GWM Tank 300 impresses on the road

An affordable alternative to the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota LandCruiser has arrived in showrooms with butch looks and the promise of rugged ability.

David McCowen

3 min read

July 20, 2023 - 4:00PM

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If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the team behind the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen will be blushing.

There’s more than a hint of Geländewagen to the GWM Tank 300, a military-chic four-wheel-drive that combines butch looks with off-road prowess for little more than one tenth of the Mercedes’ price.

The GWM Tank 300 takes aim at four-wheel-drives such as the Jeep Wrangler.

Cost is central to the appeal of Great Wall’s first dedicated four-wheel-drive.

The range starts with the Tank 300 Lux priced from a razor-sharp $46,990 drive-away, roughly half the cost of a four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

@davemotoring
The GWM Tank 300 takes on Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon for about half the price…
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But this doesn’t feel like a cut-price machine.

Like a modern Mercedes, it has twin 12.3-inch wide-screen displays spanning a black dashboard with chromed aviation-inspired air vents.

There’s more than a passing resemblance to the Mercedes-AMG G63.

The central display is linked to a nine-speaker stereo with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera and ambient lighting in a choice of seven colours.

Safety credentials include a five-star ANCAP rating, plus seven airbags, auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and rear cross traffic alerts.

The Tank 300 has a side-hinged tailgate with a conveniently placed spare wheel.

Off-road features include terrain-specific drive modes, 17-inch alloy wheels with chunky tyres, an eight-speed automatic transmission with a proper low-range transfer case, and an electronically locking rear differential.

Folks who want more can pay $4000 more for a Tank 300 Ultra with heated and cooled leather-trimmed seats with a driver’s massage function, wireless charging, an improved stereo, paddle shifters and 64 colour mood lighting.

The Tank’s cabin makes a strong first impression.

The Ultra also swaps the stand car’s wheels for 18-inch alloys, and adds an electronically locking front differential for off-road adventures.

GWM plans to offer a broad range of accessories for the off-road crowd – for now the only option is premium paint for $595.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that uses 9.4L/100km to make 162kW and 380Nm.

Twin wide-screen displays join eye-catching air vents.

Intriguingly, the Tank is also available with a hybrid motor for a $9000 premium.

The green combination adds a 78kW electric motor and nine-speed auto to the turbo engine, returning 258kW and 615Nm mumbo along with 8.4L/100km economy.

We tested the Tank in petrol Lux trim during a brief loan in Sydney.

GWM proved the off-road capability of the Tank in controlled conditions at its national media launch.

The Tank made a strong first impression, both for its purposeful styling and a cabin that really does look like something from a prestige showroom – even if the materials aren’t quite deluxe.

Larger than a Mazda CX-5 but smaller than a Hyundai Santa Fe, the Tank is big enough to be a practical family wagon, but a touch too compact to be an alternative to the Nissan Patrol or Toyota LandCruiser.

The Tank looks sharp in bright orange paint.

A heavy side-hinged tailgate opens to allow access to a boot that isn’t particularly generous, as GWM prioritised off-road approach and departure angles instead of fitting the car with a huge cargo area extending past the rear axle.

The manufacturer claims the car can tow 2.5 tonnes, but we suspect that would be a serious test of its four-cylinder petrol engine.

GWM has big plans for the Tank in Australia.

Driven unladen, the Tank impressed with a reasonable degree of refinement on the road.

The turbo motor is impressively hushed while delivering satisfactory progress, and its smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic is a world away from the jerkiness of cheaper GWM Haval SUVs.

The Tank’s high-speed stability is a leap beyond similarly boxy four-wheel-drives such as the Suzuki Jimny and Jeep Wrangler, which have a tendency to feel a little wayward over 100km/h.

Hybrid models are more powerful and efficient.

Mild off-roading played to the Tank’s strengths.

It felt like a natural on gravel, making light work of rutted roads and dry creek beds.

A clever “tank turn” feature brakes the inside rear wheel to reduce the machine’s turning circle on loose surfaces – a bit like a low-speed handbrake turn.

GWM is asking customers to take a leap of faith on a brand with minimal credentials in the off-road space. Peace of mind comes from a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty plus five years of roadside assistance and servicing capped at $2000 for the first five years.