As sports utility vehicles go, the Tank 300, a middleweight with petrol or hybrid punch,
these days is a little nippier on its feet thanks to the addition of a turbodiesel engine.
However, has the Great Wall Motors off roader still a way to go to match the opposition?
Available in two well-appointed grades – Lux and Ultra – the new Tank 300 diesel is
powered by GWM’s 2.4-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, delivering 135kW of power
at 3600rpm and 480Nm of torque from 1500 to 2500rpm.
Mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain is claimed by the
maker to achieve a combined urban/highway fuel consumption of 7.8 litres per 100
kilometres.
Heading up a claimed 20 tech changes is an increased braked towing capacity of
3000kg, a lift from 2500kg limit of the petrol and hybrid variants. The entry-level Lux is
priced at $47,990 driveaway, with the flagship, with premium features and advanced
technology, sells for $51,990 driveaway.
“The introduction of the new Tank 300 diesel builds on the success of our rugged off-
road range, offering customers a more powerful yet highly efficient powertrain option,”
says Steve MacIver, Head of Marketing and Communications at GWM.
“With impressive towing capability, refined performance, and two well-equipped grades,
this new variant reinforces our commitment to delivering versatile and capable vehicles,”
he adds.
The Tank 300 Ultra diesel comes with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre standard new
car warranty; seven years of roadside assistance with 24/7 support; and seven years of
capped price servicing.
STYLING
No pretty-boy buffed bulges here like on some modern SUVs trying to show off their
Sunday best. Just a down-to-business body of flat panels that together fit like a pair of
straight-leg jackeroo jeans. Just the job to please 4×4 wagon traditionalists.
INTERIOR
At almost five metres long and two metres wide the so-called Tank 300 mid-size SUV is
bordering on big, so it is ‘leg roomy’, especially in the rear, complemented by ample
head and shoulder room for a cabin fit for three adults across.
Large grab handles on the B-pillars, rear air vents, dual USB device power outlets, large
door bins, dual cup holders in the fold-down armrest add to a sensible fit-out.
Up front, there’s good storage, including two cupholders, a centre-console box with
airflow, little storage nooks that pop out from the dashboard and a standard glovebox.
The five-seater Tank 300 Ultra is good for 400 litres of luggage with the 60/40 rear-split
seat upright. With the rear seats folded it increases to 1635 litres. However, competing
with side hinged tailgate limits loading from the rear in tight parking spaces.
INFOTAINMENT
In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which displays critical
information such as current speed clearly, plus an ad hoc array of other info. There are
also alternative layouts to cycle through.
Moving to the central dash there’s a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system of a
number of different easy-to-navigate elements. Lost? Help is at hand from physical
buttons on the right-hand side of the screen.
The Tank 300 Ultra diesel gets wired and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto. Up front in the centre console is a wireless phone charger. There is also a
USB-A and USB-C port.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The new Tank 300 is powered by GWM’s 2.4-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine,
developing 135kW of power at 3600rpm and 480Nm of torque between 1500 and
2500rpm.
Mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain is claimed by the
maker to achieve a combined urban/highway fuel consumption of 7.8 litres per 100
kilometres.
SAFETY
The Tank 300 is fitted with seven airbags, with front-middle, front, side and full-length
curtain coverage. It also fits Isofix mounting points on the rear outboard seating
positions.
Range-wide driver assist tech includes hill start assist, hill descent control, adaptive
cruise control, auto wipers and headlights with auto high-beam, front and rear collision
warning, four front and four rear parking sensors, a 360-degree monitor, tyre pressure
monitoring, assistants for lane departure, lane keeping, lane centring and lane
changing, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic alert with autonomous braking.
The Ultra takes on an auto-dimming rear-view mirror as standard.
DRIVING
Considering the short wheelbase, tall stance and suspension set-up the Tank 300 Ultra
diesel produced a choppy ride at slower speeds but surprisingly smooth and slick
cruising the motorway. Oh, and the old-style diesel rattler went some way to adding
assurance.
The oversize exterior mirrors supplied a good service up to a point but were the cause
of a massive blind spot beyond the A-pillar, and the production of excessive wind noise.
Setting off was a bit hit and miss with a wide spread of turbo lag, from a ‘lifetime’ in
acceleration terms to an instantaneous liftoff surge that was hard to contain with the
soft-touch pedal. Sport mode only reinforced the wayward behaviour.
Four-by-four on-demand systems include 2H/4H/4L selection, Crawl Control, Turn
Assist, and various off-road drive modes including Snow, Sand, Rock, Mud, Auto and a
customizable Expert suite, which allows tuning of throttle, steering, traction control and
differential locking.
With a towing capacity of 3000kg, up 500kg, the Tank 300 Ultra diesel still falls short of
some of its main rivals.
SUMMARY
Although a burly beast, the GWM Tank 300 Ultra owes less in name to a fearsome war
machine; more to a receptacle for collecting rainwater from the roof. Despite this, diesel
power, popular in this type of vehicle, could help oil the way to the top.
RATINGS
Looks – 6
Performance – 6
Safety – 7
Thirst – 6
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 7
Tech – 8
Value – 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
GWM Tank 300 Lux petrol $47,990
GWM Tank 300 Lux diesel $47,990
GWM Tank 300 Ultra petrol $51,990
GWM Tank 300 Ultra diesel $51,990
GWM Tank 300 Lux hybrid $55,990
GWM Tank 300 Ultra hybrid $60,990
Note: these prices are driveaway.
SPECIFICATIONS (GWM Tank 300 Ultra 2.4-litre turbocharged 4-cyl diesel, 9sp auto,
4×4 on demand/low range, SUV)
ENGINE
Capacity: 2370cc
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Maximum power: 135kW @ 3600rpm
Maximum torque: 480Nm @ 1500-2500rpm
Fuel type: Diesel
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 7.8L/100km (combined)
DRIVELINE: 9-speed automatic, AWD/low range
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4760mm
Width: 1930mm
Height: 1903mm
Wheelbase: 2750mm
Ground clearance: 224mm
Turning circle: 13.1m
Kerb weight: 2280kg
Fuel tank: 75L
Wading depth: Up to 800mm
BRAKES
Front: Disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
Seven years roadside assist
Seven years capped price servicing
