GWM Tank 300 2.4TD 9AT 4X4 Super Luxury (2026) Review

Introduction

Right, so you’ve waited for a GWM Tank 300 that actually gets what South African off-roader buyers expect. Here it is: the 2.4-litre turbodiesel. At last, the Tank’s tough body-on-frame shell gets the engine it should have had from the start. No more mismatched petrol or hybrid - just torque, proper backup, and a price tag that’ll rattle Fortuner and Everest, loyalists. I spent a week with the flagship for this GWM Tank 300 2.4TD 9AT 4X4 Super Luxury review in South Africa, and it’s clear: the diesel lifts the whole Tank 300 range. Suddenly, it’s a credible rival, not just a left-field wildcard.

Key takeaway: The diesel Tank 300 finally brings muscle, a long warranty, sharp pricing, and a few quirks - the mix SA off-roaders have been waiting for.

Design & Exterior

Styling? Still has that “Wrangler meets G-Class at a Komatipoort shebeen” vibe. Boxy, upright, those round LEDs and bold grille - the Tank 300 turns heads everywhere from suburban driveways to the freeway off-ramp. Even now, neighbours are still peering over the wall to ask what it is.

Detail and stance

Five doors, muscular 18-inch alloys, a full-size spare, and a side-hinged tailgate. The roofline’s ideal for a rooftop tent. At a bush camp, that tailgate’s a win. In a crammed parking lot, not so much - especially when the Hilux behind leaves you half a metre of space.

Segment positioning

This is a true ladder-frame, mid-size SUV. It parks firmly alongside Fortuner, Everest, Pajero Sport, Wrangler, Scorpio-N, and even the BAIC B40 Plus. The surprising bit? In person, it looks and feels pricier than the sticker says. That matters here because South Africans buy with their eyes as much as their wallets.

Cabin & Practicality

GWM clearly threw the budget at the interior. Nappa-style leather, twin 12.3-inch screens, and 64-colour ambient lighting (if you want to club up your commute). The flat-bottom steering wheel nods to Audi, but the overall effect is more premium than most would expect.

Materials and ergonomics

You get soft-touch trim, well-damped switchgear, and - crucial for actual driving - physical buttons for diff locks, drive modes, and climate. That’s a relief. Try stabbing at a touchscreen in July rain, and you’ll know why physical controls matter. Infotainment? Still a bit too layered for my taste. GWM did roll out updates for the Ora 03, so if they fix it here, all the better.

Space and practicality

• Five seats only - no seven-seater here. Need that? Tank 500 is your answer.
• ISOFIX on both outer rear seats.
• GWM Tank 300 boot space: 400 litres up, 1,635 litres folded—square and usable, with a subwoofer hidden under the floor for the bass crowd.
• Side-hinged tailgate opens away from the pavement. Great for campsites, a pain in Sandton’s tight slots.

Funny thing - someone once asked me if you can “overcondition a fish tank” because of the name. Wrong tank, wrong problem. This one just wants clean diesel and a stamped service book. Don’t bring your guppies.

On the Road

This 2.4-litre turbodiesel shares DNA with the P-Series bakkie. Here, it’s good for 135kW. On paper at least, that’s in the ballpark for the segment. What shapes the drive is the 480Nm torque, which arrives low and sticks around - exactly what you want for gravel.

Powertrain character

There’s a brief pause off the line - single turbo, so it’s expected - then a strong, steady pull from about 1,500 rpm. The 9-speed auto keeps things in the meat of the torque curve most of the time. It can hesitate if you punch it at a roundabout, and once, swapping from D to R on an uneven patch, I heard a faint clunk. Not flawless, but no dealbreaker either.

Ride, refinement, road manners

At 120 km/h on the freeway, the diesel Tank is noticeably quieter than the P-Series bakkie. GWM’s put in the work on insulation. Wind noise off those upright pillars is more prominent than engine rumble. The ride is firmer than a Fortuner’s, a bit more jittery on cracked tar, but body control feels tighter - particularly if you’ve driven a Pajero Sport back-to-back.

Off-road

This is where the Tank 300 earns its stripes. Part-time 4WD with 2H/4H/4L, dual diff locks on the flagship, Tank Turn, and crawl control. On a muddy pass, I locked the rear and crawled up in 4L - no drama, just traction. A standard Fortuner would’ve scrabbled for grip. Approach and departure angles are competitive, wading depth is 700mm, and a 75-litre tank means 700km-plus between fill-ups if you pack smart.

Data & Comparison

Value? Hard to ignore. The GWM Tank 300 price in South Africa is tightly linked to a 7-year/200 000km warranty and a 7-year/75 000km service plan. That’s a bigger safety net than Toyota, Ford, or Mitsubishi offer, and a big draw for buyers planning to hold on long-term.

Quick spec snapshot

• Engine: 2.4-litre turbodiesel, 135 kW
• Transmission: 9-speed automatic
• Drive: 4WD (part-time, low range)
• Doors/seats: 5/5
• Model year: 2025 (P01 generation)

How it stacks up

Ownership numbers

• Estimated 5-year total cost: R230 000 (service plan included).
• Three-year residual values? Still settling. GWM’s still new on the SA scene, so expect a little more risk than Fortuner or Everest.
• GWM Tank 300 fuel consumption: claimed 7.7–7.8 L/100km. My mixed Highveld average was closer to 9.0. On the N1 to Bloem, I managed 8.2. WLTP sits around 9.0 L/100km - that’s believable from my experience.

Market trend context

Ladder-frame SUVs aren’t losing ground here. Segment demand stayed strong - 78.5 in September 2025, still above 74 by November. Diesel, body-on-frame buyers remain loyal, and that’s the point.

Variant logic

Thinking about spec? The GWM Tank 300 2.4TD 9AT 4X4 Super Luxury price in South Africa sits just below Ultra Luxury. If you’re after front diff lock, massage seats, and a heated wheel, go Ultra. For daily school duty and the odd trailer trip to Harties, Super Luxury nails the brief.

Known issues to watch

No car’s flawless. The common problems with the 2023 GWM Tank 300 mostly stem from the petrol and hybrid models: slow throttle response, jumpy ADAS, and infotainment freezes. The diesel gets improved software, but the driver-attention chime resets at every start - by week two, it’s annoying. Still, no major mechanical drama has been reported yet.

People Also Ask

Is the GWM Tank 300 diesel reliable?

Too early for a final word in SA, but the 2.4TD is shared with the P-Series bakkie, which racks up big local mileage. That 7-year/200 000km warranty? GWM’s not hedging. Expect some first-gen software quirks, but no catastrophic engine issues so far.

GWM Tank 300 vs Toyota Fortuner - which is better?

Fortuner wins for dealer network and resale. Tank 300 counters with a longer warranty, fresher cabin, dual lockers on the flagship, and sharper pricing. If you keep cars for five years or more, the Tank makes a strong case. Short-term flippers? Still a Toyota story.

How much does the GWM Tank 300 cost in South Africa?

In 2026, pricing goes from the high-R600k to mid-R700k. Ultra Luxury 4WD sits at the top. Dealers like CMH and Haval usually throw in the 7-year/75 000km service plan. Check GWM’s site for current figures - the list price has moved since launch.

What is the real-world fuel consumption of the Tank 300 diesel?

Claimed is 7.7–7.8 L/100km, but in mixed Highveld traffic, I got 9.0. On a steady highway cruise, I clocked 8.0. Low-range work or a heavy trailer will push it over 11. Still, with a 75-litre tank, 700–800km between stops is realistic, which trumps the petrol and hybrid.

Can the GWM Tank 300 tow a caravan?

Yes - 3,000kg braked is the official rating. That’s enough for most local caravans or double-axle trailers. Fortuner and Everest handle 3,500kg, so if you’re hauling serious livestock, look elsewhere. For family caravan trips, the Tank does just fine.

Is the Tank 300 a proper off-roader?

No question. Body-on-frame, part-time 4WD with low range, front and rear lockers (Ultra), Tank Turn, crawl control, and solid geometry. Stock tyres lean toward tar, so budget for all-terrains if you’re planning real bush work. With ATs and a recovery kit, it’ll make Land Cruiser drivers pause.

Verdict

This is the Tank 300 GWM should have led with. It’s what the Tank 300 should have been from the start - strong diesel, long-legged, genuinely capable off-road, and priced to force even diehard Fortuner fans to check the spec sheet.

Who should buy it

• Buyers want a real body-on-frame SUV with a proper kit and a long warranty.
• Overlanders needing the 75-litre tank and simple, reliable 4WD.
• Families towing up to 3 000kg, who don’t need seven seats.

Who should not

• Frequent upgraders - resale is still uncertain as GWM builds its local track record.
• Those needing 3,500kg tow ratings.
• Seven-seat shoppers - the Tank 500 is your answer.

Rating

4 out of 5. It drops half a point for resale risk, and another half for persistent driver-assist and infotainment quirks. But that diesel punch, generous warranty, smart cabin, and the way it forces the old guard to justify their prices? That matters.