2027 GWM Tank 500 3.0TD review

GWM is continuing its expansion in Australia, this time doubling down on the off-road SUV and ute segments with the introduction of an all-new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

Debuting in the Tank 500 large SUV and the Cannon Alpha dual-cab ute – which you can read the review of here – the new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine is the result of customer feedback, which GWM says “highlighted an opportunity for greater power, torque and confidence”.

And while not a V6 like in the Ford Everest, the new 3.0-litre four-cylinder allows GWM to compete with the likes of the Toyota Prado, Isuzu MU-X, and the forthcoming Mitsubishi Pajero, as well as the Everest.

Despite being down 14kW compared to the Everest V6, the GWM engine actually produces 20Nm more torque, while offering the lowest claimed fuel consumption of its direct competitors – besting both the Toyota and Isuzu by 0.5L/100km – and being one of the only models of the group to not require AdBlue.

The engine may be the headline act, but it’s not the only change coming to the Tank 500.

The big off-road SUV also gets new interior colourways, an integrated brake controller for towing, a new infotainment operating system and, in the Vanta flagship, an additional fuel tank – boosting capacity up to 131 litres, and providing a theoretical highway driving range of more than 2000km.

The Vanta also gets a long list of black styling highlights, like a black grille and roof rails, as well as red brake calipers sitting behind 19-inch wheels.

All of this adds to the Tank 500’s off-road credentials and impressive luxury features, which we’ll get to in a minute.

But numbers on a page are only part of the story. So, what's the GWM Tank 500 like to drive with the new 3.0-litre engine? We spent time out in the Victorian bush to see what it’s like both on and off road.

The GWM Tank 500 lineup is priced from $65,990 drive-away for the base 3.0-litre Lux variant, topping out at $79,990 drive-away for the plug-in hybrid Ultra grade.

We spent most of our time in the Tank 500 Vanta 3.0TD, priced from $71,990 drive-away, which, despite being the fully loaded variant still undercuts much of the competition in this segment.

While the Everest range starts from $58,990 before on-road costs, to get the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 buyers will need to spend $66,990 plus on-roads.

Meanwhile, the cheapest 3.0-litre four-wheel drive Isuzu MU-X costs $57,990 plus ORCs.

To see how the GWM Tank 500 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool