2027 GWM Tank 300 Ultra Hi4-T review: Long-term introduction

It’s not often we do one of our detailed YouTube reviews of a car before taking custody of a long-term test version of it, but that is where we find ourselves right now, holding the keys to the newest member of the CarExpert garage – the all-new plug-in hybrid GWM Tank 300 Ultra Hi4-T (aka Tank 300 PHEV).

When Paul reviewed it at Lang Lang, he had some gripes. The interior of the electrified off-road SUV felt old compared to some of the newer GWM products, the throttle response was laggy yet it still had the issue where it would continue accelerating even after you lift off, and he didn’t have a great deal of love for the ride quality.

Sadly, our long-term press car has yet to be tweaked by GWM’s in-house tuning specialist Rob Trubiani. But how does it fare in the real world, away from the hallowed grounds that are the Lang Lang proving ground?

We have possession of the Tank 300 Hi4-T for two months, and will be driving it around the countryside as our production vehicle, travelling to and from film shoots, home and office, as well as rigging it up with our camera gear to film reviews. 

The plan is to spend the first month letting the PHEV system work itself out in HEV mode to see how it goes.

Then, in month two we'll switch to Smart mode, charge it nightly, and see how well it operates with a regularly charged battery, to get a sense of what it’s like on both sides of the PHEV world.

What do you want to know about the Tank 300 Hi4-T? Leave a comment below and we will answer what we can in the wrap-up article.

How much does the GWM Tank 300 cost?

Given this is the premium Ultra spec, it’s currently listed at a very reasonable $61,990 drive-away. The Ultra is the top spec, but it can also be had in entry-level Lux spec for $57,990 drive-away.

Our test vehicle is bedazzled in a $595 optional Dusk Orange premium paint. 

To see how the GWM Tank 300 lines up against the competition, use our comparison tool

What's under the bonnet?

One great thing about the Tank 300 range is the variety of engines you can get. The Hi4-T is fitted with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that's paired with a 37.1kWh battery to produce a combined 300kW of power and an insane 750Nm of torque. That’s Toyota LandCruiser territory for less than half the price. 

For the petrol component, it runs best on 91RON standard unleaded, which is nice in a fuel crisis. It can also be fast-charged at up to 50kW on a DC charger, giving a claimed 24-minute recharge time from 30-80 per cent.

GWM claims up to 955km of NEDC-certified driving range, and our initial range estimates on the dashboard seem positive. We will be doing a longer interstate trip during the loan, which should be a good test of its range and efficiency. 

To see how the GWM Tank 300 lines up against the competition, use our comparison tool

What do you get?

This is possibly where the Tank 300 lags behind some of its GWM brethren. The updated Coffee OS multimedia system in the latest Cannon Alpha ute and the larger Tank 500 off-road SUV is a fantastic system that works fast and looks great. The 300 meanwhile, is left to use the legacy infotainment setup that feels somewhat outdated now.

But that doesn’t stop the Tank 300 Hi4-T from coming very well equipped, even in entry-level Lux form.

2027 GWM Tank 300 equipment highlights:

• 17-inch black alloy wheels (diesel)
• 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels (PHEV)
• Full-size spare wheel
• Rear locking differential
• Auto LED headlights
• Front fog lights
• LED tail-lights
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Roof rails
• Side steps
• Synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Steering wheel paddle shifters
• Synthetic leather seat upholstery (diesel)
• Leather-appointed seat upholstery (PHEV)
• 6-way power driver's seat
• 4-way power front passenger seat
• 12.3-inch digital instrument display
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• 9-speaker Infinity sound system (diesel only)
• 9-speaker premium sound system (PHEV only)
• Wireless phone charger (PHEV only)
• 220V power outlet in boot (PHEV only)
• 7-colour interior ambient lighting (diesel)
• 64-colour interior ambient lighting (PHEV)
• All-terrain mode selection
• Tow drive mode (PHEV only)
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear air vents
• Keyless entry

Ultra adds:

• 18-inch black alloy wheels (petrol)
• 18-inch chrome alloy wheels (hybrid)
• 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels (PHEV)
• Front locking differential
• Side mirror position memory (excl. petrol)
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Heated steering wheel
• Nappa leather seat upholstery
• 8-way power driver's seat with 4-way lumbar support
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Driver's seat position memory (excl. petrol)
• Driver's seat massage
• Wireless phone charger
• 9-speaker premium sound system (PHEV only)
• 220V power outlet in boot (PHEV only)
• 64-colour interior ambient lighting
• Tow drive mode (PHEV only)

To see how the GWM Tank 300 lines up against the competition, use our comparison tool

Is the GWM Tank 300 safe?

Yes, the Tank 300 scored a full five-star independent safety rating from ANCAP, based on 2022 testing. 

Standard safety equipment highlights:

• 7 airbags, incl:
• • Driver
  • Front passenger
  • Front side
  • Front middle
  • Curtain
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Front cross-traffic alert (excl. Ultra petrol)
• Front and rear parking sensors (four each)
• Hill descent control
• Lane-centring
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Surround-view monitor
• Traffic sign recognition
• Tyre pressure monitoring

Tank 300 Ultra Hybrid, Lux PHEV, and Ultra PHEV add:

• Front and rear parking sensors (six each)
• Highway Assist
• Intelligent parking assist
• Reverse assist

To see how the GWM Tank 300 lines up against the competition, use our comparison tool

How much does the GWM Tank 300 cost to run?

GWM Australia backs its range with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

GWM Australia's individual service prices are detailed below:

To see how the GWM Tank 300 lines up against the competition, use our comparison tool

CarExpert's Take on the GWM Tank 300 Ultra Hi4-T

Out of the box, the Hi4-T seems like a solid addition to the popular Tank 300 lineup.

Fitted with all the same off-road gear and tough, boxy looks – plus a sneaky badge on the back that references its Beer O’Clock Hill success – it sure is ready to play the part.

Whether Paul’s concerns transfer to day-to-day road use is yet to be seen, but the first couple of drives have highlighted one glaring absence typically found in many modern cars – beeps and bongs.

Yes, the Tank is fitted with a driver attention monitor and the litany of mandatory driver-assist functions and, yes, they are definitely switched on.

Safe to say early signs are looking good.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new GWM Tank 300. Click here to get a great deal.

Click the images for the full gallery

MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 300 showroom