The cars an automaker produces is typically seen as a reflection of their local market’s evolving tastes and preferences. This is why American car brands often produce large, hefty vehicles meant for straightaways, while Europeans tend to favor small, agile vehicles meant for tighter confines. The same goes for Asian models where Koreans still have a wide selection of sedans (very popular over there), while the Japanese have much more compact models on offer.
This brings the discussion over to the Chinese market. Over in the mainland, 31- to 40-year-olds now account for the largest car buying group. Born at the time when China re-opened itself, both financially and culturally, they grew up with access to things like McDonalds, KFC, and Starbucks. And while free speech is still tightly regulated behind the “Great Firewall,” this demographic also desired their cars to be much more American. And what could be more American than a Jeep Wrangler? It’s for this reason why carmakers there have come up with similarly-sized SUVs almost all at the same time. From memory, there’s the Jetour T2, the BAIC B40, the BYD YangWang U8, the Dongfeng MHero 917, and of course, the GWM Tank 300.
One of the things that set the Tank 300 apart is that it’s not a poser; it’s the real deal. For one, it rides on a “proper” ladder frame architecture with great key off-road metrics: 33 degrees approach and 34 degrees departure angles, 224 mm of ground clearance, and 700 mm of water wading capability. Then, it also comes packing front and rear locking differentials. Only SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and Land Rover Defender have them—and they’re at least 40 percent more expensive. So, at P 2.678-million, you could say it’s a steal. And this is on top of nifty features like a terrain mode selector and Tank Turn Assist which reduces its turning radius to just 5.6 meters.
There’s no questioning the Tank 300’s off-roading capabilities, but how does it perform on the black stuff? Surprisingly, it’s quite composed. Sure, it can get floaty at times, especially on longer pieces of road, but it’s never unhinged. More than anything, it’s planted and tied down. It’s not immune from shaking or scuttling over pockmarked roads, but all things considered? It’s pleasant. The steering is vague, but at least it’s light with some accuracy baked in. Of course, being tall and heavy, the laws of physics will always be at play here so rush it through a set of switchbacks and you’d be rewarded with body roll—lots of it. The same goes if you’re overly aggressive with the brakes and the resulting nose dive.
Under the hood, the Tank 300 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Based on paper specs—217 horsepower and 380 Nm—it’s not a powerhouse, but it doesn’t feel out of its depth either. It’s smooth and relatively quiet, unless you’re really hustling it up. Thankfully, the 8-speed automatic works well to extract the engine’s best under regular driving conditions. However, because it’s pulling along a heavy body—2,155 kilograms of curb weight—it has an adverse effect on fuel economy with the needle dropping to just 5.74 km/L (average speed of 18 km/h).
At 4,760 mm in length, the Tank 300 is sized like a Fortuner or Montero Sport on the outside, but inside, don’t try searching for a third-row of seats; this one’s purely a five-seater. That said, cabin space is impressive and even more so is its overall execution.
The monolithic and upright dashboard has some whiffs of Mercedes-Benz G-Class so that’s a great place to start. Then, you have the materials. Sure, there are still some hard plastic bits here and there, but it also happens to make the Jimny or Wrangler feel downright utilitarian by comparison. It manages to look like a rugged off-roader, but with the quality touches rugged off-roaders normally aren’t able to execute.
In the front seats, there’s plenty of room and visibility is not bad too. The elevated seating position along with the square edges of the body itself means you feel like you’re perched above the traffic all the time. The steering wheel adjusts for both tilt and reach, though in some positions, it blocks a portion of the digital gauge cluster. Onto the second row, with its flat floor, the room’s quite alright for three adults. However taller occupants will probably find themselves in a bit of a knees-up seating position due to the high set floor. The same can be said with the cargo hold and its rather inconvenient load height. Still, at least it’s square, wide, and flat; and at 400 liters, it’s enough for the weekly grocery run.
The Tank 300 uses an infotainment system closely related to the ones used by other Great Wall Motor models such as the Haval H6. Crucially, engineers have dialed in the silliness. There’s a bit of depth to the menu system (not to mention a couple of “Chinglish” terms here and there), but once you master them, it’s quite straightforward and easy to use. Plus, the screen itself responds quite well. A 9-speaker Infinity sound system comes bundled with the infotainment, but aurally, it’s nothing to write home about.
As Chinese buyers get more and more sophisticated, the GWM Tank 300 heeds the call by being a rugged off-roader in the same vein as a Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender. However, it goes beyond just merely copying them. Sure, the retro-inspired look is a draw, but from that starting point, it’s got a nicely-presented cabin, a feature list that packs everything but the kitchen sink, and the right amount of usable tech that’ll please your typical millennial or Gen Z. The powertrain’s thirsty, yes, but at least it’s got the right 4x4 chops to help it run with the best of them. All things considered, it’s genuinely affordable when weighed up against some of its more established competition. The GWM brand has minimal recognition among off-road motorists, but the Tank 300 is the first step in changing that.
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2024 GWM Tank 300 |
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| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Well-balanced performance, retro off-roader looks. |
| Cons | Thirsty engine, knees up seating on the second row, hard to clear cargo hold. |
| TL;DR | More than just a copycat off-roader; it's got the right chops to run with the best of them. |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2024 |
| Warranty | 7 years / 200,000 kilometers |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Mid-sized SUV |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/4WD, Low, Locking |
| Under the Hood | |
| Displacement (liters) | 2.0 |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Fuel Delivery | Direct Injection |
| Layout / # of Cylinders | I4 |
| Maximum Output (PS @ rpm) | 217 @ 5,500 |
| Maximum Torque (Nm @ rpm) | 380 @ 1,800-3,600 |
| Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / ~91 |
| Transmission | 8 AT |
| Cruise Control | Yes, Adaptive |
| Fuel Economy (km/L) @ Ave. Speed (km/h) |
5.74 km/L @ 18 km/h, 8.54 km/L @ 35 km/h |
| Fuel Tank Size (L) | 75 |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,760 |
| Width (mm) | 1,930 |
| Height (mm) | 1,903 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,750 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 2,155 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link w/ Coil Spring |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Parking Brake | Electronic, w/ Auto Hold |
| Tires |
Cooper Discoverer ATT 265/65 R 17 H (f & r) |
| Recommended Tire Pressure (PSI) | 35 all |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes, Front & Rear |
| Parking Camera | Yes, 360-degree |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR x 3 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Advanced Driver Assist System |
Forward Collision
Avoidance Assist Lane Keep Assist Lane Following Assist Traffic Sign Recognition |
| Other Safety Features |
Hill Start Assist Hill Descent Control Fire Extinguisher |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED, Active |
| Fog Lamps | Yes, Front (LED) |
| Light Operation | Automatic |
| Wiper Operation | Rain-sensing |
| Tailgate | Manual |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic, Manual |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | Electric, 8-way |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Electric, 4-way |
| Seating Surface | Leather |
| 2nd Row | 60/40 Split-Fold, w/ Armrest |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | Yes |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 12.3-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes, w/ Fold |
| Rear View Mirror | Auto-dimming |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Dual, w/ Rear Vents |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Type A USB Type C Bluetooth |
| Wireless Charger | Yes |
| Infotainment Display / Size | 12.3-inch |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay Android Auto |
| # of Speakers | 9, Infinity |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
A very favorable review :) Hope you can have a comparo with the Jetour T2 and BAIC B40. They all look handsome.
ReplyDeleteEngine too small, underpowered, wont last long. Better to add 40% more and get a battle tested jeep, bronco. any way GWM tank will cost you more for repair and maintenance, low resale value, also stress and headaches.
ReplyDeleteSmaller engines usually tend to have overstressed engines.
DeleteJeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco uses very unreliable turbocharged gasoline engines that are very expensive to replace aside from transmission and electrical issues..Everyone knows in America how bad the quality of those vehicles.
DeleteJeep Wrangler flopped in China due to its expensive price,unsafe and unreliable.
That's a lot of assumptions coming from a person who belong in a country with no single car brand to boost their ego. As if those jeeps and land rovers' are exempted to reliability issues. And a person who can afford a vehicle more than 2m doesn't mind maintenance, talk about rovers and wranglers.
DeleteJeep,Land Rover and Ford 4X4 SUVs are notorious from being unreliable and expensive to maintain..Most car mechanics in America don't recommend those brands
DeleteKakatakot bumili nito.
ReplyDeleteMatic no due to Tito Sotto endorsement.
ReplyDeleteTito Sotto endorsed the T2, not the Tank 300.
DeleteGWM Tank 300 is a value for money 4X4 SUV
ReplyDeleteIts much safer than the aging and unreliable Jeep Wrangler and more reliable and refined than the overpriced Ford Bronco
Sales of the Tank 300 4X4 SUV in the Philippine market are good that's why many wealthy local 4X4 SUV enthusiasts are buying it
GWM Philippines is likely gonna bring in the Hybrid version of the Tank 300 in the near future.
Jetour T2 look better with the Defender inspired rear. Plus Jetour T2 has voice controls and is priced at 2.5M with large sunshade/sunroof.
ReplyDeleteJetour T2 isn't meant for hard 4X4 off road use
DeleteTank 300 is much more suited to heavy 4X4 off road use that's why its one of the best selling 4X4 SUV in China
Fuel consumption is in line with what I expected from a 2.0L engine working hard to push around 2.1 tons. Also, I've seen from Australian samples where under heavy or emergency braking, the front end dives to the point where it hits its bump stops causing the rear end to jump and leave the ground a bit (reverse wheelie lol) for this particular non-hybrid Tank. I wonder if the same happens to local units.
ReplyDeleteAt least the rear axle didnot separate😁😁😁
DeleteWe didn't brake hard enough to actually have the rear wheels lift off the ground. But there is noticeable nose dive even during normal braking.
DeleteNot surprising, its just a trying hard bronco wannabe copycat. Could fall apart during hardcore offroading
DeleteYou assume too much when you only drive a Wigo and Vios 🤣
DeleteGWM announced that they'll be producing a 2.4 liter diesel variant of the Tank 300 as buyers from Australia wanted that to happen.
ReplyDeleteTank 300 Diesel will be using the same engine of the upcoming seven seater 4X4 SUV Haval H9.
Doesnot matter, its still low quality, not durable. Just like maxus, wesminster, it will soon close shops, No one's fool enough to waste money. Even geely, chery that has lots of dealerships across the country and 5 years here in counting - still has miniscule sales.
DeleteYeah and??? It's still a Chinese car.
DeleteChinese suvs must have a diesel. It cannot be a 1.5 turbo or 2.0 turbo even with high hp output it wont be economical. I know for tax purposes they need to do this but buyers of big suvs still prefer turbo diesel.
ReplyDeleteGWM will close its european headquarters on aug 1 and lay off all its staffs due to very disappointing sales. Not good quality
ReplyDeleteGWM Philippines is different from the European operations as the local distributor is a privately owned one.
DeleteGWM made the right decision of closing down the HQ of it Germany as it's not that useful
At least GWM still continues to sell vehicles in European market unlike Daihatsu that totally pulled out of European market as Toyota and Daihatsu refuse to make and sell safer and better Daihatsu vehicles in European market.