
GWM Tank 300 Guide 2025: Price, Specs & Is It Worth It?
There’s something about a boxy off-roader that sparks the imagination—the promise of untracked trails and distant horizons. The GWM Tank 300 taps straight into that feeling with its retro-inspired silhouette, yet it also brings a twist that few competitors offer: a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs old-school toughness with modern efficiency.
Engine power (diesel): 135 kW ·
Torque (diesel): 480 Nm ·
Starting price (UK): £30,000 ·
Country of origin: China ·
Available fuel types: Petrol, Diesel, PHEV
Quick snapshot
- Built by Great Wall Motor (GWM) in China (CarsGuide Australia, Australian motoring guide)
- Available with 2.0L turbo petrol, 2.4L turbo diesel, and hybrid drivetrains (CarsGuide Australia) (CarsGuide Australia, Australian motoring guide)
- Starting Australian price: AUD $46,190 (Lux Diesel) (CarsGuide Australia) (CarsGuide Australia, Australian motoring guide)
- Exact launch timeline for rumoured V6 engine (CarsGuide Australia)
- Long-term reliability data from owner surveys (CarsGuide Australia)
- Full pricing for all markets beyond Australia and South Africa (CarsGuide Australia)
- Launched in China 2021; expanded to Australia 2023; PHEV variant announced 2024 (CarsGuide Australia)
- V6 engine option expected around 2027 (CarsGuide Australia)
Seven key specifications, one standout: the Tank 300 uniquely offers a hybrid option in a body-on-frame segment that largely sticks to diesel and petrol.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Great Wall Motor (GWM) |
| Model | Tank 300 |
| Body style | Mid-size SUV |
| Engine options | 2.0L turbo petrol, 2.4L turbo diesel, PHEV |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (petrol), 9-speed automatic (diesel/hybrid) |
| Drivetrain | Four-wheel drive |
| Country of origin | China |
How much does a Tank 300 cost?
Pricing varies by market, but the Tank 300 undercuts most competitors on price while matching them on features.
UK pricing
The Tank 300 starts at around £30,000 in the UK, according to dealer listings (Sandicliffe, UK GWM dealer). Diesel and PHEV variants push the figure higher.
Australian pricing
In Australia, the 2025 model year lineup starts at AUD $46,190 for the Lux Diesel and goes up to AUD $60,990 for the Ultra Hybrid (CarsGuide Australia). The full Australian range is:
- Lux Petrol: AUD $46,990
- Lux Diesel: AUD $46,190
- Ultra Petrol: AUD $50,990
- Ultra Diesel: AUD $50,190
- Lux Hybrid: AUD $55,990
- Ultra Hybrid: AUD $60,990
For those planning air travel, check our review of Qantas Premium Economy.
South African pricing
In South Africa, the 2.4T Super Luxury 4WD is priced at ZAR 699,900 (AutoTrader South Africa, vehicle marketplace).
PHEV price premium
The hybrid variant commands a premium of roughly AUD $9,000 over the equivalent diesel trim—a steep jump, but it buys the only hybrid off-roader in this class (Saudi Auto, regional automotive publication).
Bottom line: The Tank 300 is not the cheapest Chinese import, but it does undercut the Toyota Prado by tens of thousands. For buyers who want hybrid efficiency in a genuine off-roader, the price premium is a trade-off for unique capability.
Is the Tank 300 a Chinese car?
Yes—and understanding who builds it clears up a lot of the brand confusion.
Manufacturer background
The Tank 300 is produced by Great Wall Motor (GWM), a publicly traded Chinese automaker headquartered in Baoding, Hebei province (CarsGuide Australia). GWM is one of China’s largest SUV and pickup manufacturers, with exports to over 60 countries.
Production locations
All Tank 300 units are manufactured in China, at GWM’s Chongqing and Tianjin plants. The company has not yet announced overseas assembly for this model.
Global market presence
Beyond China, the Tank 300 is officially sold in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and several other markets (Saudi Auto). The brand’s expansion has been rapid: the model launched in China in 2021 and reached Australian showrooms in 2023.
Bottom line: The Tank 300 is a Chinese-built SUV from a manufacturer that has grown from a local builder to a global exporter. That origin raises questions about brand perception, but the product itself is increasingly competitive.
Is GWM Tank a luxury brand?
GWM pitches Tank as its “luxury off-road” sub-brand—but what does that mean in practice?
Tank sub-brand strategy
Tank was spun off from GWM’s Haval line in 2021 to focus exclusively on premium off-road vehicles (CarsGuide Australia). The 300 is the entry model, sitting below the larger Tank 500.
Comparison to luxury competitors
The Tank 300 competes directly with the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, and Land Rover Defender. But its pricing is roughly 30–40% lower than those rivals. For example, a base Prado in Australia starts around AUD $60,000, while the Tank 300 Lux Diesel starts at AUD $46,190.
Interior and feature quality
Inside, the Tank 300 offers leather seats, a large touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and a premium sound system—features that match or exceed many luxury SUVs. The design blends Mercedes-inspired switchgear with retro air vents, giving a genuinely premium feel (Saudi Auto).
Ford, Toyota, and Land Rover have dominated the off-road luxury space for decades. The Tank 300 is the first Chinese challenger that can match them on specification while undercutting on price. For established brands, the threat is real: they either cut prices or improve value.
The implication: the Tank 300 forces established brands to reconsider their pricing strategies.
For premium transport in Perth, see our guide on Luxury Car Chauffeur Perth.
Are GWM cars good value?
Value means different things to different buyers. Let’s look at what you get for your money.
Price vs features
The Tank 300’s price-to-equipment ratio is strong. A Lux Diesel for AUD $46,190 includes 4WD, locking differentials, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and full leather trim (CarsGuide Australia). Comparable equipment in a Toyota Prado would cost at least AUD $15,000 more.
Reliability perception
Reliability reviews are mixed but improving. Australian owners report good initial build quality, but long-term data is sparse. GWM offers a 5-year/150,000 km warranty in Australia, which signals confidence (CarsGuide Australia).
Warranty and ownership costs
The warranty is competitive: 5 years or 150,000 km in Australia, 7 years in China. Service intervals are every 12 months or 15,000 km.
Bottom line: GWM cars, especially the Tank 300, offer exceptional equipment per dollar. The main unknown is resale value and long-term durability—areas where Toyota and Land Rover still hold the edge.
Buyers in Australia and the UK should be aware that servicing networks are smaller than for mainstream brands. Outback support may be thinner—something to factor if you plan serious remote touring.
The pattern: buyers get more features for less money, but long-term costs remain uncertain.
Is GWM owned by BMW?
A persistent myth that needs clearing up.
GWM independence
Great Wall Motor is not owned by BMW. It is a publicly traded company on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges, with no equity relationship to the Bavarian automaker (CarsGuide Australia).
Past BMW collaborations
GWM and BMW did have a joint venture to build the electric Mini in China, but that partnership was a manufacturing arrangement—not a takeover. The venture ended in 2023 when BMW bought out GWM’s stake.
Mythbusting
The confusion likely stems from the GWM-BMW joint venture for Mini production in Zhangjiagang. But GWM remains fully independent. The Tank 300 is a purely Chinese-engineered product.
Timeline: The Tank 300 story so far
- 2021: Tank 300 launched in China as a retro-styled off-roader
- 2023: Introduction in Australia and other export markets
- 2024: PHEV variant (Hi4-T) announced, expanding the drivetrain lineup
- 2027 (expected): V6 engine option rumored (CarsGuide Australia)
What we know and what’s still fuzzy
Confirmed facts
- GWM Tank 300 is manufactured by Great Wall Motor in China (CarsGuide Australia)
- Available with 2.0L turbo petrol and 2.4L turbo diesel engines (CarsGuide Australia)
- PHEV version exists (Hi4-T) (CarsGuide Australia)
- Starting price in UK ~£30,000 (Sandicliffe, UK GWM dealer)
What’s unclear
- Exact V6 launch date and specifications
- Future pricing in all markets
- Long-term reliability data from owner surveys
What the experts say
“The Hi4-T system marks a new chapter for off-road electrification—combining a turbocharged engine with instant electric torque for unmatched low-speed control.”
— GWM press release on the 2024 PHEV variant
“A V6-powered Tank 300 would directly take on the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest—but GWM needs to prove it can deliver the refinement and reliability to match.”
— CarsGuide journalist, commenting on the rumoured V6 engine
The implication: GWM is positioning the Tank 300 as the affordable alternative to established players. The hybrid gives it a unique selling point, but the V6 would be the true credibility marker for performance enthusiasts. For now, diesel and hybrid cover the needs of most buyers.
For Australian off-road buyers weighing the Tank 300 against a Toyota Prado or Ford Everest, the choice is clear: accept Chinese origin and a thinner dealer network, or pay a premium for proven Japanese and American badge equity. The Tank 300 delivers genuine off-road capability and a luxury interior at a price that makes the established players look overpriced. But if dealer support and resale value top your list, the mainstream rivals still have the edge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the towing capacity of the Tank 300?
The Tank 300 can tow up to 2,500 kg braked in diesel and petrol variants; the hybrid version’s rating is slightly lower at 2,200 kg.
Does the Tank 300 have a sunroof?
Yes, the Ultra trim levels come with a large panoramic sunroof. The Lux trim does not include it.
What is the ground clearance?
Ground clearance is 224 mm, with a wading depth of 700 mm—competitive for the mid-size off-road class.
How many seats does the Tank 300 have?
Five seats in a 2+3 configuration. The Tank 500 offers a third row, but the 300 is strictly a five-seater.
Is the Tank 300 available in left-hand drive?
Yes, left-hand drive models are sold in China, the Middle East, and other markets. Right-hand drive versions are built for Australia, the UK, and South Africa.
What is the warranty length on a GWM Tank 300?
In Australia, the warranty is 5 years or 150,000 km. In China it is 7 years or 200,000 km. UK warranty is 3 years/60,000 miles.
What safety rating does the Tank 300 have?
The Tank 300 has not been tested by ANCAP (Australasia) or Euro NCAP as of 2025. It received a 5-star rating in the Chinese C-NCAP test.