Last week I drove a TANK for the first time in my life. No, not a Sherman or Tiger or Olifant, but the GWM Tank 300. You may ask what on earth is this . . . thing?
Well, its a medium SUV more or less the same size as the old (proper) 4×4 Suzuki Grand Vitara or a fraction smaller than a Toyota Prado. You could consider it the replacement for the old Haval H9 we used to get.
The GWM Tank 300 is a real 4×4 with low range and locking diffs. At this time there are three models, two petrol and one hybrid and two trim levels. More about this later.
We are reviewing the Tank 300 HEV 2.0T 9H AT 4X4 Super Luxury, or hybrid model. This version has extra power and torque due to its hybrid powertrain, featuring an electric motor and a 37,11 kWh battery, giving peak figures of 255 kW and a quite massive 648 Nm delivered through a nine-speed hydraulic auto box.
It is supposed to also reduce fuel consumption by 10%. The running long-term average fuel consumption of our test unit is 12,6 F/100 km, but this includes 4×4 work and “testing”, so expect around 11 F/100 km. GWM claim the HEV can go for 10 km on battery alone – pretty impressive.
The HEV model has the lower or Super Luxury trim, similar to the base model, but it lacks for nothing important perhaps except for heated seats. The items that you get as standard include electrically adjustable font seats, anti-glare mirror, cooled drinks holder, intelligent cruise control, wireless charger plus all the normal “nice” touches. The cabin is smart and functional. The Ultra model adds heated steering wheel, ambient lights, front axle diff lock, fancier sound system and heated seats with lumber support.
On the outside the Tank looks like a proper off-roader; on the inside it’s all upmarket SUV.
The squared off appearance looks a bit like a big Jimny in some ways and also reminds one of tough off-roaders of yesteryear, but not in a bad way. Personally I think it looks purposeful and right for purpose. I like it.
The interior is pretty smart and well thought out – practical but stylish. The materials appear to be high quality and the fit and finish top class. It feels roomy.
The aircon system has real buttons as do most of the day to day controls, either on the steering wheel or at an ergonomic practical spot. Some of the controls live behind the touch screen, for example lane control and so on, but is easy to learn and use. Although it does not have built in navigation the car’s 12.3” display infotainment system works seamlessly with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. The boot space and knee room for the second row are both good.
There are 45 safety items on the spec sheet, from lane keeping kit to automatic emergency braking to dynamic stabilisation. Nice touches like tyre pressure monitors to blind-spot detection and 360° camera system round the safety systems off. Its very comprehensive and works well.
I have to say despite its bulky look the HEV cruises like a champion on tar and gravel and is easy to handle in town and when the going gets tough.
I took the Tank 300 HEV for a spin over Sir Lowry’s Pass and down the railway road at Houw Hoek and on to Van Zyl’s Pass. A good mix of hill, highway, washed out jeep track, minor gravel roads and normal tar road. It handled everything with aplomb.
Conditions were not bad enough for low range or diff locking, but the little Tank feels up to almost anything you may want to throw her at. I thought the body roll was minimal and turning at speed as well as steering feel was very good. Parking at the mall is a doddle.
The Tank is right at home in town and really easy to manoeuvre. Visibility from the comfortable driver’s seat is excellent.
I really had to nit pick to find negatives. The biggest issue may be fuel consumption. It’s not really light on fuel, okay, but could be better.
Personally I don’t like the brushed-aluminium coloured flimsy- feeling round air vents. They work, I just don’t like the look much. Otherwise there is not much to not like.
The middle model is mechanically the same as the base model, but with a higher trim specification. These two models do not have the hybrid system but make do with the normal GWM 2.0 L turbo-petrol engine giving you 162 kW and 380 Nm through an eight-speed auto box. The HEV or hybrid delivers 255 kW and 648 Nm through a nine-speed box – pretty impressive for such a relatively small body.
The Tank 300 is made by GWM, the largest privately owned vehicle manufacturer in China. They have been selling Steed bakkies in South Africa for 15 years and have built a reputation for no nonsense, no worries vehicles. Their car and SUV brand is Haval.
The vehicles it competes with include the bakkie based SUVs like the Fortuner, Mitsubishi, Isuzu mu-X and Everest, but most of these are quite a bit more expensive. The Tank delivers value for money, real off-road motoring in a manageable package.
The range starts with the 2.0T Super Luxury at R726 000, moves up to the Ultra Luxury at R776 000. The hybrid is the HEV at R852 000.
All Tanks have a seven-year warranty and five-year service plan. The battery for the hybrid has an eight-year warranty.
