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China’s GWM has lastly launched a turbo-diesel engine to its Tank 300 off-road SUV.
Note: This is a revised model of our most up-to-date evaluation of the GWM Tank 300, as there have been no main modifications to the mannequin because it was printed.
We have up to date key particulars similar to pricing and specs with the hottest data accessible. Read our newest value and specs article right here for all the main points.
This huge body-on-frame SUV was already a logical rival for off-roaders just like the small Suzuki Jimny and enormous Jeep Wrangler, however GWM is lastly capable of go after greater competitors just like the top-selling Toyota Prado and Ford Everest, amongst others, with the choice of this diesel engine.
Australians love diesel engines of their ladder-frame off-roaders and, based on GWM, the Tank 300 Diesel “probably wouldn’t have happened” with out demand from this market.
While the two.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is new to the Tank 300 vary, it’s not new to GWM. It additionally options within the Cannon and Cannon Alpha ute lineups.
At launch, the Tank 300 Diesel is being provided in two variants, Lux and Ultra. They’re priced from $47,990 drive-away and $51,990 drive-away respectively.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation of the 2024 GWM Tank 300 Ultra Hybrid
The turbo-diesel engine is the primary distinction to the remainder of the prevailing Tank 300 vary, however GWM claims to have made greater than 20 part modifications and upgrades to this car.
As a consequence, the Tank 300 Diesel can tow 500kg greater than the petrol and hybrid automobiles. With a 3000kg braked towing capability, nevertheless, it nonetheless falls wanting the Toyota Fortuner’s 3100kg determine, in addition to the class-leading 3500kg provided by the Prado and Everest.
The Tank 300 Diesel’s increased towing capability pushes it into the “heavy off-road passenger vehicles” class beneath the Australian Government’s incoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard emissions regulation, giving it the next CO2 emissions goal than its petrol and hybrid siblings.
We drove the GWM Tank 300 Diesel in flagship Ultra trim as a part of the nationwide media launch drive between Melbourne and Healesville.
How a lot does the GWM Tank 300 price?
GWM expects diesel variations to account for greater than half of all Tank 300 gross sales.
| Model | Drive-away value |
|---|---|
| 2025 GWM Tank 300 Lux Diesel | $47,990 |
| 2025 GWM Tank 300 Ultra petrol | $49,990 |
| 2025 GWM Tank 300 Ultra Diesel | $51,990 |
| 2025 GWM Tank 300 Ultra Hybrid | $56,990 |
To see how the GWM Tank 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
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What is the GWM Tank 300 like on the within?
If you’re anticipating huge modifications contained in the Tank 300 Diesel, assume once more. It’s just about an identical to all of the petrol and hybrid variants, which is not any unhealthy factor as a result of it’s nonetheless a high-tech and luxuriously geared up cabin for the value tag.
Hopping in, there are huge facet steps and chunky seize handles that make ingress rather a lot simpler. This is a deceptively giant automotive and also you’d wrestle to get in with out these.
Once you’re in there are Nappa leather-trimmed seats within the top-spec Ultra, which is the automotive we drove on the launch. You sit up excessive within the driver’s seat, which is a sought-after trait in automobiles like this.
The driver’s seat feels deliciously delicate and supple. It’s additionally supportive and has heaps of adjustment, together with thigh tilt, lumbar, and even a therapeutic massage perform. While many Chinese vehicles have delicate and clean upholstery, rather a lot don’t have comfy driver’s seats, so this can be a refreshing change.
Ahead of the motive force is an enormous steering wheel which is befitting of a automotive like this. It seems to be chunky with the thick spokes, however it doesn’t really feel too giant to carry because of the thinner outer rim. It affords loads of tilt and attain adjustment, which suggests folks of many alternative sizes and statures will have the ability to discover a comfy driving place.
All the buttons on the steering wheel are bodily and make logical sense. There are even two configurable buttons that may activate issues just like the heated steering wheel and surround-view digicam, amongst different issues.
Behind the steering wheel, there’s a set of paddle shifters that don’t really feel essentially the most premium ever however are decently sized and enjoyable to make use of.
There’s additionally a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which seems to be high-resolution, although it has a darkish theme so there’s a good bit of detrimental house. It tells you all of the vital data you’ll want to see, like your present velocity clearly and brightly, nevertheless. There are a number of completely different layouts you possibly can select from, in addition to some infographic pages you possibly can cycle by way of.
Moving throughout, there’s a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s equally as clear because the digital instrument cluster. The person interface has quite a lot of completely different components, however it isn’t too tough to navigate round. Plus, in case you get misplaced there are shortcut buttons on the right-hand facet of the display screen.
You can open up a devoted off-road set of shows that are cool to mess around with. In specific, I like the ‘Conquerer Perspective’, which makes use of the surround-view digicam and has a clear chassis perform.
As commonplace, the Tank 300 Diesel will get wired and wi-fi variations of each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This mirrors what’s provided within the hybrid variants, although it’s value noting the petrol variants solely get wired smartphone mirroring.
With my iPhone 15 Pro Max linked wirelessly, I didn’t expertise any dropouts by any means. Admittedly our drive loop was transient, however I jumped between quite a few Tank 300s all through the day and didn’t have any hassles when connecting and reconnecting.
At the entrance of the centre console, there’s a wi-fi charger that helps preserve your telephone battery topped up whereas utilizing wi-fi smartphone mirroring. There can also be a USB-A and USB-C port in case you choose to plug in for faster charging.
I recognize this automotive has a row of bodily local weather management switchgear for features like altering the set temperature and fan velocity, amongst different issues. When you make modifications it flashes up a local weather management interface on the touchscreen, which is helpful as a result of you can also make additional modifications on there too.
While the Tank 300’s inside seems to be high-tech and is luxuriously geared up for the value tag, it’s a little on the kitschy facet by way of aesthetics and is a tad spinoff. Some examples of this embody the Mercedes-Benz-esque round air vents with ambient lighting, a small analogue clock in the course of the sprint, in addition to the silver textured panel forward of the entrance passenger.
But there are a lot of soft-touch surfaces that make the cabin really feel high-end. It’s not fairly often a $50k automotive feels this good inside. There’s additionally a scarcity of shiny piano black finishes, which is an enormous plus in my eyes.
The aviation-style gear selector nonetheless feels cool to make use of and substantial while you go from park to drive or reverse. There are additionally numerous bodily buttons surrounding it for numerous off-road features, plus distinguished dials for the four-wheel drive system and drive modes.
While I’ve harped on how the Tank 300 has a lavish and splendid inside, it’s additionally rugged. Touches just like the distinguished seize deal with (or Jesus bar) forward of the entrance passenger remind you of this automotive’s off-road potential.
Up entrance, there’s a good quantity of storage, together with two cupholders, a centre console field with airflow, little storage nooks that come out from the dashboard like cupholders (however usually are not), and a regular glovebox.
Out again, the second row of this five-seater is a good house to spend time in. Like many Chinese fashions, the seatback of the rear bench is reclined again, which lets you get relaxed and cozy. There’s additionally loads of house for adults behind adults.
Another factor I like concerning the second row is there are large seize handles, that are nice in case you’ve bought a driver who’s being adventurous behind the wheel. Other second-row facilities embody air vents on the again of the centre console, USB ports, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.
At the rear, the Tank 300 Diesel retains its side-hinging tailgate, which is a little bit of a ache as a result of you’ll want to enable for house on the again when parking. Conversely, it has a full-sized spare wheel on it, which suggests there’s extra boot house accessible inside.
Speaking of boot house, it’s unchanged within the diesel variants in comparison with the remainder of the vary. At 400 litres with all of the seats upright, increasing to 1635 litres with the second row folded, it isn’t the biggest house on this planet, however it’s sq. which permits for gadgets to suit higher.
Boot-related facilities are few and much between, however there’s a 12V socket, bag hooks and a few tie-down factors.
| Dimensions | GWM Tank 300 Diesel |
|---|---|
| Length | 4760mm |
| Width | 1930mm |
| Height | 1903mm |
| Wheelbase | 2750mm |
| Cargo capability | 400L – 5 seats, 1635L – 2 seats |
To see how the GWM Tank 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s beneath the bonnet?
GWM now affords a trifecta of powertrains within the Tank 300 vary domestically. The new turbo-diesel engine is shared with the Cannon Alpha, in addition to the up to date Cannon ute.
| Specifications | GWM Tank 300 Diesel |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L 4cyl turbo-diesel |
| Power | 135kW @ 3600rpm |
| Torque | 480Nm @ 1500-2500rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed auto |
| Drive sort | Part-time 4×4 (2H, 4H, 4L) |
| Fuel financial system (claimed) | 7.8L/100km |
| Fuel financial system (as examined) | 9.1L/100km (70km on-road loop), 10.2L/100km (off-road) |
| CO2 emissions (claimed) | 205g/km |
| Fuel tank | 75L |
| Weight (kerb) | 2280kg |
| Payload | 600kg |
| Braked towing capability | 3000kg |
| Gross car mass (GVM) | 2880kg |
| Gross mixture mass (GCM) | 5580kg |
To see how the GWM Tank 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
How does the GWM Tank 300 drive?
When you first hop into the Tank 300 it performs a welcome jingle. It’s quite lengthy and bought outdated in a short time. Thankfully you’re capable of flip this off within the infotainment system if it bugs you an excessive amount of.
Firing it up, you get a hushed diesel notice on this new Tank 300 variant. It’s not fairly as loud as within the Cannon ute, which itself isn’t very loud to start with. If you weren’t paying consideration you may not even realise this has a diesel engine.
The aviation-style gear shifter to pick out drive or reverse feels substantial. The automotive additionally performs a slingshot-like chime the primary time you go into drive, which is a enjoyable novelty.
Acceleration on this automotive is first rate, particularly at decrease speeds, however it gained’t blow your socks off. At the tip of the day, this can be a four-cylinder single-turbo diesel transferring a 2.3-tonne body-on-frame SUV so don’t go anticipating a break-neck tempo.
It produces 27kW much less energy than the turbo-petrol, however notably 100Nm extra torque. The latter can also be accessible decrease down within the rev vary, which suggests the automotive can maintain increased gears for longer and nonetheless speed up confidently.
This makes for a settled, comfy and enjoyable driving expertise, which completely fits a automotive like this. It surprises me that GWM didn’t introduce a turbo-diesel engine to the Tank 300 vary earlier.
The automotive feels most settled when pushed with docile throttle inputs. If you stamp the throttle from a standstill you get what looks like a quick second of turbo lag earlier than the automotive dials up the speed of acceleration. Once this occurs it feels removed from gradual, however the diesel engine can get somewhat clattery and allows you to realize it’s working away.
Like different GWM fashions with this 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, it’s mated with an in-house-developed nine-speed computerized transmission. In follow, it flicks by way of upshifts shortly to maintain the engine revs down low and to minimise gasoline consumption.
Despite this, in case you name for faster acceleration or encounter a steeper hill, it’ll fortunately dive shortly again by way of the gears to get issues transferring alongside quicker.
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Annoyingly, the Tank 300’s indicator stalk reverts to the impartial place after you activate it. There have been events once I went to cancel them after altering lanes, for instance, and would find yourself activating three indicator flashes in the wrong way. Tsk tsk, embarrassing…
At decrease speeds, you possibly can really feel numerous suspension motion within the cabin, however it’s not as harsh or stiff as many body-on-frame utes as a result of there are coil springs throughout. In truth, the suspension within the Tank 300 does err on the softer facet, which suggests within the bends it may possibly get the leans up. It’s enjoyable to mess around with, however it demonstrates this automotive is way from a dynamic weapon.
There are three completely different steering settings to select from, although I caught with the conventional ‘Comfort’ setting because it felt essentially the most pure. However, steering really feel at all times stays on the lighter facet, however nonetheless feels direct.
On the parking entrance, the Tank 300 Diesel comes with entrance and rear parking sensors, in addition to a surround-view digicam with crystal-clear digicam high quality. GWM actually is aware of the way to make surround-view digicam.
Getting out on the open street is the place this automotive feels most at residence. At 100km/h the diesel engine revs simply above idle, which makes for a simple driving expertise. In truth, you possibly can barely hear the engine, although there’s copious quantities of wind noise that makes up for this. You want to recollect that is primarily a field on wheels from an aerodynamics standpoint.
As such, the automotive can get blown round a tad in excessive winds, although sometimes it feels rock strong on the freeway and freeway. It’s the form of car that looks like you might journey hundreds of kilometres in and nonetheless really feel comfy.
For essentially the most half, the Tank 300 Diesel will stick in high gear and coast together with no worries in any respect, however it does want to sometimes dive again a gear or two to keep up velocity up inclines. This makes the diesel engine notice extra noticeable, however development doesn’t stutter.
This turbo-diesel engine makes the Tank 300 a extra fascinating possibility for individuals who need to use their off-roader for overlanding. It’s additionally extra environment friendly than each the turbo-petrol and hybrid powertrains, which suggests you possibly can journey additional between refills.
It’s lastly time to speak off-roading. During the launch we had a quick jaunt on some tracks within the Toolangi State Forest, which the Tank 300 Diesel ate up with ease. But we already know this automotive is extraordinarily succesful off-road.
Like the turbo-petrol variations, the Tank 300 Diesel has a part-time four-wheel drive system. This means the automotive can solely be utilized in two-high (rear-wheel drive) on sealed surfaces. Four-high and four-low can solely be used on unsealed surfaces.
Interestingly with four-low, you’ll want to use the paddle shifters to vary gears. This is rare in lots of off-roaders, however it does permit you to take extra direct management over how a lot you need the engine to rev.
In addition to this, there are a plethora of off-road drive modes. So many who we didn’t get to check all of them out absolutely, however they alter the throttle calibration and traction management sensitivity, amongst different elements.
The mode I examined essentially the most was ‘Expert Mode’, which is basically a customized mode that permits you to have three presets. It additionally permits you to dial within the actual approach you need the automotive arrange for off-roading.
On the protection entrance, GWM has had Chinese engineers come out to Australia and tweak the Tank 300’s superior driver help techniques (ADAS) calibration. It has made this automotive a lot extra habitable and never so overbearing to drive.
Where you discover this essentially the most is with the lane-keep help and emergency lane-keep help, because it not needs to tear the steering wheel out of your arms the second you drift somewhat near a lane marking.
Some techniques nonetheless aren’t good although. One of those is the adaptive cruise management, which might nonetheless solely be adjusted in 5km/h increments, and also will preserve a sizeable distance between the automotive forward.
The different is the motive force consideration monitoring, which admittedly isn’t as unhealthy as some others on the market, however will chime the second you look away from the street. It even went off as I used to be doing a head examine earlier than altering lanes.
Like a number of different car, this technique additionally bought upset once I wore sun shades because it couldn’t correctly detect the place my eyes have been wanting. The automotive would throw up a message saying ‘Driver Monitor Degradation’ on the digital instrument cluster, in a poor Chinese-to-English translation.
| Off-road dimensions | GWM Tank 300 Diesel |
|---|---|
| Track entrance and rear | 1608mm |
| Ground clearance | 224mm |
| Approach angle | 33 levels |
| Departure angle | 34 levels |
| Ramp breakover angle | 23 levels |
| Wading depth | 700mm |
To see how the GWM Tank 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
What do you get?
There are two trim ranges accessible, with some specification variations relying on the powertrain.
2025 GWM Tank 300 Lux diesel gear highlights:
- 17-inch black-finish alloy wheels
- 265/65R17 spare tyre
- Electronically locking rear differential
- Hill descent management
- Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
- LED headlights and tail lights
- Daytime working lights
- Sunroof
- Privacy glass
- Two-piece under-body guard
- Tyre strain monitoring
- Six-way energy driver’s seat
- Comfort-Tek leatherette upholstery
- Microfibre and leatherette steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Satellite navigation
- Front and rear USB ports
- Nine-speaker sound system
- Ambient inside lighting (seven colors)
- 12V energy retailers (entrance and baggage cabin)
The Ultra petrol provides:
- 18-inch chrome-finish alloy wheels
- 265/60R18 spare tyre
- Three-piece under-body guard
- Electronically locking entrance differential
- Nappa leather-based upholstery
- Heated and ventilated entrance seats
- Eight-way energy driver’s seat with therapeutic massage perform
- Heated steering wheel
- Wireless telephone charging
- Infinity nine-speaker sound system
- 64-colour ambient lighting
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
The Ultra petrol misses out on wi-fi smartphone mirroring, requiring a cable as a substitute. DAB+ digital radio and satellite tv for pc navigation are additionally lacking.
The diesel and hybrid Ultra fashions characteristic all of the aforementioned options, plus:
- Semi-autonomous parking help
- Driver’s seat and mirror reminiscence
- Auto reverse monitoring
- 18-inch black-finish alloy wheels (diesel solely)
Only hybrid and diesel fashions have auto up/down for all energy home windows, whereas petrol fashions solely have this for the motive force’s window.
Hybrid and diesel fashions additionally completely characteristic GWM App connectivity, permitting you to remotely management the locks, local weather management and heated and ventilated seats in addition to examine the car’s gasoline stage remotely.
To see how the GWM Tank 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
Is the GWM Tank 300 secure?
The GWM Tank 300 has a five-star security score from ANCAP, primarily based on testing performed in 2022.
| Category | GWM Tank 300 |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant safety | 88 per cent |
| Child occupant safety | 89 per cent |
| Vulnerable street person safety | 81 per cent |
| Safety help | 85 per cent |
Standard security gear contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Safe exit warning
- Lane-keep help
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane centring
- Traffic signal recognition
- Seven airbags (entrance, front-side, front-centre and curtain)
- Surround-view digicam with ‘Transparent Chassis Function’
- 4 x parking sensors (entrance)
- 4 x parking sensors (rear)
Diesel variants add:
- Front cross-traffic alert
- Second-row youngster presence detection
- 6x parking sensors (entrance)
- 6x parking sensors (rear)
- Driver monitoring system
Hybrid variants add:
- Highway Assist
- Reverse Assist (Ultra Hybrid solely)
- Auto Parking Assist (Ultra Hybrid solely)
To see how the GWM Tank 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
How a lot does the GWM Tank 300 price to run?
The GWM Tank 300 Diesel is roofed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, with seven years of roadside help, and 7 years of capped-price servicing.
| Servicing and Warranty | GWM Tank 300 Diesel |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 7 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
| Average annual service price | $606 |
| Total capped-price service price | $4245 |
After the primary service at 12 months or 10,000km, providers are required each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
To see how the GWM Tank 300 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability software
AutomotiveExpert’s Take on the GWM Tank 300
The Tank 300 is already an important off-road SUV, providing loads of functionality and splendid appointments at an interesting value level, however this new turbo-diesel engine possibility makes it an much more compelling package deal. In truth, it’s the decide of the vary.
Compared to the turbo-petrol and hybrid powertrains, the turbo-diesel feels essentially the most pure in a body-on-frame four-wheel drive like this. The approach it delivers energy makes for a settled, comfy and enjoyable driving expertise, particularly on the freeway in case you can overlook the wind noise, but additionally off-road.
Crucially, it affords extra payload and towing capability than the turbo-petrol and hybrid powertrain choices. The former remains to be a pinch level for these variants as a result of it’s important to decide whether or not to load up passengers or gear.
There’s extra room for flexibility within the diesel variants, however extra payload wouldn’t go astray, particularly given the utmost 300kg of towball obtain removes half of the accessible payload.
We commend GWM for getting its engineers to readdress the Tank 300’s problematic ADAS calibration in Australia, as a result of they’ve made it significantly higher than it was beforehand.
It not pulls the steering wheel exhausting the second you drift from the centre of your lane, however another security techniques just like the adaptive cruise management and driver consideration monitoring are nonetheless removed from the benchmark.
So diesel energy has made the Tank 300 significantly better, however it’s nonetheless not good. It will likely be thrilling to see what’s in retailer for the GWM vary when ex-Holden car dynamics engineer Rob Trubiani will get his arms on the vehicles. This Chinese carmaker is listening to native suggestions and levelling up. Established rivals ought to take discover.
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