The TANK 500 Hi4-T is the first mid-to-large luxury off-road new energy SUV from Great Wall Motor's dedicated TANK marque, officially launched on 26 June 2023. The "Hi4-T" nomenclature denotes GWM's proprietary off-road super hybrid architecture, where H (Hybrid) represents hybrid power, i (Intelligent) denotes smart technology, 4 (4WD) signifies the four-wheel drive system, and T (Tank) stands for TANK-exclusive application. Built on a mechanical, non-decoupled 4WD layout with a parallel hybrid setup, the SUV adheres to the engineering principle of "only upgrades, zero compromises on hardcore off-road capability", ensuring that electric motor intervention never dilutes its off-road prowess. As of 2026, the TANK 500 Hi4-T lineup encompasses the Standard Edition, Black Warrior Edition, and Smart Enjoyment Edition, with retail prices ranging between RM335,000 and RM385,000, serving as the strategic flagship driving the brand's electrification transition.
The exterior styling of the TANK 500 Hi4-T seamlessly blends traditional Chinese architectural motifs with modern oriental aesthetics. The front fascia features an "upturned eaves" inspired grille flanked by four horizontal chrome slats in a bold "frame-breaking" layout, anchored by an indium-plated "Liuli Amber" emblem at the centre, while the LED headlamps draw styling cues from traditional "Dou-gong" interlocking brackets to integrate naturally with the grille. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 5,078 mm in length, 1,934 mm in width, and 1,905 mm in height, with a 2,850 mm wheelbase, presenting commanding full-size SUV proportions. The 2025 model gains an exclusive "Dunhuang Green" exterior paint option, a roof-mounted Hesai ATX LiDAR sensor, and revised tailgate badging updated from "Great Wall TANK Off-Road" to "GWM TANK", further enhancing its global appeal and executive presence.
In October 2024, the Black Warrior Edition was officially introduced. This variant sports a comprehensive blackout package comprising a gloss black front grille, dark emblems, blacked-out window surrounds, roof rails, and 19-inch multi-spoke black alloy wheels, contrasted by vibrant red brake calipers for a notably sportier and more aggressive road presence.
Inside, the cabin adopts a driver-centric T-shaped wraparound dashboard, finished primarily in black or an optional two-tone red-and-black palette, enriched by fine woodgrain inlays, satin chrome accents, and an elegant analogue quartz clock on the centre stack. The seats are wrapped in plush NAPPA leather, offering a soft-touch texture and superior ergonomic support for long-distance cruising comfort.
The TANK 500 Hi4-T is powered by a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) powertrain combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a front-mounted P2 electric motor. The internal combustion engine produces a maximum output of 185 kW and 380 Nm of peak torque across a wide 1,700–4,000 rpm rev band; the electric motor contributes 130 kW and 495 Nm; bringing combined system outputs to an impressive 300 kW and 750 Nm. Power is channelled through GWM's in-house developed longitudinal 9HAT dedicated hybrid automatic transmission, achieving a peak mechanical transfer efficiency of 97%. The official 0–100 km/h sprint is dispatched in just 6.9 seconds.
Energy is stored in a 37.1 kWh ternary lithium battery pack supplied by SVOLT, delivering a WLTC-rated pure electric range of 110 km and a total combined driving range between 790 km and 900 km. Its WLTC combined fuel consumption is rated as low as 2.06–2.16 L/100 km, with a charge-sustaining (depleted battery) fuel consumption of around 8.8–9.55 L/100 km. The system supports 50 kW DC fast charging, taking the battery from 30% to 80% state of charge in 24 minutes. Additionally, a 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external power supply function is on hand, capable of powering outdoor camping appliances continuously for over 7 hours.
The chassis architecture forms the structural backbone of the TANK 500 Hi4-T. Built on a heavy-duty body-on-frame construction with a rugged ladder-frame chassis, it delivers superior structural rigidity, torsional strength, and proven long-term durability under extreme loads. The suspension setup comprises a front double-wishbone independent suspension paired with a rear multi-link solid axle. The front double-wishbone design ensures precise steering response and on-road cruising stability, while the rear solid axle provides exceptional articulation and robust load-bearing capability over punishing terrain.
Drivetrain duties are managed by BorgWarner's next-generation EMOD intelligent 4WD system featuring Torque-On-Demand (TOD) mechanics, enabling seamless 0–100% active torque vectoring between the front and rear axles. An electronically controlled central locking function and a rear differential lock come standard, with an optional front differential lock completing a true "triple differential lock" setup capable of channelling 100% of available torque to a single wheel with traction. Off-road aids include TANK Turn and Crawl Control as standard, alongside 11 selectable all-terrain driving modes. Off-road metrics remain uncompromising: a 29.5° approach angle, 24° departure angle, 22° ramp breakover angle, 213 mm ground clearance, a wading depth of 700–800 mm, and a maximum braked towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes.
Thanks to the Hi4-T parallel hybrid architecture, the electric motor delivers instant torque off the line, during steep hill climbs, and in technical recovery situations, seamlessly supplementing the engine's low-end response and eliminating the "power fade" risks often associated with pure electric or range-extender systems under high-load off-roading.
Rather than mounting the battery beneath the vehicle floor where it remains exposed, the battery pack is safely cradled inside the high-strength chassis frame rails and above the floorpan, providing substantial ground clearance and ensuring four-fold protection against scraping, impacts, fire, and water ingress during severe off-road driving.
The intelligent cabin of the TANK 500 Hi4-T has received extensive digital enhancements. The digital cockpit incorporates a 12.3-inch LCD digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch central touchscreen (earlier models) or a 15.6-inch 2.5K floating central display (Smart Enjoyment Edition), complemented by a head-up display (HUD) and a 7-inch rear armrest control panel (or rear ceiling-mounted entertainment screen) for multi-screen connectivity.
The infotainment runs on the proprietary Coffee OS 3 platform integrated with the Coffee GPT AI engine, supporting four-zone precision voice recognition, multi-intent voice commands, and visible-to-spoken continuous interaction. Audiophiles are treated to a standard 12-speaker Coffee AI Sound system, upgraded to a 12+2 speaker configuration on higher trims, paired with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for a whisper-quiet cabin environment.
For passenger comfort, the vehicle features an on-board 5.4-litre dual-zone refrigerator powered by a dedicated compressor with a temperature range of -6°C to 50°C, boasting 300% faster cooling performance than conventional thermoelectric coolers. All seats feature ventilation, heating, and 8-mode pneumatic massage functions, while the rear seatbacks offer 25°–35° angle recline adjustments for executive-class comfort. The 2025 iteration also introduces a steering column-mounted electronic gear selector and dual 50W wireless charging pads, freeing up usable storage space across the centre console.
Autonomous driving tech represents a primary technological leap for the updated TANK 500 Hi4-T. The 2025 Smart Enjoyment Edition features GWM's third-generation Coffee Pilot Ultra ADAS, delivering true mapless Navigation on ADAS (NOA) capabilities that provide door-to-door full-trip driving assistance spanning highways, city streets, rural roads, and complex parking facilities. The system relies on a suite of 27 high-precision sensors, including 1 Hesai ATX LiDAR, 3 millimetre-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 11 high-definition cameras. On-board computing is powered by an NVIDIA Orin-X processing unit operating alongside the SEE end-to-end foundation model for real-time perception and trajectory planning.
The ADAS suite encompasses Highway NOA (including auto ramp entry/exit and automated lane changes) and Urban NOA, complemented by comprehensive parking assists like Automated Parking Assist (APA), Memory Parking, Remote Control Parking, and Reverse Tracking Assistant. It is also fitted with the Coffee Night Vision far-infrared thermal system to detect pedestrians and obstacles in zero-light or poor weather conditions. In addition, an integrated Sentry Mode leverages the 360-degree surround-view cameras to monitor vehicle surroundings for suspicious activity or impacts, issuing visual alerts on the central display during low-risk events and activating horn and hazard lights when high-risk tampering is detected.
On the passive safety front, the SUV is built around a high-strength safety cell atop the ladder chassis, heavily reinforced with ultra-high-strength steel at critical load paths. Standard passive safety equipment includes front driver and passenger airbags, front side airbags, and full-length front-to-rear curtain airbags, with higher grades adding rear side airbags for all-around occupant protection.
The commercial trajectory of the TANK 500 Hi4-T has evolved from steady initial adoption into widespread market leadership. Following its 2023 launch, the model firmly anchored itself in the mid-to-large hardcore SUV category. Moving into 2025, broadened trim offerings and the arrival of the Smart Enjoyment Edition triggered rapid sales expansion. In September 2025, monthly sales reached 5,379 units, claiming top spot on the domestic hardcore SUV sales leaderboard. Deliveries climbed further to 7,056 units in November, maintaining a consistent monthly volume above the 7,000-unit mark for three straight months. Industry statistics show that the TANK 500 New Energy lineup achieved cumulative sales of 47,659 units throughout 2025, ranking third overall in annual hardcore SUV sales behind only the Fangchengbao Bao 5 and TANK 300. For the full year of 2025, the global sales of the TANK brand reached 232,700 units, with international deliveries exceeding 130,000 units and models priced above RM200,000 making up 93% of the total.
Customer feedback highlights several key value propositions. Primarily, the Hi4-T architecture retains the mechanical robustness of a ladder-frame chassis and permanent 4WD while achieving notable EV range and impressive real-world fuel economy, striking an optimal balance between daily urban commuting and remote overland expeditions. Furthermore, plug-in hybrid status affords substantial purchase tax exemptions and green vehicle registration privileges, offering compelling total-cost-of-ownership savings in the premium full-size segment. Crucially, the addition of LiDAR, Urban NOA, on-board refrigeration, and rear entertainment screens has dispelled the conventional notion that traditional 4x4s must sacrifice digital refinement for off-road capability. In terms of residual value, its 3-year depreciation yields a retained value of approximately 58%—behind the Toyota Prado's benchmark of roughly 88%—yet with an entry price sitting at roughly 75% of the Prado's (which starts from RM449,800), it delivers a competitive price-to-spec advantage.
Nonetheless, certain areas of owner critique remain. Some drivers note that the rear solid-axle suspension exhibits noticeable rebound and vertical float over broken surfaces, slightly compromising secondary ride comfort for rear occupants; during hard acceleration with a depleted battery, the petrol engine's acoustic presence can become audible in the cabin. Moreover, the long-term reliability and lens durability of the roof-mounted LiDAR during heavy off-roading in thick mud and sand environments remain under evaluation.
In summary, as the pioneer of the TANK brand's electrification roadmap, the TANK 500 Hi4-T effectively bridges the gap between rugged off-road capability and executive family comfort. By retaining core off-road hardware—including a ladder-frame chassis, mechanical triple differential locks, and a 9HAT transmission—and pairing them with efficient Hi4-T parallel hybrid technology, a smart digital cockpit, and advanced ADAS features, it stands as a standout all-rounder in the RM300,000 price bracket. As of 2026, the TANK 500 Hi4-T commands a firm footing in its class, while the introduction of the performance-focused Hi4-Z variant—boasting 201 km of pure electric range and a massive 645 kW system output—further broadens the lineup's operational spectrum from extreme off-road exploration to high-efficiency urban travel.
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