GWM Tank 500 2.0T 9HAT 4X4 Ultra Luxury (2026) Review

Summary

This is your full local GWM Tank 500 review, focused on the 2026 GWM Tank 500 2.0T 9HAT 4X4 Ultra Luxury and written for South African buyers. Hybrid powertrain, proper off-road kit, cabin finish that genuinely surprises, and how it stacks up against the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, and Hyundai Palisade in the seven-seat, body-on-frame SUV segment. All the stuff that actually counts on the N3 and R21, not just the spec sheet.

Introduction

Right, so is the GWM Tank 500 2.0T 9HAT 4X4 Ultra Luxury really worth a look if you want a seven-seat, ladder-frame SUV with a hybrid badge and real low-range, all for under R1.25 million? If you’re open to rolling the dice on a new badge, this GWM is swinging straight at Toyota, Ford, and now Hyundai, who’ve ruled this space for years. It’s loaded on spec, genuinely goes places, and takes a big chunk out of the Prado’s price tag while matching or beating it for tech. The real questions? Resale, dealer backup, and whether a 2.0-litre turbo four can properly haul a 2.3-tonne SUV loaded for a family break. Let’s get into it.

Key takeaway: Here’s a fully loaded, hybrid seven-seater that costs less than a Prado and outguns the Everest on features - if you’re brave on badge, backup and long-term value.

Design & Exterior

The look: confident, derivative, effective

Park it next to a Lexus GX or the previous-gen Prado, and you’ll spot the inspiration instantly. No shame here. Boxy proportions, upright windows, spare wheel on the tailgate, slabby sides - this is all about seven people, proper roof height, and “move over” presence. At 5078 mm long, 1934 mm wide, and 1905 mm tall, the Tank 500 is big, but doesn’t come across as trying too hard.

Details that matter on a dealer forecourt

Ultra Luxury spec throws in 20-inch alloys, LED lights, retractable side steps that flip out as you open up, and a power tailgate. GWM’s Black Edition pack is now standard for 2026, giving it extra attitude without changing the basics. If you’re browsing at a GWM dealer in Centurion or Bryanston, this trim is the one they’ll push.

• Length: 5078 mm
• Width: 1934 mm
• Height: 1905 mm
• Doors: 5
• Seats: 7

Cabin & Practicality

First impression: this does not feel like a R1.2m Chinese SUV

Step inside and you’ll rethink what you expect for the money. Real quilted leather, physical switches for climate, a huge 14.6-inch centre screen, 12-speaker Infinity sound, dual-zone climate, panoramic sunroof, and heated and ventilated seats front and rear. Sitting in the second row, crawling through traffic with the seat cooling on, I realised it was doing a better job than my split-unit at home. That’s a win in Gauteng’s February heat.

Materials and ergonomics

There’s clear German inspiration in the layout. Rotary gear selector, tiered dash, square steering wheel - familiar, but not in a bad way. Crucial: you get proper dials for volume, fan speed, and drive modes. On a rough R21 detour, I didn’t have to jab at a screen just to cool down. The infotainment is quick enough, but you’ll need time to figure out the menu logic.

Seven seats, real boot

The third row is for short trips or kids. Adults manage the school run, but forget about putting Gran in the back for Jozi to Durban. With all seats up, the boot’s tight, but fold the last row, and you get a real load bay. If you pack smart, four adults and weekend luggage fit easily for a Vaal Dam escape.

• 14.6-inch central infotainment screen
• 12-speaker Infinity sound system
• Heated and ventilated front and rear seats
• Panoramic sunroof
• Dual-zone climate control
• Electric retractable side steps

On the Road

Powertrain reality versus the brochure

On paper at least, the numbers are wild: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four plus electric motor for 255 kW and 648 Nm, all through a nine-speed auto to every corner. Around town, it feels light for its size. Electric torque helps you get moving quickly. The hybrid system swaps between electric and petrol smoothly, barely drawing attention at suburban speeds.

But aim it up Van Reenen’s Pass with a full car, and things change. The engine starts working hard, battery charge drops fast on long climbs, and the four-cylinder gets vocal. It keeps going, but that big torque number is brief, not sustained. On the N3 eastbound, gearbox shuffles are common. It’s quick enough, but you notice the effort.

Ride and refinement

At city speeds and on good tar, it’s surprisingly quiet. The Tank 500 is well insulated. Find a stretch of patched-up tar - think the M1 south after a big storm - and the suspension gets a bit thumpy. That plush vibe fades. Oddly, on gravel, it comes right: those body-on-frame bones smooth out the rough stuff like an old Fortuner.

Off-road: where the hybrid plot twist pays off

This is where the Tank 500 surprised me most. Low range? Tick. Mechanical front and rear diff locks? Yes. There’s a tank turn feature for tight tracks, plus a camera that shows exactly what’s under your nose. With 220 mm ground clearance, 800 mm wading, and a 29.6-degree approach angle, it’s not just for the mall. Instant torque from the hybrid setup means no lag on tricky climbs. On a muddy farm track near Bapsfontein, it just walked up without breaking a sweat.

Fuel consumption: claim versus reality

GWM claims 8.5 L/100 km combined. My mixed route returned 8.6, though a day of low-range and sand pushed that up to 10 L/100 km. For a 2.3-tonne, petrol-powered seven-seater, that’s decent, but don’t expect Prado-level thrift. If the diesel version rumoured for SA lands, it’ll be an even tougher fight for the rivals.

Data & Comparison

Specs at a glance

How it stacks up: GWM Tank 500 vs the establishment

This is the question every GWM dealer gets: does the Tank 500 actually compete with Prado? Here’s the short answer, with the three rivals South Africans actually compare.

Pricing and ownership

So, what’s the damage? The 2025 GWM Tank 500 Black Edition lists at R1 228 950. That’s the price for the 2.0T 9HAT 4X4 Ultra Luxury at any GWM dealer in SA, about R50 000 less than the new Prado VX-L, right in Everest territory. Five-year estimated cost of ownership is around R255 500 for this spec - fair enough, as long as supply chains hold.

• List price: R1 228 950
• 5-year estimated TCO: R255 500
• Warranty: 7-year / 200 000 km
• Hybrid battery warranty: 8-year / 150 000 km
• Service plan: 7-year / 75 000 km

Segment trend signal

Interest in big, plush SUVs and hybrids is holding steady with South African buyers, even as the economy wobbles. GWM’s trump card? The Tank 500 sits bang in the middle of both trends. If the brand can keep its promise on backup and value, it could steal meaningful sales from the established names.

People Also Ask

What is the GWM Tank 500's ground clearance?

There are 220 mm under the belly, 800 mm wading depth, and a 29.6-degree approach angle. Add low-range, mechanical front and rear diff locks, and a transparent-bonnet camera, and you’re ahead of most “soft” seven-seaters at this price.

What are common GWM Tank 500 problems?

So far, early issues have included a glitchy power tailgate (mostly at launch), cautious adaptive cruise that gets jumpy with cut-ins, and a confusing real-time energy display. No major mechanical gremlins yet, but long-term electronic reliability remains the big question. If you’re searching for common problems with 2024 GWM Tank 500, those are the main themes so far.

Is the GWM Tank 500 reliable?

Early signs from local owners are positive, especially on the hybrid system. Seven-year/200 000 km warranty and eight-year/150 000 km on the hybrid battery help a lot. The fleet here is still fresh, so time will tell how these fare after three or more years. GWM’s after-sales support is strong, so that risk feels less spicy than before.

How does the GWM Tank 500 compare to the Toyota Prado?

It undercuts the new Prado by about R50 000, comes loaded with more kit, and brings hybrid power the Prado can’t match here. The Toyota wins on resale, dealer spread, and badge trust. The Tank 500 wins the spec-for-rand fight, which matters if you keep your cars longer than a three-year lease.

What is the GWM Tank 500's fuel consumption in real-world driving?

GWM’s claim is 8.5 L/100 km. My drive returned 8.6 in mixed use, and it went up to 10 L/100 km after off-roading. For a 2.3-tonne hybrid SUV, that’s honest, but the diesel Prado and Everest still edge it for open-road economy.

Can the GWM Tank 500 tow a caravan?

Yes, up to 2 500 kg braked. That’s good for most trailers and mid-size caravans, but it’s below the 3 500 kg max you get with the Everest and Hilux-based rivals. If you’re towing something big to Moz every December, keep that in mind.

Verdict

Here’s the thing: the Tank 500 is what GWM needed to show it can play in the R1 million-plus league. It’s loaded, it’s genuinely capable off-road, and the hybrid system is different enough to stand out in a mostly diesel crowd. The flaws are real - the four-cylinder gets noisy when pushed, the ride can be harsh on rough tar, and resale is a massive question mark for any new-to-SA Chinese SUV above R1.2 million. If you’re the sort who keeps cars and cares more about spec and warranty than badge, the numbers work. If you trade every three years, you’ll still sleep better with a Prado.

Buy if: you want a full-house seven-seat 4x4, plan to drive it for years and want hybrid efficiency.

Skip if: resale value is your top priority, or you need to tow more than 2 500 kg regularly.

Wait if: the rumoured 2.4 diesel finally lands here - that’s the engine this chassis really deserves. For now, the 2025 GWM Tank 500 price in South Africa remains aggressive for what you get.

Rating: 7.5/10

A proper flagship effort from GWM. Let down by a powertrain that feels stretched with a full crew onboard and the usual badge anxiety, but on spec and value, nothing in this segment comes close right now...