipped double cab that could do duty both on and off the road. This success has led them to expand the range by adding the P500, which we first sampled in China earlier this year. We were suitably impressed by the pre-production models, but a few days of navigating the tarmac and gravel passes of the Western Cape allowed us to get to grips with this production version. To say we're impressed would be an understatement.

Related: GWM poised to attack - new models for SA revealed at Auto China 2024

Over the years, we've seen the humble double cab transmute into a mode of luxury transport, shunning its agricultural roots and offering levels of opulence usually reserved for premium SUVs and larger sedans. The ride quality has vastly improved, safety has come to the forefront, and convenience features make the double cab the new status symbol. Naturally, this carries a price tag because someone has to pay for all those nice goodies.

The GWM P500

Complementing the current GWM P-Series, the P500 slots in as the new flagship offering. P-Series will become the name for the range, GWM's light commercial vehicle (LCV) range, with the P-Series adopting the P300 name and joined by the new P500. The P500 offers customers a large double cab with luxury appointments, advanced driver assistance systems, innovative drivetrains, and bold styling choices.

Longer, taller, and wider than your run-of-the-mill Ranger or Hilux, the P500 has a commanding presence with decidedly American styling. One can't help but draw parallels with the likes of the F150s and Rams of the world. South Africa has an appetite for this approach, and just on our two-day soiree, the P500 garnered its fair share of attention and interest. It's hard to miss.

The imposing front end is dominated by the large chrome grille and oversized P-Series logo, flanked by squared-off LED headlights and LED fog lamps in the range-topping Ultra Luxury trim. The nose rests high, but the boxy design is attractive and contemporary. 

Down the sides, GWM South Africa has opted to go with the fixed side steps rather than the retractable kind we saw on the pre-production versions. This aids in alighting, especially if you are, um... vertically challenged. 18-inch alloy wheels adorn all trim levels and are shod with 265/60R18 tyres. An attractive design cue is the wrap-round rear doors that do away with the unsightly panel gap one usually sees in double cab designs. Behind this section of the door is a handy storage compartment, ideal for torches, umbrellas, compact fire extinguishers, and what-have-you.

Access to the load bin is via a 60/40 split-folding tailgate that can be dropped like a traditional tailgate or opened up barn door-style. This allows easier access to the far-reaching areas of the load bin and makes stepping up into the rear simple. It's great for those shorter in stature. No fewer than 24 anchor points exist in the rear, allowing all eyelet combinations to be fixed to secure your load. 

Luxurious interior

The interior is a Nappa leather and tech-infused experience, unlike any other double cab you've encountered. The SUV-like approach is clear, and one quickly forgets that you're commandeering a double cab, enveloped in electric-adjustment seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The multifunction steering wheel also features heating, ample adjustment for rake and reach, and three different settings for steering weight.

A large, 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system rests front and centre of the dashboard, with a smaller driver display behind the steering wheel. Through this, you will control much of the vehicle's functions, and while this cleans up the interior layout, it's still too complex to use while on the move.  Several controls for the HVAC/Climate control and drivetrain settings have been moved to physical buttons on the dash and centre console, but simple things, like volume control, still rest several screens/menus in. The unit is equipped with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, has a great resolution, and responds relatively quickly. Wireless charging and a cable pass-through for tethered connections further enhance the connectivity solutions, and the driver's heads-up display is a welcomed addition. It's something not usually seen in double cab offerings. Audio is plumbed through a 10-speaker Haman Infinity sound system.

It's in the back, though, that the elevated approach of the P500 is truly experienced. The rear seats are electrically adjustable and have both heating and ventilation. In the armrest between the seats is a wireless charging pad, and the rear section of the centre console houses both charging ports and the digital climate controls for the rear. Electric windows, including an electric rear sliding window, can be present, and storage trays can be found underneath the rear seats. Open the door, and the rear seats automatically slide back for easy access.

The overall design is pleasant, with a wood-grain effect on the trim panels, but sadly, the quality lets the rest of the interior down. It looks great; just don't touch it, and you will be fine. Did I mention that it has a panoramic sunroof? 

Robust drivetrain

Powering the P500 is one of two powertrains: a 2.4-litre turbodiesel or the one we could sample, the 2.0 turbo petrol hybrid. While you will get 135kW and 480Nm from the diesel, the petrol hybrid pushes out a staggering 255 kW and 648 Nm from the combined powertrain.

The 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine produces 180kW, with the electric motor assisting, adding 78kW to the mix. This self-charging hybrid system is the first full series-parallel hybrid to be offered in a double cab in South Africa. It doesn't compromise the P500's capabilities, though; it can still tow 3 500 kg braked. 

It's better to think of this hybrid system as adding power rather than efficiency, as the P500 is on the thirsty side, even with the hybrid drivetrain. GWM claims 9.8 L/100km, and our drives only saw it dip into the 10s briefly, returning to low-12s for the most part.

Power is directed to all four wheels through a 9-speed Hybrid Automatic Gearbox, with the electric motor housed in the bell housing of the gearbox. The intelligent all-wheel drive system automatically directs the power to where it needs to be, front or rear. Eco mode will send power to the rear wheels only to reduce drivetrain losses. Drivers can choose from one of several drive modes for their chosen terrain or allow the 4H system to figure things out automatically.

Front and rear mechanical diff locks are available, electronically activated from switches in the centre console and low range. This gives the P500 all the off-road capabilities that one would possibly need. The approach angle is 29 degrees, departure 25 degrees, and it has a ground clearance of 224 mm with a breakover of 19 degrees. While not the highest on offer, the longer wheelbase hinders the breakover compared to some of the competition. 

The drive

The spec sheet is impressive, but the drive is even more so. Over the undulating gravel roads of the various mountain passes in the Western Cape, the P500 never set a foot wrong. It ate up the flatter sections gracefully and easily, never unnecessarily hopping around or moving underneath you. It has a remarkably sure-footed composure despite being on road-biased rubber.

Throttle response and gearbox programming are great, with the only anomaly coming from some gradients where the power seems to dial back. We don't quite have an explanation for this strange behaviour, and it takes a little getting used to, with additional throttle input required to maintain your momentum. NVH levels are slightly higher than expected, with wind noise being the primary concern. Road noise is perfectly acceptable, but on a blustery day, you'll want to crank the volume on the radio up a notch or three.

Price

GWM offers three different variants of the P500 double cab. The entry-level version lacks some of the abovementioned features. However, all do come with a 5-year/75,000 km Service Plan, 7-year / 200 000 km Warranty, 5-year / unlimited km Body and paint Warranty, and a 7-year / unlimited km Roadside Assistance plan. The hybrid version carries an 8-year / 150,000km High-Voltage Warranty (HEV) for the battery.