GWM Tank 300 vs Jetour T2: Hardcore ladder-frame 4x4 meets boxy urban SUV

In Malaysia's boxy SUV market, two models often get cross-shopped: the GWM Tank 300 and the Jetour T2. At first glance, both sport upright, angular silhouettes that scream rugged off-road credentials capable of conquering rough terrain.

However, the petrol-powered Tank 300 retails at RM250,000, while the Jetour T2 is tagged at RM156,800 — leaving a price difference of RM93,200. That price gap alone is enough to bag you a decent second car.

This naturally raises the question: what exactly are you getting for that extra RM90k-plus on the Tank 300?

Exterior

Looking purely at dimensions, it is hard to fathom why such a vast price difference exists.

The Tank 300 measures in at 4,760 x 1,930 x 1,903 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. The Jetour T2 comes in at 4,785 x 2,006 x 1,870 mm with a 2,800 mm wheelbase.

On paper, the T2 actually edges out the Tank 300 in size, especially with its width breaking the 2-metre mark and its wheelbase stretching to 2.8 metres. Park them side-by-side, and the T2 undoubtedly casts a larger shadow than the Tank 300.

However, specs on paper only tell half the story.

The Jetour T2 is built on a conventional monocoque chassis with an on-demand all-wheel-drive system powered by a multi-plate clutch. It wears the macho outfit of a hardcore 4x4 and handles mild trails or unpaved dirt tracks with ease, but its off-road prowess ends right there.

The Tank 300, meanwhile, is an established, full-fledged 4x4 built for serious mud-plugging. It features a robust ladder-frame chassis, a mechanical centre differential lock, front and rear differential locks, and a dedicated low-range transfer gear (4L).

Throw in an approach angle of 33 degrees, a departure angle of 34 degrees, and a wading depth of 700 mm, and any off-road enthusiast will instantly recognise what a potent beast the Tank 300 truly is.

Interior and Equipment

Inside, the two take different paths.

Starting with the Tank 300, the cabin is fitted with twin 12.3-inch displays for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system with CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

The seats are wrapped in premium faux Nappa leather, with front seat ventilation, heating, and driver-seat massage functions standard on both petrol and hybrid variants.

You also get a 9-speaker sound system, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof.

Interestingly, the Tank 300 retains a generous array of physical buttons and rotary dials across the centre console — an intentional design so drivers can easily operate them while wearing thick gloves out on the trails.

For a hardcore 4x4, the Tank 300 certainly packs enough premium creature comforts to justify its RM250,000-bracket price tag.

If sheer tech toys are your priority, the Jetour T2 holds the upper hand.

It comes with a 15.6-inch floating infotainment screen, a Sony sound system, a built-in dashcam, and even an onboard fridge. Whilst the Tank 300's kit leans more towards off-road practicality, the T2's features are much more geared towards everyday comfort—after all, it literally throws in a car fridge for you.

The Jetour T2 also does away with most physical buttons, delegating cabin controls into the central touchscreen.

This highlights the divergent philosophy of both cars: the T2 is freed from having to cater to hardcore trail driving, making the equipment battle a matter of personal preference rather than an outright win for either side.

Cabin Space

Practicality and space naturally play to the T2's home advantage. The Tank 300's heavy-duty mechanical four-wheel-drive hardware and ladder chassis inevitably eat into cabin room.

Moreover, the Tank 300 features raised wheel arches engineered to allow long suspension travel and accommodate beefier AT or MT off-road tyres. Expecting a purpose-built 4x4 to match an urban crossover for interior packaging is simply unrealistic.

The T2, however, makes brilliant use of its boxy monocoque architecture. Its 2,800 mm wheelbase yields substantially better rear legroom than the Tank 300, while the broad 2-metre body ensures superior shoulder room across the rear bench.

That said, because the T2's overall footprint is only marginally larger than the Tank 300's, its lead in cabin space and boot capacity is noticeable, but not an outright blowout.

Powertrain

The Tank 300 uses a 2.0T turbo petrol engine pushing 220 PS and 380 Nm of torque, mated to a ZF-sourced 8AT automatic gearbox.

This ZF 8AT is renowned for its immense torque-handling capability at low crawler speeds — meaning it is tailored precisely for steep inclines, rock crawling, and heavy off-road towing.

The Tank 300's drivetrain is also formidable: a proper part-time 4WD system, electronically actuated mechanical differential locks for both front and rear axles, and a transfer case with 4L gearing.

The Tank 300 is a household name in off-road communities across China and beyond, boasting massive aftermarket modification potential. In fact, GWM produces various factory-tuned, extreme off-road editions in its home market.

On paper, the Jetour T2 actually posts higher power figures: its 2.0T turbo engine generates 245 PS and 375 Nm, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

But remember, the T2 is no hardcore off-roader. It relies on an on-demand all-wheel-drive system using a multi-plate clutch without mechanical diff locks, a mechanical centre diff, or low-range gearing. Pitching it against the Tank 300 in extreme terrain is simply setting it up to fail.

Of course, you can't have it all. While the T2's 4WD hardware isn't built for severe punishment, it excels as a comfortable, fuel-efficient daily driver. The Tank 300 is a masterclass off-road, but ride refinement and fuel economy on the daily commute are inevitable trade-offs.

Safety

There are noticeable divergences in active and passive safety between the two.

Crucially, the T2 has bagged a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating (86.5/100), whereas the Tank 300 has yet to be tested.

Furthermore, while both boast ADAS suites with staples like AEB and ACC, the T2 offers wider operating parameters for its AEB and blind spot monitoring.

The T2 also adds Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Door Opening Warning (DOW), and Front Vehicle Departure Alert, which are absent on the Tank 300. In all, while both are rated at Level 2 ADAS, the Tank 300 offers around 11 to 12 active safety features compared to 14 on the T2.

Structural rigidity is another point of distinction.

The Tank 300, built as an uncompromising 4x4, uses a high-tensile ladder frame engineered with vast safety margins to withstand gruelling off-road stress.

The T2 is an urban SUV under the skin, meaning its torsional rigidity and structural endurance in extreme, articulated scenarios cannot match that of a dedicated ladder-chassis machine.

Conclusion

So, back to the question posed at the start: why such a vast price difference between two vehicles of comparable stature?

Because under the skin, they are fundamentally different beasts. The Tank 300 is a legitimate hardcore 4x4, whereas the Jetour T2 is an urban SUV wrapped in a rugged off-road suit.

That hefty RM90,000-plus premium for the Tank 300 boils entirely down to their distinct vehicle philosophies and underlying hardware.

Deciding between them is straightforward. If you are a genuine off-road junkie with the budget to spare, unbothered by higher fuel bills and elevated highway wind noise, the Tank 300 is a benchmark proposition—capable of locking horns with renowned American 4x4 icons in the rough.

But if you simply crave the macho, boxy aesthetic without the intention of scaling rocky inclines or bashing dunes, seeking instead a sensible, practical, and refined family daily, the Jetour T2 is more than enough.