GWM Tank 500 Ultra review: Is this the electrified 4×4 wagon that signals the end for Toyota’s dirty diesels?

So you’re trying to figure out what this chrome-laden Chinese 4×4 is doing here right?

Well, yep for many EV drivers this 2.6-tonne behemoth is anathema. But the GWM Tank 500 might also be the start of the future for large and highly capable off-road 4×4 wagons so widely liked in Australia.

Instead of being diesel like virtually all its rivals, the Tank 500 is electrified via a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.

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No Toyota Prado or LandCruiser does that – for all the Japanese giant’s promotion of its hybrids – nor the Ford Everest, Isuzu D-Max or any other ladder-frame 4×4 wagon.

So as unlikely as it might seem, the GWM Tank 500 is a trailblazer.

2024 GWM Tank 500 Ultra price and equipment

Okay, some background. GWM is a giant Chinese auto brand – GWM stands for Great Wall Motors. Tank is its off-road brand, but it also sells the Ora EV here, Haval SUVs and the Cannon ute line-up. The 500 is the second Tank to launch here after the smaller 300, which also comes as a hybrid.

With the Lux priced at $66,490 and the Ultra at $73,990 drive-away, the Tank 500 is certainly affordable by the standards of the class and it also gets plenty of gear. But it’s too soon to call the 500 great value – we just don’t know if it is going to hang together and be reliable and durable.

Focussing on the Ultra flagship there’s lots of luxury gear: Power retracting side steps, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, tri-zone climate control, Nappa leather accented seats include power (8-way driver, 6-way passenger), heating, ventilation and massage up-front. The second row seats are ventilated and slide and the third row seats are power-folding.

Dominating the dashboard are a 14.6-inch colour infotainment toucjscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument panel. A head up display is projected into the windscreen. Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (and wireless smartphone charging), Bluetooth connection, AM/FM and digital radio and embedded satellite-navigation are all included in the technology package. Audio is played through an Infinity 12-speaker stereo.

GWM is very confident the Tank 500 will get a five star ANCAP rating, but that is some months from confirmation. There are a heap of active driver assistants, plenty of airbags and enough cameras to stitch together a 360 view. There’s  even a see-through view to show the road underneath the car, which is especially handy for off-roading.

The Tank 500 launches new GWM package of a seven year unlimited kilometres warranty, seven years roadside assist and seven years capped price servicing program. All other GWM Models are 7-5-5. The 500 also comes with a new connected car smartphone app.

2024 GWM Tank 500 Ultra: What we think

So we’re mostly interested in the powertrain right? It’s a combination of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine tuned to run on the more efficient Miller cycle. It combines with an e-motor in the transmission tunnel to produce a claimed 255kW and 648Nm.

The petrol engine can run on 91 RON unleaded, claims an 8.5L/100km fuel consumption average and has an 80-litre fuel tank. The e-motor relies on a 1.76kWh lithium-ion battery for juice. The rest of the drivetrain includes a GMW-designed nine-speed auto, a BorgWarner dual-range transfer case, a heap of drive modes and front and rear locking diffs for serious off-road work.

Driving the Tank 500 is a bit weird when you first get going. A lifetime of driving big diesels has inculcated a certain expectation of noise, vibration, harshness and – sometimes – obvious lag.

The Tank 500 accelerates from standstill smoothly, silently and immediately thanks to its e-motor. Then when the petrol engine chimes in it’s with some subtlety. Up at highway  speed it’s a pleasant experience.

The torque the e-motor provides from standstill ensures you’re not going to miss that diesel shove. But its noticeable the powertrain needs to be in sport mode to feel lively. In normal mode its dulled down in search of economy.

But even then – if our first drive is an accurate indicator – you are going to miss out on diesel-like fuel economy. The Tank 500 was showing 12-14L/100km on its trip computer.

That will knock the range about and reduce this vehicles’ effectiveness for outback touring and towing – speaking of which, the braked towing capacity is 3000kg, 500kg down on the 3500kg these types of vehicles often have.

GWM’s counter to the fuel number is the hybrid system is designed for performance rather than economy. It might need to rebalance its priorities I reckon.

Otherwise the Tank 500 is further proof GWM is getting its act together. Within the confines of its extreme weight and substantial size – over 5.0 metres long and more than 1.9m wide – it behaved itself on-road as long as it was sensibly driven. Off-road it looks like it will be a weapon.

Even the drive assist system tuning – often a bugbear with Chinese vehicles – behaved with some sympathy and sensitivity.

There’s lots of interior space, lots of interior stuff and an ambience that’s loud and aimed at premium. Some people are gonna love the look and feel and some are gonna hate it.

2024 GWM Tank 500 Ultra: Verdict

The 2024 GWM Tank 500 is more important for what it represents than how it drives.

Electrification has reached the most hard-core of CO2-driven segments and over the next few years – especially with the introduction of the NVES – there is definitely more to come.

This vehicle is well priced and equipped and will undoubtedly appeal to buyers who want this space and capability but can’t stretch to a new Toyota Pardo or LandCruiser.

Based on our first drive what the Tank 500 doesn’t seem to do is exploit its electrification system to be truly frugal and low emission.

And that’s an opportunity lost.

SCORE: 3.5/5

2024 GWM Tank 500 Ultra specifications

Price: $73,990 (drive-away)

Basics: Petrol-electric hybrid, 7 seats, 5 doors, large off-road wagon, 4×4

Range: 900km (approx)

Battery capacity: 1.76kWh lithium-ion

Powertrain: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol-electric

Output: 180kW/380Nm (electric motor: 78kW/268Nm)

Combined output: 255kW/648Nm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)

CO2: 199g/km (ADR Combined)