GWM Tank 500 in Malaysia – Big luxury SUV with Hybrid power under RM350k

KUALA LUMPUR:  We recently attended GWM Malaysia’s Media Appreciation Night, and while the event was meant to thank the media, GWM decided to casually roll in something a little special — the imminently to be launched Tank 500.

No stage lights, no huge fanfare, just parked there, letting us get a much closer, more intimate look at what’s shaping up to be one of their most ambitious SUVs yet.

First impressions? You can't miss the big, premium SUV vibe it gives off. It’s massive, it looks expensive, and it has the kind of presence that makes you feel like you own the road.

But here’s the clever part — unlike most big off-roaders that come with thirsty engines and monstrous road taxes, the Tank 500 wins by packing a smaller-capacity hybrid powertrain that's much more wallet-friendly.

Also Read: GWM Tank 500 now open for booking in Malaysia, est price announced

Under the hood sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, teamed up with an electric motor, delivering a combined 346 PS and 648 Nm of torque.

Drive is sent to all four wheels through a sophisticated nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission (HAT) and a selectable four-wheel-drive system. It’s built for tough trails, but without the usual penalty at the fuel pump — or the tax office.

Dimension-wise, the Tank 500 stretches 5,078 mm long, 1,934 mm wide, and 1,905 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm — properly big and designed to seat seven adults comfortably. It's around the size of the proper Range Rover and Toyota Land Cruiser.

 It comes equipped with a serious off-road toolkit too: an Intelligent All-Terrain system offering 11 drive modes, a Tank Turn function for tight trail manoeuvres, Off-road Cruise Control, M-Lock for locked differentials, a transparent chassis view for tricky terrain, and Level 2+ driver assistance tech to help on normal roads too.

Exterior features are just as impressive. It comes standard with automatic LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps, LED tail lights, roof rails, a powered tailgate, power-retractable side steps, a panoramic sunroof, and massive 20-inch alloy wheels — all included to match that big SUV luxury image.

Step inside and the Tank 500 has everything you need. You get a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster paired with a huge 14.6-inch central touchscreen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The front seats are powered (eight-way adjustment for the driver, four-way for the passenger) and offer both ventilation and massage functions, all wrapped in plush quilted Nappa leather upholstery.

Other cabin highlights include a triple-zone climate control system, a premium 12-speaker Infinity sound system, a head-up display, a wireless charging pad, rear sunshades for the second row, and powered third-row seatbacks that can be folded or raised at the touch of a button from the boot area.

On the safety front, it comes with six airbags and full ADAS suite featuring autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane keeping assist, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, and front and rear cross-traffic alert with auto brake — offering peace of mind whether you're in the city or the highways.

The Tank 500 HEV is expected to be priced below RM350,000 and will be available at 14 selected GWM dealerships nationwide, including outlets in Jalan Ipoh, Sungai Besi, USJ, Glenmarie, Setia Alam, Ipoh, Butterworth, George Town, Seremban, Melaka, Mount Austin, Kuantan, Kuching, and Labuan.

Colour choices for Malaysia will be Sun Black, Crystal Gray, and Hamilton White.

As for the full launch — that’s expected to happen later this year. But from what we’ve seen so far, the Tank 500 looks ready to shake up the big SUV scene in Malaysia, offering luxury and ruggedness, without the usual downsides of traditional gas-guzzling giants.

Also Read:  GWM Malaysia delivers 500th TANK 300