GWM Tank 300

Model Overview

The Tank 300 is the maiden offering under Great Wall Motor's Tank brand. Officially launched in December 2020, it is built upon the dedicated "Tank WEY" intelligent off-road platform and positioned as a compact luxury rugged SUV. Serving as GWM’s strategic vanguard into the premium 4x4 segment, the Tank 300 champions a "trendy off-road" ethos, seamlessly blending hardcore off-road capability with luxury refinement, thereby breaking the long-standing segment dominance held by fully imported (CBU) rivals like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Prado. The moniker "Tank" serves as a vivid nod to the strength of its body-on-frame ladder chassis, while symbolising the brand's ambition to pioneer a new era of rugged 4x4s for Chinese marques.

Since its global debut in 2020, the Tank 300 quickly emerged as a runaway success in the market. The City Edition bowed in July 2021, followed by the Frontier Limited Edition in June 2022, the 2024 model year update in August 2023, and the refreshed 2025 model in March 2025. For the first time, it introduced three powertrain choices—petrol, diesel, and the Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV)—with prices ranging from RM199,800 to RM249,800. As of 2025, cumulative sales of the Tank 300 have crossed the 400,000-unit milestone, consistently topping the domestic rugged 4x4 SUV sales charts. The Tank 300 has solidified its standing as the definitive benchmark among Chinese marques in the rugged off-roader segment.

Design Language

Design-wise, the Tank 300 stays true to the classic "boxy" 4x4 aesthetic, paying tribute to traditional off-road silhouettes. Up front, signature circular LED headlamps flanked by a three-slat smoked radiator grille deliver an unmistakable visual identity. The triple-bar daytime running lights (DRLs) inside the headlamp clusters mirror the grille slats, combining harmoniously with the muscular bonnet power bulges to project a distinctive retro-modern, utilitarian vibe. In profile, clean, upright body lines are accentuated by flared wheel arches and exposed door hinges, exuding unadulterated ruggedness. Around the back, a side-hinged tailgate paired with an externally mounted full-size spare tyre further amps up its overland credentials. Dimensions-wise, it measures 4,750/4,775 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,903/1,927 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm—delivering a compact footprint with substantial road presence.

Inside, the cabin embraces a "tough exterior, plush interior" design philosophy that is rugged yet thoroughly refined. The dashboard sets a utilitarian tone with broad horizontal lines and turbine-style round air-conditioning vents, while extensive soft-touch leather upholstery, metallic garnishes, and contrast stitching elevate the premium ambience. The 2025 model receives significant material upgrades: the dashboard is wrapped in German Bader top-grain Nappa leather, complemented by forged carbon-fibre and matte aluminium trim. The previous electronic gear shifter has made way for a steering column-mounted gear selector, freeing up centre console real estate for an array of well-arranged physical buttons ideal for tactile, blind operation. A new 256-colour waterfall ambient lighting system also debuts, featuring music sync and drive mode integration for a truly immersive cabin experience.

Powertrain and Performance

The 2025 Tank 300 offers three distinct powertrain configurations tailored for comprehensive driving scenarios, catering to daily commuting and extreme off-roading alike. The petrol variant is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 167 kW (227 PS) and 387 Nm of torque, mated to an in-house developed longitudinal 9-speed automatic transmission (9AT). Returning a combined fuel consumption of 9.86 L/100 km, it serves as the core all-rounder for tarmac and trail. The diesel variant features a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine churning out 186 PS and a colossal 480 Nm of torque from just 1,500 rpm, delivering a frugal WLTC fuel economy of 8.5 L/100 km and a cruising range of up to 1,200 km on a single tank—making it the overland tourer of choice. Meanwhile, the Hi4-T PHEV pairs a 2.0T petrol engine with a P2 electric motor to generate a potent combined output of 300 kW and 750 Nm, offering an electric-only range of 105 km and a battery-depleted fuel rating of 8.8 L/100 km. Together, these three options deliver a versatile powertrain matrix across the board.

Chassis and Handling

Underpinning its go-anywhere capability, the Tank 300 is built on a heavy-duty body-on-frame (ladder chassis) architecture, suspended by a double-wishbone independent front setup and a solid rear axle with non-independent suspension, balancing tarmac ride comfort with generous wheel articulation off the beaten track. It employs a BorgWarner part-time 4WD (4x4) system offering selectable 2H, 4H, and 4L drive modes. The transfer case torque capacity has been beefed up to 3,300 Nm, offering a 2.64:1 low-range gear reduction and an overall crawl ratio of 54.5:1 on the petrol model. Electronically controlled front and rear differential locks deliver full mechanical locking. Paired with a 33° approach angle, 34° departure angle, 224 mm ground clearance, and a 700 mm wading depth, it breezes through demanding terrain. An all-terrain management system provides up to 10 driving modes (including Expert Mode), complemented by Tank Turn and Crawl Control functions to enhance manoeuvrability in tricky situations.

Cabin and Features

On the tech front, the 2025 Tank 300 gets a massive digital overhaul, powered by the in-house developed Coffee OS 3 infotainment suite driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor and a 14.6-inch floating touchscreen display. The AI voice assistant features four-zone voice positioning and supports up to 10 consecutive commands, waking in just 250 ms with lightning-quick responsiveness. Navigation and connectivity are bolstered by Amap 750 (with traffic light countdowns and green wave speed guidance), an app store, and streaming services like iQIYI. Off-road specific UI displays add real-time telemetry such as altimeter elevation maps, wading depth monitors, and tyre pressure heatmaps, blending digital tech with rugged capability. On the comfort front, leather upholstery comes standard across the range, with power-adjustable, ventilated, heated, and massaging front seats, alongside newly added rear seat heating. An Infinity premium sound system and dual-zone automatic climate control further elevate NVH suppression and interior luxury beyond typical 4x4 standards.

Safety and Intelligent Driving

In terms of active and passive safety, the Tank 300 has earned stellar ratings from major automotive safety bodies. Domestically, China's C-IASI crash tests awarded the Tank 300 a top "Good" (G) rating across occupant protection, pedestrian protection, and vehicle safety assist categories, with the A-pillar remaining structurally intact during the demanding 25% small overlap frontal crash. Its roof strength-to-weight ratio achieved a remarkable 7.25x load rating. Internationally, the Tank 300 scored a full 5-star ANCAP safety rating in 2022, outperforming contenders like the Jeep Wrangler and Land Rover Range Rover across Adult Occupant (88%), Child Occupant (89%), Vulnerable Road User (81%), and Safety Assist (85%) categories, cementing the global safety credentials of Chinese manufacturers. For active safety, it features a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) bundling Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Centring Assist (LCA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) for stress-free daily commutes. Passive protection is rounded off by 6 airbags—front, side, and full-length curtain airbags—as standard.

Market Performance and Evaluation

Driven by spot-on product positioning and genuine off-road capability, the Tank 300 quickly became a viral sensation. Annual sales topped 100,000 units in 2022, making it the best-selling boxy 4x4 SUV. From 2023 to 2024, deliveries held steady between 70,000 and 90,000 units annually. However, as rivalry in the boxy rugged SUV segment reached fever pitch over the past two years—spurred by aggressive rivals such as the Jetour Traveller and Haval Dargo alongside a wave of new energy off-roaders—the Tank 300's market share came under pressure. Monthly sales softened from over 10,000 units at its peak to 3,000–4,000 units in 2025, hovering around the 3,000-unit mark in early 2026. In owner feedback circles, the Tank 300 earns high marks for its sturdy ladder chassis, potent off-road chops, distinctive retro styling, and roomy cabin. Nonetheless, relatively heavy fuel consumption in urban stop-and-go driving (13–15 L/100 km in city conditions) and the pressure to keep pace with rapid digital iterations from newer rivals remain key talking points among buyers and observers alike.

All in all, as the first rugged SUV from a Chinese brand to harmonise luxury with true off-road grit and achieve massive commercial success, the Tank 300 effectively dismantled the long-held monopoly of joint-venture and imported marques in the RM200,000 to RM300,000 price bracket. Through its versatile powertrain lineup, purpose-built ladder-frame chassis, and modernised high-tech luxury cabin, the Tank 300 stands as a landmark milestone in the evolution of Chinese 4x4s, presenting global enthusiasts with a compelling, high-value proposition that does not compromise on authentic capability.