GWM Tank 500 gets another update in China, but Australia still hasn’t received the last one

The GWM Tank 500 is receiving another update in China, but an Australian launch has yet to be announced – and it’s possible our market could be left two updates behind China.

The latest refresh of the large off-road SUV is headlined by the availability of dual 15.6-inch digital displays for the dashboard – one a traditional infotainment touchscreen, larger than the 14.6-inch display in the current Australian-market model, the other a new display for the passenger.

The passenger screen is part of an option package that also includes speakers in the front passenger head restraint, bringing the count to 22.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster continues to be standard, as does a head-up display.

There are new thigh extenders for the front seats, plus small tables on the front seatbacks, and a new “double bed mode”.

GWM also says the Tank 500 has received 296 upgrades across hardware and software, aimed at improving the in-car experience and the performance of its safety technology. The updated Tank 500 runs GWM’s Coffee Pilot 4 driver-assistance system, powered by an array of 27 sensors including a LiDAR unit.

Other technology includes a new-generation digital rear-view mirror with an ultra-wide-angle view, intelligent tyre blowout control that can keep the vehicle from careening out of control in the event of a high-speed tyre failure, plus the optional Coffee Night Vision 2.0 far-infrared night vision system with a detection range of up to 300m.

There’s also a new Danxia Red exterior paint finish, and a new black-and-grey interior colourway.

However, it’s unclear at this stage when any of these updates will make their way to the Australian-market model.

“No updates to share on the Tank 500 updates for the ANZ market,” a GWM ANZ spokesperson told CarExpert in a statement.

“As always, we are constantly exploring new options from China, ensuring we adhere to all local legislation and local consumer preference.”

The Tank 500 continues to be offered in China with a choice of a turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine, plus two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains that use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

The Hi4-T has total outputs of 310kW and 750Nm, plus 110km of WLTC range from a 37.1kWh ternary lithium battery that can be charged at up to 103kW, while the Hi4-Z has 635kW, 1195Nm, a 59.05kWh battery and 201km of electric range, plus a maximum charge rate of 163kW.

Of these powertrains, only the Hi4-T is offered here, alongside a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine launched here earlier this year.

This latest Chinese-market update follows one revealed in July 2025, which brought a column-mounted gear selector, plus new equipment such as a built-in fridge and roof-mounted 17.3-inch rear entertainment system.

Aesthetic changes included a new grille, new alloy wheel designs, and new colour options, among other changes.

GWM ANZ said at the time it would continue with the existing version, and had no plans to align with the Chinese-market model.

While it didn’t specify a reason, it’s possible the Chinese-market model’s move to a column-mounted gear selector may have been a factor.

GWM ANZ declined to bring a recent Tank 300 update to Australia, citing its move away from a chunky, console-mounted gear shifter as the reason.

“With our research, people didn’t like the column shifter,” GWM Australia product planning manager Tim Leong told CarExpert.

“This [new] interior is locked in with the column shifter,” he added, indicating GWM Australia has to take it all or receive none of the new cabin. It chose the latter.

He flagged future Tank 300 updates in Australia could be “a bit of a mix and match”, which suggests some of the recent Tank 500 changes in China could make their way here – but likely not all of them.

To the end of September, GWM has delivered 1055 examples of the Tank 500 so far this year in Australia, down 5.6 per cent on the same period last year. It continues to be outsold by the likes of the LDV D90 (1958), while Australia's best-selling large SUV remains the Ford Everest (16,203).

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