Why GWM Tank 500 Ultra 1st Impressions were Unexpectedly Fabulous

Chinese manufacturers are brilliant at copying an idea but doing it cheaply. Such is the case with the GWM Tank 500.

The big, butch, SUV looks as if someone nicked the plans for a Landcruiser, then instructed AI change it up. Despite the obvious likenesses, the Tank 500 does some things better than the opposition.

Our full review will follow, but here are a couple of dot points for Sir’s consideration.

Full Specifications HERE: tank-500-brochure-au-web

Looks:

The grille is too big, and the big “T” as a badge looks not quite right. That aside, the 3 row SUV is as impressive as cathedral on wheels. Pious devotion to life on the open road gives Tank 500 a certain verisimilitude.

Retracting side steps are handy as well as a being hoot to watch glide in and out. They don’t hide themselves until you’re underway and sounds rather like the landing gear of a jet liner clunking back into their cubby hole.

The back end inherited the idea of Land Cruiser Prado’s uncooperative swing door instead a much neater 2-piece hatch.

Downside- a bit bland.

ABOVE: 2024 GWM Tank Ultra

The Cabin:

There are no complaints. Tank 500’s (mostly) tasteful design eclipses the Toyota’s dated cabin by several decades. Even the latest LC300 looks somewhat old inside, whereas the Tank 500 looks and feels modern and less clunky. There are buttons for every function including crawl and a skid-steer-like ability.

The 14” main screen, 12.3” driver’s screen, and big head-up display all the data you could ever wish for. The camera has an “invisible car” mode showing a ghostly outline that allows a comely view underneath. Think parking and rock crawling.

As if the cornucopia of techy fabulousness isn’t enough, it is all topped off by Active Noise Cancelling for a quiet cabin on the go.

Ultra has nappa leather lounge chairs, that are heated and cooled, which will gently cat-paw your back while you drive. There is a 3^rd row operated by electric buttons if you please, something for the “surprise and delight” column, I’m sure. The 2^nd row has another couple climate zones, with outer pews also being cooled, but not heated. That sounds odd, doesn’t it?

This is quite possibly the best equipped large/full size SUV for the price, bar none.

Downside- radio won’t resume after using “hey Siri”, the main screen can be obstinate, and the Passenger side dash has a backlit star field that we could do without.

The Drive:

Tank 500 employs a thrifty 255kw/648Nm 2.0L hybrid with an in house 9-speed automatic. Ride is smooth most of the time. Handling on double wishbone front, and multilink live-axel rear suspension is as you’d expect: neither sporting nor lumbering.

Controls were anti-social at times.

The lane centring is part of “intelligent cruise control” and requires a double tap on the control stalk, Tesla-style. Neither the stalk nor the confirmation message on the dash instructs drivers to double tap for full auto steering. More annoying is the lack of any kind of hint that the system is unavailable if the drive mode system is in “AUTO” . What manner of wickedness is this?

Urgent acceleration eschews the sabre-tooth roar of Land Cruiser’s lux twin-turbo V-sixer. Instead, the demure turbo four-pot gets a kick in the bum from a more-than-able electric motor for a respectable 8.3 second 0-100. Sport mode makes the old girl feel quite spritely considering her 2605kg heft. You can tow 3000kg, but just, why? For god’s sake fly, then hire a car when you get there. Dare you inflict your caravan-obsessed grey-nomad leanings on an unsuspecting weekend public, expect the sharp end of my tongue. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Promised fuel economy is 8.5L/100k from the Euro5 power plant, but we never bettered 10.5L/100k, even when driving like a death adder was snoozing under the right foot.

Once you come to grips with her little foibles, Tank 500 Ultra simply can’t be bettered for the price.

Downside- Euro 5 isn’t up to snuff.

What’s the washup?

If sir was to insist on the Toyota, sir would need to fork out almost double the shekels.

Yes ladies and germs, the humble Tank 500 Ultra is $73,990 drive away. The same Land Crusher is 150grand, and it wouldn’t have peek-a-boo steps or a hybrid drive. The Chinese car has a much better warranty too – 8 years on the battery and 7 years of unlimited warranty/roadside assist/capped price service.

“Great Wall Motors” always sounded a bit wrong, so re-launching as GWM comes across as a little less “travel brochure”. While “Tank” might sound as if GWM is trying too hard, it does what it says on the box. Apart from the occasional tiny misdemeanour, Tank 500 Ultra gives Land Cruiser’s ample backside a thorough spanking.

BROCHURE AND SPECIFICATIONS HERE: tank-500-brochure-au-web

GWM Tank 500 Ultra