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 to encounter.
The four-wheel-drive system includes low-range gearing and options for locking front and rear differentials. There is also a Crawl Mode for controlled slow-speed off-roading and a Tank Turn function, which is a unique party trick that allows the vehicle to rotate almost on the spot by running the left and right wheels in opposite directions. This is genuinely useful in tight off-road situations and adds to the Tank 300’s appeal as a serious off-road tool rather than just a lifestyle vehicle.
Multiple driving modes are available to suit different surfaces and conditions, including sand, mud, snow, and rock. The diesel variant also comes with additional underbody protection and chassis reinforcements that make it even more capable for serious off-road use and heavy-duty towing.
Technology and Safety Features
The GWM Tank 300 comes well equipped with technology at every trim level. The twin 12.3-inch screen setup is sharp, bright, and responsive. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on hybrid and diesel models, while the petrol variant uses a wired connection. A wireless charging pad, native satellite navigation, Bluetooth, DAB digital radio, voice recognition, and multiple USB ports are all included. Hybrid and diesel models also gain GWM App connectivity, which allows remote control of door locks, climate control, and heated and ventilated seats from a smartphone.
Safety is taken seriously in the Tank 300. When tested by ANCAP in 2022, it received a five-star safety rating, with scores of 88 percent for adult occupant protection, 89 percent for child occupant protection, 81 percent for vulnerable road user protection, and 85 percent for safety assist systems. Seven airbags are fitted as standard. The vehicle also includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and hill-start assist.
Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving feature that handles both steering and speed on motorways, is available on hybrid and diesel models, adding a useful layer of comfort during long highway drives.
Global Availability: Where Can You Buy It?
The GWM Tank 300 has expanded quickly since its Chinese launch in 2020. Saudi Arabia was among the first export markets, followed by Australia in December 2022. Since then, the Tank 300 has launched in South Africa in February 2024, Thailand in September 2023, Indonesia in mid-2024, Malaysia in July 2024, and the Philippines in December 2023. It is also available in several Middle Eastern markets through GWM dealerships.
Australia has been one of the most important markets for the Tank 300 outside of China. The vehicle arrived at exactly the right time, when buyers were looking for alternatives to the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest at a lower price. The addition of the diesel engine in February 2025 directly addressed the main criticism from Australian buyers who wanted diesel power for towing and long-distance highway driving. GWM reports that the diesel version became the most popular Tank 300 variant in Australia shortly after launch.
In South Africa, the Tank 300 has attracted strong interest from buyers who want a capable off-roader with a premium interior at a more accessible price than traditional rivals. The diesel option is also seen as a strong fit for that market. In Southeast Asia, the hybrid version has been the most popular choice, particularly in Thailand where fuel efficiency is a priority for many buyers.
GWM continues to push the Tank brand into new territories. European countries are listed on GWM’s global platform pages, and the Tank 300 is expected to follow the brand’s broader European expansion in the coming years. For now, buyers in Oceania, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia have access to one of the most complete off-road SUV packages at this price point.
How Does It Compare to Its Rivals?
The GWM Tank 300 competes in a class that includes the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, and Jeep Wrangler. In most head-to-head comparisons on value for money, the Tank 300 holds its own very well.
Against the Toyota Fortuner and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, the Tank 300 offers a more modern interior, stronger technology features, and a hybrid powertrain option that neither rival can match. The diesel Tank 300 now tows 3,000kg, which is only slightly below the class leaders like the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X at 3,100kg and 3,500kg respectively.
Against the Jeep Wrangler, the Tank 300 offers a similar adventurous design and off-road personality but with a much more refined and practical interior, better technology, and in most markets a noticeably lower price. The Wrangler remains a more pure off-road icon with a longer heritage, but for buyers who also need daily usability, the Tank 300 makes a very strong case.
The main areas where rivals still hold an edge are long-term reliability data and dealer network size. The Tank 300 is a relatively new vehicle in most global markets, and buyers who are cautious about newer brands may prefer the peace of mind that comes with decades of Toyota or Ford ownership history. However, the warranty package goes a long way toward addressing those concerns.
Warranty and After-Sales: GWM Backs Its Product
The GWM Tank 300 comes with one of the best warranty packages in its class. In Australia, GWM offers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on the full vehicle along with seven years of roadside assistance and seven years of capped-price servicing. The hybrid battery pack is covered by an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. These figures match or beat most Japanese and European rivals and show the confidence GWM has in the long-term durability of the Tank 300.
Service intervals are set at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. GWM’s dealer network is growing steadily in all of its active markets, and the brand has made after-sales support a clear priority as it looks to build long-term trust with buyers outside China.
The Tank 300 Makes Its Case Loud and Clear
The GWM Tank 300 is one of the most complete and well-rounded mid-size off-road SUVs available in the world right now. It offers a striking neo-retro design, a choice of petrol, hybrid, and diesel powertrains, genuine ladder-frame off-road capability, a premium and well-built cabin, strong safety ratings, and a class-leading warranty, all at a price that undercuts most of its key rivals.
The addition of the 2.4-litre diesel engine in 2025 removed what was previously the biggest reason for buyers to look elsewhere. With 3,000kg towing capacity, real fuel efficiency, and over 20 mechanical upgrades applied across the full range, the Tank 300 is now a more complete package than ever before.
There are still areas to watch. Long-term reliability data across global markets is still building, the petrol variant misses some tech features available on higher variants, and the dealer network is smaller than established Japanese brands in most markets. But for the buyer who wants a tough, stylish, and feature-packed SUV that will not break the bank, the GWM Tank 300 makes a very convincing argument. It is proof that Chinese car makers are no longer following the rest of the world. In the off-road SUV segment, the Tank 300 is starting to lead it.