The GWM Tank 500 is a large and imposing SUV that will seat seven and tackle just about anything you throw at it. South Africans seem to like their large, seven-seater 4x4s, and this one just adds to the choices one has to make. It's the first GWM product to break the psychological R1-million barrier, but if we're honest, most premium products have been north of this mark for a while now.
Related: GWM Tank 500 HEV (2024) First Drive Review
With styling that borrows heavily from the previous Toyota Prado generations, the Tank 500 is attractive in a familiar way. The large chrome grille and chrome 20-inch alloy wheels may be a step too far for some, but we think this helps it exude a rather typical American SUV style.
How does this newcomer compare to the competition, though? Based on the price point, it competes with the Ford Everest Wildtrak, the 3.0 V6 turbodiesel variant, and the new Toyota Prado in 2.8GD TX trim.
GWM Tank 500 HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4
Price: R1 222 900
Powertrain
The GWM Tank 500 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 180kW of power and 380Nm torque. It's supplemented by a hybrid drivetrain that adds 78kW and 268Nm torque for a combined power output of 255 kW and 648 Nm. The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox and sends power to all four wheels through an intelligent AWD system with assorted drive modes for different terrains.
GWM claims the combined cycle fuel consumption will average 8.5 L/100km.
Standard Equipment
GWM prides itself on offering high-quality vehicles, making this attractive to buyers and adding value to the purchase. As such, the GWM Tank 500 is not shy on standard equipment. In the singular trim that is available, the Ultra Luxury, you get the following:
- Digital climate control
- Heated, leather-bound steering wheel
- Heads-up display
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Adaptive cruise control
- 12-speaker Infinity audio system
- Auto LED headlights with auto high-beam
- Auto wipers
- Tilt and slide panoramic sunroof
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Memory seats with heating and ventilation
- Ventilated second-row seats
- 14.6-inch infotainment screen
Safety
The GWM Tank 500 receives a 5-star Australasian NCAP rating and is fitted with 7 airbags and the standard fare of ABS, EBD, and VSC. In addition, it has lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, park distance control both front and rear, and a reverse camera with a 360-degree view.
Practicality
The Tank 500 offers generous seating for 7 adults and a 98-litre boot with all three rows upright. This expands to 795 litres with the thrid row folded forward and 1 459 with both the third and second rows flat.
It can tow up to 750 kg unbraked and has a braked towing rating of 2 500 kg. Passengers get USB ports in the front and rear of the Tank 500.
Price and Value
There's only a singular option in the GWM Tank 500, the 2.0 HEV Ultra Luxury. This one retails for R1 222 900 and is sold with a 7-yr/200 000 km Warranty, an 8-yr/150 000 km High-Voltage Battery Pack Warranty, a 7-yr/Unlimited km Roadside Assistance plan, and a 5-yr/75 000 km Service Plan.
The Tank 500 offers great value for the money, and the high level of standard equipment makes it very hard to ignore. It drives well, but one can't help but feel that it is more road-biased than many South Africans would prefer.
Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 AWD Wildtrak
Price: R1 199 500
Powertrain
This variant of the Ford Everest is powered by an impressive 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine that produces 184kW and a stout 600Nm torque. It sends power to all four wheels through a selectable AWD system, first passing through Ford's 10-speed automatic gearbox.
Ford claims you can expect a combined cycle average fuel consumption of 8.5 L/100 km from the 3.0-litre Everest Wildtrak.
Standard Equipment
The Wildtrak trim level is a sporty, high-specification trim that favours adventure and utility. It's packed with features that one expects on an adventure-ready SUV. You get the following equipment as standard:
- Digital, 4-zone climate control
- Leather-bound steering wheel
- Adaptive cruise control
- 8-speaker audio system
- Automatic LED headlights with auto high beam assist
- Automatic wipers
- Dual panoramic sunroof
- Leather upholstery
- 12-inch SYNC 4A infotainment system
- 400W/240V inverter
- Navigation
Safety
The Everest scores a full 5 stars in the ANCAP program, and the Ford Ranger, based on it, scores the same in the European NCAP. It comes with 6 airbags and the regular ABS, EBD, and VSC. It also has lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, front and rear park distance control, and a surround camera.
Practicality
The Everest is a little more generous when all three rows are in position, offering 259 litres of space that increases to 898 litres with the third row flat. The total volume you can employ when folding the second row forward measures 1 818 litres.
The Everest is rated to tow 750 kg unbraked and 3 500 kg braked. You get 5 USB ports around the cabin to help keep devices charged up.
Price and value
You can expect to pay R1 199 500 for the Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 AWD Wildtrak, which comes with a 4-year/120 000km warranty, 4-year/unlimited-distance Roadside Assistance, and 5-year/unlimited-distance corrosion warranty. The service plan is unbundled and must be purchased separately, so factor that into your calculations.
The Everest is a robust and well-designed product that drives great. Considering that you're getting one of the highest trim levels, the Everest Wildtrak presents great value for money.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.8GD TX
Price: R1 296 300
Powertrain
The new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is powered by the 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine used extensively in the Hilux and, more recently, the Land Cruiser 70 series. This unit makes 150kW and 500Nm torque while sending power to all four wheels through an all-wheel drive system. It passes through a new 8-speed automatic gearbox, and Toyota Claims that this combination is good for an average combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.9 L/100km.
Standard Equipment
The Toyota Prado, when at this price point, is an entry-level TX trim level and, as such, doesn't benefit from all the bells and whistles that are available for the Prado. You still get a respectable amount of standard equipment, though. Including:
- Digital climate control
- Adaptive cruise control
- Leather-bound multifunction steering wheel
- 6-speaker audio system
- Automatic LED headlights with high beam assist
- Leather upholstery
- Electric adjustment for the driver's seat
- Heated and ventilated seats
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Safety
The Prado, even in TX trim, doesn't skimp on safety features, giving you the regular arrangement of ABS, EBD, VSC, and more. In addition to this, there is the TSS3 system that has lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and park distance control front and rear. It scores 5 stars on the ANCAP test program.
Practicality
Toyota doesn't give volumes for the Land Cruiser Prado, but it does say that two 55-cm suitcases can be fit behind the seats when the third row is upright, and when the third row is folded flat, three 86-cm cases can be loaded, plus one 81-cm and one 69-cm case.
You get 7 USB outlets, and the Prado is rated to tow 750 kg unbraked and 3 500 kg braked.
Price and Value
You will pay R1 296 300 for the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2.6GD TX, and with that, you get a 9-services/90 000km service plan and a 3-year/100 000km warranty. It may be the most expensive here, but the Prado has a robust drivetrain and is extensively tested to perform off-road. We recommend that you read our review on the Prado here.
Verdict
If you're looking for something that will do more on-road duty than off-road, we think the GWM Tank 500 is a decent buy. The real-world fuel consumption may be heavier than the manufacturer claims, but the hybrid drivetrain is powerful, making living with traffic far easier. However, if you're looking for an off-road-ready machine, the Everest is the one that we think ticks the most boxes and is the one we would take. It also has good manners on the road; the only shortcoming is the optional service plan that has to be factored into the purchase price.
The Prado is also decent, especially if you don't care about frivolous features and sunroofs. It's bound to be impressive off-road, too.
