CONS ›› Thirsty for a hybrid, comfortable brakes, clunky interface, a couple of lacking touches
In recent times, Chinese language carmakers have gone from underdogs to severe contenders in abroad markets, and nowhere is that shift extra seen than within the SUV class. A standout instance got here in 2023, when GWM launched the compact Tank 300, its correct off-roader, to Australia. With succesful all-terrain efficiency and a aggressive AU$46,990 (~$30,200) price ticket, it shortly made a robust impression
Now, Nice Wall Motors is following up with one thing considerably bigger and extra formidable: the Tank 500, a full-size hybrid SUV designed to go head-to-head with long-time favorites from Ford, Isuzu, and Toyota.
Constructing on the Tank 300, the five hundred brings added house, stronger efficiency, and a much more refined tech suite. It’s been positioned to compete with a few of the section’s hottest choices, together with the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, and the most recent Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, SUVs identified for dealing with every part from college runs to cross-country adventures.
The actual query is whether or not an organization as soon as identified for funds runabouts can actually compete with the large names on this class. Surprisingly, the reply seems to be sure.
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Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Two variations of the Tank 500 are offered in Australia: the Lux HEV and the Extremely HEV. Each share the identical hybrid powertrain that includes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, an electrical motor, and a nine-speed torque-converter computerized transmission. Mixed energy output sits at 342 hp (255 kW) and 478 lb-ft (648 Nm) of torque, two very strong figures certainly.
Like many different new vehicles from China, the worth tag of the Tank 500 undercuts the competitors. Costs for the Lux HEV begin at AU$64,490 (~$41,400), together with all charges, whereas the Extremely HEV, which we examined, is priced from AU$72,990 (~$46,900). To place that into perspective, costs for the brand new Land Cruiser Prado begin at AU$78,552 (~$50,400) and high out at an enormous AU$110,638 (~$71,000) for the flagship Kakadu trim.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A Premium Inside
Given the Tank 500’s worth, chances are you’ll assume the cabin could be as primary as they arrive. And also you’d be improper; the inside of the Extremely HEV feels becoming of one thing beginning at six figures.
Dominating the cabin is a 14.6-inch infotainment display located within the middle of the sprint, identical to in plenty of different vehicles these days. This method helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however you don’t really want the because the standalone system is great.
As with different flagship Chinese language autos we’ve examined just lately, GWM has finished an outstanding job of constructing its software program snappy and detailed. If something, it could be just a little too complete, and with so many alternative menus, it may be difficult to maintain monitor of the place some settings are positioned. However, given the worth level, the suite of tech on provide is spectacular.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a superb head-up show, driver and entrance passenger massaging seats, and configurable ambient lighting. I used to be additionally astonished to see that there are 9 totally different ranges for the heated entrance seats, in addition to 9 totally different ranges of air flow, whereas three are often the norm. Admittedly, you don’t want that many, however they’re good to have nonetheless.
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There are additionally a slew of security methods that come as normal. They embrace auto emergency braking, entrance cross-traffic alert, entrance cross-traffic braking, clever turning, lane change help, rear collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert and braking, lane-keep assistant, and site visitors signal recognition. Like another GWM merchandise, there’s additionally a driver consideration monitor, but it surely’s overactive and will be annoying. If you happen to yawn, it’ll immediately and with out fault recommend you’re taking a relaxation.
Some Oddities
The excellent news is that each one of those methods will be simply switched off within the settings. There are some unusual quirks, just like the seat reminiscence settings being referred to as ‘Memoria 1’, ‘Memoria 2’, and ‘Memoria 3’. Moreover, the off-road digicam system is hidden below a menu referred to as ‘Conqueror Perspective.’ The ambient lighting additionally consists of some cheap-looking stars on the dashboard. I used to be additionally shocked to search out that there have been no flooring mats.
The alarm system additionally has a bizarre quirk. A number of instances, I turned off the automobile, locked it, and walked away, just for the alarm to start out blaring. A search by some house owners’ teams revealed that if the sunshade for the panoramic sunroof is left open, and also you lock the Tank 500, the alarm will ring six instances, and the automobile will shut the sunshade for you.
Fortuitously, the remainder of the cabin is great. GWM has fitted good, soft-touch leather-based to the dashboard, transmission tunnel, steering wheel, seats, and door panels, making the cabin really feel virtually on par with a German SUV costing twice as a lot. There’s additionally some good fake wooden trim on the sprint, metallic-feel switchgear on the console, and even an analog clock, paying homage to a European design.
The second row can be well-equipped, that includes guide sunshades and a devoted local weather management panel. All Tank 500s offered in Australia are seven-seaters and house within the third row is on par with the likes of the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X. With the third seats in play, there’s a restricted 98 liters (3.4 cubic ft) of cargo house within the rear, however when folded away, that will increase to 795 liters (28 cubic ft).
It’s not simply the inside of the Tank 500 that’s good. It’s good to drive, too, and comes with loads of spectacular options for each on-road and off-road driving.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
The Good And The Dangerous
Let’s begin with the negatives, essentially the most worrying of that are the brakes. I’ve pushed a whole lot of vehicles, however I’ve by no means been behind the wheel of 1 with such a spongy brake pedal because the Tank 500. Round city, and when utilizing small inputs, it’s not a giant deal. Nonetheless, if it’s a must to brake closely, the pedal will shortly push into the carpet.
The experience additionally leaves just a little to be desired. It’s comfy, however just a little too comfortable and bouncy for my liking, because it pitches closely below braking and through arduous acceleration. Moreover, the entrance, aspect, and rear cameras seem on the primary show everytime you use an indicator, and I couldn’t discover a strategy to disable this operation.
The Tank additionally has some worrying rev dangle. Elevate off the throttle and it’ll proceed accelerating for a full second. GWM apparently mounted this with an replace in late 2024, however our tester hadn’t been up to date.
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However there’s loads of good things too in there. There are 11 totally different driving modes accessible, together with primary choices corresponding to Eco, Regular, Sport, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock. There are extra modes accessible within the off-road part of the infotainment system. These embrace three configurable customized modes, permitting you to decide on between 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4A (four-wheel drive computerized), and 4H (four-wheel drive excessive vary). You too can regulate the responsiveness of the powertrain to Mild, Consolation, and Radical, whereas additionally fine-tuning the steering and ESC settings.
Off-Highway Chops
GWM has even added pre-configured ‘Excessive pace off-road racing’ and, maybe surprisingly provided that it’s an SUV, a ‘Drift’ mode that turns off the traction management and places the Tank 500 in rear-wheel drive. In fact, you don’t get an SUV to go drifting on automobile meets, but it surely’s good to know which you could if you happen to so want.
The off-roading options don’t cease there. There’s additionally off-road cruiser management and a operate that enables the car to lock the within rear wheel, thus enabling tighter turns. Nonetheless, it’s not a real tank flip such as you’ll discover within the electrical G-Class or YangWang U8. As if all this software program wasn’t sufficient to show how severe GWM is with off-roading, the Tank 500 comes with three locking differentials. Sure, three, like a G-Class. Heck, there are even retractable aspect steps.
We examined out a few of these modes and the locking diffs and have been impressed. Regardless of having tarmac-oriented tires, the Tank 500 feels proper at residence alongside difficult off-road trails. Nonetheless, the entrance and rear bumpers do dangle fairly low, impacting the method and departure angles.
Out on the road, the Tank 500 clearly feels huge, however the steering is sweet, mild, and surprisingly direct. Admittedly, it’s additionally void of virtually any really feel. Do you have to really feel just a little antsy, there’s even a launch management system, and the Tank can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just a little over 7 seconds.
The hybrid system is nice, however not nice. If pushed in something apart from Sport mode, the Tank 500 initially makes use of the electrical motor, earlier than the engine kicks in at round 10 km/h (6 mph). Off the road and pulling out of corners, it’s a must to depress the throttle rather a lot for the ICE to kick in and actually begin shifting. Sport mode improves this, however doesn’t eradicate it fully. One factor I did like is that there are three totally different settings for the regenerative braking.
Gasoline effectivity can be fairly poor contemplating it’s a hybrid. GWM claims 8.5 l/100 km (27.6 US mpg) over the mixed cycle, however I averaged 14.1 l/100 km (16.6 US mpg), primarily over inner-city and freeway driving. You’ll get significantly better effectivity in a Land Cruiser Prado, MU-X, or Everest with a diesel engine. GWM is engaged on a non-hybrid diesel, set to launch within the coming two years, which may very well be an enchancment.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A bonus of getting a petrol-hybrid, slightly than a diesel, is that the Tank 500’s powertrain is way quieter than its rivals. Because it intelligently switches between electrical and petrol energy, it stays quiet and feels stress-free.
The Tank 500 has a quoted payload of 790 kg (1,741 lbs) and a 3,000 kg (6,613 lbs) towing capability. That’s good, but it surely falls in need of the three,500 kg (7,716 lbs) you’ll discover in a few of its opponents.
Verdict
I’ll admit, I didn’t have excessive expectations going into my week with the Tank 500. Nonetheless, I used to be impressed by the quantity of expertise and gear GWM has put in for the worth. In comparison with its rivals, it’s a real discount. In Extremely guise, the inside is excellent and feels well-crafted.
In comparison with a few of its rivals, the longevity of the Tank 500 stays unproven, thus I’m unsure I’d belief it to carry up as properly over the cross-country journeys that house owners of its rivals usually take. Given all of the tech it has, there’s loads of stuff that would probably go improper. Fortuitously, GWM does provide a seven-year, unlimited-kilometer guarantee. Since, other than the mushy brakes, consumption is its most notable draw back, I’m very desirous about testing out the diesel model when it arrives.