The automotive landscape continues to evolve dramatically, and GWM’s Tank 500 has emerged as a formidable challenger in the premium SUV segment. For 2025, Great Wall Motor has delivered significant enhancements to their flagship seven-seater, proving that innovation doesn’t stop after the initial launch. What started as an ambitious project to compete with established giants like the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has transformed into something truly special.
The latest iteration represents more than just a mid-cycle refresh. It’s a comprehensive reimagining of what a luxury off-road SUV should be in today’s market. The Tank 500 entered production in April 2025 with substantial improvements, addressing owner feedback while pushing technological boundaries forward.
Revolutionary Design Updates That Turn Heads
Fresh Frontend Gets Chinese-Market Inspiration
The most immediately noticeable change for 2025 involves the front grille treatment. The large off-road SUV now wears a “redesigned front sports grille” borrowed from the Chinese-market Tank 500 Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV), with fewer (but chunkier) horizontal slats. This isn’t merely cosmetic surgery – it’s a thoughtful evolution that enhances the vehicle’s commanding presence.
The new grille design maintains the Tank 500’s imposing character while introducing a more refined aesthetic. Featuring chrome-plated matrix headlights and appearance inspired by classical Chinese architecture, the TANK 500 presents grandness and gracefulness like a moving palace. The integration feels natural, avoiding the disjointed appearance that often plagues mid-cycle updates.
Sophisticated Lighting Technology
Dual eye-shaped headlights create a high-tech and high-end vibe. The headlights can turn on automatically and switch between high beam and low beam, offering clear vision at night and improving driving safety. This intelligent lighting system adapts to driving conditions, ensuring optimal visibility without blinding oncoming traffic.
The attention to detail extends beyond functionality. Every lighting element contributes to the Tank 500’s distinctive nighttime signature, making it instantly recognizable from considerable distances. This cohesive design language reinforces GWM’s commitment to creating vehicles that command respect on any road.
Technology Revolution Under the Hood
Hybrid Powertrain Excellence
The heart of the Tank 500 remains its impressive hybrid system. This impressive 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine produces a combined power output of 255kW and 648Nm of torque. This configuration delivers robust performance while maintaining respectable fuel efficiency – a combination that seemed impossible just a few years ago.
Performance enthusiasts won’t feel disappointed. With a maximum power of 260 Kw and a peak torque of 500 N-m. the engine accelerates the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds. These figures place the Tank 500 in competitive territory with established luxury SUVs costing significantly more.
Revolutionary PHEV Systems Coming Soon
The most exciting development involves the upcoming plug-in hybrid variants. GWM has already confirmed a PHEV option is coming to the local lineup during the third quarter (July to September) of 2025. Two distinct systems are under consideration, each offering unique advantages.
Hi4-Z: The Off-Road Champion
The Tank 500 is the first vehicle to use GWM’s Hi4-Z system, introduced in China in January 2025 with claims of superior off-roading capability over the Hi4-T design. The technical specifications are genuinely impressive: Running a 185kW/380Nm version of the 2.0-litre engine combined with two electric motors – one on each axle – combined peak power is 635kW and 1195Nm.
In China, the Tank 500 Hi4-Z uses a 59.05kWh battery pack with a claimed 201km (WLTC) electric-only driving range and 1096km total range. This combination of electric-only capability and extended range addresses the primary concerns many buyers have about electrified vehicles.
Hi4-T: The Practical Alternative
The Hi4-T system is used in the Cannon Alpha PHEV and has the same total system outputs of 300kW/750Nm and a 37.1kWh battery pack in the Tank 500 PHEV. While offering slightly less electric range, it maintains the same impressive performance characteristics that define the Tank series.
Interior Luxury That Rivals Premium Brands
Technology Integration Done Right
Step inside, and you’re immediately struck by the technological sophistication. Technology is immediately in your face, with a 14.6″ infotainment display that is snappy, colour accurate and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system responds instantly to inputs, avoiding the frustrating lag that plagues many automotive touchscreens.
Technology features prominently in the SUV’s interior, led by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The dual-screen setup provides comprehensive information while maintaining intuitive operation.
Premium Materials Throughout
Nappa leather adorns the diamond quilted seats, which offer 9 stage heating and cooling, massage function (that actually works well), memory and automatic adjustment for both driver and passenger. The quality feels legitimate – not the artificial luxury often found in vehicles at this price point.
Material choice is unreal. The buttons around the interior are made from real metal and are cold to the touch. The wood around – that’s real. This commitment to authentic materials creates an atmosphere that rivals vehicles costing twice as much.
Practical Luxury Features
The vehicle also includes a 12-speaker Infinity audio system, a head-up display, and wireless charging for mobile devices. These features integrate seamlessly into daily use, enhancing convenience without creating unnecessary complexity.
Comfort is further supported by triple-zone climate control and retractable sunshades for rear occupants. The third row can be electronically folded or raised using controls mounted in the boot area. Seven adults can travel in genuine comfort, making the Tank 500 a practical choice for larger families.
Advanced Safety Technology
Comprehensive Protection Systems
The Tank 500 has earned the prestigious 5-star ANCAP rating. This top rating highlights its exceptional safety features, robust design, and advanced technologies, ensuring superior protection for all 7 occupants and pedestrians. This achievement demonstrates GWM’s commitment to meeting the highest international safety standards.
It comes fitted with six airbags and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The safety net extends beyond passive protection to actively prevent accidents before they occur.
Intelligent Driver Assistance
Key features include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality, Lane Keeping and Lane Centring Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Cross Traffic Alert with automatic braking at both the front and rear. These systems work together to create a protective cocoon around occupants.
The Tank 500 received recalibrated software in December 2024, including for active safety and driver assist systems such as the adaptive cruise control and emergency lane-keep assist. This ongoing refinement demonstrates GWM’s commitment to continuous improvement.
Off-Road Capability That Impresses
Serious 4WD Technology
The Tank 500 is based on a body-on-frame chassis, locking front and rear differentials, and impressive off-road capability including 8.8-inch (223.5 mm) ground clearance, a 31.5-inch (800.1 mm) wading depth, and a 29.6º approach angle. These specifications place it in genuine off-road vehicle territory.
The SUV also offers eleven selectable drive modes—four tailored for on-road use and seven calibrated for off-road scenarios. This versatility allows drivers to optimize performance for specific conditions, from highway cruising to rock crawling.
Innovative Terrain Technologies
Specialised technologies such as Tank Turn, off-road cruise control, and water wading capability up to 800 mm—with assistance from a water depth detection system—further enhance its capabilities. The Tank Turn feature, in particular, allows the vehicle to pivot virtually in place, making navigation in tight spaces remarkably easy.
In addition, a Body Transparent System using camera technology improves underbody visibility, making complex terrain navigation more manageable. This technology essentially provides X-ray vision, showing obstacles that would otherwise remain hidden.
Market Position and Value Proposition
Competitive Pricing Strategy
Pricing and model grades are yet to be announced, but GWM Australia previously told CarExpert a PHEV version would attract an estimated premium of between $6000 and $15,000 over the current hybrid. Even with this premium, the Tank 500 PHEV will likely undercut established competitors significantly.
The current hybrid models demonstrate impressive value. The line-up currently starts at $66,490 for the Tank 500 LUX Hybrid and ranges through to $73,990 for the range-topping Tank 500 Ultra Hybrid. This pricing places genuine luxury SUV capability within reach of mainstream buyers.
Warranty and Support
The Tank 500 comes with lifetime warranty for engine, transmission and HEV system, 8 years or 200,000km power battery warranty, 6 years unlimited mileage vehicle warranty. This comprehensive coverage demonstrates manufacturer confidence while providing peace of mind for buyers.
Our 7-year capped-price servicing plan is designed to make car ownership worry-free, offering transparent pricing and high-quality service for the first 7 years. Predictable maintenance costs eliminate one of the primary concerns associated with luxury vehicle ownership.
The Road Ahead
The 2025 GWM Tank 500 represents a maturation of the brand’s ambitious entry into premium SUV territory. The addition of the PHEV powertrain will see the Tank 500 beat the Prado and Ford Everest in offering a plug-in option, potentially capturing buyers who want electric capability without sacrificing off-road prowess.
Looking beyond 2025, the Tank 500 positions GWM as a legitimate alternative to established luxury brands. The combination of advanced technology, genuine capability, and attractive pricing creates a compelling value proposition that’s difficult to ignore.
The automotive industry is experiencing unprecedented change, and vehicles like the Tank 500 demonstrate that innovation can come from unexpected sources. Traditional buyers might have reservations about Chinese automotive brands, but the product quality speaks for itself.
For families seeking seven-seat luxury with legitimate off-road capability, the Tank 500 deserves serious consideration. The 2025 updates address previous weaknesses while building on established strengths, creating a more refined and capable package.
Whether tackling school runs or weekend adventures, the Tank 500 provides the versatility modern families demand. The upcoming PHEV variants will expand its appeal further, offering electric-only commuting capability with the confidence of extended range when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main improvements in the 2025 GWM Tank 500? The 2025 model features a redesigned front grille, recalibrated software for safety systems, and the upcoming introduction of PHEV variants with either Hi4-T or Hi4-Z hybrid systems offering significantly more power and electric-only driving capability.
When will the PHEV version of the Tank 500 be available? GWM has confirmed that PHEV variants will arrive during the third quarter of 2025 (July to September), with pricing expected to carry a premium of $6,000 to $15,000 over the current hybrid models.
How does the Tank 500’s off-road capability compare to competitors? The Tank 500 offers impressive specifications including 223.5mm ground clearance, 800mm water wading depth, locking differentials, and eleven driving modes (seven for off-road), making it competitive with established off-road SUVs while offering superior on-road luxury and technology.