Is the GWM Tank 300 the Best Value 7-Seat SUV in the World Right Now?
There is a new name making noise in the world of off-road SUVs. The GWM Tank 300 is a mid-size body-on-frame SUV built by Great Wall Motor, and it is turning heads in markets across the globe. With a bold design, a range of petrol, hybrid, and diesel engine options, genuine off-road hardware, and a luxury interior that punches well above its price, the Tank 300 is asking a question that buyers in Australia, South Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond are starting to take seriously. Is this the best value SUV you can buy in this class right now? This article takes a full look at everything the GWM Tank 300 has to offer and why it deserves your attention. What Is the GWM Tank 300? The GWM Tank 300 is a mid-size SUV produced by Great Wall Motor under its Tank sub-brand. It was first shown at the Chengdu Auto Show in July 2020 as the Wey Tank 300, and went on sale in China in December 2020. In April 2021, GWM rebranded the vehicle under the standalone Tank marque, with the goal of building Tank into a globally recognised off-road vehicle brand. The Tank 300 is the first and most accessible model in the Tank lineup, sitting below the larger Tank 500. It is built on a ladder-frame chassis shared with the Great Wall Cannon pickup truck, which gives it serious structural strength for off-road use. The Tank 300 seats five people across two rows and is available in petrol, hybrid, and diesel variants depending on the market. It is designed to appeal to buyers who want a rugged, capable four-wheel-drive vehicle that also feels premium and modern on the inside. Think of it as a blend of Jeep Wrangler toughness, Mercedes-Benz G-Class style, and everyday family practicality, at a price that makes all three more accessible than ever before. Design: Neo-Retro Style That Stands Out The Tank 300 has a very distinctive look that sets it apart from nearly every other SUV on the market. Its styling is best described as neo-retro, with a boxy, upright body shape that echoes classic off-road vehicles like the original Land Rover Defender and early Toyota Land Cruiser. At the same time, it feels fresh and modern, with sharp LED lighting, flared wheel arches, black plastic body cladding, and a boldly styled front grille. The Tank 300 measures 4,760mm long, 1,930mm wide, and sits on a 2,750mm wheelbase. It is a compact to mid-size vehicle, which makes it easier to manoeuvre than larger full-size SUVs while still offering a strong presence on the road. Side steps are fitted to help passengers get into the tall cabin. The rear door opens on a side hinge and houses a full-size spare wheel on the outside, adding to the rugged, adventure-ready look. Inside, the cabin manages to combine luxury with off-road attitude. Soft-touch materials and quilted panels line the doors and dashboard. Top-spec Ultra variants come with Nappa leather upholstery and patterned stitching on the seats. Two 12.3-inch screens sit side by side in the centre of the dashboard, one acting as the digital instrument cluster and one as the main infotainment touchscreen. Turbine-style air vents, exposed screw details, and coloured ambient lighting add a stylish, modern feel that rivals much more expensive vehicles. The fit and finish throughout the cabin is notably strong and has impressed most reviewers who expected a cheaper feel from a Chinese brand at this price point. Engine Options: Petrol, Hybrid, and Diesel One of the biggest strengths of the GWM Tank 300 is the range of powertrain options on offer, giving buyers in different markets the ability to choose what suits them best. The base engine is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit. In this form it produces solid power and is well suited to everyday driving. In Australia, this petrol variant was available from launch in late 2022 and remains an affordable entry point into the Tank 300 range. The HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) version pairs the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor, producing a combined system output of 258kW and 615Nm of torque. GWM claims a 0 to 100km/h time of around 7.9 seconds for the hybrid. The hybrid system improves fuel efficiency in urban driving conditions and adds extra torque delivery that is useful both on road and off it. This version is available in Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, and several other markets. The newest and arguably most important addition to the Tank 300 lineup is the 2.4-litre turbocharged diesel engine. This powertrain was first added to the Australian market in February 2025 and has since been rolled out to Thailand and other regions. It is the same diesel engine used in the GWM Cannon ute and brings genuine towing muscle to the Tank 300. The diesel Tank 300 can tow up to 3,000kg, which puts it in direct competition with the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and Ford Everest. Claimed fuel consumption for the diesel is 7.7 litres per 100km, which is very competitive for a vehicle of this size and capability. Alongside the new diesel engine, GWM introduced more than 20 engineering upgrades across the entire Tank 300 range. These include larger front brake rotors and calipers, upgraded wheel bearings, a reinforced prop shaft, and strengthened front suspension knuckles. These changes apply to all petrol and hybrid variants at no extra cost, showing that GWM is committed to improving the vehicle based on real-world feedback. Off-Road Capability: Built for the Rough Stuff The Tank 300 is not just a vehicle that looks tough. It has the hardware to back up its appearance. It sits on a ladder-frame chassis with double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link coilover rear setup. Ground clearance is 224mm, with a 33-degree approach angle and a 34-degree departure angle. Wading depth is rated at 700mm, which is capable enough for river crossings and flooded tracks that most buyers are likely