Review: GWM Tank 300 diesel review
China’s answer to some of our most popular cars has just stepped things up, in a massive way.
Glance at the calendar and you’ll see that it says 2025, but this high-tech 4x4 SUV is turning back the clock by adding a turbo-diesel engine to its range.
That’s right – the GWM Tank 300 has finally seen the addition of an oil-burner, after a few years of powering along with turbo-petrol and petrol-electric hybrid models.
Aussie buyers have been crying out for it since its launch back in early 2023, not just for the more off-road-suitable driveability of a turbo-diesel engine, but also in anticipation over improved towing capacity and better load capability.
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And GWM has delivered on both of those fronts, with a 3000kg braked towing capacity (up 500kg) and improved payload capacity of 600kg (previously around 400kg) meaning this will be a more usable offering for overlanders and off-roaders, or just everyday adventurers.
The Tank 300 diesel is offered in Lux ($47,990 drive-away) and Ultra ($51,990 drive-away) trim levels. The latter adds a few extra off-road inclusions, as well as Nappa leather trim and heated/ventilated seats.
The diesel engine clearly has a different character to the other models. It doesn’t have the same rev-happy urgency that the petrol has, nor the push-in-the-back shove of the hybrid.
Indeed, it is a typical turbo-diesel in the way it behaves.
There is some lag to work around at low speeds, before a big shunt of torque hits in the mid-range. It’s a far more refined feeling engine at pace, but in stop-start situations it can be a little tedious at takeoff.
The nine-speed automatic is relatively smart and smooth.
It’s an in-house developed auto gearbox, and there are paddle-shifters if you want to take matters into your own hands, but in my experience it did the right thing most of the time, despite holding gears a little longer than you might expect in some light-throttle situations.
It also employs a different four-wheel-drive system to the other Tank 300s.
They use a torque-on-demand set-up that will apportion grunt where the system believes it needs to go, whereas the diesel gets a tailored part-time 4x4 system, meaning it is rear-wheel drive (2H) in most situations, but there is high-range 4WD (4H) and a low-range transfer case (4L) for more serious off-road jaunts.
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The off-road capability of the Tank 300 is excellent. All models come with an electronic rear locking differential, and the top-spec Ultra adds a front locker, too. There is a crawl mode system for off-road cruise control, hill descent, and heaps of different drive modes that dramatically change the character of the powertrain.
On a short off-road stint climbing up a mountainside, I was initially surprised at how assertive the low-range gearing was, but cycling through the drive modes made it clear that this is a tech-laden machine with plenty of configurability to the drive experience when you’re out in the rough stuff.
With extremely good off-road camera technology that leaves some other like-priced rivals in the dark ages, not to mention a clever thing called Tank Turn that can lock up the inside rear wheel to help you pivot on tight trails, this rig has heaps of handy helpers for the less experienced adventurers.
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Some of the other big considerations include significantly better payload capacity (now 600kg, up by more than 200kg in some instances), better braked towing capacity (3000kg as opposed to 2500kg), and improvements to the combined mass capability as well – all of which are courtesy of more than 20 changes to the donor vehicle.
Inside there’s a high-tech feeling space, thankfully with plenty of control buttons for most of the climate stuff, and there’s a pair of 12.3-inch screens as well.
Otherwise the interior remains a roomy and thoughtful place, with space for five adults and the boot offers 400 litres of load space with the rear seats up. The side-swinging tailgate has a few storage elements to it, and naturally the spare wheel on the boot is a full size one.
GWM offers a seven-year/unlimited km warranty for the Tank 300, with the same cover for roadside assistance.
Capped-price servicing details are still TBC, but expect shorter intervals than some rivals.
VERDICT
On the whole, this feels like a better choice than the petrol or hybrid models, and a great choice more generally for those looking for an off-roader with a low price and lots of equipment.
4 stars
GWM Tank 300 diesel
PRICE: From $47,990 to $51,990 drive-away
ENGINE: 2.4-litre turbo-diesel 4-cyl, 9-spd auto, part-time 4x4
OUTPUTS: 135kW/480Nm
FUEL USE: 7.8 litres per 100km
TOWING: 750kg unbraked, 3000kg braked
BOOT SPACE: 400L seats up, 1635L seats down
SPARE: Full-size
Originally published as Review: GWM Tank 300 diesel review
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