China is shifting into the 4×4 market.

As soon as the unique area of the likes of Jeep and Land Rover, GWM is getting in on the motion with its rough-and-ready Tank sub-brand – beginning with the 2023 GWM Tank 300 you see right here.

Trying like a lovechild between a Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the GWM Tank 300 is the primary of the Tank-branded merchandise to make it to Australia, more likely to be adopted by the bigger Tank 500 which can provide a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The Tank 300 was initially meant to launch with a segment-first hybrid, however transport delays meant the turbocharged petrol model has made it to our shores first – and that’s the automotive now we have on take a look at.

Priced from $50,990 drive-away in high-spec Extremely specification as examined, the Tank 300 shapes up as a hell of quite a bit metallic for the cash.

It’s bigger, extra highly effective and extra luxurious than one thing like a Suzuki Jimny which isn’t all that less expensive in as we speak’s market, whereas it’s considerably extra reasonably priced than one thing like a Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender.

So, is GWM onto a winner?

How a lot does the GWM Tank 300 price?

Costs begin from $46,990 drive-away for the entry-level Tank 300 Lux, climbing to $60,990 drive-away for the flagship Tank 300 Extremely Hybrid.

Our Extremely petrol tester is $50,990 drive-away, which means the Hybrid instructions a hefty $10,000 premium over its petrol-only counterpart.

The Tank 300 occupies an fascinating house out there, sitting above the costliest Suzuki Jimny GLX ($33,490), and effectively under the likes of the Jeep Wrangler Limitless (from $81,450). Word these costs exclude on-road prices.

In the meantime, the Tank 300 is positioned in the identical worth bracket as diesel-powered ute-based 4×4 SUVs just like the Ford Everest 4WD (from $57,990), Isuzu MU-X 4×4 (from $54,900) and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 4×4 (from $49,940).

Given the options and engine efficiency on provide, the Tank 300 stacks up as very compelling on paper. Whereas the Tank 300 Hybrid instructions a hefty premium over the equal petrol, there’s nothing else prefer it within the phase.

2023 GWM Tank 300 pricing:

• GWM Tank 300 Lux: $46,990
• GWM Tank 300 Extremely: $50,990
• GWM Tank 300 Lux Hybrid: $55,990
• GWM Tank 300 Extremely Hybrid: $60,990

Costs are drive-away

What’s the GWM Tank 300 like on the within?

There’s a really clear Mercedes affect within the cabin of the Tank 300.

From the bluff, upright dashboard to the conjoined 12.3-inch shows and round air vents, it’s clear the place GWM has drawn inspiration from Germany’s iconic retro-modern off-roader.

The cabin of the Extremely grade now we have on take a look at is mighty spectacular, from the Nappa leather-lined seats to the quilted leatherette door inserts and the clear decision of the digital screens. It does have fairly a little bit of ‘wow’ issue.

Perceived construct high quality is fairly strong, particularly for the phase. The Jimny and Wrangler are fairly utilitarian by comparability.

Storage is fairly respectable too, with a very good quantity of cubbies and cabinets to go away your odds and ends, although I want the entrance door pockets had been a bit of extra substantial.

Within the Extremely variations, the motive force is handled to an electrically-adjustable seat which is neat, with each entrance seats additionally that includes each heating and cooling features.

The steering wheel additionally presents attain and rake adjustment, however as you’ll discover in most automobiles within the 4×4 segments you typically end up sitting fairly excessive within the cabin, and form of trying down into the instrument binnacle.

The GWM Tank 300’s digital driver’s show will get prime marks for color and readability, however a ‘wants enchancment’ for structure and configurability.

The menus and structure apes what we’ve seen within the GWM Haval H6, with a Tank 300 for varied graphics and a few additional off-road menus thrown in – color matched to the car although, which is cute. I’d like to see digital dials put in, which little doubt could be fascinating when off-roading.

Transferring over to the left you could have the large 12.3-inch central touchscreen, which you’ll discover favours left-hand drive markets like China given the touch-based shortcuts on the display are on the passenger’s facet.

Like the motive force’s show, the infotainment system is a Tank model of what we’ve seen in GWM Haval merchandise, with the identical menus, fonts and layouts with pretty minimal differentiation.

When it comes to options, you get wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which look nice on the high-resolution show, in addition to DAB+. There’s no embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, which implies when you frequent regional areas with minimal service you would run into points with mapping when you miss a flip off a pre-downloaded route, for instance.

In any other case, it’s pretty fast to answer inputs and cargo menus, even when a few of these menus are a bit of convoluted. Hopefully with updates we’ll see extra simplified menu constructions and cleaner textual content, in addition to a digital shortcut bar on the right-hand facet for right-hand drive markets.

The nine-speaker Infinity-branded audio system within the Extremely is fairly respectable for audio high quality and depth.

Area within the again is sweet, due to the Tank 300’s boxy dimensions.

At 6’1 I had good head-, knee- and toe room, although the high-ish ground means you could have a little bit of a knees-up seating place which is pretty frequent for ladder-frame platforms.

Rear facilities embrace directional air vents, USB energy retailers, map pockets behind each entrance seats, bottle holders within the doorways, and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders.

The second-row seats fold just about fully flat in a 60:40 cut up, and kiddies are catered for due to top-tether factors throughout all three positions in addition to ISOFIX anchors on the outboard positions.

GWM nonetheless doesn’t quote a baggage capability for the Tank 300 in any of its official documentation.

Accessed by way of a heavy side-hinged tailgate, we are able to inform you the sq., large and flat load space is larger than you’ll discover in a Suzuki Jimny, and isn’t far off one thing like a Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender 90.

There’s a full-sized spare wheel is mounted on the tailgate, when you hadn’t already observed.

What’s below the bonnet?

The Tank 300 makes use of a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 162kW of energy and 380Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed automated transmission.

Petrol fashions use a part-time four-wheel drive system with low-range, and have a locking rear differential and a Tank Flip perform to scale back the turning circle.

The Tank 300 Hybrid makes use of a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 180kW of energy at 5500-6000rpm and 380Nm of torque at 1700-4000rpm, paired with a 78kW/268Nm electrical motor. System outputs are 258kW and 615Nm.

Hybrid fashions use a nine-speed ‘Hybrid Computerized Transmission’ and a torque-on-demand full-time four-wheel drive system. It options electronically-controlled mechanical entrance and rear differential locks, a Tank Flip perform to scale back the turning circle on gravel, and a crawl mode.

The Tank 300 makes use of 9.5L/100km on the mixed cycle, whereas the Tank 300 Hybrid quotes 8.4L/100km. All fashions are rated to run on 91 RON common unleaded.

How does the GWM Tank 300 drive?

This driving part will probably be in two components: on-road and off-road.

I spent a couple of hours behind the wheel of the Tank 300 on the Hume Freeway driving to and from the GR Corolla Morizo Version launch in Broadford proper after selecting it up.

I used to be fairly impressed with the 300’s turbocharged efficiency, with punchy response proper by the rev vary. Paul did a 0-100 take a look at which you’ll be able to view within the Paul’s video assessment, and managed 8.95 seconds – which is about 2.0-3.0s faster than most four-cylinder diesel 4×4 SUV.

At 100 and 110km/h the Tank is pleasantly refined and steady, with the drivetrain settling right into a quiet background hum in eighth gear – spinning at slightly below 2000rpm – with acceptable insulation from street and wind noise relative to 4×4 rivals.

There’s a little bit of whirring and wind whistle to deal with, nevertheless it’s in any other case a helpful tourer. Plus, the tender experience takes the sting off sharper imperfections you’ll sometimes discover on nation highways, although the physique can transfer round a bit.

I had loads of time to mess around with the Tank 300’s driver help techniques, together with the Freeway Help perform that encompasses all-speed adaptive cruise management with site visitors jam help, in addition to lively lane centring.

GWM’s assists have come a good distance in comparison with when the model initially launched its present vary of merchandise, with a much more user-friendly degree of response and help, significantly with lane help features.

Some should still discover the centring choice an excessive amount of; on quite a few events I discovered it could let the 300 drift out of the lane which defeats the aim, and on longer curves it’ll typically jolt randomly quite than easily observe the strains – see Paul’s video for an illustration. In any other case, the adaptive cruise did a very good job sustaining the set pace on hills, however would often be too conservative with following distance.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are additionally helpful, given the Tank 300’s elevated experience peak and excessive shoulder line – you shouldn’t miss any lower-slung automobiles when negotiating gaps in site visitors.

On the town the Tank 300 doesn’t really feel cumbersome or heavy to drive, although it may often really feel desperate to launch from the lights with idle cease/begin in play.

Tighter turns elicit a little bit of physique roll because of the experience peak and tender setup, so maintain that in thoughts if the top-heavy really feel is a deal-breaker. At the very least the steering is fairly mild and correct, so that you’re not endlessly twirling the steering wheel or always correcting such as you may need to in another off-roaders.

It’s in any other case agreeable, and if pushed sedately it’s fairly a simple and splendid place to spend time. That tall physique and tender suspension means the Tank 300 eats pace humps for breakfast, and in contrast to some specialised off-roaders it’s much less vulnerable to scuttle shake over pockmarked roads – although it’s not immune.

Parking this massive ol’ factor could also be daunting at first, given the lengthy bonnet and chunky wheel arches in addition to the excessive shoulder line. Fortunately, the encompass digital camera system is superb, as we’ve come to count on from the Chinese language model, as are entrance and rear parking sensors along with rear cross-traffic help.

In the course of the brake take a look at throughout filming, Paul famous the Tank 300 demonstrated an alarming degree of nostril dive below emergency cease circumstances, to the purpose the place one of many rear wheels nearly left the street and the car squirrelled about because it got here to a cease – not essentially the most confidence-inspiring trait in these circumstances.

Paul Maric additionally took the Tank 300 off-road, to check out GWM’s claims of this new mannequin being a licensed 4×4.

Method and departure angles are 33.0 and 34.0 levels respectively, with floor clearance quoted at 224mm. There’s normal underbody safety, too.

Paul famous the simplicity of activating the rear differential lock, which helped the Tank 300 stroll over the offset mogul take a look at.

He did additionally word, nonetheless, that the traction management wasn’t good sufficient to get the car out of low-traction eventualities with out the rear differential activated.

The Tank 300 had no such points on our hillclimb and dirt bogs, no matter whether or not the entrance and rear diffs had been locked.

It walked up when in 4L with the diffs open, and with the diffs locked was in a position to cease halfway after which get going once more with no fuss.

Coming down the opposite facet, the Tank 300’s nifty ‘Clear Chassis Perform’ helps create a transparent view forward of the car over crests and on either side to maximise visibility when off the overwhelmed observe.

Paul was additionally glad with the efficiency of the Tank 300’s hill-descent management perform, which maintained the set pace down a pointy decline.

The Tank 300 efficiently navigated the water crossing, which was at a comparatively excessive 650mm after current heavy rain. GWM quotes a wading depth most of 700mm.

It went by with none points, and the usual tyres helped climb out of the pool no dramas.

Over the boulders set in Rock mode, the Tank 300 walked over comfortably with no touchdowns, with Paul highlighting total consolation as a key takeaway, and good throttle management.

To see Paul’s detailed off-road impressions in additional depth, try the Paul’s video assessment.

What do you get?

Tank 300 Lux + Lux Hybrid highlights:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Auto-folding, heated exterior mirrors
• LED headlights and tail lights
• Daytime operating lights
• Sunroof
• Two-piece under-body guard
• Tyre strain monitoring
• Crawl Management
• Tank Flip
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• Energy driver’s seat
• ‘Consolation-Tek’ leather-based upholstery
• Microfibre and leather-based steering wheel
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Entrance and rear USB ports
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 9-speaker audio system
• Ambient inside lighting
• DAB+ digital radio (hybrid solely)
• 12V energy retailers (entrance and baggage cabin)

Tank 300 Extremely provides:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Nappa leather-based seats
• Heated and cooled entrance seats
• Powered driver seat incl. therapeutic massage perform
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Wi-fi telephone charging
• 9-speaker Infinity sound system
• Extra ambient lighting colors

Tank 300 Extremely Hybrid provides:

• Semi-autonomous parking help
• Driver’s seat and mirror reminiscence
• Auto reverse monitoring

Is the GWM Tank 300 secure?

The Tank 300 wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking with 2022 datestamp, based mostly on native crash exams – one thing the Jimny and Wrangler can’t match. This ranking covers petrol and hybrid Tank 300 variants.

It scored 88 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 89 per cent for baby occupant safety, 81 per cent for weak street customers, and 85 per cent for security assists.

Whereas the Tank 300 scored effectively throughout all key classes, ANCAP’s media launch famous a penalty for vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility.

“Full factors had been recorded for all 4 essential physique areas of each the motive force and entrance seat passenger within the frontal offset take a look at. This excessive rating was nonetheless offset by the utmost 4.00 level penalty for vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility because the entrance construction of the Tank 300 was proven to pose a excessive danger to the occupants of an oncoming car, if struck,” the unbiased crash tester stated.

“Related excessive scores had been seen for the Tank 300’s capability to guard the motive force and entrance seat occupants within the vary of facet influence crash take a look at eventualities.”

Additional, Weak efficiency was famous for defense of the pinnacle and chest of the rear passenger within the full-width frontal set, which ANCAP instructed may very well be addressed with “enhancements to the restraint system”.

Normal security tools contains:

• 7 airbags incl. front-centre
• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Lane maintain help
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Encompass-view digital camera incl. ‘Clear Chassis Perform’
• Site visitors signal recognition

Tank 300 Hybrid provides:

• 6 parking sensors (up from 4)
• Entrance cross-traffic help

Colors

Normal: $NCO

Premium: $595

• Pearl White
• Crystal Black
• Nightfall Orange
• Lunar Pink

How a lot does the GWM Tank 300 price to run?

The Tank 300 is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee and 5 years of roadside help.

GWM additionally presents 5 years of capped-price servicing for the Tank 300 like its wider line-up, with intervals of 12 months or 10,000km for the primary go to, after which 12 months or 15,000km after that.

Pricing for the primary 5 companies are quoted at $300, $300, $550, $550 and $300 – totalling $2000 over 5 years.

When it comes to real-world gasoline consumption we had been seeing 8-9.0L/100km on the freeway and 10-11L/100km on the town. That’s within the ballpark of GWM’s declare, however the petrol Tank 300 can’t match the effectivity of diesel-powered 4×4 rivals.

Word all Tank 300 fashions – together with the Tank 300 Hybrid – can run on 91 RON common unleaded gasoline.

CarExpert’s Tackle the GWM Tank 300

The Tank 300 is greater than only a copycat tackle among the world’s most iconic off-roaders.

Packing retro-inspired appears to be like, a properly introduced cabin, and a characteristic listing that leaves you wanting for little, the Tank 300 will put manufacturers like Jeep on discover – you’ll be able to just about two of those for the value of a Wrangler Limitless.

It additionally has a punchy turbocharged drivetrain and succesful 4×4 operating gear that handled our comparatively mild exams with minimal fuss – when you solely want delicate 4×4 capability with options which can be simple to make use of and have interaction, it’s fairly good.

Even higher, in contrast to the Suzuki Jimny or Jeep Wrangler, the Tank 300 is a fairly snug and straightforward factor to dwell with each on the town and on the freeway, with all of the consolation and tech you’d count on out of a road-biased SUV.

That’s to not say it’s good, nonetheless. The convoluted structure of the infotainment interface that favours left-hand drive China is irritating, whereas the dearth of satellite tv for pc navigation and wi-fi smartphone mirroring are blanks within the spec sheet that ought to be included of a car at this worth level launching in 2023.

The suspension additionally poses a problem in emergency braking conditions as demonstrated by Paul, although the Tank 300’s efficiency in ANCAP crash testing exhibits that is removed from unsafe total. Having a full-time four-wheel drive system would even be a very good improve for the petrol Tank 300 when it comes to all-weather on-road efficiency.

I’d be fairly eager to attempt the Tank 300 Hybrid when it arrives, given it’s a really distinctive providing relative to rival 4x4s, however even in normal petrol guise this new arrival makes a compelling case for itself when you’re prepared to take an opportunity on the GWM model – given the Chinese language producer’s minimal recognition amongst 4×4 motorists.

Click on the pictures for the complete gallery

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