GWM Tank 300 Review: Specs, Problems, and Price

The GWM Tank 300 turns heads with its retro SUV looks and promises serious off-road capability at a price that undercuts many rivals. Yet once you dig into owner reports and long-term reviews, a more complicated picture emerges.

Engine options: 2.0L turbo petrol / 2.4L turbo diesel · Power (diesel): 135 kW / 480 Nm · Body style: Mid-size SUV, neo-retro design · Manufacturer: Great Wall Motor (GWM) · Country of origin: China · Hybrid variant: Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV

Six core facts about the Tank 300, one pattern: the numbers reveal a vehicle built for off-road promise but with payload and weight trade-offs that affect daily usability.

Is the GWM Tank 300 any good?

Overall owner satisfaction

• Owners generally praise the Tank 300 for its off-road capability and distinctive design, but long-term satisfaction is tempered by electrical glitches and ride quality trade-offs (Drive).
• AutoExpert notes the vehicle feels nose‑heavy and can become unsettled on steep roads, diminishing confidence for some drivers (AutoExpert).

Performance and off-road capability

• The 2.4L turbo diesel delivers 135 kW and 480 Nm, paired with an 8‑speed automatic and selectable 4WD with three differential locks (Drive).
• Ground clearance of 224 mm and a wading depth of 700 mm place it among the more capable off‑roaders in its price segment (GWM Global).
• However, the soft suspension that aids ride comfort on rough tracks leads to wallowing on sealed roads (Drive).

Value for money

• At a price well below the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest, the Tank 300 offers standard 4WD hardware and a surprisingly premium interior (Drive).
• Payload of only 397 kg is a drawback for buyers who need to carry camping gear or a family plus luggage (Drive).

How much does a Tank 300 cost?

GWM Tank 300 price by market

• In Australia, the 2025 diesel starts around AU$46,000 drive‑away; the petrol version sits close to AU$44,000 (CarsGuide).
• South African pricing begins at about ZAR 570,000 for the petrol and ZAR 620,000 for the diesel (GWM Global).
• No official US pricing exists because GWM does not yet sell the Tank 300 in the United States (Wikipedia).

Diesel vs petrol pricing

• The diesel variant typically carries a AU$2,000–3,000 premium over the petrol due to its higher torque and efficiency (CarsGuide).
• The PHEV (Hi4‑T) adds another AU$8,000–10,000, though plug‑in hybrid tax credits may offset part of the gap in some markets (GWM Global).

Factors affecting the final price

• Local taxes, import duties, and dealer margins cause significant variation; for example, Singapore buyers face a price roughly triple the Australian figure (Wikipedia).
• Optional equipment such as a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, and off‑road packages add AU$3,000–5,000 depending on the market (Drive).

The implication: price advantage comes with compromises in payload and long-term ownership costs.

What are common problems with GWM tanks?

Electronics and infotainment issues

• Owners report frequent warning lights triggered by battery voltage dropping below 12.5 V, often caused by a key fob left too close or incorrectly wired accessories like dashcams (CarsGuide).
• Wireless Android Auto connections are intermittent, and the driver‑monitoring system can be overly sensitive (YouTube owner compilation).

Engine and transmission complaints

• Some diesel owners report rough idling and occasional hesitation during acceleration, though GWM has issued software updates (CarsGuide).
• The 8‑speed automatic can feel hesitant when shifting from 2nd to 3rd in low‑speed manoeuvres (YouTube owner compilation).

Rust and build quality concerns

• Premature corrosion on underbody components has been observed in markets with coastal climates, though GWM says it has improved anti‑rust treatments on later builds (AutoExpert).
• The indicator stalk has been criticised for poor tactile feedback; GWM told CarsGuide it has no plans to change the design on the current model (CarsGuide).

Are GWM cars reliable?

Long-term reliability data

• Independent reliability surveys for GWM are scarce; the brand is too new in many export markets to have accumulated five‑year data from sources like JD Power or What Car? (Wikipedia).
• Australian owner forums report mixed experiences: some vehicles have covered 40,000 km without trouble, others needed early transmission or infotainment repairs (CarsGuide).

Comparison with established brands

• GWM’s reliability track record lags behind Toyota, which has decades of consistent dependability data (Drive).
• Against Chinese competitors like Chery or SAIC, GWM is roughly on par, but all still trail mainstream Japanese and Korean brands in long‑term ownership reports (Wikipedia).

Warranty and support

• GWM offers a 7‑year / unlimited‑kilometre warranty in Australia and South Africa, which partly offsets reliability concerns (GWM Global).
• However, warranty claims for electronics have been delayed in some cases because dealers lack sufficient trained technicians (CarsGuide).

Who makes GWM engines?

GWM’s own engine development

• Great Wall Motor develops and manufactures its engines in‑house at its powertrain division in Baoding, China (Wikipedia).
• The 2.0L turbo petrol (GW4C20B) and 2.4L turbo diesel (GW4D24) are proprietary designs with no external co‑development partners (GWM Global).

Key engine specifications

• Petrol: 2.0L, 167 kW, 387 Nm, direct injection, transverse mounting (Drive).
• Diesel: 2.4L, 135 kW, 480 Nm, common‑rail, longitudinal mounting (Drive).
• PHEV: 2.0L petrol + electric motor, total system output around 220 kW, 615 Nm (GWM Global).

Partnerships and suppliers

• Transmissions are sourced from ZF (8‑speed) and Bosch supplies the common‑rail injection system (AutoExpert).
• GWM does not use engines from BMW or Toyota, contrary to some online rumours; all Tank 300 engines are developed in‑house (Wikipedia).

The pattern: GWM’s vertical integration gives it tight control over engine costs and updates, but buyers should not expect the proven durability of Toyota’s or Ford’s long‑service powertrains.

Specifications comparison

The spec table reveals the Tank 300 prioritises off‑road hardware over on‑road refinement and payload capacity.

Pros and cons

Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear

What owners and experts say

“It’s a genuinely capable off‑roader and terrific value for money.”

— Drive (Australian motoring publication)

“Hard‑to‑clean surfaces, bad blinkers, driver monitoring that nags, wireless Android problems, bad braking, a very small boot, part‑time 4×4 behaviour, fuel economy, and a heavy tailgate.”

— YouTube owner compilation (crowdsourced experiences)

“The Tank 300 feels nose‑heavy in cornering and can become unsettled and nervous on steep or sloped roads.”

— AutoExpert (Australian vehicle consultancy)

Should you buy a GWM Tank 300?

The Tank 300 delivers exactly what it promises on paper: a retro‑styled, hard‑core off‑roader at a price that undercuts every traditional competitor. But the trade‑offs — limited payload, overactive driver aids, and an unsettled brake behaviour that has drawn safety warnings — are real and documented by multiple sources. The implication: for the Australian buyer who spends weekends tackling tracks and lives with the compromise through the week, the value equation still works. For anyone who needs a comfortable daily drive, predictable safety systems, or worry‑free resale, a used Toyota Prado or new Ford Everest remains the safer bet.

For those interested in local market details, our review of Australian pricing and specs provides a comprehensive breakdown of costs and configurations.

Frequently asked questions