South Africans are a fickle bunch - we want luxury, but we don't want to pay too much for it. We want a powerful engine, but it shouldn't be too thirsty. We want luxury features, but we want them all as standard. Can the GWM Tank 500 HEV deliver on all fronts?
Before you set your heart on this great, off-road behemoth, we think you need to know a few important things about it first - also read our launch report here to find out what Chad thought.
1. The Tank 500 HEV is a tad expensive
Let's get the elephant out of the way. Consumers may think that if they buy a Chinese counterpart of their favourite vehicle, it's going to be significantly cheaper, but in this instance it is not so, unfortunately. The Tank 500 HEV is, first and foremost, a hybrid vehicle, and hybrid tech is more expensive than the traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) car.
GWM has also kitted their Tank 500 out with every possible driving aid and assistant and feature, and although it's nice to have, we ended up not using most of them, like the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance, and semi-autonomous parking, or example. (Read our 2024 Tank 500 HEV review.)
These things all make the Tank 500 unnecessarily expensive, so you're paying for stuff you may not even put to good use, even though it's good value.
2. It's not very fuel-efficient
Despite having a hybrid system, the Tank 500 is no light sipper. R600 worth of petrol will yield about 250 km and if you're a driver in a hurry, you won't even get that far. There are plans to bring a diesel Tank 500 to SA, so personally, I would wait a bit, unless you have a limitless budget for fuel.
3. There are great seven-seaters in this price range with a better reputation
I would think twice before spending this big on a new GMW Tank 500. Because it's so high-tech, there's also a lot that can go wrong. Many Haval and GWM owners also report that parts can be pricey and that they've had to wait long for them to arrive.
There's plenty you can buy for this much money - if you're serious about going the road less travelled, the Ford Everest Wildtrak or Platinum would be your best bet, and if you just want a luxury SUV for light off-roading, the Hyundai Palisade is a wonderful car. If you spend slightly more, you can even afford a brand new Toyota Prado.
If you have your heart set on the Tank 500, we urge you to call a GWM workshop beforehand and ask about the cost of specific parts, and their availability.
What did we love about the Tank 500 HEV?
We did enjoy the premium sound system and multi-functional (including massaging) seats, and the Tank 500's ride quality is good too. It is highly comfortable, the cabin is very quiet, and it's great for families. The surround view cameras go a long way in keeping the Tank 500's sheetmetal free of nicks and bumps, and you could see the admiration in the eyes of onlookers. If you can afford to make this commitment, we're not saying you shouldn't take the plunge, but get your facts straight before signing a contract.
