TOP TANK

WE HAVE COME AWAY IMPRESSED AFTER A WEEK IN GWM’S TANK 500 HYBRID 4X4.

- MATT RAUDONIKIS

THE GWM Tank 500 is the brand’s large 4x4 wagon and it’s an impressive piece of gear. It’s a well-equipped three-row, seven-seater that could be considered to be a cheaper alternative to a Toyota LandCruiser 300. Cheaper in that it costs just $73,990 drive-away, which is a lot less than an LC300, but not cheaper in its levels of equipment. You’d need to be looking at high-spec LCs like the $140K-plus GR Sport and Sahara models to get the same level of kit that comes standard in the Tank 500 Ultra.

The body-on-frame Tank 500 marks the tape at 5078mm long and 1934mm wide; for comparative purposes, the LC300 GR-S runs out at 4995mm and 1990mm over the same measurements. The Tank rides on a 2850mm wheelbase, exactly the same as what’s under the LandCruiser.

There are currently two models in the Tank 500 line-up: the Luxury and Ultra models that both feature hybrid powertrains. A new Tank 500 variant is currently undergoing evaluation for Australia that could see the introduction of a plug-in hybrid powertrain, however, this is not locked in at time of writing.

Here we’re testing the $74K Ultra which is the top-of-the-line model loaded with features. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a large powered sunroof, Napa leather interior trim with heating, massager and eight-way power adjustment on the driver’s seat and six-way power adjust on the front passenger’s seat, power-fold third-row seats, rear side window blinds, heated steering wheel, 14.6-inch touch infotainment screen with 360° view monitor and clear chassis view, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, head-up display, wireless CarPlay and Android phone mirroring, and a 12-speaker premium Infinity audio system, interior noise cancelling, and power deploying side steps.